Easy woods or acrylic blanks for a newbie

[Dalboy]

Another source of hard woods are the local carpenters shops they may part with some of the very small pieces idea pen sized to practice on. But always ask and don't just dive into their skips where loads can end up.

Even skips by the side of roads is fair game but again just ask

Don't post your address or that lot will mysteriously disappear overnight Paul.

Especially the pieces in the second photo which look like Laburnam. By the way I think I need more wood but don't tell the wife I said so after just finishing my little cut up

 

[Dalboy]

You blokes keep mentioning wood that I cant get here.

I,ve been sent some Iron Bark from your fair country from a forum member of a well known Aussie woodworking site which I know you and Peter are also members

 

[Bucks]

Yeh there’s a few bits of Laburnum & Rowan, the rest is mainly Silver Birch, Beech & Ash, I might have to try & salvage a few pieces for Pen Blanks before we burn it all

 

[Dalboy]

I would definitely save some of the larger pieces of the Laburnum and Rowan

 

[silver]

Loads of good advice here Graham, plenty to go at.

My take on it is out it in the lathe and spin it up, some you will win and do a perfect job and others you will fail at.

I won't recommend anything as some of the woods advised earlier to you I didn't do very well with.. but that's me..
[MENTION=1404]Bucks[/MENTION]

I wouldn't give them your address mate, they will be there abusing your hot tub as well as nicking your wood...

If they didn't I would..

 

[DaddyG]

Thanks for the offer Bucks, I need to buy everything first so am not quite ready to get going but will bear it in mind

Once I get practice in I will ask you to do me some coffee blanks !!

 

[Penpal]

You will remember the Iron Bark Derek, tough stuff but finishes ever so well.

Peter.

 

[Bucks]

Don't post your address or that lot will mysteriously disappear overnight Paul.

I wouldn't give them your address mate, they will be there abusing your hot tub as well as nicking your wood...

If they didn't I would..

If you did manage the almost impossible task of getting into the garden, don’t forget to smile for the cameras

 

[Bucks]

Thanks for the offer Bucks, I need to buy everything first so am not quite ready to get going but will bear it in mind

Once I get practice in I will ask you to do me some coffee blanks !!

No worries, you know where I am now

In the meantime, If you want me to cut you a few pieces of this firewood into blanks for you to practice on? let me know as I recon they would benefit from being indoors so they could be drying out more, while your getting the rest of your gear sorted.

 

[Dalboy]

Thanks for the offer Bucks, I need to buy everything first so am not quite ready to get going but will bear it in mind

Once I get practice in I will ask you to do me some coffee blanks !!

Don't wait to get your set up start collecting wood now even if it is green wood. You will be surprised at how quick you can go through it especialy when practicing.

Green wood needs drying so a covered area will be needed, but. does not need to be fully weather proof just enough to keep the sun and rain off and have a good air flow.

Keep your eyes open for interesting pieces fo pen blanks.

 

[Dalboy]

You will remember the Iron Bark Derek, tough stuff but finishes ever so well.

Peter.

Thanks Peter I have herd it is a little hard

 

[Phil Dart]

Possibly not the best choice for interest in a finished pen, but amongst the best woods to practice turning is sycamore. It is not simply coincidence that if you go for professional turning lessons, a lot of pros will start you off with a sycamore bowl or spindle.

 

[Bill Mooney]

Only gave you it 'cos I know you can handle the challenge Bill. Did you manage to bugger it up.

I did Bob the pic is below. I managed to bugger it up twice.

 

[Lons]

I did Bob the pic is below. I managed to bugger it up twice.
View attachment 34186

Looks ok to me Bill. That tiger bamboo is worth the effort though for the finished result.

 

[wm460]

Graham, if your wanting some firewood as Bob has suggested to practice on, I have plenty of 12-18month air dried hardwood firewood, I’m sure we could spare a few bits & cut it into blanks for you if want some? I’m not sure how dry & suitable it would be though as I’ve never tried any myself, been to busy with the day job, family life & the moulds to do much turning myself.

View attachment 34176

View attachment 34177

What is the wood in the second pic, with dark centre and light sap wood?

 

[Penpal]

Degree of difficulty, couple of examples.

Hand cut Stainless Steel 9.9 Degree.Made by Skiprat (Steven) on another forum swap present to me.

Then a Cartridge Pen.Painful.

A HEX CUT pen.Painful.

Easy Sth American Burl. Easy.

Cross Cut Hairy Oak difficult.

Merry Christmas Peter.

 

[Bucks]

What is the wood in the second pic, with dark centre and light sap wood?

That’s Laburnum from my father in laws garden.
I think I might have to rescue some of it before it goes into the wood burner

 

[Paul hd]

Degree of difficulty, couple of examples.

Hand cut Stainless Steel 9.9 Degree.Made by Skiprat (Steven) on another forum swap present to me.

Then a Cartridge Pen.Painful.

A HEX CUT pen.Painful.

Easy Sth American Burl. Easy.

Cross Cut Hairy Oak difficult.

Merry Christmas Peter.

Amazing looking pens Peter. The Spanner is great.

I have seen the latest pen by Steven on IAP. What a fantastic bit of work.

All the best,
Paul