With All the Precision Possible - Roubo on Furniture

by André Roubo, with contributions by Christopher Schwarz, Don Williams, Michael Mascelli, Philippe Lafargue and Jonathan Thorton; translated by Michele Pietryka-Pagán

André Roubo’s 18th-century French text L’Art du Menuisier is a widely respected resource on European woodworking techniques of the pre-industrial era.

The third in a series of selections from Roubo’s original four-volume treatise, this book compiles a wide array of material related to making wooden furniture by hand, unavailable in English prior to this translation by Michele Pietryka-Pagán. The annotated text is supplemented by essays by Christopher Schwarz, Don Williams, Michael Mascelli, Philippe Lafargue and Jonathan Thornton, placing the work in its historical context from the perspective of modern-day craftsmen.

With hundreds of illustrations reproduced from Roubo’s original plates, it provides detailed insight into historical woodworking practices, with instruction on making various types of seating, beds, tables, armoires, buffets, cabinetry and other furnishings. It also explores general topics such as selecting, storing and dimensioning lumber, tools and their uses, fitting hardware, measuring stock and drawing furniture plans.

A fascinating glimpse into the professional wood shop of 250 years ago, filled with both historical interest and in-depth, practical instruction on techniques that are all but lost today.

Smyth-sewn hardcover, 8 1/2" × 12", 472 pages, 2017.Other books in this series are available separately.