Begnal - The Handy Shop Reference : Useful Facts and Figures for Every Woodworker.

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As we enjoy an evening in the workshop, it is easy to forget that the craft of woodworking encompasses a surprisingly large body of information. Much of that information is learned only through considerable practice and experience. And, once learned, it is usually applied to the task at hand with little thought or effort. An experienced woodworker knows, almost intuitively, what to do and how to do it.

But even veteran woodworkers understand that practice, experience and intuition are not always enough. Despite what seems to be second nature, its often necessary to find an important bit of information in order to move a project forward. Usually, however, that bit of information is found only after a lengthy search through a pile of woodworking books, magazines, owners manuals and shop-worn notes. And, of course, the search too often comes up empty.

This book is an effort to make that search considerably easier. Here, in a single volume, is an easy-to-understand compilation of the many facts, figures and formulas that are important to every woodworker. From shop geometry to lumber grades to drill press speeds, The Handy Shop Reference provides an extensive storehouse of valuable woodworking data.

This is a book to be used, not admired. Keep it near your workbench. My sincere hope is that you often find yourself reaching for it, and that it quickly provides you with all the information you need.

Have fun and work safely.

An understanding of basic geometry is useful to woodworkers. Indeed, when you consider that every woodworking project is made from parts that form straight lines, curved lines or a combination of the two, it is clear that geometry is very much a part of the workshop.

The space between two lines that meet is called an angle. An angle is usually measured in degrees.

The angle formed by a line perpendicular to another line. A right angle measures 90.

An angle measuring less than a right angle.

An angle larger than a right angle, but less than 180.

A polygon is a closed plane figure that has three or more sides and angles. A polygon with all angles equal and all equal-length sides is called a regular polygon. Some of the common polygons are:

A triangle is a polygon with three sides and three angles. The sum of the three angles is always 180.

A triangle with one angle at 90

A triangle with all sides of equal length.

A triangle with two sides of equal length

A triangle with all sides unequal

A triangle with one angle obtuse (greater than 90)

A quadrilateral is a polygon that has four sides and four angles. The sum of the four angles is always 360.

A four-sided plane figure with four right angles

A four-sided plane figure with four right angles and four equal-length sides

A four-sided plane figure with all sides parallel, adjacent sides unequal, and usually having two acute angles and two obtuse angles