Woodworking for Dummies

You've seen a few shows on TV, and working with wood looks like it could be quite entertaining and rewarding. After all, you get to create something that you can proudly display to your friends and family. But where and how do you begin to move from expressed interest to hands-on experience?"Woodworking For Dummies" shows you how your raw building materials stack up, with everything you "wood" need to know about hardwood, softwood, plywood, veneer wood, plain-sawn wood, rift-cut wood, quarter-sawn wood, solid wood, man-made wood, and more. This down-to-earth guide gives you the goods on how boards are made from trees and the characteristics of hardwood and softwood species, plus all the buzz on:Gearing up with the right toolsPutting safety first in your workshopUsing adhesives and glueWorking with wood jointsSmoothing it out by sanding and fillingAdding color with stains and paintsProtecting your work with topcoatsWhether you want to put together a simple plywood bookcase or an incredible solid oak dining table, "Woodworking For Dummies" can help you get organized as you craft your plans for a piece that'll reflect your personal touch. You'll discover how to:Measure and mark your woodDistinguish among saw designsChoose and use sharpening toolsHome in on hot melt glueSpeed things up with modern frame jointsGet down to the nitty-gritty on nailsApply water-based polyurethanesThis handy reference packs in essential information for the novice woodworker and some advanced tips and tricks to jumpstart any woodworker's existing skills. Includes detailed illustrations and how-to photos.