Lately I've been hunting for good prices on 3 x 3 mill blanks of different lengths to get on a stock pile since I'll be sticking with the smaller stuff for a while.  I did happen to run out of 4x4 material to play around with.  None of those how ever turned out.  Either way I've been doing some research and looking for reviews but haven't had much luck with the sources.  So far I've looked at...

 

Cook Woods

https://www.cookwoods.com/collections/turning-squares

 

They are extremely expensive when it comes to actual pepper mill blanks and have a very limited quantity.  Although they are about 4 hours drive south of me so they happen to be the closest place.  They are definitely great for bowl blanks and pen blanks I've never had any issues with their timely response customer service and quick turn around time from order to delivery.  How ever as I've said they are quite limited when it comes to choices for pepper mill blanks.

 

Exotic Woods USA

https://exoticwoodsusa.com/order_peppermill_blanks.htm

 

I've looked at this company as well, but I have NO experience with these people what so ever, reviews were seemingly some what sketchy as a part I've seen some comments on other forum sites and reddit when I was hunting down for site and company reviews.

 

Wood Craft Supply

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/pre-drilled-sycamore-peppermill-blank

 

I've ordered from Woodcraft how ever I'm not as happy with them.  Long waits on the orders to be shipped and delivered from personal experience reviews are okay.  Some items are alright if I wanted to wait a long time for it.  Customer service has been semi alright when looking for pre drilled and kits.

 

https://www.bellforestproducts.com/exotic-wood-blanks-3x3/

Bell Forest Figured and Exoctic woods, I haven't had ANY experience with these people at all or even having an account with them to place an order.  I've been looking for reviews on them as well.  How ever they seem pretty decent on prices for blanks but I'm just not exactly sure about these guys and on their reliability.

 

If any body has any ideas on this I'm planning on building up a stock pile of material to include my local home depot where I will purchase poplar board by the board foot for material as well.  Some places are just some what iffy especially when it comes to the price of pre cut material.  Not to mention most lumber material has gotten quite expensive in the last year or so.  Any suggestions would be quite helpful thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All good questions.  I've been wondering about what and where is the best way to get wood too.  I'm gearing up for re-entry into this work, in my previous attempts I had a pickup at my disposal.  Now with the old man car my choices are narrowed. 

 

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I have no knowledge of these sites other than a quick Internet search. Prices seem to vary significantly between sites and most provide a disclaimer about supply times due to Covid.

 

 

https://www.turningblanks.net/collections/3x3x12-wood-turning-blanks

 

https://www.gvwp.net/online-store/TURNING-BLANKS-3-X-3-c14044339

 

https://www.cherokeewood.com/store/3-x-3-hard-maple-turning-blanks/

 

https://store.hardwoodstore.com/collections/turning-blanks

 

https://shop.keimlumber.com/exoticwoodturningblanks?pagingPerPage=40&pagingSort=3

 

https://www.thelumbershack.com/pages/turning-wood-blanks

 

 

My personal experience has been, that glued up pieces of various species make the most interesting objects. IMO, if single species turnings are what is desired, one of the first places to search out would be a local mill works. They usually stock many species of dried woods. @AndrewB, an Internet search returned at least 4 such businesses in or near Olympia WA.

 

 

I myself rarely buy wood for craft type projects anymore.

I get plenty "Curb Shopping", and from my neighbor's Antique Mall.

Sure it's a bit more work, but can't beat the FREE price.

 

I've noticed that and @lew thanks for the other links I think I've come across the got wood site before but didn't see very many good reviews on that company.

2 hours ago, AndrewB said:

didn't see very many good reviews on that company.

I didn't check any reviews for those links.

 

I do know that building lumber has increased in price astronomically. Read someplace that a precut 2x4 is close to $4.

 

I'd really look at the local millworks. Their materials are most often much less expensive than the Borg or online stuff. The "local" mill (about 45 minutes each way) has customers that make 2 day trips because of the pricing and materials available. The mill is located off of a 1 lane road so far back in the boonies the crows wear backpacks to get there. The last time I was there, I talked to a guy from New York City. He made the trip to central Maryland and still saved money!

Yea its going to be pricing and shipping.  Just trying to locate in expensive places so I can start stock piling.

I have not purchased any mill blanks as I have cut mine from thick stock I have. I have dealt with Keim Lumber and they are great people to deal with and will even cut wood to get the best shipping price. Yes lumber length does affect the shipping price.

 

I would call them and as they will advise you on the best for your purpose . I ordered 2.5 x 12x 120 figured maple for our club. so what you might want to do is order a plank in 3 inch thick so you can just cut your own blanks and maybe even platter and bowl blanks and save some money. Remember wood does not have to be exotic to be fun to turn.

Wow, I just looked at some of the prices on a couple of those websites. I can't imagine what I've picked up "Curb Shopping" and what I get from my neighbor would have cost. I just got 4  1" X 12" X 39" Black Walnut table extensions from the neighbor. 

Curb shopping is an excellent way to pick up pieces.  Around here, cedar and pecan of the big ones and tree trimmers will cut it into short pieces for disposal.  I have a recip saw that I use to make into squares.  I use a chalk line to make my lines and then if I miss just a bit, I put it on my Shopsmith and use the table saw and sanding disk to shape into the desired shape and size.  

I ordered some blanks from Got Wood website, I want to see how well they do and how well their order from start to shipped takes.  I think what I may wind up doing in the long run once I buy a saw is buying regular lumber and cutting it up into blanks and gluing myself.  Eventually that will happen but for now the order links will be sufficient.

Has anyone tried vendors on Etsy?  Some of those look pretty good and more affordable than the stores.  Another site is the eBay.  You need to review customer reviews about the vendor.  Sometimes you get had.  Just curious as to Etsy stores or vendors.