4 Best Woodturning Books For Beginners In 2024

Best Woodturning Books for Beginners

Woodturning is a complex hobby that requires patience and skill. It also requires the best woodturning books for beginners. One of the best ways to learn this craft, aside from taking classes in person, is by reading about it.

There are many different types of books on woodturning available, so you will need to do some research before making your purchase. This article will go over some tips that can help you find the best woodturning book for beginners!

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Best Woodturning Books For Beginners

Image Product Author Price
backpac Learn to Turn, 3rd Edition Revised & Expanded Barry Gross Check Price
backpac Turning Wood with Richard Raffan Richard Raffan Check Price
cordlessblower Getting Started in Woodturning: 18 Practical Projects  John Kelsey Check Price
cordlessblower One Week to Woodturning: A Seven Day Guide to Setting Up a Turning Studio on a Budget Rex Krueger Check Price

Here are the best woodturning books for beginners. Learn how to turn wood right now with these books:

Learn to Turn, 3rd Edition Revised & Expanded: A Beginner’s Guide to Woodturning

If you want to learn how to turn and are new to the craft, this book is an excellent place for beginners. It features step-by-step projects, expert instruction, and captivating photos of the finished products that will keep you motivated as your skills develop.

Learn to Turn, Best Woodturning Books for Beginners

There are plenty of great woodturning books for beginners on the market. If you’re looking for one, Learn to Turn is a worthwhile option. It’s not going to frighten any newbie woodturners with its technical jargon or complicated projects. Still, it will teach them everything they need to get started and keep turning excellent pieces.

Woodturning is not an easy craft to master, but it can be a fun way to express your creativity. With the help of this wood-turning book for beginners and expert instruction from professional artist Barry Gross, you will find yourself tapping into the talent you never knew you had in this creative-making process. Best of all—there’s something for everyone!

What you will learn from this book

  • How to choose the wood lathe that’s right for you
  • The tools used for turning and how to use them
  • How to prepare firewood into the suitable blanks
  • Fundamental concepts like sharpening, sanding, and finishing

About the Author

When it comes to woodworking, Barry Gross is an expert with more than 30 years of experience. His specialty includes transforming wood and other materials like Corian into amazing pieces of art and useful everyday items.

Having made mistakes in the past himself, Barry offers solutions to his own blunders to encourage someone new to woodturning.

Barry is a member of the American Association of Woodturners, the Bucks County Woodturning Association, and the Scroll Saw Association of the World. His work got published in numerous journals.

You can see Barry Gross’s art in various art galleries, including Island Earth Gallery, Wylands Sae Life Gallery in New York, and Langman Galleries.

Turning Wood with Richard Raffan

You aren’t a woodworker if you don’t own this book! The #1 classic bestseller is back with new techniques, new insights, and valuable advice.

The book’s author has taught more people to work with wood than any other single person in our time. Now he passes on some of these smart tips and reassuring words for first-time turners.

As well as showing all who do not have much experience in woodturning: What tools to use, simple construction techniques that can be applied to almost any situation, what turning stocks are available. And lots more vital information about sharpening blades, tuning up lathes–even how to choose wood.

Turning Wood with Richard Raffan

Here are some examples of what you will find in this book

  • Choose the right chucks and tools for any job
  • Sharpen and maintain your tools for the best results
  • Handle tools safely and efficiently
  • Learn basic techniques with ease

Getting Started in Woodturning: 18 Practical Projects 

Achieve the finesse of a true craftsman with 18 different and surprisingly easy projects. From wooden bowls to honeycomb trivets.

John Kelsey is an expert in woodturning art, which has created this manual for beginners and masters alike. Complete with photos of each project in development as well as colorful graphs that represent key turning techniques. 

Best Woodturning Books for a Beginners

John starts by teaching you how to set up your new lathe, so it’s aligned just right to produce precise cuts. From there, he takes time-saving shortcuts so you can start turning projects quickly while still using some traditional methods, including sharpening your tools properly. This fantastic guide will bring out your inner artisan skillset. Learn how to take care of your tools, and best of all – it’s easy to understand!

John Kelsey has written several books about woodworking and is the former editor of Fine Woodworking Magazine. Right now, he is the editorial director of the American Association of Woodturners book program.

One Week to Woodturning: A Seven Day Guide to Setting Up a Turning Studio on a Budget

LOTS of people want to learn woodturning, but the equipment can be daunting. Weeding through all the choices on one product is a confusing and overwhelming task. Plus, every lathe has different requirements for things like chuck size, types of faceplate, and bits that may or may not work with it.

One Week to Woodturning: A Seven Day Guide to Setting Up a Turning Studio on a Budget

One Week to Woodturning is a complete guide for the ESSENTIAL TOOLS of woodturning.

Here is what you will find in this book

Information about the different lathes available. From mini to huge wood lathes, from budget to high-end versions, you’ll learn about all your options and what will work best for you.

This book covers turning tools—Gouges, scrapers, chisels, and other metal devices necessary for a beginner turner in detail. Rather than buying expensive tools just to get started with woodturning, this primer will help you build the tool kit of a beginning turner using budget-friendly equipment.

If you are new to woodturning, picking out the right sharpening tools can be a daunting task. But don’t worry; this article will help you decide which type of wheel is best for your needs.

One Week to Woodturning is the perfect read for woodturners who want to create an efficient and safe space. It gives you all the information you need about your work area, from where your lathe should go to how close your grinder should be. If you’re smart about fire safety, too, it’ll take as little as one week to get your workshop set up.

Read: Can You Teach Yourself Wood Turning?

Conclusion

By incorporating the craft of woodturning into your life, you will create beautiful and functional pieces. They can bring joy for years to come.

With patience, skill, and a good book on woodturning techniques as your guide-you’ll have no trouble finding success in this hobby! Want more information? Browse through our blog posts and articles for more information about woodturning.