Woodturning with Ray Allen: A Master's Designs & Techniques for Segmented Bowls & Vessels (Paperback)

by Dale L. Nish (Author) "Ray Allen produced superb quality work with a minimum of tools and equipment..." (more)
Key Phrases: sanding jig, turquoise block, segmented ring (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"[The] gallery of Allen's finished work could inspire you to try your hand at this intricate craft." -- Woodcraft Magazine

Product Description
Covering a technique popularized by master woodturner Ray Allen, this manual moves beyond basic woodturning with the segmented woodturning technique. This creative approach is demonstrated in one complete step-by-step project that effectively guides woodturners through the complicated process of creating geometric, repeating patterns with a Southwestern feel. Detailed, illustrated instructions make this seemingly elaborate technique approachable. Additional information on common problems helps avoid mistakes along the way. A full-color photograph gallery provides inspiration for future projects.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Fox Chapel Publishing; illustrated edition edition (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565232178
• ISBN-13: 978-1565232174
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #135,548 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A spectacular guide to segmented woodturning, January 21, 2005

By	P. E. Andreas Ritzen (Copenhagen, Denmark) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is arguably the best book on segmented turning that has been published. It far surpassed my expectations, even though I expected a lot. The book has three major parts: First comes a detailed, step-by-step guide with 95 color photographs that carefully walks the turner through the complete sequence needed to make one of Ray Allen's designs. This is certainly not for the novice turner, and a sound understanding of woodturning techniques and general woodworking skills would be necessary to follow this part. But for the intermediate to advanced turner wanting to try out segmented work, this book is the best introduction one could imagine. Even the experienced segmented turner will find a tip or two that will be of interest. The second part of the book is the gallery section, which is outstanding, and consists of no less than 55 pages with several full color photographs on each page. It features a large part of Ray Allen's work, and it is a wonderful source of inspiration. The gallery section alone would have been worth more than the price of the book to me. The last part of the book contains blueprints and assembly sequences for many of the vessels and patterns in the book. While this is not nearly as detailed as the first part, it is still an excellent resource, and will help the reader to come up with his or her own designs and ways to build them. All in all, a must have for segmented turners of all skill levels, as well as for anybody wishing to give segmented turning a try but wasn't quite sure how to start.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An inspirational and beautiful book on segmented woodturning, May 15, 2006

By	Glenn Martin "Never Read a Book Just Once" (ACT Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are interested in segmented woodturning it is pretty hard to go past this book. It was written on behalf Ray Allen by long time friend Dale Nish, and it's a sad fact to learn that Ray didn't live to see his book published. Ray should feel very proud wherever he is for this work, a full colour book all the way through with clear diagrams and pictures to assist you with that segmented woodturning challenge.

The first and second chapters are brief and consist of showing you Ray's commonly used tools and some explanations on segmented blueprints.

The third chapter gets into the meat of the subject with 29 pages showing a step by step, blow by blow process for cutting, sanding, gluing, shaping, turning and finally finishing a segmented bowl. Loads of pictures on every page will give a great idea of how to approach each step.

Chapter four has a beautiful gallery of over 50 full colour pages often with multiple bowls on each page that showcases Ray's art.

The fifth chapter has 11 projects of segmented bowls for you to try along with complete cutting lists of every ring.

And lastly the sixth chapter treats you to some of the more complex segmenting to achieve different patterns, such as bricks, spirals, flags and more

If you are looking to try segmented woodturning and need a place to start for instruction AND inspiration then you can't go wrong with this book. Good on you, Ray, and I hope you are enjoying yourself on the big lathe up in the sky.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An expert among the esperts, August 25, 2005

By	Robert Battini (Western Europe France) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have scanned the book again and again. It is hard to leave an object for the next one, the art work is so perfect.
It is an endless source of inspiration