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This is not really positioned as "Router 101" type of book. This is a Reader's Digest book. I like this book for a lot of reasons. Multiple approaches to many jigs are also presented, too. I used to regard Taunton as the gold standard in woodworking books. While it does have some introductory material in the opening chapters, it doesn't stop there - far from it, in fact. I particularly appreciate perspective advice like the latter, as a simplistic presentation of how to cut a sliding dovetail alone will get you plenty frustrated once you try fitting one a half-inch deep and 12 inches long.
They've had some pretty good woodworking titles, and this book is well-made in addition to being really well-written. That includes clear and enjoyable writing, good pictures that support the text, minimal non-usable material, and content that extends my vision. Don't let that hold you back. The number and types of jigs the book covers is just amazing, plus it manages to convey how to build them without wasting enormous numbers of pages on unnecessary details. There is useful advice embedded throughout the book, ranging from bit selection to the depth of carcass sliding dovetails. Another is Bob Flexner's Understanding Wood Finishes book. Lately it seems as though 90% of what they publish is retreads of Fine Woodworking articles.
One of the reviews I read here said that this book was all about making one's own jigs and not buying commercial jigs. That was a good find. While I enjoy woodworking quite a bit, I don't have time to really get into it. So I bought the book primarily hoping to find a good way make dovetail jigs or even a trick for cutting them by hand. I think that limits the usefulness of the book, at least for now. Well, the book told me to buy a jig. I wanted to make dovetails but really didn't feel like spending a ton of cash on a jig and a bushing. If I ever wanted to really get into woodworking, I think I'd find the book more useful.
I guess I should have just bought one, it's just that it's awfully hard to spend almost $100 on something that will be used so infrequently.One the positive, the book had plans for a small table-top router table. It worked out very well and even though it was a very simple design, I sure didn't think of it. Most of my woodworking is done as part of larger projects. But I'll keep it around and who knows, I might find more goodies when I am ready for them.
With this book I was able to get by just fine. Normally these kind of books, I end up reading the first couple of chapters and putting it on the shelf to collect dust. The book teaches you the fundamentals of the router, and in doing so is teaching you how to safely operate it. I actually brought this into the office one slow day, and was 3/4 of the way through the book in no time, and taking notes. My router (used) actually didn't come with a manual. I did buy into the Eurekazone System which I highly recommend that you look into. This will save you from buying a router table, combined with this book, it'll save you a lot of money.
This is an excellent resource for the beginning woodworker interested in learning about the router.
I'm a total beginner in woodworking. What I expected next was descriptions of the most commonly used bits, and how to use them. I purchased "Woodworking with the Router", to get a basic understanding on how a router is constructed and how it operates. The 1st few chapters were just what I was looking for. Instead I got jigs. Ultimately, this book is going to be a valuable reference for making your own jigs, but in the meantime I've got to find out what to do with the bits.
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