Mechanick Exercises or the Doctrine of Handy-Works

Joseph Moxon

Reviewed by:

Tom Holloway

This is a facsimile reproduction of the 1703 edition of Moxon's classic, as the subtitle reads, "Applied to the Arts of Smithing, Joinery, Carpentry, Turning, Bricklayery." (There is a bonus appendix on everything you need to know about designing and building sundials "only with the help of a straight ruler and a pair of compasses, and without any arithmetical calculation.") This was first published in England in 1678, and is one of the earliest "how-to" manuals. Once your eye gets used to reading the "long S" for the letter it is, you will learn a lot about these trades as of more than 3 centuries ago. It's impressive how much has NOT changed, for hand toolers, in that time. An important feature is the many engravings showing groups of tools, all of which are discussed in the text. The section on turning includes designs for 3 types of human-powered lathes.