ShopWoodworking: I still love books, and especially books on woodworking. The amount of knowledge contained in any one book of woodworking can take you through many levels of the craft, not to mention the know-how inside five or ten fine woodworking books.
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I ordered two of these books after reading this article. Similar to the article a few weeks ago regarding hand cut dados, I don’t think traditional woodcraft is something that is economical in entertainment scenery construction, but every carpenter should still know at least the basic wood joints and techniques, even if its for the one show in 50 that calls for blind dovetails or half mitered finger joints.
There are a few good properties textbooks that discuss some joinery, but I think there is a need for a “Woodworking for the Entertainment Industry” textbook that shows a selection of joinery, mouldings, and other traditional architectural and fine woodwork as a designer may specify it, and then an alternative that is conducive to theatre. Maybe Carnegie Scenic should start writing this.
I find carpenters fascination with Shaker furniture interesting. The shaker style of furniture is elegant but simple in line but very well constructed. I remember many of the episodes of the New Yankee Workshop in the first couple of seasons were building shaker furniture and it seems to be a style that lends itself to learning basic joinery. These books are all great reference but they are skills that will make you a better carpenter but they are not needed for theatrical carpentry. Learning to use hand tools and joinery is a great stress release and a great zen activity and if you have the time for these techniques in your build by all means use them. Props carpenters should be well versed in these techniques if they want to work at a high level.
I began my career as an apprentice to a general contractor - our specialties were kitchens, bathrooms, windows and doors and the occasional house flip. But in that time, and since then as I transitioned into the entertainment industry I've had little opportunity to learn much about fine woodworking. Recently I've had the opportunity to begin expanding my knowledge of finer techniques and tools. A number of these books would allow me to continue expanding my horizons and honing my craft. It's true that fine woodworking techniques aren't often used in theatrical shops, but that doesn't mean they aren't applicable or helpful. The more advanced techniques I learn, the easier and more rewarding my job becomes. And the ability to create interesting and technically challenging work is something that I look forward to having the ability to do. So maybe I'll start adding to my already small collection of books showcasing techniques and projects with a few from this list.
Good books here. I would also recommend these two as life-changing in the way I think about tools and materials. "A Reverence for Wood" by Eric Sloane (http://www.amazon.com/A-Reverence-Wood-Eric-Sloane/dp/0486433943) describes the author's life long study of Yankee craftsmen, their practical, empirical, generational knowledge and their connection to the materials with which they worked.
Secondly, all the tools described in the books listed in this article are basically useless if one can't quickly and effectively sharpen them (a carpenter is only as good as his tools are sharp), so for me Leonard Lee's "Complete Guide to Sharpening" is essential (http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Guide-Sharpening-Leonard/dp/1561581259).
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