A Woodworker’s Guide to Understanding Dyes and Chemicals
by Brian Miller and Marci Crestani
If you’re a woodworker looking to take your skills—and your next project—to a higher level of craftsmanship, you might want to consider coloring your wood with chemicals and dyes instead of stains. Unlike stains that can trap light and obscure grain patterns, chemicals and dyes, when handled properly, are one of the best methods for enhancing a wood’s color or accentuating the grain pattern. A classic technique that’s been practiced for centuries, coloring wood is a sure way to infuse a “wow” into your woodworking efforts.
With expert guidance by Brian Miller, a professor of wood technology who teaches an actual course on coloring wood, The Art of Coloring Wood removes any and all intimidation of working with chemicals and dyes and is the perfect entry point for anyone looking to move on from simple stains to learn the art of coloring wood for dramatic effect.
The Art of Coloring Wood focuses on the six most popular woods used by woodworkers—maple, quartersawn white oak, mahogany, walnut, cherry and alder—and outlines each wood’s unique coloring characteristics. Easy-to-follow and engaging chapters on the different chemicals and dyes that will make your woodworking shine. Each chapter offers recipes, insights, and many, many “a-ha!” moments that make learning about chemicals and dyes both fascinating and within easy reach.
With the helpful sidebars throughout the book offering tips, mistakes, and countless nuggets of information, The Art of Coloring Wood will have you understanding the methods and many worthwhile reasons for coloring your wood while chomping at the bit to get a project completed so you can finish it with style and flair.
About the Authors: Brian Miller teaches woodwork finishing at Cerritos College in Norwalk, California. He has worked extensively on restoring historic houses, including several homes by Greene & Greene and Frank Lloyd Wright. Brian was honored in 2016 for his historic wood preservation work by the California state legislature and the Pasadena Historical Society. Marci Crestani is a former lifestyle columnist for the Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Daily News, and has worked as an editor for numerous trade magazines.
$24.95 US • Trade Paperback • 8½" x 11" • 144 pages
ISBN 978-1-61035-305-2
CRAFTS & HOBBIES / Woodwork • BISAC CRA042000
140 Color Photographs • Index
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$24.95 $14.97 |
Woodturning is as popular as ever -- a constantly growing segement in the woodworking world and one of the most wide-reaching woodcrafts among artists and hands-on crafters. It’s appeal is based on the short learning curve, the minimal equipment, and the sheer joy of learning to make something out of wood with one’s own hands. But, unlike a lot of crafts that rely on individuality and creative thinking, the initial techniques of woodturning must be mastered. While at first liberating, these same techniques can eventually be confining because in mastering them, one must follow the lead of others. At a certain point, woodturners can feel that mastering the techniques has become the end in itself as they lose sight of their true pursuit: to create one’s own original style. In fact, some woodturners, who believe they aren’t creative enough, will simply continue to master techniques while imitiating the style of others. Terry Martin, the author of The Creative Woodturner and a woodturning artist, instructor, and photographer for over thirty-years, believes this goes against the fundamental nature of creating and being an artist. There is no “right” or “wrong” and the pursuit of originality should be the goal of every woodturner. Best of all, creativity can be learned and the ability to think and see in one’s own artistic style can be achieved. The Creative Woodturner is not your usual “how-to” woodturning book. It won’t tell you what a chuck is, how to sharpen a scraper, or how to turn a goblet. Instead, this book is a “how-to” for unlocking curiosity, how to break the rules, and for following one’s own artistic path with confidence. Designed to give readers a wide-persepective on creativity, The Creative Woodturner begins first with insightful commentary, quotes, and examples from the woodturning and art community that will both inspire and inform. In addition, the author shares his Idea Tools: questions to ask during the planning and creative process that are as important to the creation of the woodturning project as any equipment in the shop. Finally, 16 one-of-a-kind projects – from boxes and vessles to bowls and one-of-a-kind scultpures – are featured that will spark the creative mindset of any woodturner. Each project is documented with instructions and crisp photography highlighting the key steps, techniques, and tasks necessary for completion. In taking the reader through each project, the author pulls back the curtain on his woodturning magic and shares his vision and how the Idea Tools and creative thinking emerges in each project. An inspiring and enjoyable read not only for woodturners, but for any artist, The Creative Woodturner will anyone to think and see differently so time is spent at the lathe – or whatever creative pursuit it is -- creating the original ideas instead of imitating someone else
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A collection of top-rated projects – all in one gorgeous book. At Fine Woodworking, our editors are always on the lookout for quality projects in a variety of styles that meet our standards. Those that do are featured in our magazine, on our website, in videos and some are available in print and digital plans. And now for your enjoyment, 18 of our favorite table and chair projects are showcased all together in Fine Woodworking: Best Tables & Chairs. Furniture to inspire and challenge you. Whatever your abilities, Best Tables & Chairs has a place in your shop. It’s bursting with beautifully made projects that will inspire beginners to try their hand at furniture making, perhaps for the first time. For the more advanced, there are plenty of challenges to stretch your skills and advance your understanding of this fine art. Something for every taste and every skill level. From simple to sophisticated, the beautiful projects in Best Tables & Chairs are tempting to consider. But you can do more than look and wish. Because it also provides you with clear instruction and the detailed drawings so you can create your own masterpieces, including gorgeous pieces like these ... •Limbert-style coffee table •Porringer-top tea table •Bow-front hall table •Arts & Crafts side table •Hayrake dining table •Philadelphia side chair •And so much more!
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For woodworkers, hand tools put the emphasis on the process of woodworking rather than the result. Yet hand tools also are essential to the highest level of craftsmanship, bringing a refinement to work that machines alone cannot produce. Whether using hand tools alone as a source of pleasure, quality, or efficiency, or in combination with machines, woodworker can trust the information in Woodworking with Hand Tools, a collection of 35 articles from the experts at Fine Woodworking magazine. In Woodworking with Hand Tools, expert craftsmen explain how they choose, sharpen, and use every kind of hand tool.
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$19.95 $11.97 |
Clarke does a great job of taking a complicated process and breaking it down into a step-by-step process, from planning to construction, to final details. The author has been a designer and building contractor since 1970 with a specialty in kitchens. He offers lots of hands on information together with tips on choosing materials, fixtures, and tools.
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$21.95 $13.17 |
Woodshop for Kids has you everything youll need to know to get kids (ages 4-12) started using real tools to build real projects. Safety, tools, wood, measuring, hammering, nails and screws are discussed. Included are many tricks gleaned from Jacks 15 plus years of helping kids build with wood. Construction details for 52 projects are given. Projects range from the very simple like wood sanding, tops or puzzles for preschoolers to the more advanced like boxes, boats, yahoo stick or rope machine for older elementary age kids. Included are many photographs of kid created projects.
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$17.95 $10.77 |
Here is the definitive guide to fashioning writing instruments, with superb photography that goes close-up and clarifies every procedure so that you can select the one that is best for you and your workshop. There are a host of possibilities for the pen maker to express their creativity. Fountain pens, twist pens, tapered rollerball, etc. You can use a lathe, ornamental milling, router in combination with a lathe, and a jewelers lathe. Includes a gallery of finished pens.