Adding Spice to Your Woodturning

Adding Spice to Your Woodturning: 20 Salt, Pepper and Spice Shaker Projects for Woodturners by by British woodturner Chris West is an authoritative and practical guide from one of Europe’s leading specialists in turned tableware design. West’s reputation for clarity and precision shines in this comprehensive project book, which presents twenty original designs ranging from classic to contemporary forms.

Each project includes complete working drawings, precise dimensions in both metric and imperial units, and clear photographic sequences. Step-by-step instructions guide readers through material selection, safe lathe operation, shaping techniques, and finishing. Projects are clearly labeled for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, allowing turners to build their confidence and skills progressively.

Reviewers praise West’s accessible teaching style, attention to safety, and the practicality of his designs—ideal for gifts, personal collections, or small-scale production. The book also includes sections on wood selection, finishes, health and safety, and practical advice for customizing shaker mechanisms and closures.

Designed specifically for use in the workshop, this spiral-bound hardcover lays flat on the bench, printed on heavy-duty art paper for durability. With contributions recognized by turning guilds and woodworking associations across Europe and North America, West’s book has become a valued addition to the modern woodturner’s library.

Both an instructional manual and a source of inspiration, Adding Spice to Your Woodturning helps turners at every level produce elegant, functional, and marketable pieces that highlight the beauty of wood and the creativity of the maker.