Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
big blanks?
darrin hill
anyone know where i might find something larger in the way of ambrosia maple than is usually sold at woodturning stores or shows?
im tired fo the dinky 10x6 or thereabouts they always have at swat.. been trying to get someone (big monk) to bring in stuff thats decent sized.. but they cant get it from their suppliers...
i'm looking for stuff like 12x12x15 or bigger...up to 15x15x25
Re: big blanks?
Philip Duffy
Have you tried to reach out to local tree cutting companies, or arborists? How about city recycling centers nearby?? I have seen amazing "dumps" of great wood at these places.
Re: big blanks?
Don Stephan
I'll second Phillip's suggestion. For those making blanks, there probably is too limited a market for bigger blanks.
Re: big blanks?
mikeee12345
Bigger blanks take longer to dry and require larger diameter trees to harvest larger blanks from. I work with several companies that will cut requested size blanks when you give them a list of wood types and sizes needed. This usually takes a little time as they need to wait for the right sized tree with good wood grain to harvest the larger blanks. These blanks will usually be green wood which will require the proper time and effort to dry the blanks. If the trees are in your area you could contact someone that runs a portable sawmill and give them a list of what you are needing. Some of these operators will have access to bigger trees that are being removed from private properties compared to regular lumber mills that usually process uniformed sized trees that increase productivity. If you have a chainsaw you can locate logs and cut your own blanks which turns into a lot of work depending on the size of the logs.
Re: big blanks?
John K Jordan
Tree service - that's how I got big ambrosia maple last year to cut up. (Also osage, cherry, and more) A friend has a deal with one and a place for them to dump when they get useful wood. All of what she gave me came cut into 15" lengths or so but I was able to cut plenty of 4 to 8", and some 10 and 12" ambrosia that long to give away and auction for the club. I didn't save much of it (don't turn much big stuff myself) but I may still have one 10x10. Maybe she has more now. Where do you live? I square up blanks like that on my sawmill.
The thing about blanks 15x15x25 is the tree sections yielding them might be too big to load without equipment. The cost may go from free to quite expensive unless you can can meet them at the tree and load, haul and cut it yourself.
JKJ
Re: big blanks?
Darrin hill
Need to clarify...
I have six pallets of large blanks I’m going through... I’ve got plenty of big blanks....
But it’s all mesquite and elm and walnut..
I’m specifically looking for ambrosia maple, which does not grow anywhere near Texas, thus the search. I wont find any within 800 miles of me.