Reprint. Originally published: Bearsville, N.Y.: Blackburn Books, A2000.

A revision of the praised 1974 edition, marred by the poor reproduction of the hundreds of drawings. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

A revision of the praised 1974 edition, marred by the poor reproduction of the hundreds of drawings. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

A revision of the praised 1974 edition, marred by the poor reproduction of the hundreds of drawings. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

In this age of machines, handtools remain the best way -- often the only way -- of creating beautiful details, perfect fit, and final finishes. With handtools, there are no technical nor creative limits so the woodworker is liberated from the artistic constraints often imposed by machinery.

A revision of the praised 1974 edition, marred by the poor reproduction of the hundreds of drawings. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

John Whelan unlocks the fascinating secrets of an almost lost art: wooden planemaking. For those curious about the ingenious ways of the craft, this book lays out clear, step-by-step instructions that will enable any woodworker to make a plane. Each chapter (covering 20 different types of planes and spokeshaves) is fully illustrated by the author's line drawings. In addition, there are chapters on the history and alternative methods of planemaking, making plane irons, and the tuning and using of wooden planes. Every chapter that details the construction of a particular plane starts with a photograph of the plane that has been made by the author. As you would expect from Mr. Whelan, this book is the finest and most complete work on the making of wooden planes in print. The reader will enjoy it even if he never puts blade to wood. Should he make a plane or two, he will find Making Traditional Wooden Planes most satisfying

50 Classic Devices You Can Make. In Jigs Fixtures for the Hand Tool Woodworker, expert hand tool woodworker Graham Blackburn brings classic devices back to life and shows you exactly how to make and use them in todays workshop.