Adding Spice to Your Woodturning: 20 Salt, Pepper and Spice Shaker Projects for Woodturners

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.

About the Author :
Chris has been enjoying his craft for over 35 years. During the last dozen or so Chris has specialized in designing and turning salt and pepper mills and shakers. His career began in the computer industry. - He started out by serving a five year apprenticeship as an electromechanical engineer. Yes, computers did have moving parts in those days! One important aspect of that work was the necessity of working within tight tolerances. This gave Chris the necessary skills for turning matching pairs of shakers. After taking early retirement he now spends a good deal of his time in his workshop. Chris's schedule also includes taking his wood-turning experience to 'outside' groups by giving talks to interested social organizations. Many of Chris's shakers have appeared in the UK's Woodturning magazine. He feels that through this book he can share his knowledge and experience with many woodturners, budding and experienced alike. He is also an active member of the Hampshire Woodturners Association, the Test Valley Woodturners and an international member of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW).

Review :

"A very well put together book on how to turn salt, pepper, and spice shakers, as well as a few bonus projects. The book was very well thought out. Chris touches on all the aspects of producing these shakers. He takes the turner through wood selection, shape and functionality. The book has great illustrations and detailed measurements when needed. He leaves no one out with help for beginners through advanced turners. I would recommend adding this book to your turning library."

"An excellent book".

"Another excellent book from Chris West! It provides fantastic pictures and explains the details on the art of making heirloom pieces."

"Easy to read and understand with numerous drawings and color photos, including measurements in both Metric and US Standard. Did you know that in the UK pepper is found in a shaker with multiple holes on top while in the US the pepper shaker has a single hole? Chris covers 21 bullet points on safety, and then a few pages, with the tools used, terminologies, a section dedicated to the selection of wood and lastly, the types of materials and finishes used to complete the shakers. The heart of the book encompasses complete plan guides to the turning of 20 different types of shakers, with skill levels of beginner, intermediate and expert. I recommend that you purchase a copy. These shakers would make great gifts and this book would be a nice addition to your woodturning library."

"I reviewed Chris West's Book "Adding Spice to Your Woodturnings" and decided to try out a few of the projects. I initially borrowed a copy from my local woodturning club, but after looking over the different projects I decided I wanted my own copy so I could try out more than just one or two. I would highly recommend this book to any woodturner interested in going beyond the basic salt and pepper shaker designs."

"In addition to presenting 20 projects for the kitchen and table, there are good sections on health and safety, tools, wood, and other basics. The book format has an ideal protective hard cover which is spiral bound so that it's easy to use in the workshop without fighting the binding. Projects are labeled indicating level of difficulty so someone new to turning may choose where to start. The photos and diagrams are excellent. Most all of the book shows how you can incorporate other special interests into your project, making your turnings more special to recipients of a gift, or to potential customers making a purchase."

"Step-by-step instructions guide you through the process of making each shaker design. Each project has color photos of the finished design along with clear illustrations that detail the turning blank outlines as well as finished part dimensions."

"These shakers would make attractive, useful gifts, could be made relatively quickly without a bunch of fancy tools, and might be made from wood you have lying around your shop. Mr. West presents an impressive range of interesting shapes and construction techniques. He even has designs for spice shakers that have airtight seals to keep the spices in them from going stale. The shakers in this book don't require expensive, fancy mechanisms, and likely will work just fine even if your measurements are not precise."

"This book presents a variety of projects for salt, pepper, and spice shakers that often require only a simple and easily sourced bung or stopper. West clearly presents detailed instructions for a variety of interesting shaker projects. These are clearly marked as beginner, intermediate, and advanced skill levels. I really appreciated the drawings and instructions for drilling the holes in the tops of the shakers. All the projects are aesthetically pleasing, and the beginner projects especially produce a functional product that will help a new turner develop their skills. The bungs needed to complete most of the shakers are inexpensive, and a helpful list of suppliers is listed in the back of the book. I enjoyed reading the book, and I would recommend it to turners of any skill level looking for a small, yet challenging project."