I have basic fix-it skills. I know one end of a hammer from the other, took woodshop in gradeschool, and I’ve refinished woodwork and furniture. I’m pretty good (IMHO) with the finishing aspects, but now I want to learn how to assemble it from scratch.
I have a compound miter saw, various hand saws, a jig saw, and now I am the happy owner of a Craftsman router with both fixed and plunge bases (my Christmas present, by request). A router table is coming soon, and my better half has accumulated a table saw (sneakily also my request).
I want to make radiator covers, window seats, and built in bookcases. I don’t care if they’re not heirloom quality, but I want them to not look like they were built by my five year old. Can someone suggest a good overall beginners book or two? Preferably something readily available and not prohibatively expensive. Thorough web resources would also be appreciated.
I would go to your local furniture-quality lumber supplier. I recently “graduated” from the Chicago School of Woodworking and the place where I bought lumber had a huge book section and many knowledgeable staff who were happy to help.
It’s not like you’re going to be buying your lumber from Home Cheapo or the like.
Get thee to Google, and enter “woodworking forums.” There you will find many. Locate a couple or three to lurk on, and join if you’ve a mind to. Books will give you basics, but there is often two or three years of lead time. Magazines all seem to have the same articles in three-year rotations. I dropped all of my subscriptions years ago. Forums will give you real time experiences with real woodworkers. Many…maybe most…are hobbiest; a lot are professionals; almost all of them want to share what they know. I’m reluctant to post links to the three I belong to, but only because I’m not sure of this message board’s policy in this regard. Speaking on behalf of two of them, we’d be happy to have you visit.