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Woodturning books

Joshua Rhodes

Joshua Rhodes

Joined
May 13, 2019
Messages
28
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Location
North Augusta, South Carolina
This may be a bit of an insignificant topic for a new thread however a search turned up only fruitless results. Are there any books that any of you would suggest reading on woodturning, despite whether it is geared towards technique, history or miscellaneous ramblings fixed on the subject? I'm sure most techniques and advice can be found on youtube but some of us still enjoy written prose as a conduit of information.
Thanks
 
I'm sure you'll get a huge number of responses to this, but I have to throw in a recommendation for David Ellsworth's book. Easily one of the best woodturning books I have ever read. Even through he is most famous for his hollow forms, you don't get there without a solid grounding in the fundamentals. He covers all of that in his book, and the style is very easy to read. Highly recommended.

-Dan
 
I second ellsworth’s Book. I’ve seen his videos and taken his class. The book is covers the exact same techniques he used and I use it as a refresher/reference.
 
David’s book is always a good choice.

Understanding wood - Bruce Hoadley is good fit in every woodturner’s Library

If you are interested in thinking outside the box
Woodturning Wizardry - David Springette

Artistic Woodturning - Dale Nash
 
Check with used bookstores, too. Got some great bargains at the McKay's store in Chattanooga. Have one around you? Library is a great sources. Read it and return it. If you have a technical school close that teaches woodworking, they might have some in their library.
 
You can also find a number of pdf articles and books on Google when you search for "woodturning" pdf or "wood turning" pdf.
 
Anything by Raffan. However. to paraphrase a movie line from 35 years ago, "Print is {nearly} dead." There are a multitude of excellent turning videos out there and if you don't get how one person explains it, just watch another person. and another. I had trouble getting the trick of a particular tool and just could not follow either the print or several videos in English. I ran across a German video on the same tool and watched with the sound turned off. The guy demonstrated the technique so well, I got it immediately. Now how much I was slowly getting from the others I can't say, but the German fellow got me over the hump. A month or so ago, I watched a few Russian videos on you tube and suddenly a few techniques with the skew became clear (er) . .
 
Perry, I like print over computer (what can I say, I'm a dinosaur :D). However, I also like a video in conjunction with print. In fact, the Raffan book I mentioned above (Turning Boxes) has a video also available. Best of both worlds for me when used in conjunction with each other.
 
I overwhelmingly prefer print over written electronic media. Videos are priceless I only asked for books because I do very well conceptualizing something before I set out to do it, accompanied with videos reflecting what I've read it shortens the learning curve for me significantly. However good ole fashioned hard experience is unbeatable. So do woodturners prefer electronic media to print as it leaves more wood untouched and available for turning rather than being printed on? ;)
 
I am a little old fashion and prefer reading Sumerian Clay Tablets some of them describe the ancient methods of machining and crafting stone and wood items with machines they built over 5 thousand years ago. One of the tablets had a scribed drawing of an ancient style lathe that was used to machine some of the intricate stone bowls and vases back then. Shown below is the best image I could lift and copy from the stone tablet.

Sumerian lathe.jpg
 
The first step is admitting you have a problem... I know they are not worth what I payed for them but I like holding a book and flipping pages. Maybe when they flood the used book shop shelves, some kid will stumble upon them, pick a few, and enjoy them as much as I have...
Turning Books.jpg
 
I second Richard Raffan's Turned-Bowl Design. I'm just finishing it and it's one book whose value has not been duplicated on DVD or Youtube, as far as I have seen.
 
Joshua Rhodes said:
I overwhelmingly prefer print over written electronic media. Videos are priceless I only asked for books because I do very well conceptualizing something before I set out to do it, accompanied with videos reflecting what I've read it shortens the learning curve for me significantly. However good ole fashioned hard experience is unbeatable. So do woodturners prefer electronic media to print as it leaves more wood untouched and available for turning rather than being printed on? ;)
Click to expand...

Hey Joshua,

Well not to sound like a huckster, but I happen to have Turning Bowls by Richard Raffan listed in the For Sale Forum here. Thread title is "Still More Books for Sale". I'd rather see it go to a good home than make five bucks, so if you'll PM me your address and cover the cost of postage, I'd like you to have it. The last book I sent by Media Mail cost $3.27 to send.

:-)
 
Mark Hepburn said:
Hey Joshua,

Well not to sound like a huckster, but I happen to have Turning Bowls by Richard Raffan listed in the For Sale Forum here. Thread title is "Still More Books for Sale". I'd rather see it go to a good home than make five bucks, so if you'll PM me your address and cover the cost of postage, I'd like you to have it. The last book I sent by Media Mail cost $3.27 to send.

:)
Click to expand...

And, that's not all. If you call in the next 15 minutes we'll double your order and give you a roll of Flex Tape absolutely free!! :D
 
Bill Boehme said:
And, that's not all. If you call in the next 15 minutes we'll double your order and give you a roll of Flex Tape absolutely free!! :D
Click to expand...

But wait, there’s more,,.

That can of black goo that seals boats can be yours! Just pay shipping that costs more than the actual product and...
 
I'll throw this title out for your consideration: "The Creative Woodturner", by Terry Martin.

Although he does discuss some of his unusual techniques the book is not just a "how to", but also valuable for his discussion of "what to" and "why to".
 
Mark Jundanian said:
I'll throw this title out for your consideration: "The Creative Woodturner", by Terry Martin.

Although he does discuss some of his unusual techniques the book is not just a "how to", but also valuable for his discussion of "what to" and "why to".
Click to expand...

Mark, I just found a used copy in several places. The cover alone is worth th $6.50 and I'm getting one. Thanks.

Links:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/th...Ck-W9MuXOdreA-fEWgEnhjGTsQKvbcLNvkhoCLZzw_wcB

https://www.abebooks.com/Creative-W...95P51cL0q1xCZTBbs8PIoWoQP1D6Jh1z41BoCJ_vw_wcB
 
Joshua Rhodes said:
This may be a bit of an insignificant topic for a new thread however a search turned up only fruitless results. Are there any books that any of you would suggest reading on woodturning, despite whether it is geared towards technique, history or miscellaneous ramblings fixed on the subject? I'm sure most techniques and advice can be found on youtube but some of us still enjoy written prose as a conduit of information.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Woodturning: A Foundation Course (Keith Rowley)
Turning Wood with Richard Raffan
Turned-Bowl Design (the out-of-print edition), Richard Raffan
Woodturing Projects: A workshop guide to shapes, Mark Baker

I like the Rowley book and the Raffan design book the most, with the other Raffan book a close second. The Mark Baker book is very good, but the "how to" pictures are a bit too small for my eyes. I think Mark's book is better once you have your fundamentals sorted out.
 
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