How to Build Shaker Furniture

by Thos. Moser

Complete instructions for building your own beautifully simple Shaker-style benches, desks, chairs, cupboards, much more. More than 350 photos and measured drawings. “Moser’s discussion of the building process is unparalleled.”— Popular Woodworking

Genres: Woodwork, Reference, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Kamal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, this new edition is not as good as the older one. All of the fantastic black and white process photos are gone, as are also the charming drawings and diagrams by Christian Becksvoort. All of the illustrations are done with a vector-based drawing program so they are all flat and characterless. If you are a collector, woodworker or craftsman, don't buy this 'updated' version of the book. Fine the a used copy of the out-of-print original version. It is far superior.

[Ethan Chitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The scale drawings and structural information is good as well as the background about how Shaker theology played into their designs, but the author is a snob who denigrates anyone that doesn’t think the way he does about materials or tools.

[Heather Wendy Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful,deceptively simple.

Both the writing and the works this book focuses on appear beautiful in their simplicity but are the result of process and studied understanding, so well presented and generously shared in the valuable book.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very educational book that covers both the history, design, and construction of Shaker style furniture.

[Christopher Hachet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started me on my woodworking hobby. Excellent advice. Read this thirty plus years ago in its first edition, second edition is excellent also. A few projects are different book to book.

[Barry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The "How To" part of the title may be a bit strong, since Moser's guidance is sparse except for sections at the beginning on general assembly procedures and techniques. On the whole, the book is much more of a general overview and probably most appropriate for beginners. Still, the book's a great read for even if only for Moser's voice and the measured drawings, especially of the Kitchen Desk.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the clean, simple lines of shaker furniture. This book helped me to understand the general construction involved. The drawings aren't top notch but are followable.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great pictures and plans of the furniture. They would be better with a lumber list and more detailed descriptions about the original joinery, but they give a general idea of each piece.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

All around great info book!

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would love for it to have been longer, described drawing more.