under construction 6-16-08

Woodworker's Manuals 1900 and Before

Why survey three centuries of woodworking manuals?

What follows immediately below are preliminary remarks designed to highlight matters that I have discovered in beginning a survey of woodworking manuals published over a period of three centuries.

The main focus of my study is the 20th century, but since woodworking manuals published in the 18th century remain popular among certain amateur woodworkers today, I believe that I need to explore approaches that allows you to visualize the context in which these "original" woodworking manuals were published, and thus may be able to sense their significance as timeless artifacts. My first convictions about woodworking manuals is that the intent of their authors of these is to instruct and to inspire.

The "to instruct" -- the "how-to-do-it" function -- is obvious. Potential woodworkers need guidance, and guidance comes best from other woodworkers' experience.
The "to inspire" part may not be obvious to beginners, of course, but finding any evidence of attempts toward inspiration is usually not difficult, especially if you read the introduction to a woodworking manual.
For example, read the introduction to the 1946 woodworker's manual, How to get the most out of your home workshop hand and power tools, published by Popular Science.
This manual is the source of the term, "Skill Hunger". What is "skill hunger?" For the editors of the woodworker's manual, How to get the most out of your home workshop hand and power tools, skill hunger concerns "How the Hammer, Saw and Try-Square Can Satisfy the Urge to Make Things". Read more on this term by clicking on this hyperlink.
In comparison, how does this 1946, How to get the most out of your home workshop hand and power tools, manual stand up in promoting use of power tools over competitive manuals?
I checked this matter by doing a survey of woodworking manuals published between 1941 and 1950 in the Worldcat bibliographic database. 
(Worldcat, the world's largest bibliographic database of books, periodicals, publications of governments, etc, etc., currently contains records for over 50 million items.)
For How to get the most out of your home workshop hand and power tools, Worldcat registers only 17 copies in libraries worldwide -- telling us that libraries did not perceive this title as a "keeper", meaning that we can't use library holdings as an indicator of the impact of this manual on the amateur woodworking movement in the '40s.
(Since How to get the most out of your home workshop hand and power tools is over 50 years old, and has been "replaced" by numerous other more up-to-date manuals, most public libraries could have "discarded" their copies for more recently published books.
(By discard, do not think the trash can; instead, it is more likely that the book was offered for sale at one of the book sales public libraries conduct annually. As a rule, public libraries -- unlike college libraries -- do not consider themselves "last copy" repositories. However, while this assumption may be soundly based, it is still only speculation.)
Worldcat registers that in 1946, 35 volumes were published, and for the decade, i.e., from 1941-1950, 206 volumes were published that libraries classified as woodworking manuals. So, with these figures, we can conclude that the How to get the most out of your home workshop hand and power tools volume had much competition, especially in a nation occupied by a war.

How to get the most out of your home workshop hand and power tools was, however, indexed in the Index to Handicrafts,  Modelmaking  and Workshop Projects, 2d supplement, 1950. This is one volume in a series of five volumes, published between 1943 and 1975. These volumes were purchased widely by public libraries, because their contents are indexes the internal contents of manuals. Pages of The Index to Handicrafts where certain "how-to" plans are accessible: for example, the following entry shows that you can find:

"Mortising and shaping on the drill press". In How to get the most out of your home workshop hand and power tools, pp. 91-95.

The Index to Handicrafts began as an in-house file of hand-written 3 x5 inch library cards in the Pittsburgh Public Library. Click on this link for an online example of how a public library lists these volumes.

How to get the most out of your home workshop hand and power tools is still in the Index to Handicrafts,  Modelmaking  and Workshop Projects volume, but the manual itself -- probably because in public libraries it is considered outdated -- has been removed from the shelves of many public libraries.

Chronological List of Woodworking Manuals, Periodicals,  19^th century and earlier up to 1900:

1582: Jacques Besson Theatrum Instrumentorum et Machinarum 1582.

Holtzapffel notes that Besson's work "Contains three engravings of complex lathes for screw-cutting, and oblique turning, with very slight descriptions." The image below on the left depicts the "earliest" of a lathe being used for a special purpose, and the text in the box below reprints a brief page from a larger account of Besson on the Smithsonian website:

Jacques Besson and his Theater of Instruments and Machines Near the end of the 16th century, a new type of book appeared which evolved into an entire genre of literature known as the "Theater of machines." These works represented a new way of thinking that was cultivated during the Renaissance: mathematical principles could be applied to the development of new machines and new technical achievements were appropriate considerations for monarchs and the upper class. Renaissance scholars rediscovered the works of the ancient Greeks and Romans, such as Vitruvius, Frontinus, and Hero of Alexandria, which encouraged men like Villard de Honnecourt and Leonardo da Vinci to experiment with new and ingenious devices. None of Villard's or Leonardo's works were published; they preferred to keep their discoveries to themselves and not reveal their artisan secrets. Eventually, after one hundred years or so, a new group of mathematical practitioners began to appear on the scene, teaching mathematics and producing mathematical instruments. They saw the advantage of applying their mathematical skills to new devices and publicizing them in print so as to attract the attention of patrons and even gain exclusive rights to their inventions. Their Theaters could not help but attract attention as the large books were enhanced by the numerous and often spectacular illustrations that they contained. The first of the Theaters was produced by Jacques Besson (1540?-1573). ... Read more Source: The Dibner Library of the History of Science and Technology Smithsonian Institution Libraries Digital Edition 1999

Sources: Charles HoltzapffelTurning and Mechanical Manipulation London: Holtzapffel, 1843 VOLume I, open source copy; Robert S. Woodbury History of the Lathe to 1850: A Study in the Growth of a Technical Element ... Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 1961

1615: Salomon De Caus, Les Raisons des Forces Mouvantes. 1624

Holtzapfffel states that De Caus "contains one engraving, and a few lines explanatory of a mode of turning the oval and of screw-cutting".

Woodbury claims that this book was published in 1615, Holtzapffel, in 1624.

Sources: Charles HoltzapffelTurning and Mechanical Manipulation London: Holtzapffel, 1843 VOLume I, open source copy; Robert S. Woodbury History of the Lathe to 1850: A Study in the Growth of a Technical Element ... Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 1961

1676: Andre Felibien, Des Principes de l'Architecture, de la Sculpture, de la Peinture, et des autres Arts qui en dependent Paris: 1676.

biography in Encyclopedia Britannica 13th ed 1911

Felibien devoted twelve pages to his remarks on the lathe, with a few words relative to the modes of oval turning, and to rose-engine work. Source: Charles Holtzapffel Turning and Mechanical Manipulation Volume 1: Materials, Their Choice, Preparation and Various Modes of Working Them 1846, page 6

Woodworking Magazine's Christopher Schwarz notes that an image of an early workshop is published in Principes de l'architecture

1678: Joseph Moxon, Mechanick Exercises, or the Doctrine of Handy-Works 1678, 1703; reprint Morristown: Astragal, 1989.

... [O]f course, some of the most familiar images come from the great 18th- and 19th-century encyclopedias compiled by Diderot, Roubo and Andre Felibien and their English counterparts, Joseph Moxon and Peter Nicholson. But workshop illustrations in these books primarily illustrate benches and tools. ... Source: 1998: Scott Landis. The Workshop Book. Newtown, CT: Taunton Press, 1998. page 10

1677-83:Moxon Mechanick Exercises, or the Doctrine of Handy-Works. London

published in monthly parts, Volume 1. contains, "Smithing, Joinery, Carpentry, Turning, Brichlayery, and Mechanick Dyalling," with a good description of the apparatus for turning. Volume II., "Handy- Works applied to the Art of Printing." http://aic.stanford.edu/sg/wag/2002/WAG_02_thornton.pdf

1719: Nicholas Grollier de Serviere. Recueil d'Ouvrages Curieux de Mathematique et de Mecanique, ou Description du Cabinet de Monsieur Grollier de Serviere... Lyon; David Forey: 1719.

a quarto volume was published at Lyons, styled "Recueil d'Ou­vrages curieux, de Mathematique et de Mécanique ; ou description du Cabinet de M. Grollier de Serviere, par son petit fils." This work contains eighty plates, with etchings of his grandfather's designs for time-pieces, hydraulic machines, various bridges, military and other works, preceded by twelve plates of several of his highly ornamental works executed in the lathe.

Source: Charles Holtzapffel Turning and Mechanical Manipulation Volume 1: Materials, Their Choice, Preparation and Various Modes of Working Them 1846, page 6

"a quarto volume was published at Lyons, ... This work-- Written by his grandson Grollier de Sevière -- eighty plates, with etchings of his grandfather's designs for time-pieces, hydraulic machines, various bridges, military and other works, preceded by twelve plates of several of his highly ornamental works executed in the lathe".

from : "One of the 17th Century's Most Celebrated and Fantastic Cabinets"- Nicholas Grollier de Serviere. "Recueil d'Ouvrages Curieux de Mathematique et de Mecanique, ou Description du Cabinet de Monsieur Grollier de Serviere..." Lyon; David Forey: 1719. A descriptive and illustrated catalog of the marvelous and curious mechanical models and ivory turnings constructed by Nicholas Grollier de Serviere, a soldier, turner, inventor and the author's father. Nicolas Grollier de Serviere (1596-1689), a descendant of Jean Grolier, was indeed a multi-talented man. In his youth he was a soldier and engineer, serving in Flanders, Germany, Italy and Constantinople. As a military engineer he specialized in moveable bridges and other such inventions, and when he retired to his estates in Lyon he constructed numerous fantastic models, which included floating bridges, water pumps, fantastical regulator clocks, his famous "reading wheel" machine, artistic machinery for rendering perspectives, and all sorts of other devices. His "Cabinet" fast became a wonder to be visited by, among others, Louis XIV, as well as a host of politicians, scholars, and other inventors and craftsmen. In addition to being a skilled model-maker, de Serviere was also amongst the leading turners of his time, constructing inexplicably intricate and unlikely forms in ivory on the turning lathe. After his death his son, the Grand-Prieur de l'Abbaye de Savigny, kept the Cabinet up and published this volume dedicated to illustrating and describing its objects. Amongst those who visited and marveled was the young Monk Charles Plumier, who wrote the first book on the subject of turning, "L'Art du Tourner", in 1701. The plates in this book begin with examples of de Serviere's intricate workmanship on the lathe, starting with a plate of very delicate and intricately carved ivories, followed by "pieces excentriques", a series of Escher-esque carved balls within balls and sharp, pointy things sticking out of carved balls, followed by more spheres within spheres, and then some marvelously turned and carved "pieces hors du rond", wooden tower-like pieces of great ingenuity and delicacy; these are followed by a plate of carved rosettes. But this is more than a book of lathe-work (interesting as that may be). The second section illustrates a series of ingenious clockworks invented by de Serviere, many with an elaborate series of rails winding down the frame; there are also clocks with carved serpents, an hourglass, and one with Atlas holding up the Earth. The third section features elaborate machinery invented or envisioned by de Serviere, such as devices for raising water from streams, watermills, water wheels, and other water-related apparatus, including several paddle-wheeled boats; there follows a group of bridges, including pontoon bridges and other sectional works; there are also gates and portable ladders for military use. Interestingly, in retirement Grollier de Serviere did not limit his tinkering to miniatures- he constructed a full-sized pile-driver in his gardens, powered by a water-wheel held steady by two boats. The book ends with some ingenious plans for furniture, including the reading "wheel", where the sitter sits in front of a ferris-wheel device of shelves, on each of which is an open book; a wheeled chair; a portable screen device for accurately sketching buildings, and something having to do with lamps which looks fairly lethal. As a collection of designs and inventions, the Cabinet of Nicholas Grollier de Serviere is as awe-inspiring and fantastic today as it was in 1719, and it remains an important record of the work of one of the 17th century's most accomplished turners. The book was reissued in 1733 and 1751. Hardcover. 7.5"x10", (28) + 101 + (8) pages, plus 85 copperplate engravings (numbered 1-88; nos. 39, 48 and 76 were never issued); with several woodcut head and tailpieces and decorative vignettes in the text; title page printed in red and black. Bound in old full calf with appropriate wear, with a new spine label; hinges tight and apart from some minor soiling and several minor marginal dampstains, a very nice, wide margined and clean copy. [20741] [Price:] $3,000.00

1754: Thomas Chippendale. The Gentleman and Cabinetmaker's Director: being a large collection of the most elegant and useful designs of household furniture in the Gothic, Chinese and modern taste.. 1754.

The first edition of what is said to be the most famous book on furniture ever published.

(Reprinted by Dover in 1966. http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/DLDecArts.ChippGentCab)

Below is a reproduction of the orignal title page, as it appears on Wisconsin website:

The images below are from page 7 of the plates in Chippendale's book; from left to right, the vertical columns illustrate, respectively, Tuscan, Doric, Tonick, Corinthian, and Composite designs.

Sources: Chippendale's biography in 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica  (Dated, yes, but still very useful, the 1911 EB remains one of the monuments of scholarship in the history of encyclopedias.)

Geoffery Beard and Christopher Gilbert, eds., Dictionary of English Furniture Makers, 1660–1840 Leeds, England: S. W. Maney and Son, Ltd., 1986

Here are many links to Chippendale, but more significant, his impact on subsequent design of furniture on the Buffalo (NY) Architecture and History website.

See also Helena Hayward and Pat Kirkham, William and John Linnel,  Eighteenth-Century London Furniture Makers New York: Rizzoli, 1980, pages 168–80, Appendix 3.

1701: Charles Plumier L'Art de Tourner en Perfection Lyons: J. Certe, 1701

According to Charles Holtzapffel,

"The first treatise written exclusively upon the subject, being a folio volume entitled, L'Art de Tourner en Perfection, by "le Pere Charles Plumier, (Religieux Minime,") and printed at Lyons in 1701. The author herein goes so far back as to refer the practice of the art to Tubal Cain, who is recorded in Sacred Writ [i.e., the Bible] to have been the first worker in metal; whilst others attribute to him the invention of wind instruments, the organ, and various machines. Plumier considered it impossible that the circular parts of such works could have been made otherwise than by the process of turning, which therefore he presumes to have been known to mankind at an extremely remote period; he also considers that the numerous circular works and objects recorded to have existed in Solomon's Temple, including the lamps and musical instruments used therein, could not have been produced otherwise than by the use of the lathe. That account of the origin of the art which ascribes it to Daedalus, and which is quoted by Plumier and the various Encyclopedists, appears to be derived from Felibien, (who -- see above -- wrote in 1690, Principes de l'architecture ) strong>Source: Charles HoltzapffelTurning and Mechanical Manipulation London: Holtzapffel, 1843 VOLume I, pages 6-7open source copy

Source: Charles HoltzapffelTurning and Mechanical Manipulation London: Holtzapffel, 1843 VOLume I, pages 6-7open source copy

1769: André Jacob Roubo, L'Art du Menuisier  Paris, 1769-74. Three volumes, over 300 plates.

for an extended account, click here

Roubo's manual is a classic, for sure, but since it is only accessible in French. use of it by woodworkers today will be limited in a number of ways. Access is limited to the few woodworkers willing either to purchase the set (it won't be cheap) or go through the rigors of borrowing the book through interlibrary loan.

(A search on www.bookfinder.com proved unsuccessful in getting even a "hit", let alone a price quote. Antiq Books is offering it at $9500 American Reprinted as: Roubo, J.A. [1774] L’Art du Menuisier Geneva: Skatline Reprints, 1984.

And, perhaps more limiting, access to it is restricted to the handful of American woodworkers fluent in the French language. However, be aware that this multi-volume set contains over 300 plates.)

1778-1812: Robert and James Adam. Works in Architecture.  A posthumous volume was published in 1822.

1794: A Hepplewhite and Co. The Cabinet-Maker and Upholster’s Guide; or, Repository of Designs for Every Article of Household Furniture, in the Newest and Most Approved Taste. [by] George Hepplewhite. 3d ed. of 1794. London , 1794. New York , Dover Publications [1969] Description:      viii, 24 p. 123 illus. 28 cm.

ISBN: 0486221830 "An unabridged and unaltered republication of the third (1794) edition ... A new introduction has been written ... by Joseph Aronson."         "From drawings by A. Hepplewhite and Co., cabinet-makers."         Bibliography: p. [ix] Electronic File Information:       Publisher description link: http://www.loc.gov/catdir/description/dover031/69019164.html

1792-4: L. E. Bergeron, Manuel du Tourneur 2 vols. quarto, 1792-4, Paris, by

For Holtzapffel,

... this work is highly satisfactory, and is a record of all the material improvements introduced in the mechanism of the lathe by our Continental neighbours, subsequent to the period at which Plumier wrote ; and from these machines many of our modern contriv­ances are taken, although during the interval which has since elapsed, considerable changes have been introduced, as well in the manner of turning as in the material of the apparatus, wood being in many cases supplanted by metal, a more useful change as regards the excellence of construction, and also the strength and durability of the machinery. A second edition of Bergeron's work, revised by his son-in-law, Hamelin Bergeron, was published in 1816 ; another smaller pub­lication, entitled "L'Art du Tourneur, par M. Pauline Desormeux " in 2 vols. 12mo, with an atlas, was printed in Paris in 1824; and lastly, two small volumes 16mo, with plates, entitled Nouveau Manuel du Tourneur, ou Traite' complet et simple de cet Art, redige par M. Dessables, the second edition of which, printed in 1839, and forming a part of the " Encyclopedie-Roret," completes the list of French works devoted to the subject, the last two being in some respects compilations from Bergeron; the latter works only include the practice of hand-turning, leaving unnoticed the rose-engine, the eccentric-chuck, and various apparatus described in the old books, although the "Manuel-Roret" contains, in an appendix, some extracts relative to the art of turning, from more recent scientific journals, and the printed transactions of various societies, with explanatory notes, by Mapod, Tourneur-mecanicien.... Several amateurs have undertaken the translation of Bergeron's Manuel into the English language, and others have commenced new works, but none of these have been carried to completion. The former proceeding would have called for a reconstruction of the book, which, although it abounds with a great deal of original, useful, and practical matter, is rather diffuse, and refers to apparatus that has been so far altered and superseded by others of more recent construction, and subsequent invention, that such a translation, if adapted to the present state of the art, would almost amount to a new work. (This is a source of the English translation of Bergeron, to which Holtzapffel alludes above: ENGLISH MECHANIC AND WORLD OF SCIENCE: No. 1,253. AND WORLD OP SCIENCE AND ART FRIDAY, MARCH, 1889. EXTRACTS FROM BERGERON volume XXII: "Description of the Rose Engine....." ) Source: Charles HoltzapffelTurning and Mechanical Manipulation London: Holtzapffel, 1843 VOLume I, page 7open source copy

1802: Thomas Sheraton. The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer’s Drawingbook, in four parts. London : T Bensley, 1802. Reprinted by Praeger in 1970, by Dover in 1972.

1817-19 etc: John Holt Ibbetson

Adapted from Holtzapffel, 1846, pages 7-8:

In England, where, during the last half-century, the art has perhaps been far more extensively practised, both as a source of emolument and of amusement, we find in addition to the brief articles in the various encyclopaedias, periodicals, and a few works devoted to mechanical subjects, only the following treatises on detached portions of the art, namely: 1817:John Holt Ibbetson, Specimens of Eccentric Circular Turning, with Prac­tical Illustrations for producing Corresponding Pieces in that Art. 1819: Charles H. Rich, Specimens of the Art of Ornamental Turning, in Eccentric and Concentric Patterns, with six copper-plate engravings; by Esq., Southampton." 1819: "Tables; by which are exhibited at one view all the divisions of each circle on the dividing plate. By C. H. Rich, Esq." 1825: A second edition of Ibbetson's Specimens. 1833: "A Brief Account of Ibbetson's Geometric Chuck, manufactured by Holtzapffel & Co., with a selection of 32 Specimens, illustrative of some of its powers. By J. H. lbbet­son, Esq."* 1838: A third edition of Ibbetson's Specimens of Eccentric Circular Turning. " With considerable Additions, including a description and copperplate engravings of the Compound Eccen­tric Chuck, constructed by the Author, and used by him in the execution of his Specimens." The mention of the above publications by Mr. Ibbetson, enables me to particularize the services he has rendered to his fellow amateurs; and their inspection will abundantly show the great care and perseverance that he has devoted to the pursuits of turning, and the deserved eminence he has attained therein. He has not only attended to the production of numerous highly ornamental combinations and effects, many of which are displayed in the treatises before cited ; others in his " Practical View of an invention for the better protecting Bank Notes against Forgery," editions 1 and 2, 1820 and 21, and in numerous communications to the Mechanics' Magazine; he has done more than this by constructing with his own hands the major part of the apparatus that he has used, many of which are original, and will be duly noticed in their appropriate places, in this work. The best notices in our language of the general application of the art, are probably those contained in Rees's Cyclopfedia, under the heads of 11 Turning," " Lathe," and " Rose Engine." For Mr. Ibbetson's first description of his modification of the Geometric Chuck, see Mechanics' Magazine, 30th Dec., 1826. Source: Charles HoltzapffelTurning and Mechanical Manipulation London: Holtzapffel, 1843 VOLume I, page 7open source copy

1826: George Smith, upholsterer to His Majesty. The cabinet-maker and upholsterer's guide being a complete drawing book, in which will be comprised treatises on geometry and perspective as applicable to the above branches of mechanics ... numerous engravings ... : to which is added a complete series of new and original designs for household furniture and interior decoration ... . London : Jones, 1826. viii, 219 p., [153] leaves of plates : ill. ; 28 cm. English Internet Resource Internet Resource Computer File Computer File, external web site http://www.gale.com.ezproxy.library.wwu.edu/ModernEconomy/
Charles Holtzapffel, 1843

Turning and Mechanical Manipulation Volume 1



1843: Charles Holtzapffel>Turning and Mechanical Manipulation London: Turning and Mechanical Manipulation VOLume 2,

Turning and Mechanical Manipulation volume 4

Turning and Mechanical Manipulation Volume 3
1850

The art of turning is one very extensively pursued in this country both for business and pleasure ; its uses, too, are manifold, and scarcely second to any in mechanical importance ; yet, strange to say, there is probably no branch of art on which less has been written and published in our mother tongue. All the best works on turning are in the French language; the only English authors of note are [John Holt] Ibbetson and [Charless H] Rich - the former an old and frequent correspondent of the Mechanics' Magazine, which had the honour of giving to the world (as Mr. Holtzapfiel very handsomely acknowledges) the first description of his admirable modification of the geometric chuck; and in our greatest English collection of books, the British Museum, there is not a single work on turning, either French or English, (with the exception of Rich's) of later date than 1724-7. Of there being ample room under these circumstances for a complete English work on the subject (for both Ibbetson's and Rich's embrace but small portions of it) there can be no question; and among the persons most likely to do it well, we know of none so likely to unite the suffrages of all turners, both amateur and practical, as the living representative of the house of Holtzapflel, long the most eminent makers of turning tools and machines in this country. Mr. Charles Holtzapffel, the author of the work before us, states that he had made some beginnings in conjunction with his late much-respected father; but that after the death of Ihc latter in 1835, he recommenced his labours on a new plan, of which he now presents the first fruits to the public. The most distinguishing features of this plan are its great comprehensiveness, and excellent methodical arrangement. Mr. Holtzapffel proposes to discuss in successive volumes, I. The materials used in turning, and the various modes of preparing them, as seasoning, hardening, tempering, alloying, &c. II. The principles, construction, and purposes of cutting tools, and the various processes used in the production of form, and embellishment of surfaces, as grinding, polishing, &c. III. The principles and practice of hand or surface turning. IV. The principles and practice of ornamental or complex turning. And V. The principles and practice of amateur engineering, embracing wheel and screw cutting, drilling, planing. Sec. The work will thus include not only everything necessary to a perfect understanding of the art of turning in all its branches, but a vast body of valuable information having important relations to other arts as well as turning. Excellent as some of the French works are - the Manuel du Tourneur especially - they are likely to be quite eclipsed by this new production of our own country. The chief fault -- if fault it can be called -- of Mr. Holtzapffel's work will be its size; but this will be found remedied to a great extent by the judicious arrangement of the materials which he has adopted. "From the systematic arrangement which has been attempted throughout the five volumes, it is hoped that instead of the numerous descriptions and instructions being indiscriminately mixed and scattered, they will assume the shape of so many brief and separate treatises; and will, in a great measure, condense into a few consecutive pages, the remarks offered under each head; a form that will admit of any subject being selected, and of a more easy and distinct reference and comparison, when the reader may find pliers and thrown into water if necessary; others are then thrust forward from the cooler parts of the plate to take their place." Hatchets, adzes, cold chisels, and numbers of similar tools, in which the total bulk is considerable compared with the part to be hardened, are only partially dipped; they are afterwards let down by the heat of the remainder of the tool; and when the colour indicative of the temper is attained, they are entirely quenched. With the view of removing the loose scales, or the oxidation acquired in the fire, some workmen rub the objects hastily in dry salt before plunging them in the water, in order to give them a cleaner and whiter face." In hardening large dies, anvils, and other pieces of considerable size, by direct immersion, the rapid formation of steam at the sides of the metal prevents the free access of the water for the removal of the heat with the required expedition; in these cases a copious stream of water from a reservoir above is allowed to fall on the surface to be hardened. This contrivance is frequently called a 'float', and although the derivation of the name is not very clear, the practice is excellent, as it supplies an abundance of cold water, and which, as it falls directly on the centre of the anvil is sure to render that part hard. It is, however, dangerous to stand near such works at the time, as when the anvil face, &c., is not perfectly welded, it sometimes in part flies off with great violence and a loud report." Occasionally the object is partly immersed in a tank beneath the fall of water, by means of a crane, slings, &c.; it is ultimately tempered with its own heat and dropped in to become entirely cold." "Oil, or various mixtures of oils, tallow, wax, resin, &c., are used for many thin and elastic objects, such as needles, fishhooks, steel pens, springs, &c., which require a milder degree of hardness than is given by water." Source: M. Salmon, The Mechanics' Magazine, Museum, Register, Journal, and Gazette 1843, pages 37, 40

1880: A.H. Pomeroy (Firm)  A complete list in miniature of Wild's latest scroll saw designs. Hartford: the Firm, 1880.

 

1880:  The Fret sawyer's monthly and home decorator December ?   New York : Adams & Bishop, 1880 according to Worldcat, this periodical folded? After issue number 5 of vol 1

1888: Thomas A. Clark.  Workshop notes & sketches for handicraft classes;   being a first year's course in woodworking.   Edinburgh , 1888.

 

1889-1893: Francis Chilton-Young; Paul Nooncree Hasluck Work; an illustrated magazine of practice and theory for all workmen, professional and amateur. Weekly v. : ill. ; 30 cm.London : Cassell, 1889-1893.

1891: David. Denning. The Art and Craft of Cabinet-Making : A Practical Handbook to the Construction of Cabinet Furniture, The Use of Tools, Formation Of Joints, Hints On Designing And Setting Out Work, Veneering, Etc. ; Together With A Review Of The Development Of Furniture. London: Whittaker, 1891.

BY way of preface it seems unnecessary to say much beyond stating that the intention is to supply amateurs and young professional cabinet-makers with a reliable guide to the construction of cabinet furniture. No attempt has been made to teach the thoroughly experienced artisan, and no new fads are advocated either in style or processes. The ordinary reliable methods of the workshop and nothing more are explained, and on this account the book will, no doubt, be of greater use to those for whom it is intended than if new theories, of construction as it ought to be, according to many of those who presume to teach the skilled mechanic, had been advocated. It will, no doubt, have been observed by those who are interested in the subject that cabinet-making as distinguished from joinery has received scant attention, as with scarcely an exception the books professedly treating of the former only, have included much that pertains to the latter. Those who are practically acquainted with the manufacture of furniture will understand the reasons, which, however, it is unnecessary to explain here.

1894: Paul Nooncree Hasluck. The Cabinet Worker's Handybook: a Practical Manual Embracing Information on the Tools, Materials, Appliances and Processes Employed in Cabinet Work. London: Crosby, Lockwood and Son.

A prolific author, Hasluck evidently also edited the shortlived, London-based weekly, Work (above). The Worldcat bibliographic database records over 440 "hits" with Hasluck as author, a number that obviously needs qualification; I will investigate. The Cabinet Worker's Handybook is one of several woodworker's manuals that Hasluck authored. That it is directed toward the amateur becomes clear in several ways, but principally because of his choice of words in the introduction, and from the gist of a book review -- quoted as promotion material in the actual volume. This entire book is on opd.

 

1898: Peter John Arkwright, ed. Cabinet-Making for Amateurs: A Practical Handbook on the Making of Various Articles of  Furniture, by Various Hands. London : L Upcott Gill, 1898.

 

1900:  Henry Tanner. English interior woodwork of the XVI, XVII, & XVIIIth centuries; a series of the best and most characteristic examples of chimney-pieces, panelling, staircases, doors, screens, & c. Measured and drawn and with introductory and descriptive text.   New York , Architectural Book Pub. Co. 1900.