Resources
Books
The greatest work on ornamental turning is “Turning and Mechanical Manipulation” by Charles & John Jacob Holtzapffel (there are 5 vols., dated 1843 - 1897). Volume 5, entitled “The Principles and Practice of Ornamental or Complex Turning” is considered to be the ‘bible’ of O.T. but there is much related information in the other volumes. This is available as a paperback reprint or if you really search around, you can find a really nice hardcopy set.
“Ornamental Turning” by J H Evans (1903-4)
“The Lathe & Its Uses” by James Lukin - Read online at this link or reprint available
"Simple Decorative Lathe Work" by James Lukin
ISBN 1-85761-092X
“Ornamental Turning” by T D Walshaw (1990)
ISBN 0-85242-826X
"The Turner's Manual" by L.E. Bergeron
"Index to the Geometric Chuck - A Treatise Upon the Description, In the Lathe, of Simple and Compund Epitrochoidal or 'Geometric' Curves" by Sebastian Bazley
Click here for the online .pdf version
Click here to buy a hardcopy version from Lost Art Publications
"The Spherical Sliderest" by J. H. Evans
Click here to buy a hardcopy version from Lost Art Publications
"Geometric Turning" by H. S. Savory
Click here to buy a hardcopy version from Lost Art Publications
"Woodwork, My First Seventy Years" by Bob Lynn
ISBN 0-473-01525-0 (New Zealand)
"Ornamental Turnery" by Frank M. Knox
ISBN 0-671-61369-3
Index Wheel Info
Index wheels for sale
Iron Fire makes index wheels from techical plastic resin for use on lathes. Available in multiple spindle sizes. Only $19.95 each.
Make your own index wheel by Bill Smith
Mechanical Parts and Suppliers
