**ENDED** Learning turning blocks needed

P

polyted

Member
Full Member
Messages
48
Reaction score
38
Location
Abingdon, Maryland
First name
Paul
I'm looking for a few cheap wood blocks for turning bowls. Since these would be for learning I would defer to an expert the more exotic cuts. Most of the wood I've seen for sale here is rather too beautiful to destroy for someone at my level :)
 
The one Eric has is a nice piece! If you're looking for practice pieces, go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get some 2x10s or 2x12s to play around with. You could make some shallow ones or glue a couple together to make a deeper blank.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5
Tony said:
The one Eric is a nice piece! If you're looking for practice pieces, go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get some 2x10s or 2x12s to play around with. You could make some shallow ones or glue a couple together to make a deeper blank.
Click to expand...
Thank Eric, their wood is way overpriced where I am anyways. I've seen very nice looking blanks from the team here that are priced less than what they have at HD and Ls. But I will go back and look carefully.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7
polyted said:
Thank Eric, their wood is way overpriced where I am anyways. I've seen very nice looking blanks from the team here that are priced less than what they have at HD and Ls. But I will go back and look carefully.
Click to expand...
Sorry I meant Tony... Thanks Eric, I will stand by, just let me know what turns up. I will probably take anything that will spin since this will be for a set of learning runs.
 
I have a bunch of beech and walnut I could send your way. I dont have pics of the walnut, but its 2" thick, and anywhere between 5" and 8" square. Very dry. The beech is various sizes, and fell in January and was cut and sealed right away.

If you have any interest, I can see what I could fit in a box and get you a pic and price in the morning..

20200328_203124.webp

20200328_203132.webp
 
@polyted you're going to get killed on shipping a cheap block. I'd try craiglist to see if you could find some lumber or local trees being cut down.
 
Last edited:
Steve Smith said:
@polyted you're going to get killed on shipping a cheap block. I'd try craiglist to see if you could find some lumber of local trees being cut down.
Click to expand...
Especially maples or poplar, either is very forgiving to turn wet. Don’t get caught up in needing it really dry, IMO, plus when turning wet (cut within last month or so) you can get really long curly chips off, easier cleanup and less dust. Yea, it’ll warp, but that’s cool too!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #11
TimR said:
Especially maples or poplar, either is very forgiving to turn wet. Don’t get caught up in needing it really dry, IMO, plus when turning wet (cut within last month or so) you can get really long curly chips off, easier cleanup and less dust. Yea, it’ll warp, but that’s cool too!
Click to expand...
Nice, I didn't know that, thanks!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #13
quags37 said:
I have a bunch of beech and walnut I could send your way. I dont have pics of the walnut, but its 2" thick, and anywhere between 5" and 8" square. Very dry. The beech is various sizes, and fell in January and was cut and sealed right away.

If you have any interest, I can see what I could fit in a box and get you a pic and price in the morning..

View attachment 188681

View attachment 188682
Click to expand...
Please, I'd appreciate that!
 
Remember, wood is free and it is everywhere! You just have to learn where to look and always be looking. A good source for Turner's is a tree service, the smaller companies will usually be glad to give some away. But don't ask them to cut it to size for you, you would then become a nuisance. Craigslist is also a good place to find free wood, look in the "free" section. People cut trees down and just want the wood gone. Green maple is so fun to turn! Also look into getting an electric trick chainsaw so you can process some of the wood at home and even indoors in your shop. I use gas saws outside, and an electric inside.
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #15
woodtickgreg said:
Remember, wood is free and it is everywhere! You just have to learn where to look and always be looking. A good source for Turner's is a tree service, the smaller companies will usually be glad to give some away. But don't ask them to cut it to size for you, you would then become a nuisance. Craigslist is also a good place to find free wood, look in the "free" section. People cut trees down and just want the wood gone. Green maple is so fun to turn! Also look into getting an electric trick chainsaw so you can process some of the wood at home and even indoors in your shop. I use gas saws outside, and an electric inside.
Click to expand...
Thanks Greg, good info. I've thought about them. They usually are out on business in the fall and spring around here. The Chainsaw is one tool I have yet to master! I'll look around.
 
@polyted
Paul, I have these for $15 if you want to turn some. Or I have a 10x12x2 piece of white cedar that I'll throw in with the walnut. I'm not feeling good today so I just walked out but not feeling like digging around or cutting anything up.

20200605_105550.webp
 
I can fit these 10 beech blanks into a LFRB. I threw a ruler in the pic for size reference. Or I have bigger pieces if you want 5 or 6 bigger ones. $15 plus shipping, whichever way you would like.

20200613_183806.webp
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #20
quags37 said:
I have a bunch of beech and walnut I could send your way. I dont have pics of the walnut, but its 2" thick, and anywhere between 5" and 8" square. Very dry. The beech is various sizes, and fell in January and was cut and sealed right away.

If you have any interest, I can see what I could fit in a box and get you a pic and price in the morning..

View attachment 188681

View attachment 188682
Click to expand...
Please, I'd appreciate that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top