[.ca] Building Beautiful Boxes with Your Band Saw (ISBN 1558705228)

4 tools:
With this book and 4 tools, you will become an instant craftsman (in your own mind at least). Lois Ventura will show even a novice (a little experience in the required tools is necessary) how to create magnificent artful boxes using just a bandsaw, jointer (although you can always substitute a sander and time for this), a belt sander and a palm sander. Thanx to this book, I'm turning $100 into $500-$700 worth of Christmas presents (already own the tools). Once I create some custom designs, I will also have a new side business. Best book I've ever purchased.

Wonderful book!:
I have made several of the boxes featured in this book. The instructions are clear and easy to understand. If you want to follow the plans for some of the larger boxes, you will need a 14" or larger bandsaw (I'm selling my new 12" as a result!). These boxes are beautiful! I have received many compliments on them. The author encourages you to use your own creativity and I definitely have many ideas to pursue after discovering how fulfilling making a work of art like this is! Thank you Ms. Ventura!

Not sure what the hype is....:
I bought and returned this book on the same day. My only regret is I should have gone to look at it at the store first. I found it outdated and not useful (for me anyway). All the patterns were a variation of the cover photo - nothing more. Please do yourself a favor and go look at it before you buy and have to pay to mail it back! Only one start because you can't give zero....

Inspires you with "AWESOME" designs!:
I just recieved this book and I have to say it is as complete as they come. Great explanations of each step with quality photographs. Nothing is left out. There is a resource page in the back of the book so you can find the products described that the author uses. I don't even own a bandsaw "YET" but I'm buying one this weekend as I'm very eager to build several of these boxes, or should I say "works of art"? Lois is an artisit in my book. It would be quite an experience just to watch her in action from start to finish building her designs. I am very anxious to complete my first one to help "release" the artisit in myself. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who is wanting to build very creative masterpieces. Thank you Lois "wish I knew her personally" for this labor of love. This book will become worn out after I'm through with it!

Excellent resource for learning from a Pro.....:
I received this book as a Christmas gift and was immediatly impressed with the photography and layout of the book. Ms Ventura is a fine writer and waste's no time in getting you hooked into the art of bandsaw boxes. I had often admired boxes made with bandsaws but had not quite figured out how the whole process was accomplished. This book covers it all, equipment and tools needed, selecting materials, laminating, layout, cutting and finishing. The resource section is a bonus. As an added bonus she supplies you with the templates for a good number of her famous designs, with tips to allow you to accomplish the fit and finish they each deserve. They are all designed to be made with a standard 14" bandsaw and one of the best hints is, she use's one blade for everything. She suggests alternate methods for shaping and sanding if you do not possess some of the machines that she routinely uses and encourages you to use your own imagination and creativity. I have been making jewelry boxes and toy boxes for some time now, and while I enjoy making them sometimes I wish I could get away from the standard "square" box. This book has shown me a definite alternative and I will be adding bandsaw boxes to my list of projects. Great book, can't rate it high enough.