Where do you buy your turning blanks?

[David Warkentin]

So where does everyone buy blanks? I know many cut there own out of wood given to them, but can someone tell me where to buy some nice ones? David

[David E Keller]

I've had good luck in a number of places. I get quite a bit of stuff from Isaac Rapelje who is a member here and on the IAP site. I also get a large number of blanks from TurnerJohn74 on the IAP site. Chris Kalai also on IAP is a good source for Hawaiian blanks, and I think he sells on eBay as well.

If you have access to wood but you're looking for some variety, there are a lot of members here that are willing to trade blanks with you.

Finally, I'd try and make a connection with a local tree trimmer... My local contact has been a great source for blanks. Your city may also have a place where trimmers can dump stuff, and sometimes you can sweet talk somebody into letting you at the wood piles at the local dump.

[wes murphy]

Here are some good suppliers

http://www.exoticwoodsusa.com/

http://www.westpennhardwoods.com/index.php

http://www.turningblanks.net

[John Keeton]

I have purchased from Isaac, as well. But, by far, the vast majority of the wood I have purchased has come from Mike Smith (http://www.easternncwoodworkers.com/)in NC. Mike has only domestics, but he has some unbelievable burls, ambrosia, etc. Great guy to work with, and his prices are as good as I have found. All of my Claro walnut comes from Mike, and I have a huge stack of BLM burls from him, as well as some buckeye burl.

And, Mike was a big supporter of our Fall Turning Contest - donating a dozen turning blanks for a prize.

[Randy Carver]

Great question and thanks for asking it. This information helps us all.

John, I'm having acronym failure. BLM? Big Leaf Maple? :confused:

[John Keeton]

Great question and thanks for asking it. This information helps us all.

John, I'm having acronym failure. BLM? Big Leaf Maple? :confused:Yes Randy, sorry!:o

[David Warkentin]

Thanks everyone. Guess I'll check with Mike. He probably deserves some business since he donated:D David

[Cathy Schaewe]

I too have bought a number of blanks from Mike Smith - both the prices and the quality can't be beat, and he's a really decent guy to boot.

[Bernie Weishapl]

I buy most of my wood from Mike Smith at http://www.easternncwoodworkers.com/msmith/woodblocks.htm and I also buy quite a bit from http://www.turningblanks.net/servlet/StoreFront. I do buy some from a couple of guys off ebay that I have met at Symposiums.

[Thom Sturgill]

I've bought from turningblanks.net and recently from choice-woods.com out of Louisville, Ky. They had some kiln-dried as well as green, and I generally prefer dried as there are fewer 'surprises'.

[John Keeton]

Thom, Choice Woods is actually located in Louisville KY, and they do have some nice wood.

[Dan Hintz]

turningwoods.net doesn't come up for me :(

[John Keeton]

Dan, Thom may have meant turningblanks.net.

[Joel Albert]

Another great source for Claro Walnut is





Glenn Holsworth and The Team at Holsworth Woodworks

www.holsworthwoodworks.com (http://www.holsworthwoodworks.com/)

[Thom Sturgill]

Dan, Thom may have meant turningblanks.net.
Yup, that's what you get for typing while trying to rush out to get to work on time!

[David Eppler]

This is a wonderful guy in FL. He does most of his business mail order but being able to browse his storage area is quite a treat.

http://www.woodturningblanks4u.com/

[Larry Dubia]

turningwoods.net doesn't come up for me :(


It is http://www.turningwood.com/ (I believe)

Larry

[Sean Hughto]

Believe it or not, I've bought many on eBay. In a couple of cases, I've struck up a relationship with a wood supplier I met first through eBay and made deals for some great stuff. For example, my friend/dealer in Michigan sold me these:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4881251152_959a4b46d3_z.jpg

[Christopher K. Hartley]

David, Here I go again, odd man out. I don't buy blanks but go to a number of sources that provide fresh cut wood, or cut it myself. I have more wood than I can possibly use. Oops, I forgot, I did once buy milled wood scrap from an Amish Saw Mill in Ohio during a trip there. The Gentleman wanted to just give it to me but I gave him $30.00 and was very appreciative of such a low cost.:)