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Everything you need to unleash the simple power of the humble handsaw. 

In a woodworking world replete with power tools, many woodworkers – both beginner and professional alike – are skeptical of or intimidated by handsaws. Yet, once put to use and  mastered, the simple power of these humble hand tools can both awe and inspire. 

A handsaw is woodworking in it’s most pure and minimal form. If you can see and follow a line – any line – you can cut the line. There’s no need for crazy setups or jigs; just grab the right saw and start cutting – any angle, any shape. Complex joinery becomes no more than a series of lines to cut on your stock.

Compiled from more than a decade’s worth of Popular Woodworking material, The Essential Handsaw Book provides all the information a woodworker needs to choose the right saw, use it successfully, and keep it razor sharp for years to come. In the end, using a handsaw to stay on the straight and narrow when tracking any line will become a successful and satisfying endeavor. 

Box projects for the home and workshop that you’ll actually use...

When it comes to selecting a project, boxes are a popular choice for woodworkers. They’re small, don’t require a lot of material, and can be quick to build. They can offer technical challenges with regard to the joinery or shape. Best of all, they make a very welcome gift. But, sometimes–whether you’re a woodworker or not–you just need a good ‘ol box to organize, store, or simply protect your stuff. You don’t need a small, precious keepsake, you want a box, chest, or cabinet that’s sturdy, good-looking, and specifically designed to do the job, whether it’s holding your tools, the summer blankets, or a family Bible.   

Compiled from the pages of Popular Woodworking, Boxes to Build features more than two-dozen useful, hard working projects that you’ll want to build because you need them. Featuring designs and how-to from some of today’s top woodworkers, including Marc Spagnuolo, Gary Rogowski, Chris Schwarz, and more, Boxes to Build is a woodworking book that’s fueled by function, but doesn’t skimp on the form.

Ideal for all skill levels, the box projects in Boxes to Build will quickly–and proudly–be put to use making your life more organized, less complicated, and very stylish.  

Build a Rugged Toolbox or Two

Toolboxes are a unique type of woodworking project. Often, they're a newcomer’s very first creation, meant to house the very tools used to craft the box. As that same woodworker accumulates more tools over the years and eventually realizes the need for a dedicated workshop, they’ll find themselves in need of building even more racks, chests, and caddies-though that first banged-up toolbox is still nestled under the bench.

Dive into this compilation of classic and practical toolbox projects pulled from the pages of Popular Woodworking, from knowledgeable woodworkers like Tommy MacDonald, Christopher Schwarz, and Robert W. Lang. With 23 selections to choose from, you’ll find just the plans you need, whether you’re looking for a compact caddy, a rugged-but-still-portable chest, or a handsomely crafted, many-drawered cabinet to crown your workbench.

Build the workbench your shop needs.

A well-built workbench is the keystone to any woodworker's shop. This is where a hefty percentage of the work takes place-where the project you’re crafting is clamped, shaped, and assembled. Having a functional and comfortable-to-use workbench is a requirement for woodworking success. Take a look at these thirteen classic workbench designs pulled from the pages of Popular Woodworking. From knowledgeable writers like Christopher Schwarz, Glen D. Huey, and Robert W. Lang, there is a style of bench to suit any woodworker—from mobile to knockdown to heavyweight fixtures. And as any experienced shop owner knows, accessorizing your workbench is a requirement for maximum utility. After building your bench of choice, deck it out with clamps, bench hooks, and racks.