Shop Drawings of Shaker Furniture & Woodenware (Vols, 1, 2 & 3)

Ejner Handberg's series of Shaker books (this one incorporates three vols in one version) are exceptional for the number of pieces carefully reproduced from actual Shaker furniture.If you want accurate line drawings carefully reproduced from original Shaker pieces, these books are outstanding. If you need construction details or step-by-step instructions, these books may not be the best stand alone books for you. You would be wise to look at a preview of this book to look at the drawings in order know what you're getting, but don't underestimate just how incredibly useful Handberg's Shaker furniture drawings are.All of the drawings are to an exact scale and show the most important details. I personally keep an architectural rule handy while looking at Handberg's books. The architectural rule is helpful to pull measurements from the drawings since not every dimension is provided. It's amazing how accurate these drawings are reproduced. The dimensions of some of the chairs etc. are very clearly drawn down to smaller fractions of an inch. I strongly suggest you use an architectural rule if you plan to maximize the utility of this book. It's really a necessity and will make the book all the more useable and enjoyable.A couple (very few of them) of the drawings have lines that are a little weak from the reproduction. I know there was a fourth book of shaker furniture by Ejner Handberg and the weaker drawings are much better in that book.This is a must have book if you want to study or reproduce authentic Shaker furniture.

I love history and the simplistic style of the Shaker. This book has a lot of great line drawings, some with dimensions, some with not. Parts of some catalogs for Shaker furniture are there.Why did I buy it? I am retiring and wanting to do some woodworking. The plan is it will be a reference to some projects I want to do.I have already spent a few hours going through it quickly, now I need to analyze a few selected pieces so I can get something done!Oh, why 4 star? It is hard to get the 5th star from me unless something is really exceptional.Enjoy...

love Shaker things. I was particularly interested in boxes. Was not disappointed. These are the plans measured from the originals

Great book and praiseworthy effort. Missing some valuable detail in the drawings, but an experienced furniture maker can fill in the gaps

From plain to complex - furniture for all. Easy to read, lots of hints and detail drawings of joinery included. A brief note on species of woods used, Often includes finishes on the originals. Hardback binding, handy size, stiff binding precludes laying flat on the scanner for shop copies. Keep your protractor or bevel gauge handy for measuring angles on chairs and benches.john (:>)))

I am replacing my library of woodworking books that I gave away to my children and friends. As I near retirement I want to take up the production of Shaker furniture as my life's work. This book was helpful in the past and I know it will help me on my way to a new career of furniture building.

i was very pleased with the book I woud order from them again

This book contains a wealth of designs than can be used as is but the designs can also serve as basis for new designs. I am very pleased with it.

I thought this book would at least provide me with some diagrams showing construction but I was wrong. The sketches, (I won't call them workshop drawings) which are supposedly to scale, look a bit like those drawings you get in colouring in books. Some dimensions are given but to be honest you might as well not have them. There are some exploded views of dovetail joints and on some of them you can see through tenons but that is the only construction detail. There are some photos but these are poor quality. If you want a book that shows you what Shaker furniture looks like or you have a particular interest in finials (there seem to be a lot of sketches of them) then this is the book for you. If you would like to make some Shaker style furniture and are looking for a cutting list and accurate drawings then this is certainly not the one for you.

This contains all three volumes of the series the drawings are all technical drawing style measured to scale. If a measurement is missing it is easy to work out or measure and work out. Good book for craftsmen and those in to design

Gute Inspirationsquelle

Zu vielen Möbeln, aber auch anderen Gegenständen der Shaker, findet man hier bemaßte und auch detaillierte Zeichnungen. Für alle, die diese Möbel / Gegenstände nachbauen möchten, ist das hoch interessant, weil die Proportionen für das Erscheinungsbild und die Wirkung der Möbel äußerst wichtig ist. In den Skizzen sind außerdem konstruktive Details hervorgehoben. In den wenigen Textpassagen findet man nichts Neues. Der Titel ist Programm - Skizzen von Möbel und Holzgegenständen !Kein besonders guter Druck und auch kein hochwertiges Papier. Das ist ein Buch für die Werkstatt und nicht für den Bücherschrank.