Woodturning books.

If you had to choose a couple of books in your woodturning collection, which ones would you pass on down to your grand kid interested in woodturning, finishing etc.

 

Bob Flexner for wood finishing.

Richard Raffan - any/all of them, but his one on bowl design is a must have, also discusses and illustrates how to cut blanks.

Doc Green, Fixtures and Chucks for Woodturning.

Also, a book or two on tree ID for your area are a must have.

 

Yea Bob Flexners.book for sure. No one else really talks about finishing much. Lots of.great books on turning. Raffens are.the best.

 

Beside the Raffan books my first were by Dale Nish. Another great book is The Woodbook: The Complete Plates (great for wood ID).

 

Bruce Hoadley's Understanding Wood; when you have a clear understanding of the material much of what people tell you you should do in working with it makes much more sense. Also his Identifying Wood is the easiest to use guide I know of for answering the 'What wood is this?' question.

Any and all of the Raffan books.

 

Totally agree every one should read "Understanding Wood", the picture on the jacket is something every woodturner or wood worker should look at and study.

 

Raffan's The Art of Turned Bowls, especially ch.3 on forms, has been the most valuable to me.

 

I own most of the books mentioned above and would recommend them All to new Woodturners. I found Raffan’s publications very personable and relatable. I think if you had to sum up Raffan’s books in one word, for me the word is “Motivational”.

The book that helped me break through the beginner’s barrier was “Shapes for Woodturners” by David Walton. This dry and unglamorous publication provided Me with what I wanted and did not want to turn. The graphic representation Of each piece was extremely helpful in storyboarding pieces while I learned the subtleties of form design.

 

Frank Knox’s Ornamental Turnery - A Practical and Historical Approach to a Centuries-Old Craft. Best book to start learn about ornamental turning.

 

I have that book. I met him at the NY Woodturning group that used to meet at the YWCA in Manhattan. He did some beautiful pieces.

 

In addition to Raffan’s books - particularly the Art of the Bowl, I pull out a copy of 500 Wood Bowls for inspiration when needed - hard to find these days. Flexner’s book on finishing is always in the shop.

 

Three books that all woodturners should have:
Richard Raffan's Woodturning book - basic woodturning in a very readable book.
Richard Raffan's - Art of the Wooden Bowl.......a bit past the basic book.....but all woodturners should have this book.
David Ellsworth book on Woodturning......just another book that all should own.....and pull out on occasion.
OK - I am off my soap box for now.

 

The book that helped me the most when I started 30 years ago was "Woodturning, A Foundation Course" by Keith Rowley. The most beautiful book I have is " Woodturning with Ray Allen.

 

In addition to Raffan's books, I would recomend John Hunnex's book, "Wood Turning--A Source Book of Shapes". It is an inspirational source for the new new turner.

 

Not necessarily a book for those just starting out, but for someone with a few pieces behind them: "The Creative Woodturner", by Terry Martin.

 

Looks like the original Raffan book is mentioned more than any other. I just checked mine: 2nd printing in 1986.....close to the time I purchased it. I had a couple of other older turning books, that have been lost.....one that was really old. Doesn't matter, because if you want to pass something to your grand kid, the Raffan book would be the best of those I've used. Good illustrations, and easy to read/comprehend.

I expect the Raffan book will be around for a long time to come.....

-----odie-----

 

I agree with every recommendation so far, especially anything by Richard Raffan or David Ellsworth. If your young turner is interested in making boxes I would add Chris Stott's "Turned Boxes - 50 Designs". It is excellent and has something for almost every skill level.