Banksia Pod Source

[Bob Wolfe]

While watching Tim Yoder turn a banksia pod on a stem with a finial (on TV) a few days ago, and my wife walks in and started ohhing and ahhing over the finished piece and finally says, I want you to make me one of those. Of course I've never turned banksia pods and I'm not sure who I should buy some from. I'd like to find someone who sells good quality, and sized pods, for a reasonable price. If you would be so kind as to share your pod source with me I'd really appreciate it.

[Glen Blanchard]

Bob - I have never turned one of those but I think you can get them at both woodcraft.com and rockler.com.

[John M. Smith]

I have bought 3 of them from Woodcraft. Have not turned any yet. One of these days. Somedays I think I am more of a wood hoarder than a woodturner :D:D

[Ryan Baker]

It's hard to find pods that are fat enough to do what you want. They look good to start with, but you turn away a lot of that diameter before you get down to some solid pod. I tried turning one of those forms like on Tim Yoder's show. The pod ended up being too thin in the middle to do much useful with. It ended up being an ornament. So the point it to pick them out in person and look for ones that are fat in the middle. (Fun to turn. Lots of fluffy red fuzz ... and watch out for the seeds.)

[Greg Just]

I got 6 off of e-bay a few years ago and paid less than $20 plus shipping

[Timothy Mann]

If there is a Rockler near you check them out as well. Last week when I was in my local store they had the biggest Banksia pods I have seen in person and very reasonably priced I thought.

[Tim Rinehart]

Hey Bob, the sources mentioned are good, but my experience has been really good and more consistent with Jim at Australianburls. That being said, whenever I stop at a Woodcraft, I usually see what the pods look like and will pick up a nice one that has consistent shape, nice eyes and no big depressed areas. Any depressions mean that much more material will need removed to get down to solid stuff. To do the project Tim Yoder did...I watched it too, a medium sized pod will do nicely, a large fat for another buck or two will be even better and assure lots of solid material inside...and leave a little left over for an ornament or something.
Look forward to seeing how yours comes out. The pods are messy, nasty little things, but I kinda like them for some reason.

[Brian Brown]

You can get the things almost anywhere. I agree with what Ryan said, be sure you get a fat one. Also, make sure they are straight, with no dents or divots in the side. Buy from a retailer that will hand pick them to your specs. I would try CSUSA.

They are very dirty. Dust collection is nice. That fuzzy junk gets everywhere. Mine didn't have any seeds, but if they do, apparently they come out like bullets. Have fun and post your results.

[Dan Hintz]

I've never quite understood that AustralianBurls site... entirely too many SOLD listings are still on it. I understand the desire to show what you normally carry / had at one point, but it seems like the majority of his listings are already sold. I spend way too much time saying "Ooh, that one looks ni.... dang, it's gone!". Move the sold stuff to the bottom of the page, at the very least, stop wasting my time.

[Belton Garvin]

I second the pods from Jim at Austrailian Burls...and I agree his site is hard to navigate. Most of the times he has a link on the first page of a species section you can click and get all that is left available for that species. His facebook page is also a good source for what he has coming in. A lot of his stuff is sold before it even ships. His prices seem high at first, but he only carries the best. I haven't heard from anyone that was disappointed in the wood he sells. I know I have spent my share at his place. Unfortunately he only lives about 3 miles from me....way to close not to stop by and see what's new.

[Michael Mills]

I've bought from these folks a couple of times and have been pleased. I really don't know how the prices compare with other sellers. They price them by size. For a bud vase you may want a tall regular one or for a tea light a short fat one. I agree if you have a local supplier it is better to put your hands on them.
http://www.burlsource.com/burls-banksia-pod.html

[Chip Sutherland]

Here is a source: http://www.burlsource.com/burls-banksia-pod.html

[Bob Wolfe]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. No, sadly I don't have a Rockler or any wood
sources anywhere near me. I have already started looking at the sites you mentioned.
I'll post pics if I turn out anything descent.

[Rob Wachala Jr]

The australianburls site is quite atrocious, it's even popping a security warning up for me. I bet his bounce rate is through the roof, which is a shame as he has some very nice looking pieces on there. Magento Go, or any shopping cart CMS with a decent template would be a huge improvement and increase his sales. I've never seen the Tim Yoder show as I hardly watch any television. I guess I'll have to look online see if I can find the episode(s) with the banski pod.