Since returning home Saturday I have been pushing hard to get “By Hound & Eye” to the printer so we will have it out in time for Woodworking in America – yes, we are attending, and yes we will have a booth this year.
We are still cleaning up some 192 scans for the press, but this morning I finished work on both the front cover (above) and back cover of this fantastic workbook.
“By Hound & Eye” is, as I said, a workbook. If you follow the instructions of Journeyman and his sarcastic dog, Snidely, you will get a first-class education in the basic geometry required to design well-proportioned furniture. To do the exercises, which are fun, all you need is a pencil, a compass and a straightedge.
Even if you have nearly memorized “By Hand & Eye” (I have), you will find amazing new things to explore, especially when it comes to drawing fair curves. The explanation in this book is the best I’ve seen. And it’s even better that you are being schooled by a cartoon dog.
If you struggled with the concepts in “By Hand & Eye” or didn’t do the exercises, I think you’ll benefit from this workbook. If your nickname at the woodworking club is “Euclid,” then skip it.
The entire book is hand-printed and illustrated by Andrea Love, an artist in the Pacific Northwest. “By Hound & Eye” marks many “firsts” for Lost Art Press. Here are the details.
This is our first softcover book. The authors, George Walker and Jim Tolpin, wanted it to be something you would feel comfortable drawing in when doing the exercises. So we chose a paper that takes pencil marks nicely.
The authors also wanted the book to be durable so it wouldn’t fall apart while you are working. Most softcover books are merely glued together and the covers are ironed on. We wanted better.
So we are using our traditional sewn binding – plus glue and a woven fabric tape – to keep the pages together. You will be able to bend the binding so the book lays flat.
The book is 192 pages, 8.5” x 11” and produced entirely in the United States. The price will be $20. Sorry, but we cannot offer the workbook in a package deal with “By Hand & Eye.”
We are still trying to calculate if we can offer free shipping during the first 30 days it is on sale. Stay tuned.
More details (and an excerpt) to come.
— Christopher Schwarz
Free shipping or not, you can bet I’ll pick one up!
After this book, get to work on an audio version of Calvin Cobb, eh? I loved listening to Roy read The Joiner and Cabinet Maker. Maybe you can even get Megan to read all the female dialogue!
We have yet to make a dime on that audiobook. Poor Roy gave up four days of his life for that. And we have about 50 hours of editing in it. We are unlikely to try to lose even more money….
I’ve got a tape recorder. I’ll try and do the voices myself. This may take a while…
Go for it!
When this workbook comes out would you highly recommend getting it with By Hand and Eye, or will it work as a standalone?
The workbook gives you the exercises needed to understand the concepts – plus room to execute them.
The hardback “By Hand & Eye” has fewer exercise, but lots more of the “why” behind the concepts, sample projects and color photos.
I think they complement one another, though each stands alone just fine. You don’t have to have both.
Hi Chris,
Not being able to e-mail you directly, this might be my best way of saying… well basically. THANKS!! I have studied all I can on my own.
I am in a crappy hotel tonight waiting for my first class to begin tomorrow with Mr Rogowski. ( 15 years in the waiting)
Your research has been instrumental in my pursuit of this trade and I hope this note finds it’s way. I want nothing more than to fill out my days learning and teaching this beautiful trade and I hope you can help guide my way. I have never had the pleasure of meeting you, but I feel a kindred spirit in the love of making wood chips. Thanks and all the best. If you don’t respond, I understand.
Any advise you could give would be great.
Just know that I have the express position of sticking around and being a pain in all your sides while I sort out this cellulose laden life I have been afforded.
Your Friend in this caper,
Brian
Hey Brian,
Good luck with the class and say hello to Gary for me – he’s a great guy and equally great woodworker/teacher.
I’m afraid the only guidance I can provide is through my writing here, in books and in magazine articles. The hundreds of requests (and even flat-out demands) for personal woodworking help are what caused me to close my public e-mail. I simply cannot keep up with that sort of correspondence I’m afraid.
You might consider asking Gary about his distance learning program, which is well suited to guiding people through the craft and into becoming a professional or accomplished amateur.
All best,
Chris
I constantly read parts of By Hand & Eye. If you don’t have it, get it. My woodworking crap has turned into maybe not crap solely because of this book.
You can download exercises that work with the book (included in the price/free, whatever your viewpoint).
I will get the workbook for the repetition factor. George and Jim point out early on in the book how repetition really brings it home for you.
Also, at 20 bux, it is half the price of a first run movie ticket with popcorn and drink. Pick up a six pack and red box for a night instead and get the workbook. Just my unsolicited opinion. 🙂
And while I’m opining, how about spiral bound? They lay really flat… 😉
If it were spiral it would be $55.
I second the spiral binding. It’s worth it to me.
If you want a spiral binding, my advice would be to take the workbook to a Staples or Office Depot. They can shear of the spine for you and install a spiral binding.
I dislike spiral bindings. They make the book less durable and make the pages more difficult to turn. We are very unlikely to use them in my lifetime. But we welcome readers to do the job themselves.
All best,
Chris
Thanks Chris.
tsstahl: Yea, I’ve had several people tell me I should get it. The thing that worries me about the full book is I’ve only ever been able to get through one or two of Mr. Walker’s articles in PWW (which is pretty atypical for me on reading almost anything). Hence wondering if a series of exercises with a sarcastic dog might be a better choice for me.
My comment was more tongue in cheek, hence the winky face. I know more about density of moon rocks (‘cuz I saw one once in a Chicago museum) than I do about the mechanics of publishing.
I love dead tree books. This title will be the exception to the rule as I will get the PDF. I want to selectively print pages for repetition without having to erase a bunch of previous work. If the notion strikes me, and the boss allows, I’ll print a copy and throw a plastic comb binding on it. 🙂
To maswieg: you can read in depth why I think By Hand & Eye is useful at http://blog.greatlakeswoodshop.com/2013/08/a-preview-of-by-hand-eye.html. That link is from a couple years ago. I’ve spent much more time with the book since. Sorry, Chris. I won’t make a habit of self promotion on your blog.
I’m sorry. Emoticons escape my eye – don’t know why.
It’d be great to have a downloadable PDF of this title. Any chance of that?
Yup.
That would definitely increase the chances of people writing on their copy! 🙂
Does the curve-fairing use Ducks and Splines? Hmmm.. I guess those would be additional tools, so probably not. Looking forward to learning something simpler.
Please put me down for 4 copies. I’ve found the book to but very enlightening and have sent copies to others. This is the kind of information every cabinetmaker, finish carpenter , etc. should learn. I suspect the workbook will aid in people’s motivation to pursue the subject further.
Thanks, Keith Mathewson
I can’t wait for this workbook. Having been through “By Hand” a couple of times and doing the exercises, i feel like i got a glimmer of understanding , but ultimately it proved beyond my grok. I don’t want to say the light bulb never went on, at best though, dimly lit. Not a knock on the book, i enjoyed it and doing the exercises very much. I think the workbook may be just what i need to get over the hump.
Any truth to the rumor that Jim is in the preliminary stages of a LAP book on his Gypsy Wagons? Well, ok, I just started that rumor, doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be a great book.
Yeah for Snidely! If you don’t come up with a Snidely t-shirt you’re missing a golden opportunity.
Not related, and probably not the right forum but I had a problem with an order then sent two emails and no response. I know you’re busy, sorry to bother you guys.
John and Chris, (that’s my and my wife’s names incidentally, just noticed that) you’re doing a great job, keep doing what you’re doing.
John.
Sorry you are having trouble. John will contact you shortly.
I like the workbook concept to enhance “By Hand & Eye.” Looking forward to this!