Working Reclaimed Wood: A Guide for Woodworkers, Makers & Designers

by Yoav Liberman

This book is a celebration of reclaimed wood and the beautiful range of possibilities that exists for its creative use. Through technique discussions, ideas for sourcing wood, coverage of safety concerns, detailed photographs and helpful case studies, this guide helps you plan and execute your own reclaimed wood projects. Whether you're interested in sourcing reclaimed wood for environmentally-conscious reasons or tapping into the history or story behind the wood, this guide will walk you though every aspect of using this wonderful material.

• ISBN10: 1440350817
• ISBN13: 9781440350818
• Publish Date: 4 September 2018
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: F&W Publications Inc
• Imprint: Popular Woodworking Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 160
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781440350818

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Working Reclaimed Wood is a new gallery guide curated by architect trained wood wizard Yoav Liberman. Released 4th Sept 2018 by Popular Woodworking, via F+W Media, it's 160 pages, full color and available in hardcover and ebook formats.

Most of us live, indisputably, in a throwaway culture. Mass marketing and consumer driven 'replace-don't-repair' are pervasive and destructive. The need to curb and reverse this 'trash culture' is global and if we're to survive, we're going to have to do everything we can as individuals and society to step up and find creative solutions. There are a small (but growing) number of designers, artists, recyclers and businesses who are contributing to the reclamation and reuse of raw materials.

As stated before, this is not really a tutorial book. There are a few tutorials included with isometric drawings at the end of each chapter; but it functions much better as a really gorgeous inspirational catalog for the advanced woodworker. It is exactly what the title states, a guide for ethically sourcing, reclaiming and using reclaimed wood in the woodworking studio. Individual artists are featured along with their work and some of their design philosophies.

The book is beautifully photographed and illustrated. It's arranged in chapter format with the illustrated items collected to support a central theme: restoring sourced materials, including hardware, designing pieces and developing artistic vision. There's a useful (basic) index at the back of the book. There are a few resource vendors mentioned in the book, but there's not a comprehensive vendor list anywhere.

One of the book quotes really resonated with me:

Reducing consumption, increasing product quality and longevity, taming down the irresponsible chase for new fashions and fads, reclaiming the discarded and rehabilitating the old and worthy, will pave our way for a sustainable future.

This would make a really lovely gift for the artistically sensible reading woodworker. I got a lot out of reading the artists' statements and design philosophy and creator stories included in this book. I enjoyed it very much and can recommend it highly.


Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.