Woodturning: A Foundation Course (New Edition)

If you want to learn to turn wood, this is the book for you. Keith's explanations on tool use, the illustrations, and sharpening instruction are top notch. Most woodturning books sound like some 4 dimensional game of twister when describing the use of a tool. Keith keeps it simple and easy to understand. Sharpening turning tools is one of the most daunting tasks a beginner faces, but Keith makes it simple to understand. I HIGHLY recommend this book (and I have a ton of turning books to compare it to).

I looked at many different lathe books. I bought this one and Ernie Conovers. This book focuses more on proper techniques, and rules of turning with many examples. This shows you practically every type of cut you could make on any project you'll likely encounter. How to choose the wood, prepare the stock, the right tool and the best technique in many, many clearly illustrated examples. Based on what I need to do, I'll look through this book and find an example that most closely approximates what I need to get done and follow the rules. Between both of them I have enough solid basic information on turning technique, lathe accessory use, proper tool choice, sharpening and grinding etc. I've found them to be indispensible resources for the beginner.

This is one of a couple of books I read cover to cover and over again before I bought my first lathe. The information is fantastic and easy to understand, although it would have helped if I had a lathe at the same time when he was explaining tool techniques but it was easy enough to pick up quickly once I got started.The projects are good as well giving you a place to get yourself started if you are looking at that chunk of wood with only a blank picture in your head.A month later I am going strong with my lathe, turning bowls, goblets, coasters, dibbers etc but I still constantly refer to Keith's book when I need a little help so it has been well worth every centTo all people thinking about woodturning as a new hobby, this book is an absolute must.

This book thoroughly describes the process of woodturning, and introduces a set of laws which are commonly disregarded by the beggining woodturner. It also describes how to make a grinding jig specially designed for the begginer. With it, you can sharpen your lathe tools with precision and ease that is not availible with a regular grinding jig. Very good for the begginer, or anyone who is not quite sure about all the aspects of woodturning.

This is the best book for a beginner as it goes through each step of how to use tools on a lathe. Get the video which goes with it as this again helps the understanding of how to use the lathe