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The Unplugged Woodshop: Hand-Crafted Projects for the Home & Workshop
Woodworker Tom Fidgen is very well known in the online woodworking community, and his first book, Made by Hand, was critically acclaimed. In his second book, Fidgen presents more hand-tool woodworking projects for the home and workshop. The projects have a distinctive retro look, recycling designs from our not-so-distant past. He has reconceived the classic library card catalog (converted to use for kitchen storage); a clever medicine chest does double duty as a four-bottle wine tote; and his gentleman’s valet is an elegant clothing stand with a profile that harks back in time. In the opening chapters, Fidgen discusses the benefits of working in an unplugged woodshop, considers the sources of design inspiration, offers advice on the critical importance of sharpening, and even explains how to make hand tools using only hand tools.
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2013
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95 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 11, 2020
I really like Tom Fidgen’s other writing online and this book demonstrates he certainly knows how to take gorgeous photographs of the projects he cooks up. I agree with other reviewers that this particular book presupposes a LOT of knowledge of hand tool technique—if you’re just starting out, Zach Dillinger’s With Saw, Plane, and Chisel and Chris Schwarz’s The Anarchist’s Tool Chest, or the Mortise & Tenon Magazine Apprenticeship DVDs are all better ways to go.
I really like the saw bench design in this book, and I’m currently building a modified version of the kerfing plane that Fidgen popularized here. Some of the other projects (like the traveling doctor’s medicine chest) seem maybe a little fringey and indulgent, but I appreciate his willingness to try new things that require some skill and get weird in the process, rather than pouring another resin table or screwing some welded legs to a live edge slab.
I really like the saw bench design in this book, and I’m currently building a modified version of the kerfing plane that Fidgen popularized here. Some of the other projects (like the traveling doctor’s medicine chest) seem maybe a little fringey and indulgent, but I appreciate his willingness to try new things that require some skill and get weird in the process, rather than pouring another resin table or screwing some welded legs to a live edge slab.
December 23, 2016
This book is an improvement over his previous book, but it is still lacking. Older, better-conceived books are out there in used book stores and garage sales. Find them. Read them. Improve your woodworking skills. Don't bother with this one.
May 7, 2014
Gorgeous Craftsmanship! My mission in life is to preserve craftsmanship. - Waris AhluwaliaI will no doubt sound outdated in the extreme when I say this – but I truly miss craftsmanship. In this day of plastics and throwaways, the feel of a truly well made table, the curve of a hard-carved chair arm or the beautiful lines of a bookcase is something I search for, and don’t often find. So, it was with great pleasure that I accepted when asked to review The Unplugged Woodshop by Tom Fidgen. Mr. Fidgen is a true craftsman, and it shows in all of his work. This volume contains some of the most amazing works I have seen come out of “unplugged” shops – workshops that use solely hand tools that don’t require the modern day convenience of electricity! His works are amazing. There is a drafting table that looks as if it came straight from a Craftsman Era workshop that would be beautiful for any aspiring architect or artist. A gentleman’s valet would fit beautifully in any dressing room or bedroom, while an old-fashioned doctor’s medicine chest, complete with carry strap, makes a beautiful and highly unusual wine tote for visits to friend’s dinner parties. Handcut dovetails in all of his drawer work is especially prominent in my favorite piece – an absolutely stunning library style card catalog. For those of you too young to remember, there was a time when we didn’t run to a computer to look up books. Instead, our fingers did the work in a different way, running across sometimes handwritten tags on the fronts of many drawers holding 3x5 cards, each neatly lettered with the titles and information about all the books in the library. I spent many happy hours in the library when I was in school, paging through the cards, enjoying the smells of old paper, and dreaming of the worlds to be found in books. Tom has repurposed the card catalog for use in the kitchen,setting the height to 43 ½ inches in order to be at a good working height. I envision it in another setting, in my quilting workroom where the drawers will hold spools of thread, small tools, and the myriad of other items I am constantly searching for as I work. Tom gives gorgeous examples of how you can utilize cheaper woods and yet still turn out gorgeous pieces by using veneers of highly prized woods to give your project a million dollar look on a budget. His zebrawood veneer on the card catalog is stunning, while blending walnut, quarter-sawn oak and cherry woods, along with veneers of more exotic woods can turn the simple architect’s table into a museum quality piece of art.The photos in the books are absolutely stunning. Great care has been taken to not only show the beauty of the finished pieces, but to give beautifully illustrated photos of the projects as they are built. Any of the photos in the book are works of art in and of themselves.Don’t have the proper tools for working wood? Tom even helps you there, as he gives patterns and instructions for making your own tools! He also gives tips and hints about how to handle your tools properly, how to us a handsaw properly for best results, properly using a plane (which he shows you how to build) and other methods of proper workmanship and hand tool safety.If you are at all interested in the fine art and craft of woodworking, you could not go wrong with this beautiful book and the stunning projects within. Highly recommended!
January 17, 2015
This is a beautifully written and photographed book, but is sometimes more beautiful than useful. The book disappoints when it comes to being able to execute because it lacks sufficient plans and detail. This is true for some projects more than others, in that different projects have different levels of information with which to build, so there is inconsistency between chapters. For this I blame the publisher and editors more than the author, of whom I'm a fan and follow via his blog.
Take the section on building hand planes, for example. If you want to build a jack plane, there is one drawing to help you: two views (lateral and top perspective) of the completed piece. There is no tool list, there is no cut list. These shortcomings, however, could be easily remedied with detailed step-by-step instructions, but those are not to be found. It is "carefully saw the 45 degree blade ramp and then the 65 degree front block for the mouth opening." What kind of saw should be used? Should you saw clear through the piece, dividing it in half, or stop at a certain point? From the photos, it looks like the jack plane base has "sides" around the blade opening and mouth, implying one should only cut these angles in a center section of the plane and not the whole piece. To answer these questions, one will have to look outside of the book (YouTube videos, etc.) somewhat defeating the purpose, for me at least, of purchasing a woodworking book to keep beside me in the shop with all information in one place, so my laptop doesn't need to be on the bench as well.
Finally, some of the photos selected to accompany the step-by-step instructions are not the most useful photos to show: a photo may show the least important or most obvious action in a series of instructions, but not the more complicated actions that the reader needs clarified more than others.
I write this as someone who has worked almost exclusively with hand tools for more than a decade. I have taken numerous woodworking classes (with Taunton authors) and have built coffee tables, end tables, dovetailed boxes, and a dozen Adirondack chairs primarily with hand tools. I have restored hand planes and vintage saws. I know enough to be able to fill in some blanks in writing, but not when it comes to building my own tools, a new foray for me.
Take the section on building hand planes, for example. If you want to build a jack plane, there is one drawing to help you: two views (lateral and top perspective) of the completed piece. There is no tool list, there is no cut list. These shortcomings, however, could be easily remedied with detailed step-by-step instructions, but those are not to be found. It is "carefully saw the 45 degree blade ramp and then the 65 degree front block for the mouth opening." What kind of saw should be used? Should you saw clear through the piece, dividing it in half, or stop at a certain point? From the photos, it looks like the jack plane base has "sides" around the blade opening and mouth, implying one should only cut these angles in a center section of the plane and not the whole piece. To answer these questions, one will have to look outside of the book (YouTube videos, etc.) somewhat defeating the purpose, for me at least, of purchasing a woodworking book to keep beside me in the shop with all information in one place, so my laptop doesn't need to be on the bench as well.
Finally, some of the photos selected to accompany the step-by-step instructions are not the most useful photos to show: a photo may show the least important or most obvious action in a series of instructions, but not the more complicated actions that the reader needs clarified more than others.
I write this as someone who has worked almost exclusively with hand tools for more than a decade. I have taken numerous woodworking classes (with Taunton authors) and have built coffee tables, end tables, dovetailed boxes, and a dozen Adirondack chairs primarily with hand tools. I have restored hand planes and vintage saws. I know enough to be able to fill in some blanks in writing, but not when it comes to building my own tools, a new foray for me.
October 15, 2013
Perhaps like you, I am always a little weary buying books like these because they usually end up being 200 page presentations with little more than pictures and general instructions on concept. But here in The Unplugged Woodshop we actually get step-by-step instructions on how to build real world projects using in-depth instructions and drawings. Books like this can be difficult to review, so let me give you an understanding of just what you will find within.
Not only is this book an instructional tale of how to build the projects contained within, but it gives you a far more complete understanding of the art of woodworking. In the beginning their is an introduction to the unplugged form. In this introduction the author speaks to the emotional feel a woodworker can get from forming wood without electrical-mechanical aid. This understanding of the art just doesn't speak nonelectrical craftsmanship, but extends to time when woodworkers got their source material from the land and not at a store's lumberyard. Here you will find a great instructional telling of how to form rough lumber into a workable material. Next is an understanding of how chemical bonds can extend layers if material into larger project materials by having an understanding of glues and finishes.
After a base understanding of the art of woodworking is complete, it is time to get to work. Eleven projects are presented to the reader; the sawyer's bench, the Funeral Chair, the Architect's Chair, Lying Press, the Pochade Box, Wood Planes, Kerfing Plane, Frame Saw, the Good-Doctor's Medicine Chest, the Gentleman's Valet, and the Card Catalog. So you will note by this list that not only cool projects are in the book, but actual woodworking tools can be made as well. And as wood workers, being able to make our own tools is pretty neat.
The book finishes up with the administrative side of our business with a resources section, metric equivalents, and an index.
Overall the book is a great way to learn the foundation of woodworking. To say that the "unplugged" workshop is better than a electrical one is missing the point of the book. Here we see that artistic history of the craft presented in a way that modern woodworkers should be able to appreciate and learn from.
Good book.
Not only is this book an instructional tale of how to build the projects contained within, but it gives you a far more complete understanding of the art of woodworking. In the beginning their is an introduction to the unplugged form. In this introduction the author speaks to the emotional feel a woodworker can get from forming wood without electrical-mechanical aid. This understanding of the art just doesn't speak nonelectrical craftsmanship, but extends to time when woodworkers got their source material from the land and not at a store's lumberyard. Here you will find a great instructional telling of how to form rough lumber into a workable material. Next is an understanding of how chemical bonds can extend layers if material into larger project materials by having an understanding of glues and finishes.
After a base understanding of the art of woodworking is complete, it is time to get to work. Eleven projects are presented to the reader; the sawyer's bench, the Funeral Chair, the Architect's Chair, Lying Press, the Pochade Box, Wood Planes, Kerfing Plane, Frame Saw, the Good-Doctor's Medicine Chest, the Gentleman's Valet, and the Card Catalog. So you will note by this list that not only cool projects are in the book, but actual woodworking tools can be made as well. And as wood workers, being able to make our own tools is pretty neat.
The book finishes up with the administrative side of our business with a resources section, metric equivalents, and an index.
Overall the book is a great way to learn the foundation of woodworking. To say that the "unplugged" workshop is better than a electrical one is missing the point of the book. Here we see that artistic history of the craft presented in a way that modern woodworkers should be able to appreciate and learn from.
Good book.
December 1, 2013
**I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I will first say that I am not a wooodworker, however I grew up very much exposed to the woodworking aspect of construction. My dad is a finish carpenter which is very much an art form and thus I was interested in seeing what this book has to offer. Because of growing up around someone who does woodworking I am familiar with some of the techniques and the terminology used throughout the book.
I think the overall concept of the book is great - woodworking without using powertools. Woodworking with any type of tools is an art form, but using only handtools really takes it up a notch. The visuals featured in the book are very helpful and make the projects and materials easy to understand. There are clear explanations of the project steps and the writers ideas about each project and woodworking in general. The simplistic designs of the projects really aids in capturing the true craft of woodworking.
This book would be great for anyone interested in woodworking, whether a beginner or a seasoned and highly experienced craftsman.
I will first say that I am not a wooodworker, however I grew up very much exposed to the woodworking aspect of construction. My dad is a finish carpenter which is very much an art form and thus I was interested in seeing what this book has to offer. Because of growing up around someone who does woodworking I am familiar with some of the techniques and the terminology used throughout the book.
I think the overall concept of the book is great - woodworking without using powertools. Woodworking with any type of tools is an art form, but using only handtools really takes it up a notch. The visuals featured in the book are very helpful and make the projects and materials easy to understand. There are clear explanations of the project steps and the writers ideas about each project and woodworking in general. The simplistic designs of the projects really aids in capturing the true craft of woodworking.
This book would be great for anyone interested in woodworking, whether a beginner or a seasoned and highly experienced craftsman.
October 13, 2013
I first came across Tom Fidget via his excellent website the unplugged woodshop. Working from his small workshop he produces some amazing projects. He is a devotee of hand tools and does demonstrate what can be achieved without power tools. The style of videos is very slick no commentary only Tom and his tools. He has another string to his bow which is music the soundtrack to his workshop exploits is fantastic.
I almost forgot I am writing about his second book Unplugged Woodshop: Hand-Crafted Projects for the Home & Workshop. It is a perfect complement for the website. There are details of plans, projects and tips on hand tool usage. Currently Tom is producing a series videos on the construction of a funeral chair. I have always called these folding chairs, might be a Canadian thing. The details of this project are beautifully laid in the book.
A great addition for anyone who is interested in hand tool techniques and importantly making things from wood.
I almost forgot I am writing about his second book Unplugged Woodshop: Hand-Crafted Projects for the Home & Workshop. It is a perfect complement for the website. There are details of plans, projects and tips on hand tool usage. Currently Tom is producing a series videos on the construction of a funeral chair. I have always called these folding chairs, might be a Canadian thing. The details of this project are beautifully laid in the book.
A great addition for anyone who is interested in hand tool techniques and importantly making things from wood.
August 10, 2014
Awesome book. Tom covers the basics of working wood by hand and offers designs for several tools to help you maximize your woodworking skills and tools. Therer are several cool projects for your shop, office or gifts that cover a wide range of woodworking skills and techniques. A great intro to woodworking with hand tools, especially if you supplement with Tom's blog: http://www.theunpluggedwoodshop.com/. There you'll find videos of several of the projects, notes on the projects that didn't make it into the final book, and a few updates of some minor mistakes or omissions from the designs. Definitely worth getting if you are wanting to get into hand tool woodworking.
December 3, 2015
Beautiful projects, incredible talent, short on detail for beginners. It was a good read, and provides a few pieces of wisdom that are worth the time to check it out.
December 6, 2015
Great and inspiring stuff.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews