Turning Boxes [Paperback]

Richard Raffan (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1998

Although there are some books on turned projects, there have been none devoted solely to turned boxes. That is up until now. This informative book is for woodturners interested in adding new skills and ideas to their work through the turning of boxes. This project book begins with basic design considerations and the tools and equipment needed. The projects range from simple boxes to the more involved and challenging.

Readers will find:
-- Detailed illustrations and shop photos with thorough explanations of the tools being used.
-- Special sections on decorative techniques, like inlay and finishing.
-- Helpful tips for selling boxes.
-- Basic design considerations for turning on a lathe.

Product Details

• Paperback: 171 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561582247
• ISBN-13: 978-1561582242
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,744,429 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 Excellent box turning book, December 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Turning Boxes (Paperback)

170 pages. Black and White photos with Color photo gallery (20 pages). Excellent book on how to make boxes and many example forms. Step by step instructions with photos on making end-grain boxes, what to consider in designs, and many variations on the basic box (needle cases, earring cases, saturn boxes, mushroom boxes, screw-on lids). Many boxes shown throughout the text and a chapter on forms. The Gallery is a little far out, but interesting. The video is also great.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for turning ideas, June 20, 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: Turning Boxes with Richard Raffan (Paperback)

After reading Turning Wood and "Turning" (Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Turning by Richard Raffan), I was ready for some new information. While Turning Boxes" didn't give me any new ideas on how to use the lathe or turning tools specifically, it was packed with many, many photos of boxes Mr. Raffan has turned. This alone will provide me with ideas on what type of profiles to turn and should keep me busy for hours.

The book covered how to turn threaded boxes and hit heavily on how to correctly fit a lid. Mr. Raffan also covered hollowing on end grain which is particularly tricky. A section on finishing gave me some ideas to ponder and the one on off-set turning creates some very unique boxes. There is another section that describes chatter work. And you thought that the tool chatter wouldn't be useful!

If you are looking for a book to learn the basics of turning, I would not recommend this one but "Turning Wood" by Mr. Raffan instead. Buy this one after you get a feel for the lathe and are looking for ideas to inspire your work such as making needles or drill cases.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Video, September 20, 2004

By 

D. Terry Rogers (Jackson Hole, Wyoming) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Turning Boxes (DVD)

Richard Raffan is a master turner and a better instructor than some others who have produced woodturning videos. The DVD format is great. Raffan very clearly shows how to use a skew chisel and other tools to turn wonderful little boxes. I highly recommend this video to all novice to intermediate woodturners.