Sourcing Exotic Turning Blanks

[Jim L]

So I apologize if this topic comes up so often your tired of seeing it......  but

Do you have a favorite source for buying exotic turning stock?  I've been using Woodcraft and Cormark.

Any other favorite places to go?

Thanks

[lew]

Cook Woods

 

http://www.cookwoods.com/

[Gerald]

Here are a few I have searched in the past.

http://www.keimlumber.com/exoticwoodturningblanks

 

http://www.woodturningblanks4u.com/turning-wood.html

 

http://www.bigmonklumber.com/products.html

 

http://www.australianburls.com/index.html

Saw that one at the AAW in June and they have some great burls, but it is pricey.

[Jim L]

Thanks very much for the links.  It's a constant struggle between my love for a beautiful piece of wood and my cheapness!

[Stick486]

make friends w/ you local arborist...

gold mine of woods and burls to be had...

[RustyFN]

http://www.ocoochhardwoods.com

Edited April 4, 2017 by RustyFN

[Grandpadave52]

On 3/30/2017 at 8:05 AM, Jim from Easy Wood Tools said:

It's a constant struggle between my love for a beautiful piece of wood and my cheapness!

Frugal, conservative, resourceful, thrifty, miserly, economically challenged...neigh, "cheapness"

 

Stick has a great suggestion...Also do you know anyone at U of K in the Agricultural, Botany or Forestry Departments?  They might be able to hook you up through their connections?

I assume you travel some too Jim? If so, stop in on some of the area sawmills on your journeys...might be surprised what they may have or access to in smaller quantities.

[Gerald]

Of note you will be hard pressed to find turning wood at a sawmill. They will usually only have 4/4 or 6/4 and if you are lucky 8/4. Unless you live in Brazil you will never find exotics in any place unless you order it or have a local importer. For domestic woods an arborist or local tree cutter will give you or sell very cheap.

[Jim L]

I really appreciate all of the good advice and tips here. 

You guys are all right! 

[Grandpadave52]

3 hours ago, Gerald said:

Of note you will be hard pressed to find turning wood at a sawmill. They will usually only have 4/4 or 6/4 and if you are lucky 8/4. Unless you live in Brazil you will never find exotics in any place unless you order it or have a local importer. For domestic woods an arborist or local tree cutter will give you or sell very cheap.

With all due respect Gerald, I disagree. I doubt he has purchased beyond 8/4 if even that through Woodcraft or Cormark, but just an assumption on my part. Since Jim doesn't mention exactly what he might turn or if he might plan to laminate various species for specialty unique turnings, it is also possible 4/4-8/4 could in fact be what he might prefer. Just an observation based on the information at hand.

 

One sawmill within 60 mile of my location offers a few "exotics," some up to 16/4. http://www.hollingsworthlumber.com/hardwood.html

Another, is within 45 minutes and occasionally has access to exotics but has an extensive variety of domestics not native just to Indiana http://cassenslumber.com/index-1.html

IDK if they ship but I've seen them frequently post locally on CL if you happen to get in the St. Louis area..http://www.upickhardwoodlumber.com/exotic-hardwoods.php

I assume you've already tried here since they're in your "back-yard?" https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hardwood-Specialties/104408196293351

 

 

 

[Gerald]

Dave he asked about Exotics. Those are not available at just any lumber yard or sawmill. I have bee turning over 10 years and the only thing I turn from 4/4 is lids, pens and some spindle and finial. My recommendations are based on my experience and nothing more.

 

On second thought what do you consider to be exotics. In my opinion Mahogany is a tropical hardwood and not an exotic. Find kingwood, bishopwood, rosewood, redhart, yellowhart at a sawmill/lumber yard.

 

Hey this is still just an exchange of ideas just based on what we know since Jim has only checked back once.

[Grandpadave52]

28 minutes ago, Gerald said:

Hey this is still just an exchange of ideas just based on what we know

Exactly

[Jim L]

I was not correct when I asked for "exotics"....  no matter what your definition of that is.  To me, a great piece of highly figured maple is pretty exotic because it is unusual and stands out.  So, I know many of you just winced.... 

 

I really was interested in looking at new and different sources for any kind of turning stock, and you all delivered.....  thanks.  Now if I only had more time to turn the pieces I do have into flying chips!  Thanks everyone.

[Stick486]

2 minutes ago, Jim from Easy Wood Tools said:

I really was interested in looking at new and different sources for any kind of turning stock,

 

like I said...

make friends w/ your local arborist...

[Kevin Beitz]

Check with your local township. Most in my area have a drop

off dump for yard trees and brush. You wont believe what you

will find at these dumps for wood.