By Request: My Top Reference Books for Wood Flooring

Oct 1, 2014

These are a few selections from my favorite wood floor reading.

These are a few selections from my favorite wood floor reading.I got an email from a flooring contractor last week. He asked me for a list of books I would suggest he should have. I remember Howard published a short list on his blog awhile back, you might want to check that out also. Here is mine:

Hardwood Floors by Don Bollinger

Wood Flooring by Charles Peterson

Working with Wood by Andy Rae

Jigs and Fixtures by Sandor Nagyszalanczy

Finishing by Jeff Jewitt

Understanding Wood Finishing by Bob Flexner

Identifying Wood by R. Bruce Hoadley

Tablesaws by Paul Anthony

The Real Wood Bible by Nick Gibbs

French Polishing by Derek Jones

The Wood Book The Complete Plates by Romeyn Beck Hough

Woodworker’s Guide to Wood by Rick Peters

Finish Carpentry from Fine Home Building Magazine

Spray Finishing from Fine Woodworking Magazine

Getting Started in Woodworking by Aime Ontario Fraser

Finishes and Finishing Techniques by Fine Woodworking Magazine

Woodworking Basics by Peter Korn

I have a lot more books about routers, hand tools, scroll saws, stairs, geometry, art, marquetry and the list goes on.

I have a lot more books about routers, hand tools, scroll saws, stairs, geometry, art, marquetry and the list goes on. There are books available to me from my friends as well, books that are out of print or simply too expensive ($400 a book, and they are usually bibles combining history and woodworking marquetry, very fascinating). Top this basic list with woodworking magazines and keeping up with technical education, and you are on the right track. I buy my books online or the local construction bookstore near my house, yes, the store is all about books related to building.

The main idea is to keep learning. We all learn all the time. Well, except for you, right? You’ve been doing this for 300 years, you went to one NWFA school and you only do high-end jobs. What could you possibly have to learn anymore?

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