This guide is for those discovering the pleasures of working with wood for the first time. Whether as a hobby, at evening classes or in the schoolroom, this book provides essential knowledge on tools, wood selection, techniques and good practice. The book starts with an introduction on how to set out a proper workshop and highlights some essential health and safety points. The following four chapters give detailed information for the woodworking beginner on: hand tools and how to use and maintain them; the properties and versatility of different types of wood and manmade boards; woodworking joints and how to make them; and successful wood finishing techniques such as sealing, bleaching, staining, and waxing.