Good Clean Fun: Misadventures in Sawdust at Offerman Woodshop

I wasn't honestly sure what to expect when I picked this book up. Is it a memoir? A work of comedy? A woodworking tutorial? I looked it up on the recommendation of an acquaintance who knew I'd begun dabbling in woodworking and picked it up when a preview I read included a page dedicated to H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society founder Andrew Leman (who, I discovered, created the Offerman Wood Shop logo). Now that I've read it, I can say the book managed simultaneously to be all of the things I expected and none of the things I expected. The best way to describe it is as a peek behind the curtain of one particular wood shop.If you're looking for anything in particular, you're likely to find it here, but you're also likely to be disappointed by how little of the book is dedicated to any particular element. You want some woodworking projects? They're here, but if that's all you want, you'll be bored during the biographical interludes. Want to know about a variety of different woodworkers? They're in here too, but sandwiched between all the other content. Comedy? Sure, plenty of the lines are funny, but this is a book more about wood than about humor. Amazingly, it even finds the time to include a handful of recipes near the back.For those looking specifically to learn about woodworking, this book is a bit of a mixed bag. It does have step-by-step projects, and they're targeted to a variety of skill levels ranging from the beginner to the advanced. That said, if you don't have access to a well-equipped shop, you're going to struggle to find things you can do. Even the relatively simple projects were assembled in a very large woodshop with access to some rather expensive tools. Can they be adapted to the home shop consisting of just a few tools stored between cars in a garage? Some of them easily could, others not so much.Even when the projects can be adapted to the particular tools you have at your disposal, don't expect this book to provide a very complete education in woodworking. If you're looking for either a step-by-step course to the craft or an encyclopedic reference, you'll find neither of those things here. Instead, what you'll find is an inspiring look at a cross section of the things you can make out of wood, and at the variety of people who make them. You'll encounter some interesting characters and come to appreciate how they impart their personality into their projects.If you're interested in woodworking, whether as a practitioner, a student, or merely an admirer, this book will provide you with, as the title might suggest, plenty of "Good Clean Fun." If you're not particularly interested in wood but only considering this book because of the author's work as an actor and comedian, you probably won't find what you're looking for here.

I personally am a 21-year-old college student who has been woodworking for only a few months. While I am not all that amazing at woodworking yet this book helps give me what some might interpret as hope. I love this book to death. From the first page of reading the author, Nick Offerman, had me laughing! The book walks you through an introduction to tools and wood which is spectacular and gives you a few lessons in diction. A few of the words Nick used caused me to pull out a dictionary just to make sure that I understood exactly what I was reading! I am currently in the projects section of the book and am learning different techniques and ideas for things that I can do myself. I am very excited to keep working through this book and learning as I go. This is one of the first things that I felt the need to review on Amazon after many years of purchasing because of how amazing this book is. Cannot recommend it enough to new woodworkers and even season veterans in the craft could pick up a few things from this book I'm sure.

repeat after me: Nick Offerman is not Ron Swanson.This is because Swanson is a frustrated bumbling idiot who has delusions of his own competency, whereas Offerman is a competent and caring person who nonetheless acknowledges his teachers and those he admires. He shares his understanding of the art of woodworking and provides pointers everywhere to more experienced artists and resources for anyone who wants to pursue the art.I work almost exclusively with hand tools on smaller projects, I neither need nor want the wide range of power tools he covers (most of the time) yet his approach to woodworking is a wonderful light for my own practice, and I come back to this book time and time again, each time putting it down mid-read because I've been inspired to get out there and get on another project. This is the first time I've ever called out not being able to finish a book as a compliment.Overall it's just a great read, with both practical advice, but more importantly inspiration to get out and work regardless of our skill level or current equipment.

If you're like me, you own a hundred back issues of Shop Notes, Wood, and have shelves full of books on specific topics from Framing to Finishes. Most of these articles you skim, get inspired with techniques and design elements, and apply those to your own projects. After spending a few days with this book, I get the feeling that Nick understands how woodworkers and tinkerers consume books, and wanted to make something that would suit them.This book is Fun: There's lovely photography that will inspire you, and there's several techniques and ideas that were new to me in some of the project-plans. But, what makes this book different is that there are also artist profiles, general shop advice, and Nick Offerman's humor and sensibilities throughout. You probably won't read it cover-to-cover, but then, the book doesn't appear to be designed to be consumed in that way. It's perfect for a casual read; to pick up at the end of the day and read a few pages.This is not to say that the book doesn't contain practical instruction; it does, and those projects are well presented. You should be warned however that some of the projects here are going to come off as a bit precious for an older experienced woodworker, but then, many of the projects are going to be approachable and exciting to younger and inexperienced woodworkers.The fun of this book will inspire you to get back into the shop to finish your most recent project.This book would be a great gift for a wide range of woodworkers with a wide range of interests; you'd have a hard time going wrong.

This provides a lighthearted approach to present new projects to both professionals and amateurs. The addition of Nick’s friends is a nice touch.

Who doesn’t love Nick Offerman? My husband loves woodworking AND Parks and Rec so this really was the perfect gift.

My wife thought it would be a humorous romp through woodworking, and she was partially right. Mostly, this is a testament to the good, clean fun of woodworking and getting one's own hands dirty. Loved the variety of perspectives, the contributions from colleagues at the woodshop, and yes, the absolute passion that Offerman... offers about working with wood. Inspiring to say the least. A pleasant and entertaining read.

If you're a Nick Offerman fan, you'll definitely enjoy this read! A great mix of humor and how to!

Purchased as a present for my SO, who has been reading it and thoroughly enjoying.Please BE WARNED!! You may see your bank account dwindle with all the new tools that are "needed".

My husband is getting into woodwork and I wanted to buy him a little something for putting up with me and he loves it. We are both big fans of Nick Offerman; his stuff is always great but this is his favourite book he’s ever had. He says it’s great for the little projects but also the stories that run through it and it’s a really interesting read. Brownie points for me.