Blank sizes?

[Neil Lawton]

If you buy commercially available wood blanks for pens, is there a size / length that you prefer?
Or do you buy larger sections and cut to suit?

 

[Neil]

Always buy flitches and cut to suit.

 

[Walter]

Buy? wood? Sorry, don't understand.

Seriously though, I never buy pen blanks, I always cut down larger sections on the bandsaw.

 

[Woody]

I always cut mine 19mm x 150mm which was the standard size 3/4" x 6" but I think most do them 5 1/4" to 5 1/2" long now

 

[Neil Lawton]

Buy? wood? Sorry, don't understand.

Neither do I normally, which is why I asked!

 

[Chilprufe]

I'm the same never buy blanks ... cut or make my own

 

[rayf6604]

If only it was easy to find large pieces of Thuya but I love it so much I have to buy blanks

 

[Lons]

I just cut up chopping boards. Wife complains 'cos the worktops blunt the kitchen knives now.
I'll never understand where women get their priorities from

 

[rayf6604]

I just cut up chopping boards. Wife complains 'cos the worktops blunt the kitchen knives now.
I'll never understand where women get their priorities from

That's an idea. IKEA do segmented beech chopping boards, I wonder what they'd be like cross cut?

 

[Penpal]

Beggars choice when you are buying the more you stipulate the more you will pay has been my experience. I avoid like the plague any blanks under 20 mm and 150 long invariably sight unseen there are problems in most blanks that are from unknown sources gives you room to cut around for two piece or one piece pens. Since this is a phantom posting from Neil apparently this is my answer as to what I seek.

One inch square blanks leave a lot of excess on the floor IMHO. If you cut your own then you will cut to suit your own preferences. In chasing grain in say Olive there is considerable waste from time to time.

Peter.

 

[chas_41_uk]

I buy blanks, and cut my own
Purchased blanks - I try to get ones at least 155mm X 17mm
Cutting my own - At least 155mm X 20mm (18mm if its for a slimline)
I have to be very careful cutting my own as I don't have a table saw only a band saw so it's slowly and carefully

 

[bellringer]

I buy blanks, and cut my own
Purchased blanks - I try to get ones at least 155mm X 17mm
Cutting my own - At least 155mm X 20mm (18mm if its for a slimline)
I have to be very careful cutting my own as I don't have a table saw only a band saw so it's slowly and carefully

Bandsaw the best way as you loss less


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[bellringer]

If there wet 25 mm
Dry 20mm or the board thickness


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[wm460]

3/4" x 6" for me.

 

[ajmw89]

I have a board of black walnut, about 5 1/2" wide, 18" long and an inch thick. The way I've drawn it up, I can get the same amount of blanks from cross cutting it as I can from ripping it. What do you guys recommend?

 

[Alanp]

i do buy some blanks bur recently have been getting bigger bits of wood and cut on my bandsaw to 20mmx20mm x150mm ,i have just been given some 200 year old oak 12inch
square 4ft long i will cut it with the chain saw into smaller bits

 

[Walter]

I have a board of black walnut, about 5 1/2" wide, 18" long and an inch thick. The way I've drawn it up, I can get the same amount of blanks from cross cutting it as I can from ripping it. What do you guys recommend?

I would cross cut it because I love cross cut walnut, but with a piece that size you could do some of each.

 

[bellringer]

I have a board of black walnut, about 5 1/2" wide, 18" long and an inch thick. The way I've drawn it up, I can get the same amount of blanks from cross cutting it as I can from ripping it. What do you guys recommend?

Some cross and some rip gives different grain pattern

 

[Penpal]

I have a board of black walnut, about 5 1/2" wide, 18" long and an inch thick. The way I've drawn it up, I can get the same amount of blanks from cross cutting it as I can from ripping it. What do you guys recommend?

Cut some each way then diagonal cut some.

Peter.

 

[Lons]

Ditto last 3 posts