How to Build Anything: With 3 Tools, 3 Boards, and 3 Steps

A great book for those just getting started with 'building'. I am avoiding the term 'woodworking' in case I offend anyone, as this book and the techniques are probably an affront to anyone classically trained in the art of woodworking. For the rest of us novices, this is an absolutely great reference book and primer to get started with construction using a circular saw and pocket joinery.I find myself grabbing it months later just to refresh my knowledge on the 'how tos' of some of the core techniques. It is well laid out, easy to follow, and has some useful reference sheets at the back to help with some of those repetitive tasks as you go about building.I took off 1 star for the title, which is entirely misleading. A better title would be 'How to Start Building with Pocket Joinery'. The only thing they show you how to build is a really rudimentary cabinet, so unless that is your sole goal in life, you should probably compliment this book with other resources. Fortunately, once you are familiar with pocket joinery, there are slews of plans available online for free.

I'm not a newbie as written on the book, but appreciated it very much too. Ein Anleitungsbuch das Jedermann den Einstieg in Holzarbeiten leicht macht. Und wenn die fertigen Werkstücke nicht nur funktional gelingen, sondern auch noch ordentlich aussehen, bleiben keine Wünsche offen.Außer einem einzigen: wann werden die Amerikaner die Vorzeile des metrischen Masssystems endlich akzeptieren?

This is woodworking 101. I love it.My DIY skills are limited to new shelves, electrical work and other basic skills. Everything I'd ever tried before, was wonky or looked like a bodge, this book has helped me realise what I was doing wrong. Very good explanations and pictures about what to do, and how to do it.If you're interested in any sort of woodworking, this is a great book to start you on that path. Loved it.

I've been building for more years than most of you have been alive. (I'm old.) I wish I had had a copy of this about 35 years ago (no, 40). As a friend says, "This (whatever) is not rocket surgery." But, Andy does a real nice job of putting a lot of needed info -- that many of us taught ourselves over years of doing and watching others -- into a very concise package. I actually bought it for my 20-something who has his first house and is eagerly attacking its many projects. But I found it very useful. There are numerous references (EZ Match Chart: Bit & Screw, for example) that take the guesswork or 'experience needed' out of the list of things needed to complete a project correctly. The pages on pocket screw joinery are very helpful -- particularly if you have never used pocket screws before. (I bought my first pocket screw jig just a few weeks ago. A friend suggested I get one 20 years ago but I've been blissfully using biscuits and dowels and taking 4 times as long to build something basic than I needed to.) Too lengthy here but maybe I'm an idiot. I have never used a store-bought rip guide. If a plywood sheet was too big to get on my table saw, I always used a chalk line and/or figured out the spacing for a 1X4 rip fence against the plate of my circular saw. Andy's explanation of how to build a permanent and inexpensive rip fence is almost worth the price of the book. It's certainly a 'duh, why didn't I know that?' moment but it's further evidence that the book is long on great tips and thankfully short on needless verbiage. Very simple book on what can be a very complex subject. If you're just starting -- like my son -- get it (or get one for your son or daughter) and go ahead and order one for yourself even if you know what you're doing. It's a good (perhaps 'great') reference. I don't think you'll be disappointed. (Nice screw placement templates in the back as a bonus.)

This is really a great book for someone who knows very little or nothing about woodworking. It has very basic information that is offered in an easy to understand format.

Love this book! Don't have much background with shop tools - never took any shop classes in jr high or high school - but as a recent taking a construction technology course this book provided some great beginner information and a marvelous approach to beginning building !!

I like this book, it tells you everything what kind of wood and screws to buy for just about anything you need to make i recommend this

Best basic how to build book I have read.. details about building supplies and tools were especially helpful.. comprehensive information for beginners or for those that have some knowledge of DIYwill want this book.. a must have for every DIYer..

Just really started looking it over last night but I'm super excited. Will update this if I have more to share. The other reviews were spot on. I'm new to woodworking and building things so this is excellent info.

Nice book for a beginner but not much there for folks with more than a little practical experience. Would make a nice gift for anyone wanting to learn some basics of easy woodworking but not wanting to necessarily become a master craftsman. Everyone needs a starting place.

ok book

Good book for a new DIY like me. I have not bought the tools yet and this book helped learn what to look for and how to buy them. Several items were repetitive so those pages could have been used for more projects and information.

I've been wanting to make some pieces that just fit my space. I'm a little familiar with woodworking but not confident enough to jump into a project. This book gives good definitions and instructions.

This is a good book for someone new to woodworking. It proves that you don't have to spent a lot of money to make things from wood.

Not actually with only 3 tools