AXIS MUNDI—My Book Update

People have been asking and waiting. I know, I know….It’s been years.

Most of you probably heard I signed a contract with Lost Art Press years ago to write a book on pole lathe turning. If not, now you know.

I turned in the manuscript last week!

I’ve worked on it in fits and starts for about 8 years. Then this January I had the time and head space to put everything aside and complete it. I worked on it nearly every day. There were times when I could barely socialize with anyone because my mind was so preoccupied by the subject. 3 1/2 months later, I finished it. Or so I think… There are some parts that I can’t see clearly until the edits and design are in place.

I spent years pumping out bowls, cups, plates and boxes on the pole lathe. I’m mostly self taught. But in the formative years, I had help and guidance from my mentor Robin Wood as well as a few other turners like Roger Abrahamson and the late Paul Atkin. Still, I mostly treaded alone and learned a lot through trial and error.

This is the book I wish I had when I started turning. It’s the first instructional book on non-spindle pole lathe turning that I know of. Although I cover a little history too, the main focus is on how to build a lathe, forge the tools needed, and the techniques for turning woodenware.

I share everything I know in this book—from building lathes, hook design and forging, and turning side grain bowls, end grain cups, handled cups, boxes, plates, small handled bowls—it’s all there. For me, the most important part of the book is about cutting techniques and theory. I’ve distilled those concepts down for years while teaching workshops and those parts took the longest to get into words and photos. It also includes what I think is my biggest contribution to the pole lathe turning world—developing tool designs and techniques for end-grain turning and hollow forms like locking lidded boxes.

I also drew all the illustrations and cross sectional design drawings.

In May/June the great folks at Lost Art Press will begin a high level edit. I’ll know more mid-summer on when it will go to print.

It’s exciting.

One of my classic Ale Bowl designs. I drew many of these cross sectional drawings for various designs of bowls and cups in the book.