Simply Beautiful Boxes

Rating:
Summary: Not the brightest star in the book world
Review: I am an experienced woodworker. I own both of Doug Stowes books. Some of the woodworking techniques described in the books are questionable at best. And others are just plain unsafe. An example is upcutting a small piece on router table with the piece between the bit and the fence. The 2 biggest problems here are (1) upcutting and (2) small work pieces. Upcutting pulls the piece into the bit. The obvious danger here is having your fingers unexpectedly pulled into the bit and/or having the work piece becoming a projectile. Sure he talks about safety blocking and working safe, but in my opinion not enough. A technique like this combined with an inexperienced woodworker is asking for trouble. Most of the illustrations in the book do not show safety blocking.

The book also is fairly incomplete regarding dimensions of the boxes and the steps required to make them. Therefore the books are just glorified picture books of his work.

So if you're concerned about saftey or want a book that's more descriptive, I suggest looking for another source.

Rating:
Summary: not the best...
Review: I was disappointed that the entire book was specific to jewelry boxes. The title said "making jewelry, art & heirloom boxes."

On the other hand, the boxes were pretty great. Stowe is obviously an artisan, always creating new ways to open the boxes and hide hinges. The patterns were detailed, giving a complete bill of materials for each project.

Not for a beginner, though. Plus, you have to have a router table for just about every project.

Rating:
Summary: A most helpful book
Review: In "Simply Beautiful Boxes" Doug Stowe continues to make the process of building boxes easy to understand. The text and photos are like being there in his shop watching him work.

There are enough different projects so that woodworkers of all skills levels can find something to try, and I've found myself trying techniques I didn't think I could do.

Rate it very highly.

Rating:
Summary: Not the brightest star in the book world
Review: In "Simply Beautiful Boxes" Doug Stowe continues to make the process of building boxes easy to understand. The text and photos are like being there in his shop watching him work.

There are enough different projects so that woodworkers of all skills levels can find something to try, and I've found myself trying techniques I didn't think I could do.

Rate it very highly.

Rating:
Summary: Box maker, teacher, woodworker extraordinaire, Doug Stowe
Review: In his second book, Simply Beautiful Boxes, Doug Stowe clearly illustrates his love for wood and woodworking by providing insight into his design process and clear illustrations of technique to aid and teach other aspiring box makers. Mr. Stowe's book provides inspiration and step-by-step illustrations for creating fifteen distinctly different boxes that range from utilitarian to functional art. His method of teaching and emphasis on safety will aid craftsmen of all skill levels.

Rating:
Summary: I must have missed something...
Review: Nowhere on this page did I see that this book was ALL jewelry boxes. And somewhat ugly ones at that. There are a few decent designs and good techniques in here, but a triangle jewelry box? C'mon...