Thanks Thanks:  0
Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Northern Sydney
    Age
    49
    Posts
    2,764

    Default Interesting Christmas Pressie

    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:


    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
    ...but together with the coffee civility flowed back into him
    Patrick O'Brian, Treason's Harbour

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Age
    2010
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    North Of The Boarder
    Age
    68
    Posts
    16,794

    Default

    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

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Munruben, Qld
    Age
    83
    Posts
    10,027

    Default

    Great present, real treasure.
    Reality is no background music.
    Cheers John

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Tallahassee FL USA
    Age
    82
    Posts
    4,650

    Default

    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 ). 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
    Of course truth is stranger than fiction.
    Fiction has to make sense. - Mark Twain

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    North Of The Boarder
    Age
    68
    Posts
    16,794

    Default

    Whole series can be downloaded from the net here's one link Holtzapffel.org - A catalog and history of Holtzapffel lathes - Books and Publications

    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.



  7. #6
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    North of the coathanger, Sydney
    Age
    68
    Posts
    9,417

    Default

    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.
    regards
    Nick
    veni, vidi,
    tornavi
    Without wood it's just ...

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Northern Sydney
    Age
    49
    Posts
    2,764

    Default

    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
    ...but together with the coffee civility flowed back into him
    Patrick O'Brian, Treason's Harbour

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
    Posts
    1,436

    Default

    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

  10. #9
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Somerset, UK
    Posts
    445

    Default

    I have a copy donated by my friend & mentor in things OT Steve Ellis.
    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
    What you say & what people hear are not always the same thing.
    http://www.remark.me.uk/

Similar Threads

  1. Pressie from Forum member
    By ElizaLeahy in forum WOODTURNING - GENERAL
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 28th September 2009, 01:54 PM
  2. A pressie for Sturdee
    By beejay1 in forum NOTHING AT ALL TO DO WITH WOODWORK
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 28th February 2005, 05:14 PM
  3. My Christmas pressie
    By derekcohen in forum HAND TOOLS - UNPOWERED
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 9th December 2003, 05:09 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •