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From Tree to Table: How to Make Your Own Rustic Log Furniture (Fox Chapel Publishing) Practical Woodworking Information, Detailed Building Instructions, and Expert Troubleshooting Advice
Discover how to build rustic furniture from cut timber in this comprehensive guide for woodworkers! In From Tree to Table , award-winning outdoor writer and photographer Alan Garbers shows how to use raw logs to make stylish rustic pieces. Alan provides detailed, practical information on procuring and processing logs, with sage troubleshooting advice based on years of experience. Learn which species look best with the bark on, and which work better with the bark off. Find out why wood may shrink, warp, or crack, and how to deal with rot, decay, and insects. Get expert guidance on all the woodworking techniques you need to know, from steam bending and joinery to sanding, gluing, and finishing. From Tree to Table offers instructions for making charming cabin-style beds, tables, benches, lamps, coat racks, kiva ladders, and more! "One of the most popular furniture styles today is rustic furniture, rich with history..."
—RefinedElements
—RefinedElements
- GenresWoodwork
176 pages, Paperback
Published January 7, 2019
6 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 15, 2019
This is an in incredibly well written, comprehensive book for anyone who wants to get serious about building log furniture.
Garbers is clearly an expert at the craft and I love that it's filled not just with photos of his actual work but even of mistakes he's made along the way to save the reader from making them too. The book covers just about every concern you'd have and many you'd never even think to ask about.
Full color photos are used throughout.
Garbers is conversational in tone while still knowledgeable and professional. He says that this is the book he wished he had when he started, and he's created a perfect guide for others who are starting.
I also have newfound respect for how much work goes into creating these works of art.
Highly recommended.
I read a digital ARC for the purpose of review.
Garbers is clearly an expert at the craft and I love that it's filled not just with photos of his actual work but even of mistakes he's made along the way to save the reader from making them too. The book covers just about every concern you'd have and many you'd never even think to ask about.
Full color photos are used throughout.
Garbers is conversational in tone while still knowledgeable and professional. He says that this is the book he wished he had when he started, and he's created a perfect guide for others who are starting.
I also have newfound respect for how much work goes into creating these works of art.
Highly recommended.
I read a digital ARC for the purpose of review.
February 5, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
From Tree to Table is a tutorial guide from woodworker and outdoorsman Alan Garbers. Released 22nd Jan 2019 by Fox Chapel, it's 152 pages and available in paperback format.
There is a philosophical concept (widely represented in a lot of different cultures) that says that the act of making an object (especially handmaking) imbues it with a 'thusness'. The fact that each piece of handmade furniture is unique (even if the crafter is aiming for conformity) gives it personality. Rustic decoration has become very popular the last years. I believe this is in direct response to decades of disposable cookie-cutter furniture. Handmade goods are generally more solid and well made than mass produced items and they are certainly more pleasing to live with and use.
This author 'gets it'. This book is full of personal anecdotes and tips from his experiences building furniture himself.
The book is split into sections. Each section is further divided into project chapters. Part 1 covers introductory how-to and tools. Besides a very basic chapter included covering safety and equipment, there are lots of technique and info sections on wood as a medium, why it behaves the way it does, how to form and shape it, sourcing and evaluating materials, etc.
Part 2 has the furniture tutorials. There are 7 moderately advanced projects up to and including a bed-frame. There is also a short bibliography and index. The project tutorials presuppose a level of familiarity with woodworking and access to tools. This is a lovely book, full of beautiful photographs of rustic furniture in a room setting. I would recommend it not only to woodworkers looking for a challenge, but also as inspiration to readers wishing to source custom crafted furniture.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
From Tree to Table is a tutorial guide from woodworker and outdoorsman Alan Garbers. Released 22nd Jan 2019 by Fox Chapel, it's 152 pages and available in paperback format.
There is a philosophical concept (widely represented in a lot of different cultures) that says that the act of making an object (especially handmaking) imbues it with a 'thusness'. The fact that each piece of handmade furniture is unique (even if the crafter is aiming for conformity) gives it personality. Rustic decoration has become very popular the last years. I believe this is in direct response to decades of disposable cookie-cutter furniture. Handmade goods are generally more solid and well made than mass produced items and they are certainly more pleasing to live with and use.
This author 'gets it'. This book is full of personal anecdotes and tips from his experiences building furniture himself.
The book is split into sections. Each section is further divided into project chapters. Part 1 covers introductory how-to and tools. Besides a very basic chapter included covering safety and equipment, there are lots of technique and info sections on wood as a medium, why it behaves the way it does, how to form and shape it, sourcing and evaluating materials, etc.
Part 2 has the furniture tutorials. There are 7 moderately advanced projects up to and including a bed-frame. There is also a short bibliography and index. The project tutorials presuppose a level of familiarity with woodworking and access to tools. This is a lovely book, full of beautiful photographs of rustic furniture in a room setting. I would recommend it not only to woodworkers looking for a challenge, but also as inspiration to readers wishing to source custom crafted furniture.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
November 14, 2020
This book certainly fulfills its title as the author takes you from selecting trees to fell or which logs to take, to taking the bark of the wood, to making the mortise and tenons, and finally through the process of putting together different pieces of furniture. Throughout, his wry humor guides you to what tools are necessary and how to avoid mistakes he has made. Although there are no step-by-step directions for the projects per se, if you have gotten to the point of embarking on a project, you'll likely understand as the author does assume knowledge beyond a stark beginner. I do wish there were more photos and explanation on the tools he recommends, particularly his radial arm saw attachments. There are plentiful photos of finished pieces throughout.
January 17, 2019
This is a good resource for anyone wishing to work with wood. There are some easier projects and wonderful ideas for any skill level.
January 16, 2019
We live in Northeastern Oklahoma very near a commercial sawmill so had been tinkering with some short cuts and mill ends but really needed some guidance. This book gives wonderful background on what to expect when working with fresh cuts and how to best take care of your heirloom quality furniture. It's a great introduction or refresher to anyone working with wood.
March 7, 2019
I have never tried making raw log furniture. Therefore, this book was really intriguing to me and when reading it, I liked how the different possibilities are explained and explored. Great step-by-step are put at the end of the book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews