Audel's Carpernter's & Builder's Guides, Volumes 1-4 (1923 ed.)

Audel’s Carpenter’s and Builder’s Guide, first published in 1923 were THE reference guide for carpenter’s and builder’s in the era before electric tools. These books were in continuous print until the early 1970s. These volumes contain over 1500 pages and are profusely illustrated. I have shown some of the pages in the pictures.

Volume 1 topics include discussions of the various woodworking tools (& sharpening), how to use the steel square, saw filing, joinery, and furniture. Volume 2 topics include builder’s mathematics, drawing plans, specifications, and estimating. Volume 3 topics include house and roof framing, laying out, and foundations. Volume 4 topics include doors, windows, stair building, millwork, and painting.

These were the original reference books for people that used hand tools to build things for a living. If you are interested in learning how the “old-timers” thought about woodworking tools and techniques, you may be interested in these books. In my opinion, the 1923 edition is the most interesting for the hand tool woodworker. These volumes were reprinted several times. Many of the later printings (especially those after WW II) incorporated revisions and updatings reflecting the growing impact of electrical tools upon woodworking. As such, the emphasis on hand tools was lessened in some of the later editions.

This set consists of Volumes 1-4 with leather (or leatherette?) covers and gilt edged pages. The condition of the books is consistent with their age. I would grade these books as being in good condition. All of the pages appear to be present with no tearing or writing. One of the volumes does show some writing on the inside cover from some long ago carpenter doing some math and a couple of pages do show some wear. Bindings are, in general. in good condition, although some are showing some age related weakening. Bottom line – these books are over 100 years old and do show some signs of wear commensurate with their age.