To Turn the Perfect Wooden Bowl - Ron Roszkiewicz

"As far as I'm concerned, Bob Stocksdale was the father of American woodturning." - Sam Maloof

 

During the woodturning renaissance of the 1970s, one man emerged as the inspiration for scores of new woodturners. His name was Bob Stocksdale. Extraordinarily talented, Stocksdale began turning bowls in the 1940s and was a master at finding the natural beauty in wood. This unique talent, combined with his gifted use of simple tools, became the trademark of his work. With pieces in the Smithsonian and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, he became an unassuming celebrity who set the standard for woodturning excellence.

In 1987, author Ron Roszkiewicz had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend a week in Stocksdale's home workshop to hear him describe his life and his work. With text transcribed directly from audiotapes and never-before-seen photographs, To Turn the perfect Wooden Bowl illustrates more than just how a turning legend shapes, sharpens, and finishes - it's a snapshot of an American original.

To Turn the perfect Wooden Bowl also features:
- Full-color gallery photos of more than 50 original pieces
- Step-by-step instructions from Stocksdale on how to turn a bowl and a platter, sharpen tools, sand, and finish
- Letters and newspaper excerpts from the 1950s
- An introduction from good friend, Sam Maloof