Creative Woodturning
Woodturning UK, "Woodturning Forms and Materials" - John Hunnex Book - February 2004

WOODTURNING FORMS AND MATERIALS
This excellent book is the third offering from author John Hunnex, the first two books in the series were the ever popular Woodturning - A Source Book Of Shapes and the Illustrated Woodturning Techniques. Both these books proved to be best sellers and can be found on the shelves of most woodturners as I'm sure this book will be.

WHATEVER YOUR CHOICE THIS BOOK IS A MUST HAVE
First and foremost
Woodturning Forms And Materials is one of the very best sources of inspiration I have ever had the pleasure to read, whether your personal woodturning choice is in the traditional, the innovative, simply plain or flamboyant this book is a must have.  Anyone who picks this book up and doesn't feel the inspiration to rush out into their workshop, pick up the tools and start turning shouldn't be woodturning anyway.

100 PIECES FULLY DESCRIBED.
More than 100 pieces are fully described and illustrated in this book and they are grouped around 10 different but very individual themes.  These include: Combining different woods, Surface Texture, Multiple forms, Squares and rectangles, Exploring exotic timbers, Turning plywood, Laminated work, Off-centre turning, and Simple form and shape.  Each theme is well described with references to how the piece shown was turned.
SURFACE TEXTURE, OFF-CENTRE TURNING, LAMINATED WORK.
My enjoyment for turnings that are very tactile led me straight to the Surface Texture section, here John describes in detail the processes he uses to achieve the pieces featured in this theme, how sandblasting is more selective than tools in only removing the softer fibres of the timber, leaving the harder older growth in relief.  In the Surface Texture theme he also talks about scorching wood and how it differs to sandblasting, again only the softer fibres are removed but the wood does get charred and this in turn leaves a surface that can buffed to a wonderful gleam.  This chapter alone sold the book to me.
Throughout the Surface Texture chapter John most ably discusses his use of textured surfaces and adds that although they depart from the tradition of smooth polished surfaces that we associate with wood, he quite rightly in my humble opinion adds the comments
"Tradition should be our stepping stone, not our millstone."

60 YEARS OF TURNING AND A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE TO OFFER.
John Hunnex first began woodturning over 60 years ago and has a wealth of experience to offer the reader.  For most of his career he was a professional photographer and lecturer in photography and has been woodturning full time since his retirement in 1984.  John has demonstrated for a number of years at many venues and has exhibited his work widely throughout England. His work has also been featured in various magazines including Woodturning.   Woodturning Forms and Materials is available at all good woodturning stockists and is published by Guild Of Master Craftsmen Publications.  I must pass on special thanks to Mark Baker, the editor of Woodturning magazine for his help with this review.                                                             Review - Mike Swain
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