Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Box Making: Expert Advice from Start to Finish

October, 2014Stowe is an excellent writer and a hybrid cabinet maker steeped in a very long linage and we should remember that the Shaker cabinet makers used and invented machines to aid their craft as well.Stowe builds on this. No, he does not offer line drawings per se. There are other resources for those. Stowe offers a wealth of knowledge, tips, simplicity and clear explanations for those working toward a higher level of craft. This book stimulates ones creativity which is more to the point; after all a child can build a box.How many wood working enthusiasts have a shop full of tools and very expensive jigs but unfortunately don't spend the little time required to build an accurate shooting board, miter or cross cut sled? Criticisms and low ratings of this book stem from, I believe, not reading the reviews and not grasping the creative prospect involved with the medium they are working with. Hard woods are distinct and fascinating and all wood moves.My best suggestion would be to purchase an online subscription to: Fine WoodWorking; search "Boxes" then buy this and any other books by Doug Stowe.Brad~Scott

If I could give this book 4 and 1/2 stars, I would. But I just can't give it five stars.This is a really good overview on the technqiues needed to make boxes. Many techniques are covered in detail (but not too much detail). The photography is excellent. And the book is well organized and well written.There are a few things that I'd change. First, I'd include a section that contained photos of completed boxes in order to jump start the design process. Maybe I would entitled that section "Inspiration" or "Works by Other Woodworkers".Second, I'd include a section regarding how to rout, cut and otherwise manipulate small pieces. There are several techniques shown where the author puts his fingers really close to carbide that is spinning at 15,000 rpm. Maybe I'm a wus, but I just won't put my fingers within an inch of a spinning router bit.Third, similar in format to a Snap-On calendar, I'd include a scantily-clad, well-endowed, blonde model, next to each picture of a completed box.

Like all the Taunton's Guides, this one is well written with lots of color illustrations. It has sections on all the phases of box making (wood preparation, joinery, finishing, lids, joinery, linings, etc., and it covers multiple ways to accomplish each of these steps. More comprehensive discussion of joinery and finishing, if you want it, can be found in other books from Taunton's dedicated to those topics. This book does not have plans for specific projects, but rather explains the concepts so that you can invent your own box designs. Some of the methods are quite complex and can't be fully understood with a single reading, but the information is all there and if this kind of work appeals to you, this book can teach you to make nice boxes, simple or elaborate.

THis guy knows all about boxes

Rant rave, rant rave. If youre into boxes, simply buy it. zillions of tips, lots of great pictures. very clear, very concise.Doug Stowe knows his stuff. You WILL learn from this book.

This book starts out saying that you really don't need any but the most basic of tools in order to make boxes but then goes on to show all the boxes enclosed being built with advanced tools.The book is thorough in it's layout and description of process.It even throws in some extra's such as chip carving details and suggestions for staining.I like this book but I feel like the money for it might have been better spent towards some of those advanced tools I don't have.

Excellent shape. Beautiful book. Not what i was expecting as far as content. My faukt i was looking for books with patterns. This book is very welk wxpl as un techniques. But i love it anyway. 😍

If you own other Doug Stowe books, do NOT buy this one, you will be severely disappointed.I own three other Doug Stowe box making books and all of them are phenomenal, I can't say enough positive things about the way Mr. Stowe explains and demonstrates procedures in the other books. However, this book is much different. I typically don't purchase and type of woodworking book as old as this one (published in 2004) simply because the tools and techniques tend to change/improve over this length of time. However, I saw that it was a Doug Stowe book and took a chance.The book has numerous topics and photos, but (for the most part) each topic is described in two or three paragraphs with no step-by-step instructions. Each topic is described - that's it! It's as if Mr. Stowe was stifled by Taunton Press and told not to provide anything more than a definition for each topic.As I mentioned, I enjoy Doug Stowe books and will likely purchase more of his in the future, but I regret purchasing this one. The only reason I rated three stars instead of one is because of Doug Stowe.

This Guide to Box Making is exactly that - a guide. I am happy it didn’t use up space with patterns, measurements and materials lists. Its excellent pictures and commentary provide numerous design ideas and insight on how to make it all happen. It does include some hand tool processes but focuses more on power tool operations aimed at a well equipped shop. It includes some discussion of joinery, hinges, feet, inner dividers, linings and special decorating techniques. I learn something new every time I look through the book. Only four days after I received the book I am already developing three of the box design ideas.

Now have the complete series, amazing series.

Very informative, a little disappointed is has no plans but a great book.

Il testo è ben articolato ma i contenuti non possono essere ingranditi e questo rende difficile utilizzare le informazioni illustrate negli schemi e negli esempi. Forse per questo tipo di manuali la versione cartacea resta preferibile.

Excellent quality