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Wood blank suppliers

Paul

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Oct 22, 2013
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Kent
Hello. Whilst I would like to get into green wood and source my own, for a newbie like me where would you recommend as a good online supplier of cheap blanks, for bowls, pens and boxes.

I am near timberline in Tonbridge, though that is really exotic stuff so I would like to practice on food safe woods for bowls etc? I saw Neil's comment about eBay having a chap sending more quality wood, so I thought I would ask for recommendations etc.

Thank you in advance. Paul.
 

Woody

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at home
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Look up your local landscaper, tree surgeons or firewood suppliers they are normally a good sheep source of logs I just googled tree surgeons in Tonbridge and there are quite a few
 

PhillH

Little Grandad
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Jun 18, 2013
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Solihull - A Tyke in Exile
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I've bought good blanks from Turners retreat, if you want stuff to "learn" on then they're pretty good value. Sycamore 6 x 6 x 2 is about 3 quid I think. Nice to turn and finish and practical.

I have had questionable stuff off ebay, I'd be tempted to say if like me you're reasonably new to bowls and boxes then stick to a recognised shop. Turners Retreat, Yandles, Snainton they all do mail order / online.

If you do buy from ebay then make sure the blanks are sealed properly.

Hope that helps a little, I'm sure the more experienced will be along with some better advice.
 

silver

General dogsbody
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Somewhere in Staffordshire,
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Eamonn.
Why don't you try east kent timber supplies? You should be able to get some decent timber off cuts or even buy some decent sized blocks, glue them up and practice away.. Simple..

And I would imagine they are not that far away from you either.

Talk to them, tell them what you want and I'm sure they should help.

I know they do basic household timber, but I believe they also do larger timber that would be good to practice on when glued up.
 

Paul

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Oct 22, 2013
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Location
Kent
Look up your local landscaper, tree surgeons or firewood suppliers they are normally a good sheep source of logs I just googled tree surgeons in Tonbridge and there are quite a few

Cheers woody, there's actually a very good firewood provider in the village. £4 a bag of firewood. I hadn't really thought about it, :duh:I'd imagine it's mostly apple wood since we are in the garden on England and all that jazz. Would you say that apple logs un split would be ok to practice bowls etc?
 

Paul

Fellow
Joined
Oct 22, 2013
Posts
1,053
Location
Kent
I've bought good blanks from Turners retreat, if you want stuff to "learn" on then they're pretty good value. Sycamore 6 x 6 x 2 is about 3 quid I think. Nice to turn and finish and practical.

I have had questionable stuff off ebay, I'd be tempted to say if like me you're reasonably new to bowls and boxes then stick to a recognised shop. Turners Retreat, Yandles, Snainton they all do mail order / online.

If you do buy from ebay then make sure the blanks are sealed properly.

Hope that helps a little, I'm sure the more experienced will be along with some better advice.

Cheers Phil that is a good price, somehow I agree to do a mate 4 bowls, having never done one before any only a few pens.... Trust eh!
 

Paul

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Oct 22, 2013
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Location
Kent

Woody

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at home
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Cheers woody, there's actually a very good firewood provider in the village. £4 a bag of firewood. I hadn't really thought about it, :duh:I'd imagine it's mostly apple wood since we are in the garden on England and all that jazz. Would you say that apple logs un split would be ok to practice bowls etc?

Apple is a lovely wood to turn and is best turned wet get in touch with him and ask him not to split them any native hard wood will be fine
 

Penpal

Grand Master
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May 26, 2013
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Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
I notice references to Apple wood here where I live there is a very long term apple orchard grower who warned me over twenty years ago to be very careful using orchard wood as the trees have been sprayed with sometimes long term residual sprays that find their way through the ground and on the tree over the years giving a concentrated effect cumulative if you like, he is also a turner and an intellectual man. For me there are literally thousands of choice timbers available however because they grow on trees are not cheap as chips.

Kind regards in the elusive quest. Peter.
 

Paul

Fellow
Joined
Oct 22, 2013
Posts
1,053
Location
Kent
Go pay David Stiles a visit if you have time, hes got some bags of offcuts for £15 that have got some good bits of uk and exotic woods.

Good idea, I also think I need to buy a basic bandsaw.....
 
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