Our Top Picks

Written by Douglas Smith
Woodturning is a very vast field where you can quickly learn different types of crafting and skills. Most people think that they can quickly learn woodturning by themselves, but it is undoubtedly not the case. If you have a god-gifted talent or interest in woodturning, you will indeed have the edge over others, but you will still need something substantial to learn from.
You can either register yourself in an institution to learn different woodturning skills, or you can either opt for an excellent woodturning book that can show you the step-by-step process of everything essential and necessary. Most of the books offer a great collection of premium skills to learn by following every step thoroughly. The best thing is, you can know it whenever you want without any hassles or time-management.
What to look for when buying a woodturning book?
Before getting your hands on any book, you need to check out some crucial things to get the best possible book as per your preferences.
Book Difficulty Level: If you are a beginner, you would not want to start right away from the expert level. That is why it is essential to check the difficulty level of your desired book.
Skillset: Different books focus on different types of skill sets and methods. If you are interested in any specific one, it is better to look out for that. Other than that, there is no problem going for an all-in-one book.
The number of projects: Projects define the number of skills and design you will learn from the book. If a book offers a guide to craft different types of projects, you will learn different types of woodturning methods.
Top 7 Woodturning books to get right now
Here are the top 7 woodturning books that can unquestionably help you understand how things are done and how you can do them. So let’s get started!
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The Best Woodturning Books
1.Turning Green Wood
Turning Green Wood has been revised multiple times because of its high demand from all over the world. But the one we are checking out right now is the latest edition of the book offering the best possible guides and methods. It does not specifically matter if you are getting into the woodturning industry or an expert; this book will help you alter your skills and enhance them, on the whole, on another level.
In the actual book, you will learn how to harvest timber and use it correctly. Many people complain about storing the wood gets wet, that is why the writer has also stated the right way to keep timber for the longer run. Aside from that, the woodturning enthusiasts will also learn the best use of grain pattern along with its other properties. The best thing about this great book is that everything is defined most easily to understand without any problems.
Users are also provided with the images in the books to understand what is going on and the right way to craft and use different techniques. It also includes six projects that consist of a cross-grain natural-edge bowl, cross-grain translucent bowl, end-grain bowl, natural-edge end-grain goblet, natural-edge end-grain bowl, and part-turned bowl. That is why it is a perfect fit for anyone interested in woodturning and wants to enhance the skills dramatically.
Key Features
6 Projects
Paper/Kindle Version
Images Available
Easy to Understand
Harvesting and Storing Methods
2.Ellsworth on Woodturning
Ellsworth has written different books on woodturning, but this one is undoubtedly one of the best in teaching and understanding woodturning. As stated by the writer, this book’s actual purpose is to bring the beauty out of wood so that it can be actually used for different purposes. This book offers a complete woodturning learning package as it has almost everything a beginner or even an expert would love to learn.
The readers are provided with a complete guide on using the specific tools and materials used in the whole woodturning process. Not only that, but the book also offers an essential guide on how to work with green wood and dry wood properly, as most beginners mess up things in this aspect. Different projects are available in the book to get familiar with and learn them in the most feasible ways.
The projects include turning an open bowl with a cut rim or a natural edge, as per your preferences. You will also learn how to turn and craft the exterior and interior of a hollow form and use it in different ways. It is just a glimpse of what the book has to offer; you will be able to learn much more than that. The book also consists of different images of methods, crafting, and woods to effortlessly understand it to make things even more comfortable.
Key Features
Many Projects
400+ Images
Kindle/Paper/Hard-Cover Versions
Step-by-step Guides
Expert Tips Available
3.Woodturning: A Foundation Course
As the name suggests, the book offers a complete foundation course to its readers. Each chapter of the book provides a comprehensive understanding of every little detail so that you won’t miss any single thing. There have been different versions of this book, but because of its hot-demand, the writer has updated it from time to time, and this is the latest and undoubtedly the best version of the book available as of now. The book focuses not only on the experts and the experienced woodturning, but it is also a perfect start for beginners or the ones who want to enter this field.
It is one of the best woodturning books because it showcases how things are done. You will be able to know which tools will be the best fit for you and your needs. Not only that, but you will surely get to know what type of accessories and lathes will be needed to perform the best crafting for different kinds of projects. You will also get a checklist so that you can keep track of your position in the book. You will have to tick the things right after you learn them or get familiar with them.
This book also comes with a 90-minute DVD that demonstrates some professional techniques for performing woodturning. The video has undoubtedly made it easier to understand the book’s vital perspectives better and implement them in real life. So if you are willing to turn yourself into a skilled artisan, this book is what you need!
Key Features
Different Techniques
DVD Included
In-Depth Coverage
Detailed Instructions
4.Learn to Turn (3rd Edition)
The thing that makes it one of the best woodturning books is that it has the complete step-by-step projects to offer to its users. If you are a beginner who does not know a single thing about woodturning but wants to get experience in this field, this book can help you out in this regard. The 3rd edition we are talking about as the previous two got too popular and the writer had to revise the edition for its demand. The book covers all the basics about woodturning to be straightforward for beginners to start the journey. Even the experienced ones will learn new, different, and proper ways to do things.
The book comes with massive 12 projects that demonstrate different skills and woodturning methods. You can easily follow all of the step-by-step guides to get familiar with all the tasks and get started in real. There is also a special troubleshooting section where the readers can get their problems solved. If you are not understating anything or something that confuses you, you can turn to the troubleshooting section and check out its solution.
The best thing is, there are many expert instructions, great tips, advice from great teachers, and proper explanation for each thing to make things easier. You can also check out images provided while reading the guides and instructions to know how they look and how they work practically.
Key Features
12 Projects
Covers All Basics
Troubleshooting Section
Photo Gallery Available
5.Woodturning for Beginners Handbook
This book might not be perfect for the experts looking for something different as it entirely focuses on beginners. The book’s real theme is to teach the beginners the necessary woodturning skills and get them familiar with the easy DIY projects. You will be able to learn the essential process and techniques required for the best woodturning. If you are not entirely known with the basic things already, this is the best time to do so! Not only that, but the book also has a complete guide on how to finish a product properly.
Woodturning is not only about crafting the wood and giving it a new shape, but it also required the best finishing so that the final product could provide a pleasing look. There are hundreds of images placed in the book so that the readers can get familiar with different aspects of woodturning aspects. Most beginners don’t know how to handle various accessories and lathes, so it is always a good idea to get help from the images.
Not only that, but the safety guidelines and tips are also provided because woodturning can also be dangerous if not handled properly. There are ten woodturning beginner’s projects available to get started with and start turning the wood. You can follow all the steps provided with keen eyes, and the results will unquestionably be the best.
Key Features
10 Projects
Safety Tips
Images Included
Finishing Techniques
6.Getting Started in Woodturning
It is one of the best woodturning books with all the essential tips, tricks, techniques, methods, projects, and much more. In other words, it is an actual complete package for beginners to get into woodturning and furnish their skills just as they want. This book offers a wide variety of different projects so that you can start your journey.
But before starting, there is also a complete guide on the safety measures you will have to follow while working. There are also many techniques available to sharpen the tools and enhance the accessories used in the woodturning processes. You will learn woodturning from scratch as the main reason for this book is to provide a straightforward and efficient guide to beginners. You will also learn how to efficiently finish your final product like a professional because finishing is what gives woodturning a unique look.
Another great thing or feature about this book is that many images are available throughout the guides, instructions, and techniques to understand things better. So if you are entirely unfamiliar with the accessories and methods of woodturning, you will not have to worry about it.
Key Features
18 Projects
Safety Practices
Images Included
Engaging
7.The Art of Segmented Woodturning
If you have already got a good grip on woodturning and want to explore the woodturning world further, then this book can be an excellent fit for you. But before getting started, you must know that segmented woodturning might not be that easy, and you really will have to put some extra effort into winning in this section. But with the help of this book, you might not face that many difficulties.
The writer has done a fascinating job offering step-by-step guides to the readers to understand the segmented woodturning from the very start. The book has many techniques that the readers can opt for and get started with their segmented woodturning journey. Not only that, almost every section has a couple of images along with it to provide a better overview of different things.
It does not specifically matter if you want to learn sphere turning or building a port-hole style ring; you will be able to learn almost every great technique in this one of the best woodturning books. Then you can also use your creativity to develop your skills and enhance them furthermore.
Key Features
Step-by-step Guide
Clear Instructions
Coloured Images
Professional Tips
Best Woodturning Books Buyers Guide & FAQ’s
Will I face problems implementing the techniques practically?
Most of the books mentioned above come with images to demonstrate how things are done. So it is very unlikely to face any problems in the process.
Is it better to buy the kindle version or a physical copy?
It depends on your preferences. If you want to read your woodturning book anytime you want, you can opt for the kindle version as it can be accessed online.
Is woodturning dangerous for beginners?
It can be! But that is why almost all of the books offer safety guides to the users to avoid such consequences.
What do projects mean in woodturning?
Projects just state the type of woodturning you are going to perform. A book might offer different projects to teach you different types of woodturning along with different techniques and methods.
Conclusion
Learning from the books can be a great way to start your journey on anything. But if we specifically talk about woodturning, learning through the book can surely save you lots of time and keep you from hassles. But you will also have to follow all the instructions and guides carefully to succeed in this particular area.