Ellsworth on Woodturning: How a Master Creates Bowls, Pots, and Vessels [Paperback]

David Ellsworth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2008

Using this first-ever book from an esteemed artist, woodworkers will learn how to replicate Ellsworth's turning techniques in their home workshops by following clear, easy-to-understand instructions from the "grandfather" of the contemporary wood-art movement. Featuring step-by-step directions for three projects—a hollow bowl, a natural-edge vessel, and a pot—this guide reveals how to correctly position the body so as to increase tool control and prevent back strain while working. For readers new to the lathe, Ellsworth provides tips for mounting objects and making different cuts, including techniques for the "Ellsworth Gouge" tool he created. Intermediate and advanced turners will appreciate the chapter on designing and sharpening their own tools. A gallery of Ellsworth's turnings and those in his personal collection will fuel the fire for artists looking to bring out the natural beauty in wood.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"From the grandfather of contemporary wood-art movement. David Ellsworth provides step-by-step directions for three projects--an open bowel, a natural edged bowl, and a hollow vessel." --"Canadian Woodworking Magazine"

 

David clearly speaks for himself in this book, so if you want to get to know the man, his life, and his work, be sure to buy a copy. - American Woodturner

 

A gallery of David 's turnings and those in his personal collection will really stimulate your turning design juices! We highly recommend this book to all people interested in wood turning!! - Woodturning Design

 

Renowned for creating thin-walled bowls and vases, Ellsworth, a first-time author but a recognized artisan and woodworker, authoritatively here reveals the secrets behind his signature style and offers sound advice. The section on stretching and posture, where he addresses muscle strain or back injury during wood turning, is worthy of major praise. Much of what is covered in this book is very advanced stuff but with results of ethereal beauty. Highly recommended for advanced woodworking collections. - Library Journal

 

The book is beautifully illustrated with signature pieces and is not only incredibly comprehensive but also highly visually engaging.  - Woodturning Magazine

 

Written in a refreshingly clear, direct style and abundantly illustrated with photos of his (and others’) work, Ellsworth’s book would make a useful addition to any serious woodturner’s library.  - Fine Woodworking

 

Best of all, stunning color photographs of Ellsworth’s work will inspire artists to unlock the natural beauty hidden below the surface of the wood and themselves. - The Crafts Report

 

A crucial read for a wood-turner and an enlightening read for a woodworker. - Canadian Woodworking

 

About the Author

David Ellsworth is widely credited with being the first to develop practical methods of creating eggshell-thin hollow designs. He was a founding member of the American Association of Woodturners and served as its president for six years. In 2002 he received the Lifetime Achievment Award from the Collectors of Wood Art. His work has been featured in dozens of books and can be found in private collections, including the exclusive White House Museum Collection. He lives in Quakerstown, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 247 pages
• Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565233778
• ISBN-13: 978-1565233775
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #162,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Master speaks, December 6, 2008

By 

R. Simmons (Lancaster County, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ellsworth on Woodturning: How a Master Creates Bowls, Pots, and Vessels (Paperback)

David Ellsworth's hollow vessels are magic in your hands. This book is truly a book from a master. An understanding of the Ellsworth method can do nothing but improve your turning experience. The cover of the book shows the hole worked through to create the vessel. David's approach is straight forward with no gimmicks or special apparatus to create his stunning turned pieces. If you do hollow forms this is the example of the best. Recommended.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read for anyone interested in woodturning, or in gaining insights into the mind of a master artist., November 19, 2008

By 

Reviewer "R. Clark Wadlow" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ellsworth on Woodturning: How a Master Creates Bowls, Pots, and Vessels (Paperback)

David Ellsworth's new book on Woodturning is, on one level, a concise introduction to his art. It covers everything that he teaches in his intensive three-day seminars taught at his home and in his week-long classes offered at leading schools of arts and crafts. He offers insights on wood selection and object design. He explains what tools he uses -- and how to make them -- and the techniques with which he applies those tools to the wood. With beautiful photographs and his own sketches, Ellsworth demonstrates how to create the three basic forms: open bowls, natural-edge bowls, and hollow vessels. He literally takes the reader from the sawing of a log to the sanding and finishing of a final product. On that level alone, his book would be a great success, one that anyone interested in woodturning should read.

But the book offers much more. Ellsworth is, after all, a master of his art. He invented many of the tools and developed many of the techniques that are used today by woodturners around the world. He as much as anyone has been responsible for the recognition that woodturning is more than a craft that produces useful objects. He has greatly contributed to the public appreciation that woodturning is an art and that its practitioners can produce works of beauty, revealing the special qualities of wood in shapes and forms with visual and tactile delight, often incorporating references to classic ceramic or glass forms. Along the way, he has challenged the conventional notions that woodturnings need to be functional, or that forms need to be monumental to be appreciated as art. In very personal ways, in this book, Ellsworth shares his sense of awe at the qualities of wood, and his appreciation for the work of other woodturners. For example, the sketches in the book are all by Ellsworth's own hand. They are very personal and, to this reader at least, each sketch says as much about the author as it does about the subject of the sketch.

So on a second level, the book reveals much about the mind of a gifted master of his art. He shares his deep appreciation of the qualities and varieties of wood, especially its ability to change as green wood dries and matures. He demonstrates the importance of using tools in their most efficient and effective manners. Ellsworth's appreciation for efficient use of tools also extends to the human body. For him it is important that the body be used in ways that minimize the wear and tear and maximize the opportunities for success in woodturning. For Ellsworth, the body of the artist should move in an almost dance-like way as the tools move through their arcs on the wood. It is only through such smooth and efficient movement that smooth and graceful lines can be created. On this level, the book reminds of George Nakashima's "The Soul of a Tree."

Finally, Ellsworth is not only a talented artist, he is also a caring and gifted teacher with a delightful sense of humor. In his brief concluding appendix, he sets forth his approach to teaching, revealing much about the artist as a person who takes joy in sharing his insights with others. And in his glossary we see his humor -- a buyer is someone with the means to purchase a turned wooden object; a collector is someone with the means to purchase a second object.

In summary, Ellsworth's book is a great read for anyone interested in woodturning, or in gaining insights into the mind of a master artist.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ellaworth, yes or no, December 9, 2009

By 

Jonathan W. Murphy (Englishtown, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ellsworth on Woodturning: How a Master Creates Bowls, Pots, and Vessels (Paperback)

I am an intermediate turner, and do both bowl and spindle work. This book is heavily based on using the Ellsworth "signature gouge" for face grain - the bowls, pots and vessels. I had an Ellsworth gouge, because of seeing his video, before buying the book. To use this book you will either have to buy one, or regrind another bowl gouge to his form. I recommend it, although I'd take some of the instructions with a grain of salt. Like most skilled turners whose books I've read, or videos seen, he has a particular dedication to his style. An understandable thing as each of them has developed a skill and a style over years.

If I were to have three books on turning I'd have this Ellsworth book, and Richard Raffan's Turning Wood and his Turning Bowls. Raffan uses classic fingernail gouges and Ellsworth his signature gouge. I bounce between them, sometimes I like the classical and sometimes the signature, depending on the wood and the cut.

A final note, my first signature gouge was a 1/2" (flute width, 5/8" shaft). I work on a midi lathe and have since bought a 3/8" as well. I'd reground another 3/8" to the Ellsworth shape, but went for the original once I got the book. Both work well on my turnings, but if you are on a midi I'd go for the 3/8" first. Packard Woodworking sells both online in the USA.

Buy the book, but don't take it as gospel. Use Ellsworth's cuts, and the classical cuts, and find your own style. A final comment on books versus video, view the video but buy the book, you will find it is easier to remind yourself of the cut opening a book to the page rather than skipping through the video.