Customer Reviews

Turning Pens and Desk Accessories (Schiffer Book for Woodworkers)

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I am researching information on pen turning on the wood lathe. This book is short on words, but long on beautiful full color photographs that show you how. There are pictures showing each step in the process along with a brief caption that explains the steps. The finished product is shown to depict the end result. Instructions are shown for various types of pens as well as letter openers, perfume dispenser pens, and magnifying glasses. Short sections also explain the tools and lathes that are best to use for the projects. Highly recommend this book to the beginner pen maker, or someone that wants to see the beauty of various materials used.

The book is adequate if you want a brief, step by step, follow the picture book. If you want any real information the I sugest that you find a copy of "turning pens and pencils" by Christensen and Burningham. It covers the topic in much greater detail, with a much larger gallery.
As for the details of this book. There is four pages of text, followed by a short and basic lathe section (how to use tools and the lathe) and then a 40 page section on turning the various items. This sounds impressive, but each page contains 2-4 photos with very little explination. With this book, you will be able to turn a pen quite adequately, but you will only have "enough to get by with."
Basically, it is a nice addition to your library and a good primer, but if you can have only one book, go with something else.