The Mechanic's Companion

The Mechanic's Companion. Author, Peter Nicholson

Peter Nicholson's The Mechanic's Companion, Or, the Elements and Practice of Carpentry, Joinery, Bricklaying, Masonry, Slating, Plastering, Painting, Smithing, and Turning is one of the classics, and among the most readable books on woodworking in the early 19th century. Yet, with the exception of the well-known workbench from Plate 12, it doesn't get as much attention as other early English technical books. That's a shame, because it's an invaluable and thorough treatment of techniques, with 40 plates that provide an excellent and detailed look at the tools of the time, along with a straightforward chapter on the geometry instruction necessary to the building trades.

Peter Nicholson, unlike other technical writers of the time, was a trained cabinetmaker, who later became an architect, prolific author and teacher. So he writes (and writes well) with the authority of experience and clarity on all things carpentry and joinery. For the other trades covered, he relies on masters for solid information and relays it in easy-to-understand prose. His book is an homage and update to Joseph Moxon's "Mechanick Exercises" (the first English-language book on the trades, published in book form in 1703).

This edition of The Mechanic's Companion is a scan of an 1845 book, in which Rude Mechanicals Press cleaned up the foxing (red-brown spots on old paper), and broken and filled-in type, checking and correcting every page as necessary for legibility. To make it still easier to read, the type size was increased a bit (the original is small), and corrected a few bindery mistakes where plates were misplaced. The book is printed on acid-free paper, and the interior signatures are Smyth sewn for durability. The hard cover is wrapped in cotton cloth and stamped in foil. It is produced and printed entirely in the United States. This solid, quality book is meant to be well-used and shop worthy.

ISBN 978-0-692-12335-5

Hardcover, 416 Pages