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Almost incidentally, the reader is taken on a short course in testing, upgrading, creating, fine-tuning and using all manner of tools for cabinet-making and general woodworking. The band-saw, metal block-planes and spokeshaves, the cabinet scraper and all manner of jigs and tool-rests are covered. There is even a small section on making a brass mallet for adjusting planes, if you are so inclined. There are even methods outlined for coping without a 'proper' work-bench.
No elaborate machine-shop or tool arsenal is necessary to utilise this book and no greater skill than that of reading is required to take a pile of great gems from this outstanding book. If you're very experienced, you might have heard most of the tips and advice before, but probably have never had them explained so thoroughly and convincingly, with high-quality photographs accompanying the text on the same page.
There is no preaching and there is nothing 'forbidden' in these pages, but there is a philosophy of good craftsmanship that really under-pins the work and manages to come through clearly. The author's love of fine tools and their interaction with the raw materials is infectious.
This book would suit the professional woodworker as well as the complete novice who has yet to decide whether to take up some form of woodcraft. You WILL gain something from reading this book; you may even lose out, if you ignore the clear and powerful techniques and messages that it offers. It's brilliant. I've never quite been able to say that about a woodworking book before.
It starts with instruction on how to use and tune both the hand and power tools that will be used in making the wood plane, as well as covering the essentials of wood as it relates to woodworking (i.e. run-out, etc.)
Then it presents an excellent chapter on sharpening, discussing how to sharpen plate irons, chisels and knives.
Next is a long chapter on actually making the plane, although interspersed as always are extremely useful digressions into gluing techniques, truing various tools, etc.
Next, a chapter or two on how to use a plane, both for edging, flattening and polishing. This chapter shows the level of perfection that the author wants from each of his students, as he discusses issues such as how much the thickness of a cut impacts that ability to match the grain when joining. To be honest, this attitude is pervasive throughout the entire book. The author is obviously a craftsman of the highest calibre and of traditional 'old-school' values.
The last chapter is on scraping, a technique I've never understood the advantage of until now: for those working in hardwoods, having made good use of their handplanes, scraping is the best, cleanest (lowest-dust) method of smoothing a board. Why risk sanding a gouge into a beautifully flattened work when the scraper will shave off the last of that rough surface, requiring only a quick pass with a 400 grit piece of sandpaper?
I borrowed this book from the public library to see whether I wanted to buy it. Needless to say, my purchased copy sits close-at-hand in my workshop shelves, already well-thumbed and dog-earred.
The best things about Mr. Finck's book are it's thoroughness and logical organization. Every time a new tool is introduced, information about using it and tuning it (ever see how to tune a combination square?) is given immediately, thoroughly and clearly, instead of at the end or a few pages later or whatever other cockeyed place was convenient for the editor.
Further, techniques are described for doing the work to a very high standard of precision and beauty, not just "close enough". We all need to urged on to higher acheivement, and it sure helps if the person urging is also showing you how to do it, clearly, symapathetically and in detail. Using a band saw? Shows how to check the tires for trueness. Grinder? how to dress the wheels. Sharpening stone? how to flatten. Make your own marking knife, adjusting mallet. How to plane -- how to stand, where to put your hands, everything but breath control (2d edition -- ?).
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Just when you thought you'd heard it all about Paul Bunyan you find out about the accomplishments of his wife and children. For example: you've heard of Mammoth cave? Well.......... And what about when the kids are grown and Paul can retire??
And please. Don't look at the last page until you've read the whole book especially if you're interested in astronomy.
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I would let you know that leave your life. Absolutely, it is not necessary to change your season for keeping up with others. There is certain rhythm to fit you. Sometimes we make ourselves the one with a sense of relief supposing we do the same thing that others do. There is not a way when you go behind someone. Also, when you go with others' shadow.
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representation. David Wood shows that the contemporary
deconstructions of time lead to opening a sense -- and a future -- of philosophy as event, and performativity.
This is an important and original work, and a brilliant demonstration of what it might mean to speak of time, and thinking, as event. It also performs new interpretations of the works of Nietzsche, Husserl, Heidegger, and Derrida.
Congratulations !Great books !But !
I.m missing the
explanation for the content of Foquet abbé:
"...so difficult to discover that nothing now on
this earth can prove of better fortune nor be their
equel.."
Nevertheless it is questionig to me,why Posussin
informed Foquet so easily-if this is so secret ?
Furthermore I doubt about the fact,how could Poussin
undertood all these really difficult mathematics in
this century-if it makes difficulties to me as well in
2001 ?
...and what is meaning:"nothing better fortune" ???
Just the mathematic rules and ????
I.m absolutely sure there should be more than this
and I think there should be any link,how rapidly
Sauniere became rich ?!
These are currently my doubts and questions to you.
With best regards:
Zoltan Szilagyi
Budapest/Hungary
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I am not luddite, but my favourite quote from the book is this: "We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing to communicate". Does this say something about the Internet, newsmedia and our contemporary information overload, or what?
I liked the introduction and footnotes of Meyer. Just enough to provide context and explanation, but never intrusive. This book is as relevant today as it was during Thoreau's lifetime. Highly recommended.
Disobedience is the shorter of the texts, but probably more important. It is an attempt to justify moral anarchism and a call to act on individual judgements about justice.
Walden can be interpreted as an important treatise against consumerism and the dangers of specialization, as well as an appreciation of the natural environment. Those interested in anti-globalization/anti-free trade movements would do well to read Walden to gain an understanding of where anti-consumerism came from and an examination of its ethical implications. However, it also pays to remember that Walden is a failed experiment and, in the end, Thoreau returns to Cambridge.
Thoreau, as political philosophy, has certain problems. Moral anarchy and denial of the social contract is difficult to replace in civil society--Thoreau makes no more than the most vague references as to what could replace it, seeming to rely on the fact that his personal sense of justice is universal.
Nevertheless, Thoreau's conscience has resonance and is as relevant today as ever. His rejection of consumerism as the basis for society and its stratification also teaches important lessons.
Thoreau represents that first step in understanding the other part of American political thought--extremely different from that of the Constitution and Federalist Papers--but with profound connections to the work of Dr. Martin Luther King.
Thoreau was part crank and part visionary, like a crazy uncle. I am glad to have known him through his books. Taken with a grain of salt, his perspectives are refreshing and often illuminating. He helps his readers see there are indeed different ways to look at the world.