I've avoided lathe work for a great many years, satisfying my lust for sawdust by cabinetry and furniture. But in the back of my mind there has always been a little voice that would ask me 'why not?' every time I looked at a block off wood with beautiful grain. Well I finally broke down and spent the sizeable amount of money needed to buy and equip a good lathe. "While I'm waiting for it to be shipped," I thought, "I'll read a book about it." After all this is how I've taught myself just about everything else.
Let me preface the remarks I'm about to make with the fact Turning, by Richard Raffan, is an excellent introduction to the subject of turning. The book is an inexhaustible resource for learning about the lathe, its tools, wood, preparation and the main varieties of lathe work - spindle, end grain, and face. There is even a bit on sanding and finishing. Well illustrated, I don't think you could do better for starting out and shop reference.
But, and this is a big but, learning to work on a lathe is not like learning to work on a table saw. The latter presents a set of basic mechanical tasks that become clear quickly. While the table saw has some esoterica about it, there is nothing actually difficult to master. The lathe, however, is a world unto itself. The possible choices of tools and techniques are large, shapes are nearly infinite, and it is all going on at high speed only inched from your fingers.
No book can accurately describe the shift one makes in holding a gouge or the proper pace for cutting threads. For that you will need a human with enough patience to take you through the learning period. Indeed, by this book, read it carefully, and put it on a shelf. Then sign up for lessons, figure out what you really want to do with your lathe, and return to this book. Mastery will follow, but not without a few unnerving moments. Tauntons Complete Illustrated Guide To Turning
Richard Raffan's Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide To Turning is a woodworker's 'bible' on master techniques for turning bowls and spindles. Turning is typically covered in general woodworking guides; not afforded its own specific title: a quick access organization makes for specific tips and techniques paired with over 800 photos and drawings on using turning tools, specialty finishing techniques, and more.
This is a very good book:
Turning covers to many areas to be complete it skips details to make room for the different diversities in each field of turning that it does cover. Its a compilation of 3 books and each field is to an extent covered, but shortened. I have no regrets to buying this book since i'm not a pro the books really more than adequate for myself but just from reading tibbets book i could recognize missing details in raffans book. This book is good for a beginner, buy it with tibbetts book and it will be completed. Raffans book is really diverse and could keep a beginner busy for some time buy it you wont regret it. Overall this is excellent book worth the buy and an attractive book to add to your library.
This book takes you from A-Z wonderful pictures and detailed information, from selection of wood to clean up. You cannot do much better in a detailed encyclopedia of information.
I fully recommend this book.
On the back of the book it says:
"This step-by-step pictorial reference covers all the essential techniques for turning wood. Organized for quick access, this book makes it easy to find exactly the technique you are looking for. Over 850 photos and drawings illustrated how to hold, sharpen, and use turning tools, use specialized chucks, deep hollow elegant vessels, finish at the lathe, and much more."
An it really does do so.
You will not loose with this book.
Richard Raffan is by far one of the most recognized Master Turners in the world. This book is most likely a compilation of all of the works he has produced and presented in such a way that Turners on every level will gain something beneficial to their own turning. It is well organized and written in such plain language that every turner will have no problem understanding. The illustraions are top notch and very helpful. I would recomend this book to turners of every level.
Dave Earl
I am really impressed, what an introduction, great information!
I am interested in turning wood so I bought this book to research lathe wood working, and it seemingly covered questions that I had and so many others that I had not even thought of yet.
The illustrations give visualization to understanding of new jargon and concepts. I now feel like I have been properly introduced to a new creative expression in woodworking and am ready to pick up a gouge and try my hand at turning wood.
This is a great how-to read and super resouce to keep on hand I progress forward with wood-turning and trying out new projects and learning new techniques. It's well balanced between step by step text and lots of photo illustrations.
In the book Richard covers every part of turning from the tools needed to making your own blanks from logs through turning the pieces and finishing. He highlights some recommendations on the basics needed to get started so you end up blindly buying a bunch of "stuff" you'll end up never using. Allowing you to progress without destroying your budget in the process.
He goes on to cover the various forms of turning such as spindle and face turning and the correct chisels and gouges to use for the various cuts. There's even some drawings and examples on proper holding and angle of approach to reduce the chances of hurting yourself or destroying your piece. There's even coverage on items for safety while working at the lathe.
The book continues with demonstrating the making of several projects, each employing the various techniques taught earlier in the book.
I would have liked to have seen more detail and discussion in the finishing section as it was a quick mention of a couple of the authors favorite finishes and how to apply them, but not much coverage of the myriad different finishing products on the market and their differences. He does, however provide enough info to get you started.
Overall, this is a very well organized and illustrated book on wood turning in general, and a great resource for the beginning wood turner. - Do It Yourself - Richard Raffan - Woodworking - Books-woodworki'
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