Woodworking For Dummies

You've seen a few shows on TV, and working with wood looks like itcould be quite entertaining and rewarding. After all, you get tocreate something that you can proudly display to your friends andfamily. But where and how do you begin to move from expressedinterest to hands-on experience? Woodworking For Dummies shows you how your raw buildingmaterials stack up, with everything you wood need to knowabout hardwood, softwood, plywood, veneer wood, plain-sawn wood,rift-cut wood, quarter-sawn wood, solid wood, man-made wood, andmore. This down-to-earth guide gives you the goods on how boardsare made from trees and the characteristics of hardwood andsoftwood species, plus all the buzz on * Gearing up with the right tools * Putting safety first in your workshop * Using adhesives and glue * Working with wood joints * Smoothing it out by sanding and filling * Adding color with stains and paints * Protecting your work with topcoats Whether you want to put together a simple plywood bookcase or anincredible solid oak dining table, Woodworking For Dummiescan help you get organized as you craft your plans for a piecethat'll reflect your personal touch. You'll discover how to * Measure and mark your wood * Distinguish among saw designs * Choose and use sharpening tools * Hone in on hot melt glue * Speed things up with modern frame joints * Get down to the nitty-gritty on nails * Apply water-based polyurethanes This handy reference packs in essential information for thenovice woodworker and some advanced tips and tricks to jumpstartany woodworker's existing skills. Includes detailed illustrationsand how-to photos.