Bottle Stopper Blanks

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maxwell_smart007

maxwell_smart007

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I've decided to make bottle stoppers as Christmas presents...and since I've never made one before, and I move slower than Molasses in my woodshop, I've decided to start now.

Where does everyone order their blanks from? I've looked at the NW woodworker site, and they look great, but their checkout is not working, and there is no phone number to call. Has anyone dealt with them before, or know where to contact them other than via email (which they have yet to respond to?)

Or is there a better cheap option? (money's, as always, tight) I don't mind ordering a few expensive blanks for some special ones, but I would like some cheap 2 dollar blanks for the most part (hence the NW woodturner preference)

Thanks,
Andrew
 
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Hi Andrew, I have many Hawaiian woods, let me know how many bottle stopper blanks you want, the cost is $1.50 each, I can also email you some pictures, let me know if you have any questions or if I can provide you some blanks, aloha.

Chris
Kalai[:D]
 
andrew, i'd recommend getting a mandrel from wood-n-whimsies, it makes turning those things really easy. if you've got a local woodcraft or similar store, you can go there if you're in a hurry. but chris has some great woods, so i'd definitely recommend getting at least a few from him.
 
I can't just use a pen mandrel eh? I'll check out their site soon!

And thanks for the offer to sell some blanks, Chris! I've sent you an email!

I'm guessing, then, that no-one's used NW woodturners. Since their website's not workign anyway, I'll just not worry about them!

Thanks,
Andrew
 
Threaded rod can be used as a mandrel if you're cheap (as am I).

Hold it with a drill type chuck. You do need to put your tailstock in position to do this, but not a lot of pressure is needed to hold it in place.

FWIW
 
Andrew, That bottle stopper mandrel is a great cheap investment, go for it. As far as blanks go, Chris's offer sounds real good. You might also wnat to check out CSUS and see about their 1.5 x 1.5 x 12 blanks. Nice variety and not a bad price when you chop them down to size.
Have fun!
 
Originally posted by ed4copies
<br />Threaded rod can be used as a mandrel if you're cheap (as am I).

Hold it with a drill type chuck. You do need to put your tailstock in position to do this, but not a lot of pressure is needed to hold it in place.

FWIW
Click to expand...

Ditto, what he said
 
I made my 'mandrel' from a 3/8"X16 tpi hex head bolt with the head cut off. Drill and tap the blank. As for source of blanks, it always makes me sad when someone asks this question. Best source is by learning the fine art of scrounging and acquiring your own wood. Second best is right here at IAP and at TPS. Fine folks with fine woods at great prices. You simply can't do better.
 
i would also recommend that you start with wood and then you can step up to poly resin. there are some create sources for that as well. i have been getting bottle stopper blanks from YoYoSpin.
you will enjoy making bottle stops because the sky is the limit with regards to designs.
 
I know what you're saying, Frank, but living up here in North-Western Ontario boreal coniferous forest, the only blanks I can get without sending away for them are pine, fir, or spruce...maybe an aspen or two...hardly beautiful woods for this sort of project!

But yes, the people on this forum seem to be the nicest I've met anywhere! Very helpful, to say the least!

Andrew
 
I'll second Frank's suggestion about shopping the Classifieds right here on IAP. I've bought from at least 4 or 5 different sellers here and have been totally satisfied with every experience. If you don't see anything offerred that you like, you might post a "Looking for stopper blanks" message in the classifieds.

Oh and by the way...thanks for reminding me to get busy on Christmas presents![:)]
 
Actually, I was given some Tagua nuts as a gift, and never knew what to do with them - maybe the lathe is the answer. As far as Resin, I'll probably jump into that soon enough if the wooden ones prove successful.

And Chris, I was given the go-ahead by my fiance to order some blanks, so please make me up a box of some great Hawaiian woods! Thanks in advance!

Andrew
 
Originally posted by maxwell_smart007
<br />I know what you're saying, Frank, but living up here in North-Western Ontario boreal coniferous forest, the only blanks I can get without sending away for them are pine, fir, or spruce...maybe an aspen or two...hardly beautiful woods for this sort of project!

But yes, the people on this forum seem to be the nicest I've met anywhere! Very helpful, to say the least!

Andrew
Click to expand...

Interesting. Yep, the guys on the forums are your best source in that case.
 
Chris (Kalai)

The box of blanks came today - not too bad, for shipping from Hawaii to Canada!

Thanks very much for doing this for me, and thanks profusely for the extra blanks you tossed in the box! :D

Once I work through these ones, I'll send you an email about getting some more - they look GREAT!

Andrew
 
Can any one tell me who has the current low pricing for Bottle stop kits? Seems like an average is between 3.75 - $6.00 depending on business. I have also done the wood dowel glue on cork too, but was wanting to make some with the chrome.

Thanks,
Ray K.

P.S. I have the PSI stopper chuck, so I guess kits that would match the chuck.
 
Hi Andrew, I am glad you got the blanks and you are welcome for the freebies, I do not like to send boxs that are not full. Let me know when you need more[:)]
Ray, I don't know who has the lowest price on the bottle stopper kits but I know Bill B. from Arizona S. has some nice kits, you can see the link to his website on the IAP home page, it is on the right hand side of the page. Aloha.

Chris
Kalai[:)]
 
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