How To Build Shaker Furniture

The Shakers produced many incredible furniture objects that we continue to venerate today. For the woodworker the fascination is often rooted in the essential simplicity of the work. Interest in Shaker design is as strong today as it was when the first editon of this book was published in 1977, possibly stronger. This ongoing interest is the direct result of the inherent beauty of Shaker design — beauty that stems not only from form, but from superb workmanship, a commitment to utility and a total understanding of material.

Thirty-five years ago Thomas Moser wrote what was one of the first books on building Shaker-style furniture, and in fact, one of the first books written for woodworkers that offered plans for building furniture. The simple, direct presentation sold continuously for years, inspiring and educating untold craftsmen. Much has changed in those years in woodworking technology for both amateurs and professionals. While the level of interest in wood craftsmanship that exists today has never been greater, changes to the book were appropriate to be more relevant for today's woodworkers. In this Signature Edition, the section on tools is altogether new and reflects changes in technology. New color photography has replaced the original black and white photos, and for content, several items appearing in the original measured drawing section have been eliminated, in response to their marginal marketing appeal, while new items have been added to update this volume.