Fun at the Lathe - RC Bell
This is no 52 in the clubs list of books and is currently rated joint 4th place of books hired by our members.
It provides a good mixture of spindle, face and bowl work across the 30 projects shown.
There is plenty for both the novice and the experienced turner with the added benefit that because
all the projects are games they need not be left collecting dust on the shelf or homeless once they
are finished. Any of the projects would make a nice present as the games are unusually interesting.
There is a very informative history and a set of rules with each individual project.
It is a colourful book giving the simplest of task in the beginning of the book working on to the more complex. Basic geometry helps create the divisions that are either painted or carved using a woodcarver's V tool; traced paper patterns can create any shape you need. A good mixture of techniques and skills are required but don't be put of by that, there are a good variety of projects that will as I've already said, suit the novice and the experienced turner. I'm sure this book will expand every ones skills in some way whether it is in woodturning, woodcarving, geometry, painting, or just playing the finished game.
Our clubs Christmas competition was a toy, I chose to make the cup and ball that is from Japan; I was fortunate enough to have an original brought especially for me from Japan. It is almost identical to one of the six examples shown in the book.
For those of you who are interested this gentleman has written several books on the history of board and dice games.
At the back of the book you will find a very extensive list of other books, video's and magazines covering every aspect of woodturning and associated crafts. The list of publications on games looks interesting; one in particular has caught my eye. "Board and table games from many civilisations"
I will certainly be getting this out of the library again.
Boots - 04 Feb 04