The goals of With Saw, Plane and Chisel.

"I wrote With Saw, Plane, and Chisel to add another voice to the available woodworking media.  Herein, you will find what I hope to be a jumping-off point in the worthwhile pursuit of historically-accurate furniture reproduction. You will find information on the history of each of the 18^th century styles I have chosen to represent, details on period correct tools, how to prepare your stock and cut solid joinery, and authentic ornamentation techniques. The construction of six pieces is detailed herein, but the techniques you will learn can be used to replicate almost any piece of furniture you like in an authentic manner. You will also learn enough to incorporate realistic elements of period work into your own period-inspired design

The bottom line is this: I’m asking you to question your own definition of the word craftsmanship and to expand your skillset. This is not a call to do poor work, something which was no more acceptable in the period than it is today. I challenge you to try for something more esoteric than simple “perfect” dovetails and “piston fit” drawers. I hope you will study the pieces of the past and see them for what they are: snapshots of a moment in time which can teach us of the men and women who lived, worked, and died in this country more than 200 years ago."

- excerpt from the introduction, With Saw, Plane and Chisel: Making Historic American Furniture with Hand Tools by Zachary Dillinger