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The Art of Joinery
We've revived the first English language book on how-to woodworking, updated the language and added photos and analysis of this historic text.
In 1678, a printer and globe maker named Joesph Moxon began publishing a series of pamphlets that explored the tools and practices of six trades, including the joiner. When assembled, these pamphlets became "The Mechanick Exercises" - the first English language account of the trades.
Today, 330 years later, Moxon's description of joiners is still important to woodworkers who incorporate hand tools into their craft. That's because many of the practices and procedures of early craftsmen have been lost - we still don't know exactly how they produced such beautiful work so rapidly and with such simple tools.
For the woodworker who is exploring hand work this book is essential. Moxon's chapters on woodworking offer important clues about the tools and how to use them.
So we decided to reprint Moxon's writings on joinery, offering a plain-spoken explanation of Moxon's original text with added commentary and more than 40 photos that explain early woodworking practices.
The result is a 93-page book that is smythe sewn. It is hardbound with a navy blue cloth covering that is stamped in gold. It was printed in the United States (Maryland, to be exact).
In 1678, a printer and globe maker named Joesph Moxon began publishing a series of pamphlets that explored the tools and practices of six trades, including the joiner. When assembled, these pamphlets became "The Mechanick Exercises" - the first English language account of the trades.
Today, 330 years later, Moxon's description of joiners is still important to woodworkers who incorporate hand tools into their craft. That's because many of the practices and procedures of early craftsmen have been lost - we still don't know exactly how they produced such beautiful work so rapidly and with such simple tools.
For the woodworker who is exploring hand work this book is essential. Moxon's chapters on woodworking offer important clues about the tools and how to use them.
So we decided to reprint Moxon's writings on joinery, offering a plain-spoken explanation of Moxon's original text with added commentary and more than 40 photos that explain early woodworking practices.
The result is a 93-page book that is smythe sewn. It is hardbound with a navy blue cloth covering that is stamped in gold. It was printed in the United States (Maryland, to be exact).
- GenresWoodworkNonfictionCrafts
168 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 31, 2013
A nicely updated and augmented version of Moxon's classic treatise. There is some good information here for the beginning woodworker and enough to keep the more advanced woodworker reading along as well. Recommended.
October 18, 2020
A historical book with something for all woodworkers. Not entirely in depth though. A short read.
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September 27, 2022Not as informative as I had hoped.
July 16, 2014
If you're into hand tool woodworking, and your also into historical approaches, it's worth the time. Nothing earth-shattering, but enjoyable. Schwarz's analysis is more useful than the text half the time.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews