Where to Start with Bonnie Klein
Bonnie Klein is a pioneering figure in the woodturning world who has been shaping the craft since the early 1980s. She designed the Klein mini lathe in 1986, a tool that remained in production for over 25 years and opened the hobby to countless turners working in small spaces. Klein earned Lifetime Honorary Member status from the American Association of Woodturners in 2003 for her contributions to the field. Her work has appeared in American Woodturner, Fine Woodworking, Woodturning (UK), and many other publications. She runs Conover Workshops alongside woodturning courses and is known for a teaching style that makes complex techniques feel approachable through clear, project-based instruction.
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Classic Woodturning Projects with Bonnie Klein
Bonnie Klein · 96 pages · 2005 · Easy
Themes: woodturning, mini lathe, skill building, craft projects
“Classic Woodturning Projects with Bonnie Klein” is the ideal starting point for anyone curious about woodturning. The book features 20 practical projects that build skills progressively, from introductory pieces to more advanced work including surface treatments and pen creation. Each project is supported by detailed color photographs and clear step-by-step instructions.
What sets this book apart is how Klein structures the learning experience. Rather than front-loading theory, she puts tools in your hands right away and teaches technique through doing. You will learn to avoid common mistakes that frustrate beginners, and each project adds a new skill to your repertoire. The book works equally well for those using a mini lathe or a full-size model, which reflects Klein’s decades of experience teaching turners with different setups and budgets.
If you already have some turning experience and want focused, smaller projects, consider her follow-up “Small Woodturning Projects with Bonnie Klein” instead. But for a true starting point that covers the widest range of skills, this is the book.
Alternatives
Bonnie Klein · 72 pages · 2013 · Easy
“Small Woodturning Projects with Bonnie Klein” is the natural companion to her earlier classic. Published in 2013, this book features 12 step-by-step projects that demonstrate techniques and decorative enhancements through full-color photographs and clear instructions.
The projects range from Klein’s famous Spin Top to the more challenging Acorn Box, covering techniques like chatterwork, burned lines, and various finishing methods. Each project is designed to build specific skills while producing something you will actually want to keep or give away. The book works on both mini and full-size lathes, staying true to Klein’s philosophy of making woodturning accessible regardless of your workshop setup.
This is an excellent second book after “Classic Woodturning Projects,” or a good standalone choice if you already know your way around a lathe and want focused, satisfying projects with clear instruction from one of the craft’s most respected teachers.