Rating : - Good book for non-woodworkers
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This is another in the generally terrific Black & Decker Portable Workshop series. Many of these books, including this one, deal with construction of sturdy wood furniture and/or accessories using mostly hand tools and lumber.

All these books contain a basic introduction to the tools, materials and techniques. They also contain many full-color photos of the finished projects and several steps in the construction, as well as exploded drawings and materials/cutting list.

Keep in mind that this is NOT a "fine-woodworking" book! You are not going to build any "heirlooms." The projects in this book are more "rough" than that, made mostly from "1-by" and "2-by" lumber, using non-power hand tools, circular saw, jig saw, router, power sander and drill. (You will find a power miter saw useful, but not absolutely necessary. Likewise, for some projects, a table saw and band saw could come in handy, but are not required.) But if that's what you're looking for, it's a great project book.

The projects in this book include:

1) patio table
2) garden bench
3) trellis seat
4) outdoor storage center
5) porch swing
6) freestanding arbor
7) play center
8) patio chair
9) gate-leg picnic tray
10) front-porch mailbox
11) sun lounger
12) outdoor occasional table
13) planters
14) adirondack chair
15) boot butler
16) bird feeder
17) porch rocker
18) hammock stand
19) grill garage
20) party cart

Anyone with the ability to work with basic hand tools and simple hand-held power tools should have no difficulty completing any of the projects in this book.

IMPORTANT: Some of the projects in this book also appear in other books in the series. If you are considering this book, you might want to look at the projects listed in the other books in the series. You might find that one book contains several projects you find interesting from this book, but includes an extra interesting project or two.

You won't go wrong with this book. But check the others in the series first to make sure you're getting the best one to suit your interests.

Now go build something... ;-)
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