Spare blank pieces to sell

[Bubblesismyn]

Good evening friends

I was wondering if anyone had single blanks to sell? I'm trying to get used to using hand tools and I'm going through my good wood/acrylic and I don't want to keep spending lots of money on good materials.

Thanks for your time

 

[its_virgil]

I have more wood blanks than I will ever use. If you are not particular about what you get then message me your address and I will send a small flat rate box of wood blanks. My treat.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

 

[GFHWoodWerks]

I'm curious, why are you practicing saw skills on pen blanks? Inquiring mind and all.

 

[Bubblesismyn]

I'm curious, why are you practicing saw skills on pen blanks? Inquiring mind and all.

Sorry, let me clarify....I have never used hand tools (carbide, chisels) before I only used what I now know is a metal tool for the past several years. I would like to learn how to turn with hand tools and I am wasting all of my good materials trying to learn.

 

[GFHWoodWerks]

Sorry, let me clarify....I have never used hand tools (carbide, chisels) before I only used what I now know is a metal tool for the past several years. I would like to learn how to turn with hand tools and I am wasting all of my good materials trying to learn.

Ah, that makes much more sense. While you are more than likely trying to turn pens, might i suggest looking into free firewood. You can learn turning skills on anything, doesn't have to be a pen blank. You could even split the logs down to smaller pieces so you are working on similar size pieces.

 

[Bubblesismyn]

Never thought of that, thanks for the advise.

 

[GFHWoodWerks]

Never thought of that, thanks for the advise.

Some would say construction lumber scraps are another source. I've heard mixed feeling with this as spf will turn much different than hardwoods. Can you learn on it sure, is it the best, I don't know.

 

[Mortalis]

Good evening friends

I was wondering if anyone had single blanks to sell? I'm trying to get used to using hand tools and I'm going through my good wood/acrylic and I don't want to keep spending lots of money on good materials.

Thanks for your time

If you have any wooded areas around you, walk through them and you should be able to collect up fallen limbs. You only need stuff about as big around as you can put your hand around. Anything somewhat straight works fine for practice.
As far as using construction lumber, it works and will actually help hone those skills because it tends to splinter and only very sharp tools and good technique will help keep that from happening.
Get on youtube and search for 'spindle turning practice' and watch a video and then go out to the lathe and try what you just watched. Keep trying until you get it right. One technique at a time.
Tomislav Tomasic is a really good instructor on YouTube. Below I linked one of his video on spindle turning.
Spindle Turning and Catches

 

[SpiritRider]

We have a stair building company near us that puts out cutoffs for firewood. I get lots of oak and walnut pieces. You could look into something like that. I can make a box for you to if you want.

 

[GaryMGg]

Another option is to find a local Millworks or cabinet shop and talk to them about offcuts and scraps.
The Millworks shop near me fills a large dumpster with high quality wood scraps on a regular basis.

 

[JohnU]

Hardwood floor installers always have nice scraps also. I've gotten some great acacia, oak, maple and Brazilian Cherry that way.

PM me your address and I'll send you some blanks as well.

 

[leehljp]

I remember your earlier post in that you were using a metal lathe. You are headed in the right direction now. Don't worry so much about making a pen at the moment. Get the feel of the tool and eye/hand coordination with the turning lathe. It will come. Good luck April!

 

[Bubblesismyn]

I remember your earlier post in that you were using a metal lathe. You are headed in the right direction now. Don't worry so much about making a pen at the moment. Get the feel of the tool and eye/hand coordination with the turning lathe. It will come. Good luck April!

Correct, I have a Sherline 4000 and I am trying to figure out how to hold the tools, place the tool rest where it needs to be. I have watched Mark Dreyer's videos over and over again to figure out what I am doing wrong when turning. I purchased a new tailstock with a MT1 so I can use the mandrel saver I purchased from Exotic blanks instead of using the traditional mandrel system as I noticed it will always tend to bend.

 

[WriteON]

Buy cheap maple/oak dowels from Home Depot. A 36" x 1" goes a long way. Also if the turning comes out to your liking you can use it real time. Best way to learn is keep doing and adjust any errors. You'll learn something every time. Post pictures for critique...the members here are solid. You'll get great feedback with no sarcasm or negative unwanted comments.