Chairmaking & Design

I have referred to this book time and again, and am sure other furniture makers will find Jeff's concise but thorough style a terrific and worthwhile addition to both bookshelves and workbenches.


Pretty much all you could ask   November 12, 2003
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

This is really an excellent book for a woodworker seeking guidance with the particular challenges of chairbuilding.

Most chapters cover some particular chair of the author's creation. Don't worry about whether Miller's designs will appeal or not. Plans are included, but copying them really isn't the point. They're presented here as case studies in conceptualization and construction, with lessons that are widely applicable. For example, how to accurately lay out and cut angled tenons, how to obtain a flat surface on an otherwise curved leg, how to fashion a slip seat, etc. And throughout, Miller details a bunch of clever jigs and methods of work.

A caution: familiarity with the ABCs of furnituremaking and access to some modicum of shop stuff is assumed here. This isn't a beginning woodworking text, which only makes sense, given the subject.


It could have better designs   September 4, 2001
 5 out of 7 found this review helpful

Great book to learn different techniques and jigs to make chairs.
The chairs are a little poor from the design point of view.
There is a video that covers the construction of chairs. The book addresses you to the video most of the time, what makes you think of the book as a mean to sell the tape as well.

I think the book explains very well by itself and no tape is necessary. On the opposite, the video is not very valuable without the book.