Subject: Rodale's "Router Magic"

From: [email-masked] (Dennis R. Vogel)
Date: 28 Mar 1997 13:52:07 GMT

Anyone have the Rodale "Router Magic" book by Bill Hylton?
How does it compare to router books that I've seen at retail
bookstores?

Through a mailing I received yesterday they are offering
it at 4 installments (excuse me, four *easy* installments)
of $6.99 each.  Why not just price it at $27.96 and be done
with it?  Do they think we really can't do the math and it
sounds cheaper at 4 $6.99 bites?

I digress.  So, how do you rate the book as far as value
and usefulness?  Will I get more than a few jig ideas and
technique tips to make it worth while?

Thanks.

Dennis Vogel

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From: [email-masked] (Mort Tenon)
Date: 28 Mar 1997 16:55:40 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] 
says...

> . . .  So, how do you rate the book as far as value

>with it?  . . . .

>Dennis Vogel

I flipped through it in Waldenbooks last weekend. Router Magic is a 
collection of special purpose jigs and accessories for routing. (Ten or so, 
I think). They are innovative and if you do a lot with your router, it is 
worth the price they ask. Hylton's books are always top-notch (IMHO).

I've learned long ago that you dance with the devil when you deal with 
publishers by mail-order. Now days, I'm willing to pay extra at the 
booksellers just to stay away from those nasty "urgent" notices I always got 
when I declined to re-subscribe to a magazine or returned those unsolicited 
books I was sent "on approval".

the Woodshop Notebook
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/8108

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From: [email-masked] (Dennis R. Vogel)
Date: 28 Mar 1997 18:41:07 GMT

In article <[email-masked]>,
>books I was sent "on approval".

Do you recall how much it was a Walden?  You imply it was more by your
comment about paying more rather tahn buying mailorder.

Thanks.

Dennis Vogel

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From: [email-masked] (JaneAustin)
Date: 29 Mar 1997 13:48:50 GMT

At Barnes & Noble, "Router Magic" is $27.95 less 10% (it's hardcover).

I prefer to buy books at the store where I can look them over first. Have
you noticed how many woodworking books have modern, glossy bright-color
photographs on front but the insides are old black and whites; just
rehashes of old books?

Router Magic has a bunch of nifty ideas but some of the jigs seem to be so
complex, I'd rather just buy the jig then spend the next two months
building it.

The first jig I'm going to try is the Dowel-Making Fixture on page 97.
Good instructions. Far better than the others I've seen in other books. I
simply can't buy good straight dowels.

Perhaps it's just me, but I get a little frustrated when they say "l spent
about 2 hours making this jig" and it takes me far longer just to get the
wood prepared.

In any case, I'm glad I have the book and had the chance to peruse it
before purchasing it.  Even if I get one good jig out of it, it'll be
worth the money.  I would never buy a book through the mail again (sight
unseen), even if it's less expensive.

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From: [email-masked] (David Roseman)
Date: Sat, 29 Mar 1997 22:42:36 GMT

On 28 Mar 1997 18:41:07 GMT, [email-masked] (Dennis R.

>comment about paying more rather tahn buying mailorder.

Don't know about Walden, but I saw it several months ago at either
Barnes & Noble or B.J. Dalton for about the same price as the mail
order offer, but Rodale charges you shipping and handling of about $5
so it's actually cheaper at the bookstore.  I have the book and it's
top notch.  Hylton has a clear and occasionally humorous writing
style. dcr

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From: [email-masked] (John_North)
Date: Tue, 01 Apr 1997 03:54:02 GMT

>>>Anyone have the Rodale "Router Magic" book by Bill Hylton?

I just bought it from a mail order remaindered books dealer for
roughly $20. It looks quite good, though I haven't yet built any of
the jigs or attachments.