Carpentry is one of humanity's oldest trades. You can build a lifetime career in it the same way an experienced carpenter builds a structure -- by carefully analyzing your building site, studying and understanding blueprints and specifications, collecting your tools and building materials -- in other words, fully preparing yourself for the task before you.

Or you can drift aimlessly into the fringes of the trade by assuming that all a carpenter has to know to "make a living" is how to hammer a nail, saw a piece of lumber, and look through the classified advertisements for "carpenter wanted" notices.

This book is not for the drifter who chooses that latter course. Instead, it's prepared to show how you can become a truly skilled craftsperson, proud of your ability, and capable of earning a lifetime income in a basic and expanding industry.

For the young person who wants to build, create, and work as a vital part of a building and construction team, there is no more gratifying profession than that of carpentry.

We commend to you the virtues -- in fact, the necessity -- of apprenticeship training. There is no substitute for classroom study and on-the-job training in the field of carpentry.

Many of America's achievements in the years ahead are going to be borne in the hands of the carpentry apprentices of today. Many who read this manual and take their first steps into carpentry will share in this promising future.