Turning Wood with Richard Raffan: Updated and Expanded Edition

This is a fantastic resource for the novice turner and old hands as well. I’m of the former group, as far as wood goes, but after reading the sharpening chapter I went out and actually obtained proper sharpness on my gouges.Later after reading some of the finer points on turning, I took a small log with bark and shortly it became, without pain or catches, a smooth piece of cherry with much more potential than a few moments before.Well worth the price I paid for it used; it’s worth the new price just easily.

I have a number of DVD's made by Richard Raffin in my library, that I have acquired over the course of many years. Needless to say, they have all been watched a number of times. He is not only a good teacher, but a master woodturner who sets a good example for all to see. In his later DVD's you can see multiple intake ports for his dust collection system. They appear to me made of 4" in diameter PCV pipe. What a great idea!! I'm having my plumber / electrician watch this DVD so we can modify my Dust Collection system to increase the number of intakes around the headstock of my lathe. Even the least toxic sawdust is very bad for your lungs. Richard Raffin's set up is superb!! As he is sanding in his DVD you can see the saw dust being sucked into the dust collector port! His suggestions with regard to which tool to use and when, while making a bowl are SPOT ON!! I am planning to make a couple of the bowls he made as soon as my "Must Do" list gets whittled down a bit. His explanations are in plain language and his relaxed approach with the many various items he turns makes it much easier to understand. His use of a voice-over on a number of the projects brings to light many subtle points regarding technique that might otherwise be overlooked. He mentions a number of times the importance of listening and feeling while turning wood. He fexplains that listening to the sound that the tool and wood make while it's be turned can instantly alert you if there is a problem. Conversely, when you're doing it correctly, you can tell by the sound. I only gave this DVD a five star rating because it wasn't possible to give it a 9 or 10. I highly recommend this DVD for both beginners and intermediate level wood turners. God bless! Safe Turning! Slan leat, le gra` Dr. John Touchton

This book should come packaged with every wood lathe to provide the user with clear and safe methods for getting the best results from their tools. I would recommend this book for all new wood turners, as it provides lots of pictures and examples for how to coupled with technique, which is so important in safe operation of wood lathes.

This is the third edition,C2008. Richard Raffan goes into the details of turning wood, from general lathe information to selecting the wood, grain orientation, sharpening tools, correct hand position body stance and movement, tool position and movement relative to the turning for scraping, cutting and boring tools. Excellent close up color pictures and descriptions.Overall an EXCELLENT source of information on wood turning and safety.Turning Wood with Richard Raffan was also published in 1985. I found this older edition at a used book store. The older edition actually complements the newer edition very well. Different views and pictures help to further clarify wood turning and safety. It is also an EXCELLENT source of information on wood turning and safety.I would recommend purchasing BOTH copies if you can find them.

Bought this book as a gift for my father. He really likes the book so it was definitely a worthwhile purchase.

Just learning how to wood turn. Great examples which are easy to duplicate and good safety recommendations.

Thorough basic instructional book by a master

Bought for Christmas gift for co-worker and recipient was really happy with it. She started showing me things she learned just looking through it during break.

Great product thanks and really fast service

Good read

A great bible for the beginner like me . Very well illustrated and all aspects of the craft explained very clearly.

Very Informative, Clear Illustration Too

Seems a little dated but covers the basics