List of Best Tinsmith & Tinsmithing Books For Beginners & Experts
Tinsmithing is a very hands-on trade that requires a lot of practice and experience to develop and improve your skills. However, a lot of value can be gained from gathering more related information from tinsmithing books.
There is a variety of tinsmithing and tincrafting books available for tinsmiths and metalsmiths of all skill levels who have different perspectives on the trade.
Many tinsmiths can find a lot of useful tips and techniques within the content of some of these books that will allow them to both learn more about the trade itself and sharpen their skills.
The books included in the following list of tinsmithing books can cater to beginner and expert tinsmith in both technical and creative aspects of the trade.
1) The Tinsmith’s Helper and Pattern Book: With Useful Rules, Diagrams, and Tables
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Vosburgh, H. K. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Recommended for: Intermediate & Advanced Tinsmiths
The Tinsmith’s Helper and Pattern Book by H.K Vosburgh is a great reference manual for tinsmiths and sheet metal workers. The author tries to communicate the information and experience he has had while working with sheet metal in straightforward language.
His examples of past experiences with metal are accompanied by material specs in order to provide more valuable context for the reader. This book acts as a very useful guide for apprentice and intermediate tinsmiths working with sheet metal. Some of the more notable aspects of this book are the inclusion of useful formulas and rules that can prove to be very helpful for the practicing tinsmith.
The latest version of this book has been updated with simpler methods of pattern drafting to keep it more up-to-date. Overall, this book is great for intermediate tinsmiths and can serve as a reference book for tinsmiths of higher skill levels.
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2) Tin Craft
- Fern-Rae Abraham (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 34 Pages - 11/15/2016 (Publication Date) - Sunstone Press (Publisher)
Recommended for: Beginner & Advanced Tinsmiths
Tin Craft by Fern-Raw Abraham offers useful information on the creative side of tinsmithing. The author is very experienced and provides a unique perspective on tin can crafting that can be great for tinsmiths who love decorating and working on art projects.
This book in particular focuses on southwest and Mexican-inspired designs and patterns that can be created using scrap metal. The accessibility of the materials and tools needed to follow-along with the projects described in this book is a highly attractive aspect of it.
The author details how easy it is to create complex art from basic scrap metals from soup or soda cans. Tinsmiths of all skill levels can read this book and learn how to make tin craft projects. The author makes sure to list both the tools and materials necessary to complete the projects.
This is a great read and wonderful book for novice tinsmiths or artists trying to learn a new medium.
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3) Tin-Craft as a Hobby
- Hardcover Book
- Enid Bell, Illustrated By Author (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Recommended for: Beginner Tinsmiths
Tin-Craft as a Hobby by Enid Bell is a great book for people who would like to learn about tinsmithing and crafting. The author includes a step-by-step guide for the projects described in the book.
Tin crafting is highlighted as an inexpensive handicraft medium that many people can have the ability to practice. Many of the projects are accompanied by useful diagrams to allow the reader to visually follow the process and compare examples.
Some detailed explanations of the techniques are also included in order to achieve the desired tin crafting results.
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4) The Peck, Stow & Wilcox Company’s Tinsmiths’ Tools and Machines of the Highest Grade and Best Quality
- Pollak, Emil (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 144 Pages - 06/01/1993 (Publication Date) - Astragal Press (Publisher)
Recommended for: Intermediate & Advanced Tinsmiths
The Peck, Stow & Wilcox Company’s Tinsmiths’ Tools and Machines by Emil and Martyl Pollack is a great book for tinsmiths interested in the history of tinsmithing and the types of tinsmithing tools used in the 19th century.
It is possible that some of the information contained in this book can be applied to modern tinsmithing, but it is always interesting to see how tinsmiths used to complete projects using older tools and techniques.
Historians and other metalsmiths interested in tinsmithing could definitely find the information in this book useful and helpful, especially if you possess some of the tools included in this text. The unique aspect of this book is that it is essentially a catalog of tinsmithing tools and their respective prices at the time.
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5) Metalwork for Craftsmen
- Kronquist, Emil F. (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 240 Pages - 06/01/1972 (Publication Date) - Dover Publications (Publisher)
Recommended for: Beginner Tinsmiths
Metalwork for Craftsmen by Emil F. Kronquist is a handbook about sheet metal crafting that includes a variety of metal crafting projects. The author is a very knowledgeable, master craftsman on the subject and includes step-by-step instructions on how to complete 55 different sheet metal projects.
The text is accompanied by helpful diagrams and drawings that allow readers to follow along the parts of the projects. The wonderful aspect of this book is that it is essentially a smithing book, complete with fundamental techniques about metalworking that are useful for beginner tinsmiths or sheet metal workers.
The important aspects of the metalworking process are defined and detailed in order to provide a comprehensive description of the process. This book is great for learning how to complete small sheet metal crafting projects and can be a great addition to the hobbyist’s library.
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6) Sheet Metal Fabrication: Techniques and Tips for Beginners and Pros
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Paul, Eddie (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Recommended for: Intermediate & Advanced Tinsmiths
Sheet Metal Fabrication by Eddie Paul is a book that focuses on hand-forming sheet metal in general. While this book does not primarily focus on tinsmithing, the shaping process described in this book can apply to a broader variety of metal projects.
The author describes the tools and materials necessary to complete a restoration or general sheet metal forming project that can appeal to intermediate tinsmiths or sheet metal workers. The author’s experience in the field is apparent throughout the writing and the inclusion of useful tips for readers.
This is a wonderful reference book to add to your collection and helpful guide when working on car restoration projects.
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