Bowl Blanks From Rockler

[AndrewB]

Okay..... Seeing that Rockler was a Northwest company I figured Id have a look into their bowl blanks.  I've ordered one to test out how well and how fast they ship and process orders.  If they come through and are quick about it and in expensive for an order of 5 or 6 I'll order a bunch through them.  The pre cut blanks put less work on myself in order to make sure its square.  I ordered the 5x5x2 inch block of Walnut Claro.  So that should make a nice little bowl.  All I just have to do is make sure I center the faceplate correctly and then cut the tennon for the chuck the right way.   This is the blank I ordered the other day https://www.rockler.com/walnut-claro-turning-blanks

 

I've also got a hollowing chisel from Savannah tools on the way should be here either late today or tomorrow.  So I look forward to receiving this bowl blank.  We shall see how it works.  Fortunately Rockler uses Amazon Pay so it makes things a lot easier to work with when ordering.

[lew]

That should make a beautiful project!

 

I've never bought any from Rockler. I did pick up some stuff from the "local" Woodcraft store- 50 miles away- when I get a chance to visit. Mostly, I just look for tree guys and or get FOG wood. Some of my friends will let me know if they see any nice wood- so I'm never without something to turn.

[AndrewB]

I dunno just having pre cut just means a lot less work for a project.  More turning time for me to turn LOL.  Maybe I'm just lazy with certain things.  I just hope the blank will fit on the lathe okay LOL.

Edited June 29, 2020 by AndrewB

[lew]

1 hour ago, AndrewB said:

I just hope the blank will fit on the lathe okay LOL.

Shouldn't be a problem. Looks like your lathe has a max swing of 12" so a 5" blank should fit fine.

 

I'm not sure about pricing/cost but it might be less turning work for you if you can find circular blanks- less waste, too.

 

[AndrewB]

That's pretty much what I was aiming for.  I'll just have to wait for the blank to arrive to see exactly what I'm dealing with with these guys.  I do like the dark color of the walnut though its more eye appealing.  I'll have to go to home depot at some point and get some new stains and sealers for the wood.  I've also been trying to hunt down the abrasive pastes that folks use that would polish the projects up quite nicely.  So I'll be doing some more searching.

[lew]

A lot of turners use the "Hamshire" products. They are available from https://www.thewalnutlog.com/.

 

"EEE" is another commonly used product and is available at several woodworking outlets.

 

If you really have some time on your hands-

 

[AndrewB]

I'll have to check that out thanks.

[lew]

This just popped up in my inbox-

https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/t/40/Pen-and-Project-Finishes?b=mylands&utm_source=csusa&utm_medium=email&utm_content=mylands&utm_campaign=20-06-mylands

[AndrewB]

That link will definitely be useful.

[lew]

Here's another location for the paste buffing compound-

 

https://shop.spiracraft.com/product-category/wax-finishes-abrasive-pastes/

 

They are running a special sale if you register on their site

[AndrewB]

Yea I actually just went out myself picked up some of the Oak and Poplar combo for the color combo that I like.  Also wound up with some harbor freight clamps fortunately which are cheap.  I'm going to try and also lay out a poplar oak combo bowl blank as well at some point this week.  I do also plan on ordering more pre made blanks as well.   On the finishes and Paste buffing compounds I will probably be ordering those at some point this week.  Should be interesting.

[Ron Altier]

When I first started turning I got some blanks from out local Rocklers and Woodcraft. I never had a problem with them until I had a piece of turned wood split. I asked Rockler why this happened. I presumed that all the pieces were dried before they were waxed over. I was told that I should remove the wax from the end grain on both ends and allow it to dry out for a week or more,  before turning. I have turned many from waxed blocks and have not done this. None have split but this one. Did he tell me factual info?

[lew]

1 hour ago, Ron Altier said:

When I first started turning I got some blanks from out local Rocklers and Woodcraft. I never had a problem with them until I had a piece of turned wood split. I asked Rockler why this happened. I presumed that all the pieces were dried before they were waxed over. I was told that I should remove the wax from the end grain on both ends and allow it to dry out for a week or more,  before turning. I have turned many from waxed blocks and have not done this. None have split but this one. Did he tell me factual info?

My guess is that there may have been a defect/weakness in the blank. I do know that many of the blanks are not thoroughly dried before they are waxed so there may be some truth in what he said.

[AndrewB]

Yep exactly why I pick up chunks of stuff from home depot to work on.  I'll have to wait a bit after the first one gets here before I can actually turn it.  But I've got some bowl bits cut up this afternoon just need to figure out how to glue them up and go for it.