Who are your go to suppliers of pen blanks

[alpha1]

I just wondered were you guys sourced your pen blanks both Wood and Acrylics.
My favourites are acrylics I do wood but not very often.
If I am looking for Blanks I visit:
Pam Harris,s etsy store.
I am a big fan of Conway Stuart Blanks.
Beufort Ink they have a good selection of Ebonite that I really like working with.

Whats the most money you have paid for a single blank.

 

[flexi]

Hi Dave, good question!
I have paid North of £100 for one Sirocco blank
Normally I buy from Beaufort, Turners Workshop, TQ blanks, Scott Walker, Toni Street(polymer clay) From the tree, I have tried a few other home casters and been sadly let down by the quality and attitude so stick to who I know and trust
A watch part blank on abolone shell from one of the best casters....

 

[Garno]

It is very early days for me and I have always cut my own blanks from wood I already have.
Other bits have been donated to me by [MENTION=626]flexi[/MENTION] as an extra when I purchased something from him, ( I will always be extremely grateful for that thank you Mark) and I got some bowl blanks from [MENTION=120]Neil[/MENTION] (Neil Lawton) at the end of doing a course.
I have placed an order with Exoticwoods uk but am waiting delivery other than that I am still looking.

 

[Geoff Kent]

I cut my own blanks from my stock of timber.Have never turned an acrylic pen.I generally buy my timber in fairly large sizes and go to work with the bandsaw.Pen blanks end up costing pence or nothing if offcuts are used.

 

[Bill Mooney]

I’m the same as [MENTION=626]flexi[/MENTION], but I have had so many blanks donated I dont need any for a good while.

 

[alan morrison]

I, like others, generally cut my own, generally from recycled furniture. I don't turn acrylic.

In the past I bought ( pre Brexit ) from George Valentine in S Australia. The home of Australian native & introduced trees and shrubs PEN blanks – George's Bits of Timber
His web page is worth a visit for some mouth watering pieces of Aussie timber, though he doesnt post to UK now because of all the post Brexit rules and regulations.

Alan

 

[silver]

For me I tend to buy wood/pen planks when woods appear that I don’t have stock of.

That could be from forum members or any suppliers.

I have two “Exotic” wood suppliers within 20 mins drive so I tend not to drive out to them very often as I does tend to empty my wallet. that’s Woodwise and exotic wood. Both great suppliers.

I usually have wood off cuts for my box making that I use or give away from time to time. Few forum members have had the odd box over the years.

My dear old dad had a great selection of wood which I inherited, so along with this stock and my own I have north of 1000 wood blanks. then there is my stash of acrylics.

Back to the question, as per Flexi really. All the ones he mentioned plus any timber yard or wood stockist that has the right wood in.

As for the most I have paid. It’s going to be a tonistreet poly clay one. Only because a customer asked for one.

If you are buying blanks then if you have the ability to cut large lumps of wood down then go that way as it’s much cheaper in the long run.

 

[Penpal]

Here in Australia we have a wealth of top casters and huge varieties of timber Mark UK buys a lot of top acrylic from Australia. The most I ever paid is 60.00 AU for a cast blank and 30.00AU for timber blank.

 

[wm460]

I, like others, generally cut my own, generally from recycled furniture. I don't turn acrylic.

In the past I bought ( pre Brexit ) from George Valentine in S Australia. The home of Australian native & introduced trees and shrubs PEN blanks – George's Bits of Timber
His web page is worth a visit for some mouth watering pieces of Aussie timber, though he doesnt post to UK now because of all the post Brexit rules and regulations.

Alan

If you think his website is good you should see his Lolly shop.

If I can find them I will post some photos later.

 

[TonyMilner]

I buy 90% from Taylors of Mirfield, always get an excellent service from them, some blanks I get as part of a 'Woodturners selection box' from ebay (Sherwingroup). Never tried acrylic only ever turn wood. Over the next 6 months when I re locate all my darkroom stuff - 5 x 4 enlarger ( and you think your lathe is heavy - you should feel the weight of this!), 35mm to 6 x 7 enlarger, slot processor & all the gubbins that goes with the hobby (all in storage in the workshop) I'll have the room to get a small bandsaw & make my own blanks etc.

 

[Penpal]

These days of exhorbitant prices for freight from around the world and the uncertainty of delivery when perhaps within your own immediate country would be your best bet. Mark UK as I have said already has sourced from some of our best supplier. Honesty and trust are urgent considerations IMHO.

 

[Penpal]

Tony in the 70,s I had a 10 by 8 neg sized enlarger with two other enlargers on the baseboard so I can relate to your storage problem. Size does matter.

 

[wm460]

I have paid North of £100 for one Sirocco blank.

£100 is $184.37 AUD

Geez I need some of your customers.