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

by David Ellsworth (Author)
Key Phrases: cut rim, roughing position, lace burl, David Ellsworth, Bob Stocksdale, Mother Nature (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The section on stretching and posture, where he addresses muscle strain or back injury during wood turning, is worthy of major praise."  —Library Journal

"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

"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

"In addition to tools, techniques, and materials, the book discusses the creative process, design, and teaching. All techniques and projects are illustrated with color photos, and a photo gallery of Ellsworth's work provides further inspiration."  —Book News

"It would be hard to imagine a woodturner who would not benefit in some way from this carefully written book by one of the great masters of modern woodturning."  —Australian Woodworker

"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.com

"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 Magazine

Product Description

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Paperback: 208 pages Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing (November 1, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 1565233778 ISBN-13: 978-1565233775 Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #224,921 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #36 in  Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Woodworking > Tools

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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
cut rim, roughing position, lace burl, conventional gouge, spalted sugar maple, turning hollow forms, red oak burl, tailstock point, detail gouge, traditional gouge, ride the bevel, bent tool, slicing position, jam chuck, hollowing tools, spalted wood, bowl gouge, roughing cut, spindle gouge, straight tool, scraping cut, slicing cut, unlock your knees, artist fixative, tool rest

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
David Ellsworth, Bob Stocksdale, Mother Nature, Black Pot-Dawn, Native American, Chaco Pot, Mark Lindquist, Homage Pot, Norfolk Island, New Mexico, Ellsworth Signature, Giles Gilson, Red Oak Pot, Glue Block

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	82% buy the item featured on this page: Ellsworth on Woodturning: How a Master Creates Bowls, Pots, and Vessels 4.9 out of 5 stars (7) $19.77
	8% buy The Art of Turned Bowls: Designing Spectacular Bowls with a World-Class Turner 4.8 out of 5 stars (6) $16.47
	5% buy New Masters of Woodturning: Expanding the Boundaries of Wood Art 4.6 out of 5 stars (8) $19.77
	3% buy The New Turning Wood with Richard Raffan (Fine Woodworking DVD Workshop) 5.0 out of 5 stars (2) $13.57

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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews 5 star:  (6) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.9 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 9 of 10 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 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. 5 of 5 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)    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. 2 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars First class, January 12, 2009 By  Amy Bowen - See all my reviews Quality writing, photos, editing, layout, binding & paper. Informative for all from budding experts to those of us who simply appreciate the beauty of the hand-turned objects & enjoy learning how they are created. The perfect gift for any wood-worker.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Turned On The book was both very practical, as well as a most enjoyable read. The "how to" segments on bowl turning and hollowing were complemented by the discussion on design. Read more Published 1 month ago by Edward Weingarden 5.0 out of 5 stars A superb book on woodturning A wonderful book from the studio of one of the world's finest artist-woodturners. Dave's love for the lathe and his comprehensive knowledge of turning is evident on every page of... Read more Published 2 months ago by Harry Wicks 5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Book I have been turning less than two years but have read more than a dozen books on turning and own three of Raffan's and Keith Rowley's book. Read more Published 4 months ago by Michael T. Peace 4.0 out of 5 stars Ellsworth on Woodturning This is a useful and practical compilation of a master woodturner's experience and technique over many years and shared in a way from which aspiring and other experienced turners... Read more Published 7 months ago by J. Enders Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565233778
• ISBN-13: 978-1565233775
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #224,921 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

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  Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Woodworking > Tools

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 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

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.

5 of 5 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)

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.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First class, January 12, 2009

By	Amy Bowen - See all my reviews

Quality writing, photos, editing, layout, binding & paper.
Informative for all from budding experts to those of us who simply appreciate the beauty of the hand-turned objects & enjoy learning how they are created. The perfect gift for any wood-worker.