Interesting Christmas Pressie

[Ozkaban]

Hi,

A nice little extra christmas present that I received was a book owned by my late grandfather who was an accomplished enginner (built several wood and metal lathes). He passed it to my dad, and my dad has now given it to me. Given it's history, it's not terribly old (1973), but it's a reporduction of a 1890's book called:

"The principles and Practice of Ornamental of Complex Turning", but John Jacob Holtzapffel.

The cover image is here:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QoldURCzL.jpg

I'm not a big ornamental turner, though I really appreciate the skill required to produce those spectacular turnings and amazing machines to make them. I reckon if I get through the 680-odd pages I might get bitten by a bug that will cost me a lot of hours!

Does anyone know anything about this book? Is it considered a good book on the subject?

Cheers,
Dave

[wheelinround]

Dave your going to have to take a Wednesday off and come out to OTGA we go back 20h January.

Nice book wish I had one :;

Is your dad into Ornamental Turning ??? maybe he would like to pop out and see what the old fellas get up to.

Ray

[munruben]

Great present, real treasure. :2tsup:

[joe greiner]

As far as I can tell, it is a good book on the subject, but I haven't been able to wade through it without access to the machinery. The Introduction, on page ix, cites J.H. Evans, "Ornamental Turning," which illustrates most of the equipment. Together, I might have a chance (some day). I got those two, and Holtzapfel's "Hand or Simple Turning," (which was over 100 years ahead of us now), several years ago from Lindsay Books ( Lindsay's Technical Books (http://www.lindsaybks.com/) ). Lindsay's catalog is a hoot in itself.

If you've already done some OT, you can probably get more out of it than I have so far.

Cheers,
Joe

[wheelinround]

Whole series can be downloaded from the net here's one link Holtzapffel.org - A catalog and history of Holtzapffel lathes - Books and Publications (http://holtzapffel.org/holtzapffel-publications.html)

I have finaly got a copy of T D Walshaw "Ornamental Turning" slowly going through it.

Of course there are numerous sites with OT work and groups.

[Sawdust Maker]

Dave

Nice pressie

Damn I just put an order into Amazon and didn't notice the Holtzapffel books
Will have to wishlist them for next time.

[Ozkaban]

Thanks All.

Ray - this year looks like being a little more flexible with work (read: I might be allowed to finally take a day off here and there :~) so that could well happen... My Grandpa was pretty good at wood and metal (built lathes for both pretty successfully, and was a dab hand at making the tools too. My Dad went the metal route, but he has 5 sons, 4 of which are into wood to varying degrees...

Nick - you're welcome to borrow the book if you want to flick through it for a couple of weeks. I can meet up with you at lunch someday if you like.

Cheers,
Dave

[QC Inspector]

I have the same book and it's often referred to as the bible of Ornamental Turning. It is a hard read and some of it doesn't apply as much anymore. (Metallurgy has come a long way since then.) Most of the OT lathes and special chucks of today are based on the principles in the book. It was amazing what was done with treadle powered lathes one and two hundred years ago.

Pete

[Old-Biker-UK]

I have a copy donated by my friend & mentor in things OT Steve Ellis. (http://www.roseengine.co.uk/)
As mentioned previously, Holtz and his mates did that quality of work without a carbide / cobalt tool in sight, just carbon steel cutters & a treadle lathe.

Mark