Published between 1985 and 2023, these books remain unassailed for their range, depth, attention to detail, and quality of diagrams and photographs.
The seven titles in Mike’s full-colour woodturning series are copiously illustrated with specially-drawn diagrams, historical engravings, and photographs. All books have the same page size (215 x 280 mm (8.5″ x 11″)), are printed on high-quality acid-free paper.
For information on a particular title, click on its front-cover image below, and that book’s page will open.
Shows how you can sharpen quickly, less often, with repeatable accuracy, and without huge cost. Relates its advice to the principles (fundamental truths) of woodturning and sharpening, and shows that much of the huge amount of sharpening advice already available is suboptimal because it isn’t related to these principles.
Published in January 2021. Chapter 1 considers the state of contemporary woodturning; chapter 2 small tools. There are 14 project chapters. Most of the projects are unusual, and the making instructions are complemented by fascinating history and background.
Mike’s first book, published in 1985 in black-and-white. It’s been out of print since its full-colour replacement, The Fundamentals of Woodturning, was published in 1997.
The essential text for beginners and anyone seeking to rebuild their technique, 198 pages.
Special methods (or techniques), 198 pages.
Fully describes how to design, not merely a book of designs, 271 pages.
More special techniques, particularly tool sharpening and threading, 198 pages.
The history, design, and making of turned chessmen, 168 pages. An America edition with identical content is called Woodturning Chessmen.
The German edition of The Fundamentals of Woodturning. Now out-of-print.