Lost Art Press

Robert Wearing, 1921-2020

Posted on by Lost Art Press

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Noted woodworker, teacher and author Robert Wearing (1921-2020) died peacefully on April 27 at age 99, according to his son, Dave Wearing.

Wearing was “interested in wood to the end,” Dave wrote in an email.

Wearing was the author of many important books on woodworking, including “The Resourceful Woodworker,” “Making Woodwork Aids & Devices” and “Hand Tools for Woodworkers.” Lost Art Press had the privilege of republishing Wearing’s “The Essential Woodworker” in 2010 and compiling a collection of his best hand-tool appliances for “The Solution at Hand” (2019).

Wearing’s career as a craftsman began after his service during World War II. He was formally trained at Loughborough College (now University) in Leicestershire, England. After graduating, he went on to teach for 50 more years and write countless articles on woodwork and several well-received books.

During our relationship with the Wearing family, we have published two short biographies you might like to read. One, from 2011, was written by Wearing. The other, from 2017, was written by Kara Gebhart Uhl.

“The Essential Woodworker,” originally released in 1988, was the third book Lost Art Press published. It was also our introduction to the rough-and-tumble world of book publishing. After Wearing readily agreed to have us republish the book, it was up to us to get the original materials back from a former publisher.

They were uncooperative, despite the fact that they didn’t own the rights. After a scuffle, they admitted they had lost all the original materials, including the drawings and photos. (This, we have found, is a common problem – or perhaps a tactic – employed by corporate publishers.)

So we recreated the book from scratch with the guidance and support of Wearing and his son David. We reset all the text and restaged all the photos to produce our edition.

“The Essential Woodworker” has always been a strong seller. As I write this, its seventh press run is at our Michigan plant. The only book that has sold better for us is “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest.”

John and I owe a huge debt to Wearing and his son Dave. They supported and encouraged us at every turn. They took a leap of faith in 2010 when they signed on with a tiny publisher that no one had heard of. Without a doubt, we owe a lot of our early success to “The Essential Woodworker,” which is still a strong seller – a testament to its excellence as a clear and concise path to enter handwork.

— Christopher Schwarz

P.S. We hope to continue our relationship with the Wearing estate for as long as it is willing for us to remain the publisher. It is entirely too soon for us to enter into negotiations, but we don’t expect to run out of stock on any of his titles in the near future.

31 thoughts on “Robert Wearing, 1921-2020”

  1. I hope this is not disrespectful to ask but, is the device with the two wingnuts an adjustable dovetail drawing template? Very neat! About to go read up on this fine gentleman. Lets carry his legacy forward

  2. Do you have a copy editor? In the paragraph that starts with “The Essential Woodworker” there is a line that says “ it’s up to John and I to gather “ grrr. That’s irritating to see a subject pronoun in place of a object pronoun. Thanks.

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

      1. English is not my native language, so I’m not quite sure what a subject pronoun is. However, I do know what a turd is.

    2. Pro tip for trolling: Before posting comments that criticize someone’s grammar, always check your comment for proper punctuation, capitalization and etc.

    3. English is not my native language, so I’m not quite sure what a subject pronoun is. However, I do know what a turd is.

      1. And may Wearing rest in peace. The Essential Woodworker was one of my first woodworking books and made a big impression on me.

  3. I’m so glad that I had the privilege of being a student under the guidance of Robert (Bob) Wearing in the early 1980’s at Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology. I learnt a lot from him on the Art of making Windsor Chairs. He showed me how to build a stale engines out of Reliant gearboxes and also he brought Fred Lambert into the college for one week and we casted a set each of the famous aluminium rounders of which I still have them in my possession.
    The jigs Bob created were immense to say the least. I have created many for my own personal use in the workshop to ease the way of working,
    What a great person he was and happy memories of my time spent with you as a student.

    Rest in peace Bob 😢

    1. I wonder if you are the same Dafydd I knew on the same course at the same time? I graduated in 1983, and Bob taught me too. I also remember the Windsor chair making sessions, the stale engine, and the rounder making course with Fred Lambert. I still have the Windsor chair drawings on A4 paper Bob provided, along with a perspective drawing board made under his guidance. It’s funny that through a serendipitous route Bob and I share Lost Art Press as a publisher.

      I’m sorry to see he’s died, albeit at a good age. Yes, happy times at Shreswbury, with its excellent tutors led by John Price, another Loughborough man.

      1. Hi Richard,

        Yes, I am the same Dafydd that was on the course with you in Shrewsbury. It’s been a long time since we’ve spoken. Hope you are well – stay safe in this difficult time of our lives .

        Thanks,
        Dafydd

        1. Well, it’s nice to have made a re-connection with one of my fellow students from way back then. I’ve lost contact with every one of them from that time, and I’d no idea what they are doing now, or even if they’re still bashing wood for a living, although I remember some of their faces … but names tend to be a bit elusive, ha, ha. One I recall well was the retired navy engineer, Frank, who always tried to work to within a 1/100″ or something like that, and frequently ended up exploding with frustration, raging and cursing loudly, and slinging bits of failed joinery with a loud crash into a bin.

          Anyway, a bit of research on my part finds you’ve made a bit of name for yourself in the sheepdog world with your sticks. Well done, and it’s nice to find out what at least one other student from our time together is getting up to. I’m guessing you’re aware that LAP published my book Cut & Dried a couple of years ago now. A very satisfying collaboration from my point of view, and I think I’m right in saying LAP were, and still are, also happy with how things worked out.

          In return, take care yourself.

          Regards, Richard.

          1. Richard
            It brings back some good memories of our time at Shrewsbury College.
            If you are on Facebook Richard send me a friend request then we can keep in touch

  5. Condolences to Dave – I hope he knows how many lives hi Father impacted and how many more became rabid fans due to LAP publishing “new / old” books – just one more great man who will be missed

  6. Very sorry to hear that Bob has passed. He was a friend and colleague of my late father, who was also a craft teacher, as they trained at Loughborough together and may have shared accommodation. They remained in touch right through to my own Father’s death in 2016. He will certainly be remembered for his comprehensive range of “Aids and Devices”, which included both wood and metalworking skills, not as common nowadays as it was in their day. May he rest in peace.

  8. So sad, I bought his book The Essential Woodworker and it was delivered to me on 4/27/2020. I will keep him and his family in my thoughts as I enjoy the book.

  9. That book keeps on giving. I find that each time I revisit it I learn something new, because of more recent experiences at the bench.

    Thanks to LAP for extending his legacy, and best wishes to his family.

  10. I was about to comment of “it was up to John and I,” but see that someone else beat me to it. Wouldn’t have expected that with someone of your writing experience.

    1. Some people come here for the woodworking, some people apparently come here for the grammar. To each its own I suppose.

  11. RIP Mr Wearing and condolences to his family. His legacy will live on in all of us who have read his work and continue to use his tips and ideas etc. Thank you sir!

  12. I use the Essential Woodworker constantly. Even if I think I know what to do I will look it up to refresh my memory as to what Mr. Wearing advises. It is about the only book I own that I would immediately replace if it were lost.

  13. Robert Wearing was a giant. He was one of a tiny group that kept practical woodworking knowledge flowing during the craft’s Dark Ages. He’ll be missed.

  15. My condolences to his family. I have his books, and they have been an excellent reference for me, and helped me become a better woodworker. Thank you LAP for making it possible for us to read his work.

  16. The Essential Woodworker is such a nice, or should I better say “essential” book! It’s really a pleasure to read, it contains so much valuable information and I particularly like the drawings. If I need a small book for traveling I often take this book with me. You did a very good job recreating this book. My condolences to his family.

  17. My condolences to his family. Overdue, but just purchased both his books. Excited to delve into them.

  18. I’m sorry to hear about his passing.
    I never had the opportunity to meet the Robert in person but have benefited from his writing.
    My condolences to you and to his family.

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