QUESTION ?

Tough one-

steve antonucci in NW NJ

>I traded with a guy in Texas and another in Arizona for some Northeastern Hardwoods. One sent me rough outs, so i got a lot more in the box in qty than he did. We shipped the same weight.

The other sent me rounds, and I had more "artistic" interaction with them than the roughs.

Both ways have there merits...

Steve

Re: QUESTION ?

Sam Dean

>Well, with respect to the expensive exotics, I would go for the idea. At 1.5 inches (maybe a little more on larger blanks), it still leaves a lot of room for artistic expression. And, since most exotics are on the heavy side, it would help cut down on shipping a lot. A few basic styles of blanks would most likely serve the needs of most. Something that I would love would to be able to order pre cut, pre dried nested bowls in exotic woods. It might be a little difficult to keep everything together in production, but talk about instant gratafication when they arrive!

With regards to taking the fun out of rough turing our own blanks, I only like to do that with fresh, fairly green wood. For the average joe (me) to buy any exotic woods locally, they're always air or kiln dried and hard as all get out. In fact, I have a big slab of purple heart that I've had grand plans for.... for a long time. I keep putting it off because I don't want to deal with the hard, dry wood.

So, to answer your question, yes I do think there would be a market for it.

Thanks,

Sam

Re: QUESTION ?

Earl

>Part of the answer would have to be in the price. Would the cost of rounding and hollowing greatly increase the price? Or would the decrease in shipping weight balance it out? I would probably try them if they didn't cost too much.

If you want to make a half dozen and send to me for free for a trial I'll be glad to let you know if it hampers my artistic ability.

Re: QUESTION ?

Larry

>I for one would almost certainly NOT buy roughed out blanks. I would strongly encourage that any really different, odd, unusual, exceptional pieces be left alone for the turner to explore. Common stock could be roughed out because not much would be lost. When I work with a piece of wood, especially something unique, I plan very carefully to take the best advantage of the way the grain runs. Wherever possible I try to let the wood tell me what it wants. Uncovering the grain and final shape cut by cut is a very important aspect of turning to me. I guess what I'm saying is that the special pieces you come across should be saved for someone to creatively explore. They are too precious to be relegated to production processing.

Re: QUESTION ?

Mike Schwing from Md.

>Jim, I think you should try to figure out exactly who your target audience would be, which is I guess, what you are already trying to do.

A pre-roughed blank has design limitations that an "artistic" turner would probably not desire, and someone who was reselling his/her work as their own craft would likely not want his buyers to know he started with anything other than his own effort (plus Mother Nature's). Of course, that can be extended all of the way down to the chainsaw but buyers won't care about that. Low-mid end craft show buyers would probably scoop up bowls that have been pre-roughed if they like the end result - often they have no idea how they got from point A to B and don't care.

Individual turners turning for their own pleasure might buy your blanks, but part of the pleasure, for me anyway, is doing the work myself. I think many (most?) turners probably feel the same.

This is not the first time this question has been posed here, but it might be the first from someone in Peru! Check out www.roughoutbowls.com to see someone who is already doing this with domestic woods.

I have wood allergies, and I won't turn anything that I am not already familiar with. Since you "discover" new species - no way would a guy like me turn those suckers. I would, however, occasionally buy dry exotics - but not if they were already roughed.

There are a lot of turners here who have no access to their own lumber supplies - they would probably be interested in buying blanks from you, but that is already a strong ebay business, albeit an expensive way to buy.

Re: QUESTION ?

Steve Mushinski

>Jim, I like square blocks only of exotic woods. This way I can make the best use of all the wood. The only wood I have bought round already was figured maple, and I would have liked to had the corner for pens or other small turnings. Remember coring is an option with the full bowl blank. This might be your thinking to core them first then sell three or more blanks that way. Steve

Re: QUESTION ?

Ruth IN So. Cal

>Someone is already out there selling roughed out bowls. I thought I had the link saved but don't. Just do a search and it will come up.