Turning toys with Richard Raffan

The projects in Turning Toys can serve as a base for almost limitless variation, so you can put your own stamp on each object you create. You can get plenty of practice when small kids can’t have too many peg dolls, things on wheels, wands, or arches for creating buildings, farmyards, and so on. You’ll see ways of salvaging a situation when things go wrong, as they inevitably do when you have a catch or the wood splits. The photos and drawings show you what to do, step-by-step; you’ll see exactly how the tools are used, how the cutting edge should relate to the surface you’re cutting, and how to stand to support and hold the tools so that working at your lathe is a comfortable and pleasurable activity. Few things can be more satisfying than making stuff for people you know, let alone love, especially when you can watch them using and enjoying the products of your labours.