Learn to Turn: A Beginner's Guide to Woodturning from Start to Finish [Paperback]

Barry Gross (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2005

Written for true beginners, this approachable and enjoyable instructional guide teaches the art of turning. Readers receive advice on every step of the turning process, including selecting the right lathe, basic safety and woodshop setup, an overview of the proper tools and how to use them, and the basics on sharpening, sanding, and finishing. Step-by-step instructions for eight projects such as a birdhouse, a simple bowl, and a pepper mill are included. This guide also features a special chapter that addresses and reveals surprisingly simple solutions to common beginner mistakes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A good guide for the novice as well as a more seasoned hobbyist."  —Central Virginia Woodturners

"A classic example of how best to instruct—clear concise language and topics introduced in a logical and sequential format."  —Canadian Woodworking Newsletter #17
 

"Nicely illustrated step-by-step description of projects."  —Chesapeake Woodturners

 

"As a novice woodturner, I found the description of tools and workspace insightful and the tool sharpening section extremely helpful."  —Scott Edwin, Long Island Woodturners Association

"As a beginning woodturning instructor, I expect to recommend this book to my students for their study."  —Tom Boley, Capital Area Woodturners

"This book includes a very useful troubleshooting section, company resources, and a glossary of useful terms."  —Patrick O'Brien, Golden Horseshoe Woodturners Guild

"Well done and a good resource for a beginner turner."  —Small Turnings

About the Author

Barry Gross is an experienced woodworker and artisan with more than 30 years of experience working in several different and exotic media using a scroll saw and a lathe. He is the author of Pen Turner's Workbook and a frequent contributor to Scroll Saw Workshop and Woodturning Design magazines. He lives in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 114 pages
• Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565232739
• ISBN-13: 978-1565232730
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Turning Basics at its Best, December 18, 2005

By 

Barbara Rhoades "Jackie of all Trades" (O'Fallon, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Learn to Turn: A Beginner's Guide to Woodturning from Start to Finish (Paperback)

What a GREAT book. I am a new turner and am reading everything I can get my hands on about turning. This is my second overview book on the subject. I just picked one to start as I didn't have any idea what book to try. I didn't learn what I had hope to in the first one so when I saw Barry Gross' book, I thought I would try it. Was I glad I did!

Mr. Gross' book, Learn To Turn, provides all the basic information in a CLEAR format. There are pictures to go along with the text and they are clearly label as are the parts of the machine, tools or safety measures he is writing about.

When he talks about "truing up" or other turning terms, he actually defines what that means in laymen's terms so a true beginner can grasp what he is talking about. When he discusses the various tools, he pictures that tool on the page where is he explaining how to use the tool. This really helped me to learn which tool was which and just how they should be used.

Mr. Gross discusses finishes and shows four different ones so you can choose which you would use for which project. Of course, he has a section on safety and the pictures really bring home the point of the need for safety. There is also a section on tool sharpening and a detailed description of how each tool should be correctly sharpened. Sanding is another section and I learned about a sandpaper called New Wave and Abranet sanding screens. He tells how to make a jam chuck - another one of those turning terms - and explains how and why to use it and what it is. And not book would be complete without the glossary of terms and a company resources list.

In the final section of the book, Mr. Gross provides instructions for eight projects from a simple bowl to a wonderful Christmas Ornament. These eight projects will keep this turner busy for several months as I try to come close to what the author's turnings look like. For $14.95, this is a book I would recommend to a new turner or for a turning instructor as a classroom text. I know my copy will become a well-worn text in my shop.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent and complete beginner's turning guide, March 26, 2007

By 

Steve T - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Learn to Turn: A Beginner's Guide to Woodturning from Start to Finish (Paperback)

This book is an excellent reference for the new woodturner. It makes no assumptions, and starts from the VERY beginning, so some may skip some of the beginning sections. However, the book is organized to guide you through the process, and includes projects to use your newly found skills. The book reads very well, and will give you the fundamental knowledge you need to get started. It's also filled with excellent photos to help clarify the text. I would highly recommend this book to other beginners (in fact, I already have).

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for beginners, January 27, 2008

By 

E. Weber "woodworker" (NH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Learn to Turn: A Beginner's Guide to Woodturning from Start to Finish (Paperback)

I recently decided to give a shot at wood turning. Being a complete beginner without any time to attend any classes I started by shopping around for different books and DVDs.
In my opinion, "Learn to Turn" is by far the best book available for starting woodturning.
It is written in a very simple style and illustrated by numerous color pictures.
This book is short, well organized and go straight to the point.
The book is divided in two main parts.
The first part introduce the basics of woodturning, the tools, sharpening, sanding, finishing.
The second part is a composed of a multitude of photo essays that show you how to use each tool and drive you through several simple projects.