Customer Reviews

Woodturning Wizardry

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Excellent book. Shows how to turn incredibly complex
pieces, and how to make the tools used. Very British
in that regard, as well as the woods chosen for the
projects. This book also teaches a new way of looking
at woodturning, to wit; make the tool to fit the job, not
vice-versa.

Recommended!

This book will raise your turning to a new level, but not for the reasons you think. Yes, the projects are fascinating and the instructions clear. But it is learning the techniques to make these projects that will open whole new levels of design and creativity.

I found the early chapters on making special purpose tools and jigs particularly useful and confidence building. The projects themselves are of the "Wow, how did you do that?" variety including the Chinese balls-within-balls, cube inside ball and arrow through the glass to name just a few. Each project is precisely discribed with excellent photographs and drawings. The step-by-step instructions are clear and comprehensive.

These are not projects for the novice turner but can be easily handled by anyone with a good grasp of basic turning skills. By mastering the techniques in this excellent book you will become more self-reliant and creative in your turning.

David Springett has done a very good job of mixing tool and fixture building with full project details. Even though I may not try all the complete projects in the book, I did glean good information on fixtures building that I will utilize now. I especially liked the radius turning fixture and hollowing tools. I tend to buy woodturning books for technical information and inspiration rather than project ideas for myself. I have already used some of the techniques on my lidded boxes. I would recommend this book to any woodturner as an asset to their library.

David Springett has brought together a set of clear, step by step instructions to build jigs that make the unthinkable thinkable, and the impossible possible. If you are interested in lattice turning, spheres, Chinese balls and rings, interlocking spheres, and many other mind blowing turnings, then this book is a must read. The most amazing project is the turned box inside a sphere.

The projects are step by step and fully illustrated with clear well taken photograps. Springett also includes clear instructions on how to make the tools needed to make the lattice cuts and undercuts needed with the various spherical turnings.

Woodturning Wizardry takes the reader through the steps necessary to make 14 different projects. Although, at first these projects look extremely difficult, David clearly explains all the steps necessary to successfully complete each piece. The first part of the book describes the attributes of different types of wood that are suitable for these projects. The next chapter gives clear details for making the jigs and chucks necessary for these and other similar projects. He also shows the reader how to make the specialized tools necessary for these projects out of high carbon tool steel or old wood chisels. His toolmaking chapter gives exact measurements for the tools as well as detailed drawing showing how to fabricate them.

The projects in the book are incredible and include such things as an arrow through a bottle, lattice circles, offset lattice lids, boxes with domed lattice lids, Singapore balls, Chinese balls and rings and interlocking spheres, to name a few. With the aid of this book and some patience, the reader could learn to make some extraordinary turnings.

This book is must read for anyone interested in taking their woodturning skills in this direction.

This is a great book that will certainly get your imagination working overtime. Good for inspiration, but only the more advanced turners could probably be successful at any of these projects. Not to mention a few specialty tools or if you already have a large variety of tools to work from. With about five years experiance and making many complex pieces, this was still a bit over my head, or maybe because of being limited by my lathe and tool selection. BUT I got some great ideas from this book that have "turned" into some nice pieces. I will conquer a few of these prodjects but for now I'll keep turning...

I just had to know how they did that kind of turning! So I bought the book. It's not for beginners (like me!), but it is something that I'll return to as my skills develop. In a sense I bought this book before I was ready, but it will help to inspire me as my skills grow. It's beautifully done and the range of pictures and instructions is broad. The ingenious use of jigs also stands out. I think this is a book that will come off my shelf over and over as years go by.

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS EVER WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED IN THE SUBJECT OF WOOD TURNING. FASINATING, INSPIRING, AND MOTIVATING. I AM IMPRESSED WITH THIS BOOK AND THE ARTIST ALIKE. DONT BUY THIS BOOK IF YOU ARE NOT A SERIOUS WOODTURNER. IT WILL CONFOUND YOU AND LEAVE YOU WONDERING, YET, IT WILL INSPIRE EVEN THE PROFESSIONAL WOODTURNER.

I found it to a very helpful book. The layout is excellent and easy to follow. I would highly recommend it.

An excellent, well-illustrated book for accomplished and advanced woodturners. Not for beginners, except to let them know what the big boys can do.