sourcing timber

[iggy37]

As a newbie to this interesting hobby/pastime, could anybody offer me advice on where i can source wood for turning from ?
I cannot afford the quite scary prices of seasoned blanks i have seen for sale.and frankly am not good enough yet to justify turning these into shavings !

 

[chrisbaker42]

Check around your area for any woodworking companies most will have offcut bins.

 

[monkeybiter]

I cannot afford the quite scary prices of seasoned blanks i have seen for sale.and frankly am not good enough yet to justify turning these into shavings !

When I took the plunge after turning pine offcuts for a year I found decent hardwood blanks a revelation, easier [in most cases] to work with and a much better finish achievable. That's not to say I'm any good, I'm not, but I get much more enjoyment [less frustration] from better woods. You can get blanks for only a pint or two, it's worth a try.

 

[nev]

i agree with monkeybiter, i started with bits of spare timber from the builders merchant- okay for practising tool control etc, but if youre like me you'll probably want to make 'something', and as said available blanks provide a much more satisfying finished object.
I've noticed on a certain internet auction website that there are one or two regular sellers of blanks in the Devon area, and its usually the postage that pushes the price past (passed?) a pint, if they're local to you might be worth a buy and collect/ while you are there see if they've got any not quite good enough for selling

 

[marcros]

Also may be worth buying your local tree surgeon a pint or two. You will have to dry any bits that you get for a good while, but in a couple of years you should have a decent stock that you can keep topped up.

 

[chrisbaker42]

Also people selling firewood as much of it is ash, oak etc but obviously will need drying.

 

[Chrisnw]

I'm also new to turning. I've bought a few seasoned blanks but have mostly used green wood. Areas you might want to consider if you haven't already -

From friends.... Now that friends and family know that I am turning they are all great at providing little bits when friends of friends chop trees etc. Some chunks have been good and others ahve been fairly rotten and soft. However, I was recently able to purchase a bandsaw here on UKW, and after thinking I had run out of wood, I have been able to convert my scrap pile into lots of usable pieces.

From your travels... My greatest find was a large rotting log, as long as my car is wide and about 8 inches diameter, in a ditch at the road side on some public land. I still cannot identify the wood but once the moss was stripped off it was in great condition I still have it and just saw off lumps as and when I need it, and it hasn't cracked or split as it has dried. I've also driven past a few tree surgeons in action and they've all been happy to let me delve in to their trailers and grab a lump.

From freecycle... I don't know about your area, but there always seems to be lots of old furniture going on place like freecycle near me. I've read that boards can be cut down, and table legs re-turned etc. I haven't tried this though.

Hope this helps?!

 

[DougieH]

Keep your eye on the local paper and free ads. I`ve bought loads of proper wood blanks very cheap, also decent tools and bits and pieces, from turners giving up the hobby. Hope this helps.

Doug

 

[petercharlesfagg]

I supplement my woodstore by not walking past a skip without giving it a good look, anything interesting ask the builders/owners/hirer before I rummage!

Regards Peter.

 

[mike s]

be nosey.
if you see someone cutting down a tree go and ask them if you can have some.
spread the word to your friends and family you are after hard wood and eventually someone will be trying to get rid of something
just this week i was given 16 solid beech cupboard fronts from someone ripping out their kitchen
i pull them apart and re-sawed them and its now perfectly good, dry timber

 

[Bodrighy]

Freecycle for old furniture is a good source of decent old mahogany (not the modern utile or sapele) and oak. If you are lucky you may get some old chairs with elm seats as well. Skips, tree surgeons, garden and hedge trimmings can be a good source of fruit woods and things like rhododendron, acacia etc. Buying blanks is expensive as you are paying someone to cut them all down to shape so if you can find a good timber merchant look for planks. Old pine can be OK as it can be hardened with age unlike the new deal that you get. Pitch pine can have a good grain and be relatively easy to turn as well so old fence posts can be useful but watch for nails etc if you use them.

Pete

 

[Dieseldog]

i see your in Devon if you fancy a drive in to Cornwall Wood Stock in falmouth have some off cuts for sale
but i would phone them first 01326 370 020
They are cheap and will cut the wood to your size you need

 

[Bodrighy]

i see your in Devon if you fancy a drive in to Cornwall Wood Stock in falmouth have some off cuts for sale
but i would phone them first 01326 370 020
They are cheap and will cut the wood to your size you need

I missed them. Must check them out see what they have thanks for the tip, they are only down the road so worth having a look.

pete