Carpentry Manuals

Best carpentry textbooks for apprentices

Carpentry manuals are a must for anyone serious about becoming a competent tradesperson, especially if you are new to Carpentry and joinery. They are the best carpentry apprentice books, packed with useful carpentry information and illustrations covering all the basics. They are in order starting with the best;

My parents purchased the earlier editions of these books for me over ten years ago whilst I was an apprentice. They proved invaluable all through the three years I spent studying my carpentry and joinery NVQ's and I still refer to them to this day. These revised editions are in line with current legislation, NVQ requirements and have fresh, up to date and easy to understand illustrations.

Book 1 provides the theory and foundation for Bench Joinery, Site Carpentry, Wood Occupations and Wood Machining.

Book 2 provides coverage of the practical skills required to pass the NVQ. These are an excellent resource for anyone new to the trade, who is studying for their NVQ or even for practicing joiners! When I wrote this they were rated 5/5 on Amazon.co.uk

If you're on a budget like I was all through my apprenticeship, you might be able to get them pre-owned.

This Carpentry manual begins with the fundamental skills required within a domestic construction setting from the tools needed and how to care for them (theres a great chapter on how to sharpen tools)to reading technical drawings. It goes on to cover all the differant first fix (framing carpentry) activities with detailed instructions written in an easy to understand language before doing the same for second fix carpentry (finish carpentry.) A great all round carpentry guide, perhaps not quite as thorough as the two above but still well recommended. Again it gets 5/5 stars on Amazon.co.uk

This is a priceless resource for apprentices working through their NVQ's. It's full of clear illustrations and test after each unit so you can easily track your progress whilst working through the book and revise the areas you're unsure in.

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