Our Club Library

Being a new member and a beginner, I feel that I barely know one end of a tool from the other. Wanting to learn as much as I can about my new hobby, I was delighted to discover we have such a huge and varied book and video library available to us. Just looking through titles is like being a kid in a sweet shop - so much choice. The library in Waterlooville does have a couple of books and once I found a very well used copy of a video on routing, but nothing compares to what we have available to us as members on a club night.

Looking at the titles there must be something in there for everyone so why not have a look. There can't be any better way to learn than watching other people in action and as I don't get to see other turners actually working as often as I like, I intend to work my way through the videos and maybe the odd book or two.

Being unable to get to the last monthly meeting Boots offered to pick up my choices and having now seen them I have written a personal review of these the first three I have loaned.

A Foundation Course with Keith Rowley

Being a beginner and not really knowing much, I was very keen to get my hands on a copy of this video as lately I have read a number of very complementary reviews on Keith's book of the same name and hoped that the video was just as good.

The video is only 88 minutes long which although sounds a lot, actually goes very quickly especially if you ignore the beginning section on general lathe terminology. It covers timber and tools, turning between centres, faceplate turning, copy turning sanding and the dreaded grinding of tools.

After watching the video for the first time I was left slightly disappointed and wanting more. I think this is because the other videos I borrowed at the same time are a lot longer and spend large amounts of that time just showing the same cut time and time again where as this does not do so to anywhere near the same extent.

However, on viewing again I began to realise just how much information is in there and how much I had missed the first time. I felt that this is a video that has to be watched, studied, thought about and watched again. This may be because I am a beginner and need the keep going back over what I am being told.

Keith demonstrates that he is a true master of turning and had a way of explaining and demonstrating techniques and practices that are a joy to watch. He flows through the exercises with such ease that it is very difficult not to be impressed. It is not until near the end that he says he has slowed down for the filming!

This is a brilliant video full of good advice and is an excellent introduction to turning. Beginners can not help but improve after watching this and I am sure some of the more experienced turners would find points of interest. Of special note are his 6 laws and his own design of jig for grinding.

John Jordan

Turning Bowls is what I would love to do but not having the basics under my belt, this video was borrowed for pure entertainment.

John Jordan has examples of his work in permanent museums collections around the world and has received numerous awards.

This video is made by GMC Publications and is 120 minutes long and covers:

Basic and advanced cuts with deep fluted bowl gouges

Natural edge bowls

Dry versus green wood

Why green wood does not crack

Power sanding and finishing

Problems and how to solve them

Sharpening

Although this video is labelled Guide of Master Craftsman it is an American production.

I feel this video is excellent for beginners as the majority of time is spent demonstrating just one simple bowl. The advantage of this is that you see that same cut time and time again, which is just what you need. He will also frequently stop and sharpen his gouges.

Del Stubbs

Del makes his living by turning everything from spindle work and classic vases to miniatures and translucently thin bowls.

This video is from the publishers of Fine Woodworking magazine, is 120 minutes long and includes sections on:

How to use different tools from gouges to flat scrappers

His one modification to his lathe so you can slow it down

How to sharpen the tools

Thin wall bowls

Bark edge bowls

End grain bowls

This video does not concentrate on one design and I feel at times jumps from one thing to another without really spending the time to adequately cover the topic. At one point near the end, it has the feeling of bits stuck together rather than one single production. The thing I personally found hard to ignore was the constant use of the phrase "ladyfinger" for some reason it became a large barrier to my enjoyment.

All this aside, it is a good video for the more experienced turner as he shows both the basic cuts and variations of that cut that at first appear to break the rules.

To conclude

Next club night, take a look through the books and video's and hire one for a month, they are next to nothing to hire and it helps the clubs funds. The entire list of both books and video's are on the web site and a number of reviews can be found there to, with more to follow. If any of you have any useful remarks or a complete review we can use then please contact either Derek Blake our magazine editor or Mick the web.

Steve B [Apr-06]

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