The New Turning Wood

First of all this is more of a complaint about the delivery process than the video content or the author itself. This was my first streaming/download purchase of a video from Amazon and my last I have to say.I initially downloaded the video to my android 10 inch tablet, somewhere in the order of 2gb. I also selected 'best quality'. Unfortunately the video quality is below par for paying so much, if this were a $5 purchase I might be more forgiving. It certainly does not meet the described quality of SD being 'DVD quality'. Imagine a second rate youtube video of around 240p and you might get the idea. Trying to discern finer details of what was being done was a complete waste of time.I also was under the impression by the statement 'download to 2 of your devices' that I could put this on my PC, possibly using a player that might improve the artifacts on the video. No such luck, apparently PC's aren't supported, only tablets and phones. Something about the anti-piracy measures. So once again, the paying customer cops it in the neck. I paid for it, Amazon says I own it, so let me play it where and how I want! Knowing this I would have saved some money and simply rented it,I then tried streaming it on the PC, thinking that a fast connection might somehow deliver the 'dvd quality' video I had purchased, exactly the same I am disappointed to say.I think this is my first and only negative review of an Amazon purchase ever.My only issue with the content is that the last section on bowl/faceplate turning, was a direct copy of what I have on a DVD by Richard Raffan called Turning Bowls. Bit of a cheek to reproduce what's on another DVD in my opinion.That being said, there's some good advice and instruction for the starting turner but I would recommend buying a physical DVD than this poor representation.I am bitterly disappointed with Amazon over this and the price does not reflect what you end up with. As stated earlier, my last purchase of an online movie from Amazon if this is the expected output. If this helps save someone the grief I'll have to find some solace in that.Buyer beware.NB:I recently visited my video and downloaded it, the resolution speaks for itself as to why it's such a poor quality video, 704 x 396! not DVD quality as it's also only around 780mb in size, unlike the 4.5gb of a DVD. Ripped off.

I have a number of Richard Raffin's books and dvd's and all I can say is that he just gets better and better. Not only does he present both basic and sophistcated technicques in an easily understandable format & progression, His attention to detail is masterful. If one simply observes how his shop is set up by looking around his shop as he's teaching, there are many lessons to be learned. I have a good dust collection system and when I saw how Mr. Raffin did it, I wanted to slap myself in the forehead!! He has ducting tubes arranged iaround the headstock of his lathe s so that there are multiple intakes for chips dust and all the other waste that develops when one is turning. The ducting set up was a lesson in itself. I learn something new everytime I watch his DVD's. In his early DVD's he doesn't have a dust collecter in his shop, but in this one he does. So, I hired my plumber to come in and modify the four inch duct work and add more intakes on my system to reduce the amount of sawdust in my shop. It took a while to do it, but I can already see the difference. My shop is cleaner and I and my friends who work with me aren't breathing in as much dust. Thanks so much, Mr. Raffin!!! God bless! Slan leat, le gra` Dr. John Touchton

After buying and using this DVD, I elevated my turning skills substantially after years of spindle work as a self-taught turner. In fact, I bought this DVD before attempting bowl turning and it has proved invaluable in that respect. Raffan has been a professional turner for many years and his approach, while not the only one out there, is time tested. I found his demos and accompanying narrative to be clear, concise, easy to follow, and thorough. The Taunton video production is first class; it covers all the basics, is well lit, the camera is clearly positioned from many different and useful angles, the pacing of the instruction is neither too fast nor too slow for someone learning to turn bowls, and the various spindle and bowl techniques are broken up into modules (DVD sections) that make sense.I bought Raffan's two related Taunton Press books, Turning Wood and Turning Bowls, at the same time that I bought this DVD and they supplement the video instruction, but I found the hands-on demos on the DVD far easier to follow and to learn from. I set up a DVD player + 16" TV in my shop that allowed me to switch back and forth between the DVD and turning on my lathe. You can repeat any module or section of a module over and over until it is burned into your brain. The next best thing to live instruction.

I've turned a lot of pens and am looking to expand my turning projects. This DVD is a good way to broaden your skills by being able to see turning being done. Nothing like the real thing to get a feel for something.However, Raffan goes quickly through aspects that I certainly could have used more instruction, such as when to choose a particular tool over another, more detail on how to cut with different parts of a tool's edge, and even sharpening, though to be fair I suppose I just need to find a system that works for me and practice it.Watching him whip out several projects is amazing. For me, these were more of a demonstration of his skill rather than functional information that I can use. By the end, I felt that rather than being more skilled myself, or at least have the information to progress in my turning, that what I really need is to take classes somewhere and this DVD established goals for me to strive towards. Maybe that's the actual point here.

Pretty much a repeat of the previous review but I'd give it an extra star because Richard Raffan shares an awful lot in this video. Good to see the stuff going wrong too (catches etc.) then what to do about them. Very good content. It's just a shame the camera work feels amateurish.

Interesting video that lacks good 'educational' production. Shots jump about a bit and lacks a cohesive sequence. Even so, a useful video as a reminder of what 'to' and what 'NOT to' do when woodturning.

By no means as informative as the publicity suggested. I am somewhat disappointed.

This was a gift but I think the recipient was happy with it.

not for me but family member says very good