Editorial Review
Introducing a new woodworking series in the tradition of Tage Frid...a series filled with essential information required by woodworkers today. For the first time ever, all the techniques and processes necessary to craft beautiful things from wood have been compiled into three comprehensive volumes: The Complete Illustrated Guides. Highly visual and written by woodworking's finest craftsmen, these three titles -- Furniture & Cabinet Construction, Shaping Wood, and Joinery -- will establish a new standard for shop reference books.
The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture & Cabinet Construction is the ultimate reference work -- a graphic, step-by-step presentation of basic furniture-construction techniques. Expert woodworker Andy Rae brings organization, enthusiasm, and more than 20 years' experience to this essential book. Readers will acquire a working knowledge of woodworking materials, a higher level of control over their work and tools, and an understanding of basic design principles.
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Customer Reviews
Not a how to book 
2008-07-20
Had some ok spatterings of information , but overall I found it a bit dissapointing. Its a fairly big book but doesnt seem to really show anthing ground breaking. If I had seen it before hand I wouldn't buy it again. Thats not to say in the right hands this book wouldn't be handy .Has some interesting info on how to make your own hinges, apart from that the rest is pretty standard stuff.
A little too general 
2008-05-13
Given the scope of this work, I'm not sure what I expected, but I feel like, after reading a book on furniture and cabinet making, I ought to have some idea of how to construct a basic cabinet. While this book covers a wide variety of general techniques and types of joints commonly used, at no point does it tie them together; it discusses possibilities, but never synthesizes them into anything tangible, leaving me, at least, wondering which of the book's assorted grab bag of clever tricks might be combined to actually produce a cabinet. I already knew what a sliding dovetail was before I bought this book; what I sought to learn was the architecture and structural elements needed to design a cabinet. Strangely, I feel like I'm no closer to that knowledge than I was before I read the book.
VERY nice book 
2008-01-07
Got this for my husband for his birthday and he loves it. Hasn't had a chance to build anything since, but it will definately come in handy. The quality of the book itself is very good especially for how low the price was. There are good pictures to follow and very thorough information and directions.
Great as reference or tutorial 2007-10-03
I don't buy many woodworking books because most, especially the ones sold by home centers, aren't very good. They lack detail, they're incomplete, and I often get the feeling that they're just cranked out without much thought. But this one caught my eye in a local bookstore and I'm glad I bought it.
First of all, the book can be used either as a reference or as a complete primer on woodworking. There's lots of information there, but not so much that you get bogged down. At first I just used it to brush up on specific topics, and then I went back to the first page and started reading it straight through. It's well-written; words are used well and not wasted. Photography is superb. Despite the reference to generic "Furniture" in the title, the book is heavily oriented toward cabinets, which it covers in great detail, even to the point of describing how to construct multi-light glass doors.
The first few pages are a little off-putting as the author describes what he considers an appropriate collection of tools and a space to put them in; unfortunately, many woodworking books assume that the reader has acres of space in which to set up a shop. As you read on, though, the text is more friendly toward the hobbyist.
In short, this is a great woodworking reference or tutorial. Don't be put off by the beginning of the book; it gets better. And the Amazon price for this book is much lower than the $40 I paid in the bookstore.
disappointed 2007-09-24
I found this book very disappointing. The pictures were very pretty but that is pretty much it. The illustrations were confusing and of little use. It gives too much of an overview and no real specifics. I found woodworking for dummies to be a much better book for the beginning woodworker.
The benchmark book on furniture making 2007-08-04
Introducing a new woodworking series in the tradition of Tage Frid...a series filled with essential information required by woodworkers today. For the first time ever, all the techniques and processes necessary to craft beautiful things from wood have been compiled into three comprehensive volumes: The Complete Illustrated Guides. Highly visual and written by woodworking's finest craftsmen, these three titles -- Furniture & Cabinet Construction, Shaping Wood, and Joinery -- will establish a new standard for shop reference books.
The Complete Illustrated Guide to Furniture & Cabinet Construction is the ultimate reference work -- a graphic, step-by-step presentation of basic furniture-construction techniques. Expert woodworker Andy Rae brings organization, enthusiasm, and more than 20 years' experience to this essential book. Readers will acquire a working knowledge of woodworking materials, a higher level of control over their work and tools, and an understanding of basic design principles.
Great Resource for Beginners 2007-07-05
I purchased this book because I had the interest to learn more about furniture design and building technique. It's very well written, easy to understand and the quality photos help visualize the instructions of the author. It's a great resource to beginners because of the structure of the book. It starts with basic tools and their use, workshop design, and then moves on to basic wood explanations and building techniques. It also gives you ideas on additional readings if you'd like to research a topic in more detail. I would recommend this book to anyone that is interested woodworking by making it a part of your home library.
Great literature for a novice or tradesman 2007-05-25
This book has plenty to offer anyone. A lot of it was review for me, but it is always good to make sure you don't forget the basics as you move forward in carpentry - it's like trying to attempt calculus without algebra.
I have read this from cover to cover and feel I could read it again to pick up on the little things I missed. It is indeed as it's titled, the "complete" guide. I will say that some basic knowledge will be instrumental for fully grasping and understanding this book, but for the most part, explinations are clear, concise, and simple. There are a few charts in this book that make it very handy and also some very good pointers - some of it is very helpful, but doesnt' seem to be able to adhere to any of my brain cells, so this is one book I like to have close to my shop.
Overall, I'm pleased with this book, and can't wait to read Taunton Press' Complete Illustrated Guide to Joinery, which is referred to in this book from time to time.
Very basic level book 
2007-03-25
I am reluctant to put much effort into writing a review about a entry level text. The information contained within is generic and simplistic. If you can distinguish between a hammer and a nail this book is not for you. I'm going to give mine to my 10 year old neighbor.
Great Books 2007-01-09
I ordered these books as a gift for my woodworking wife and she loved them. Lots of pictures and good detail. Even the used book in the set was in good condition. I am excited for the third one of the set to be printed so I can complete her collection. The books are heavy duty and well constructed with heavy paper and lots of full color pictures and diagrams.
