Traditional Carpentry and Finish Work

[Caleb James]

The market seems flush with books on the use of hand tools in furniture creation, but I was wondering if there are any good publications that explore traditional carpentry (home building) as well as finishing work (everything that takes place after the bents have been raised). I have many books on timber frame construction but am looking for more information on how to dress the skeleton after the raising. Thanks.

[Zach Dillinger]

My favorite works on this topic are:

Modern Carpentry Vols. 1 and 2 by Fred T. Hodgson
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1589636155/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1589636155&linkCode=as2&tag=eatocounwood-20)Modern Practical Joinery by George Ellis. (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0941936082/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0941936082&linkCode=as2&tag=eatocounwood-20)
Handbook of Doormaking, Windowmaking and Staircasing by Anthony Talbot
(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0806988967/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0806988967&linkCode=as2&tag=eatocounwood-20)The Woodwright's Companion (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CGTBIY/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005CGTBIY&linkCode=as2&tag=eatocounwood-20)has some good information on finish carpentry / trimming out a colonial timberframe house.

They aren't as common as the hand-tool furniture books, but these will serve you well. All are valued parts of my library and I reference them constantly when doing joiner's work.

Zach

[Caleb James]

Thanks, Zach. I will definitely check them out. Up until this point the best I have been able to find was:

Homebuilding and Woodworking in Colonial America
(http://www.amazon.com/Homebuilding-Woodworking-Colonial-America-Illustrated/dp/1564400190/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345222041&sr=1-3&keywords=colonial+house+building)

[Zach Dillinger]

Caleb, I have that one as well. It does offer some interesting information, but I wouldn't consider it a serious addition to the list when you are trying to learn what you need to do to finish out your building. Its more like a picture book, to be honest, not much text. Could be worthwhile, but I'd look at the others first.

[Jeff Bartley]

Caleb--may I suggest you explore some of the historic homes around you? Richmond has some beautiful old houses! Another great trip for you would be a visit to Jeffersons' Poplar Forest. There you can see stages of construction, literally. During the restoration they left parts of the walls open all the way to the framing. Very worth the drive!

[geoff wood]

im a finish carpenter by trade, and i think the book 'carpentry' in the 'for pros, by pros' series is great. i find learning from ones own mistakes is the best way to learn, at least in my opinion. also, working alone, with no one to help you hold long pieces can present problems

[Sam Murdoch]

Here is my vote for "traditional carpentry" - the Audels Carpenter Guide, 4 volume set http://www.amazon.com/Carpenters-Practical-Illustrated-Construction-Carpenters/dp/B000HPXVTK

Also a great research tool is the White Pine series - good luck finding them though - In the 80s (I think) the entire series was reproduced with introductions by Roy Underhill. Here is the wikipedia description http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Pine_Series_of_Architectural_Monographs

[Andrae Covington]

The market seems flush with books on the use of hand tools in furniture creation, but I was wondering if there are any good publications that explore traditional carpentry (home building) as well as finishing work (everything that takes place after the bents have been raised). I have many books on timber frame construction but am looking for more information on how to dress the skeleton after the raising. Thanks.


Here is my vote for "traditional carpentry" - the Audels Carpenter Guide, 4 volume set http://www.amazon.com/Carpenters-Practical-Illustrated-Construction-Carpenters/dp/B000HPXVTK

Try to get an early edition, the first was published in 1923. It still primarily shows hand tools and associated methods. The entire set is nice to have, but the 4th volume may be most applicable for what you want.

1. covers basic wood properties, fasteners, all manner of carpentry hand tools and how to sharpen them, a little on (large) circular saws and band saws, using a framing square, basic joinery including mortise & tenon and dovetails, and a sampling of furniture in a craftsman / mission style.

2. carpentry math, surveying, structural calculations, hand drafting and reading plans, specifications, and estimating.

3. foundations, and framing from sill to roof.

4. roofing, mouldings, doors and windows, siding, stairs, flooring, plaster walls, painting, and even first aid.


...Handbook of Doormaking, Windowmaking and Staircasing by Anthony Talbot...

I have this book as well. It offers much more detail on constructing doors and windows from scratch than a more general guide like Audels. I don't have the other books Zach listed, but they look like great suggestions as well.

I am sure there were many other books published on these topics before power tools and sheet goods came to dominate construction. We've just noted the ones we know about. Check your local librar(y/ies) including universities, and used book stores, you might find a gem.

[Jack Curtis]

An additional approach you can take is to build models, saving the full size construction for more expertise.