Woodturning Wizardry

Spheres within spheres, stars within cubes, delicate lattices with no apparent means of support—woodturners over the centuries have developed a whole range of extraordinary structures which seem at first sight to be quite impossible. In fact, all of these things can be made by anyone with basic woodturning skills, an ordinary lathe and simple hand tools—and this book shows you how.

A best-seller when first published in 1993, the book has been thoroughly revised for this new edition, with color photography throughout. Stunning new 3-D illustrations show cutaway views of the work in progress, making the instructions even easier to follow than before. Introductory chapters describe the equipment required—much of which you can make yourself—and give advice on wood selection, setting out the work, and turning the basic shapes.

David Springett's interest in turning began when he was a woodwork teacher. By reading every one of the few books then available, by practising, experimenting and persevering, he slowly improved his skills. David and his wife Christine successfully ran the British College of Lace, providing lacemaking courses and producing videos and books. They became experts in the identification and classification of nineteenth-century East Midland lace bobbins and their makers. The results of their research provided the basis for their book Success to the Lace Pillow, which is used by auction houses as the authority on this subject. At the end of a working day, spent turning highly decorated lace bobbins in the traditional English style, David would allow himself the relaxation of experimental turning. From this developed his fascination with the apparently impossible and somewhat improbable in turned wood. This led him to the discoveries featured in this book, and in his equally intriguing Adventures in Woodturning. He is on the Register of Professional Turners maintained by the Worshipful Company of Turners of London. David Springett is the author of Adventures in Woodturning, Turning Lace Bobbins, and Woodturning Trickery.