Pen Blanks

[Garno]

I decided to do a late spring clean of the shed yesterday due to having acquired a small amount of wood from the scrap bins at a woodyard I went to with a mate of mine.

Whilst putting the wood into places I would never forget I chanced upon some Oak that I had forgot I had so I ended up making about 40 - 50 blanks.
After cutting them a thought struck me, How big should pen blanks be?
I have the majority cut to appx 20 x 22 x 130mm

In typical Garno fashion I ask the question after I have done it all, I really should start to ask questions before I start

 

[Dalboy]

I know many may disagree but I now try to cut any pen blanks 25 X 25 X 150 this allows plenty of material for even the largest of pens.

 

[Garno]

I know many may disagree but I now try to cut any pen blanks 25 X 25 X 150 this allows plenty of material for even the largest of pens.

Main problem I had was the width of the oak was 45mm so I had very little to play with when cutting it down the middle with the bandsaw.

 

[Dalboy]

Main problem I had was the width of the oak was 45mm so I had very little to play with when cutting it down the middle with the bandsaw.

Getting the most out of a piece of wood may give you more blanks but careful cutting can get better grain but with the loss of some wood so it depends on what you want quantity or nice grain at the end of the day it is only you that can decide that. I have lost a complete bowl just so I could have a bowl with a great grain

 

[Garno]

Getting the most out of a piece of wood may give you more blanks but careful cutting can get better grain but with the loss of some wood so it depends on what you want quantity or nice grain at the end of the day it is only you that can decide that. I have lost a complete bowl just so I could have a bowl with a great grain

I never even considered that. I cut 56 in total but will be giving 12 to a mate of mine so that leaves me with 44 blanks to practise on
it gives me something to bare in mind for when I eventually start cutting up the wood I got from the wood yard.
I cant believe I never gave that a thought

 

[flexi]

As Dalby has said, sometimes I will cut a board diagonally just to add interest to what could be a dull set of blanks, yes wasteful but the results become worth it. I would also agree 25x25x150 but a minimum of 20x20x130 can also work

 

[Phil Dart]

You'll get most pens out a 130mm blank if you're careful about dividing it up between tubes, but for me it tend to aim for at least 140mm, and preferably a bit more, which leaves a bit of wriggle room for unforeseen eventualities. Most commercial blanks are 150mm, but there are many at 140m. Very few if any at 130mm though, for the reason I've said.

 

[Bill Mooney]

20x20x150 is a minimum. I cut a lot of blanks across the grain to bring more grain pattern out.

 

[Neil Lawton]

I once did a poll on blank sizes and the overwhelming result was 22 x 22 x 130. After producing blanks at that size people asked for them longer for the reason Phil said. I still think 150mm long is a complete waste though if using for a two part pen!

 

[Ratty]

I tend to cut a mix of sizes from 130x13mm for slimline to 140 x 20 for most others. Even longer/wider for kitless ones.
It depends if you have an idea of what you want to make from them.
As others have said it's not always about getting the most blanks, often getting the best blanks can be more rewarding.

Dave

 

[wm460]

I still think 150mm long is a complete waste though if using for a two part pen!

Yeah anyone would think they grew on trees.

 

[21William]

With a natural material like wood, the longer the blank the more choice you have which bit to use or areas to avoid. 150mm is not excessive in my opinion.

 

[Penpal]

With your incredible stash have fun,somehow I view blanks quitre differently having a sort of fetish for full on cross cut if I can.