Build 25 Beautiful Boxes Paperback – June 8, 2016

I have already built the Tea box. Am learning new techniques, and am thinking more about how to embellish these design in my own unique way. The book is more than just techniques. It is encouraging me to create new box designs!

The boxes in this book are not going to be easy for anyone just starting out in box making; however, it offers a great amount of detail in building, not only boxes, but creating your own decorative inlays. I was pleasantly surprised by the section on inlay creation.

I previously gave a 1 as I was told it was delivered the day before and nobody would listen to me nor discuss this with me. I have a security camera and knew for a fact this and another item were NOT delivered as USPS stated. Since this was a Christmas present, I had to go ahead and give it early. My husband was happy, now I am happy to see what he plans on making. I do recommend the paperback! BTW, still shows 12/06/20 delivery, in truth was delivered 12/07/20 with my mail around 11:30am.

Definitely not a book for beginning woodworkers, nor more experienced woodworkers either. The author relies on a large number of homemade jigs to make cutting small pieces safer on machines, such as a table saw, bandsaw, belt sander, disc sander, horizontal borer, drill press, router, and so on. He does not go into enough detail on using these machines safely, or on building the jigs. There are innumerable variations on woodworking jigs and it is a mistake to assume the reader will already know how to make and use them. It is also a mistake to teach only having a giant shop full of these machines to make little bitty boxes.It would have been better to go into more detail on design and exact dimensions (yes, readers can make their own modifications, but there needs to be a good solid plan to work with) and leave it up to the reader to choose their own cutting methods. Or, even better, teach hand tools. Hand tools are cheaper, safer, and more efficient for small projects. They don't need a giant shop, lots of power, dust collection, or personal safety gear like respirators and hearing protection. The photos of hands and fingers manipulating small pieces of wood on table saws and routers are scary, and a disservice to readers. He even uses the "safety equipment removed for clarity" dodge to avoid teaching safe techniques. There is only a short and inadequate appendix on safety.I think this really wanted to be a design and creativity book, which would have been great. As a howto, it has too many shortcomings.

This is a great book with some very interesting designs. It includes a basic introduction to inlays in the first chapter which then allows you to dress up the designs in the book.

This is a difficult review. I have Doug Stowe's other books and have thoroughly enjoyed them. I was excited to see a "new" book from Mr. Stowe. I was disappoinred that this book was just a collection of material previously published. For someone new to the author this would be a great addition (5 stars). For someone who has his other books on box making, it is more than disappointing (0 stars). I feel it is less than honest for the discription not to reveal the true nature of the contents, especially without being able to look inside and view the table of contents. For me it wad a wasted purchase.

Beautifully illustrated with wonderful box ideas!

Another great book from Doug Stowe. This book is useful if you are a beginner or a seasoned box maker.