Turn a Bowl with Ernie Conover: Getting Terrific Results the First Time Around (Paperback)

by Ernie Conover (Author) "The primary tool for turning is a lathe..." (more)
Key Phrases: combination gouge, bowl gouge, nose bevel, Rude Osolnik, Salad Bowl Finish, Finishing Touches (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Bowl turning is becoming increasingly popular as a hobby and a way to reconnect with a traditional craft. Ernie Conover is a master turner who has turned his experience teaching this activity to hundreds of people into a practical, easy-to-read guide. This book provides basic instructions to get aspiring turners directly to their goal of creating a pleasing bowl. Along the way, he shows how to: gather and buy wood for turning; apply basic and advanced turning techniques; sand and finish; use the faceplate and chucks to hold the work; choose, sharpen, and handle tools; and create the most attractive bowl shapes. The author's straightforward, encouraging style and extensive photos and illustrations make the process easy and rewarding.

About the Author
Conover, the co-designer of the Conover Lathe, has taught hundreds of students to turn. He directs Conover Workshops, offering classes in a variety of woodworking techniques, and is a frequent contributor to woodworking magazines in the U.S. and abroad.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Taunton; illustrated edition edition (February 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156158293X
• ISBN-13: 978-1561582938
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #439,208 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Turn a Bowl with Ernie Conover: Getting Terrific Results, February 15, 2000

By	Rev. Joseph M. Clark (Gaithersburg, Maryland) - See all my reviews

FINALLY! A BOOK THAT REALLY EXPLAINS BOWL TURNING

For anyone seeking puidance on bowl turning, this is the book for you. The problem for most wookworkers is that we work along. We need the advantage of a master craftsman and good teacher to set us on the right path. In that respect, this book is a treasure. It will start anyone off soundly, so that they wil be able to take advantage of the excitement that comes from creating something of value out of a piece of wood. The color photographs are clear, sharp and upclose guides that go along with a well written text so that even a beginner can get it right the first time.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Taught me a lot of things, March 22, 2004

By	Randy Rathbun "total nerd" (Independence, MO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am wanting to get into wood turning and while at the used bookstore last week I found and bought a copy of this book. After spending the weekend looking over it, my buying a lathe and making woodchips is quickly approaching.

About the only thing I really knew about turning wood was what I saw Norm do on TNYW and from reading a few magazine articles. That ain't a lot of information. Mr. Conover does a fantastic job at presenting all the main aspects for making a bowl and even I, a lowly guy who has not even bought a lathe yet, feel like I can do this stuff and do a decent job of it.

This is a terrific book and the information in it is going to be put to very good use.

9 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars With Celebrity status comes the expectation of greatness, July 5, 2002

By A Customer

Ernie Conover is a well known figure in the world of woodworking. It is a good book, but I was disappointed in the quality of the material that he chose to use as his examples. Wood with bark running through it, or discolored can be exceptional, but these pieces are simply diseased wood that is not attractive. To sign pieces that are less than stellar is a head knocker. Their are other books where the author has chosen to use some exceptional woods, that nature has invaded, and left a mark of beauty. Bowls with exotic colors running through them, and a natural bark edge, but these are not examples of that.
It is just my opinion, because I know that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, so I should be open minded.
The plus side of the book is that it shares with you some wood turning techniques that are exceptional. A lot can be learned here, so I do overall highly recommend the book. I just have a hard time getting past the attractiveness of the examples used.