Hey all, kinda new... mostly a creeper but I'll start partying.  Anywho,  any of you guys or gals have a bead on where to get blanks that don't cost 40 bucks for a chunk of cherry or something?  I saw the firewood block post from another buckeye on here, I might have to take a drive too. Someone around here has to be a producer, where do you get your stock?  Thanks all! 

Welcome!

 

I made friends with a local tree service. When they come across a nice chunk of wood, they call me or drop it off in the front yard. I always return the favor with a gift, turned from what they leave me.

If it is OK with you, I will delete the other post so there won't be duplicates

That load of chunks may not be what you would want if you're an experienced turner. For me I need something to learn with and for that purpose they will be fine. There is probably some good stuff in that pile I bought, but there's a lot of less than good stuff as well. Anyway, not knowing where you are in the state one source might be Muterspaw Lumber. For flatwork guys like me it's a candy store, but the last time I was there they had some cutoff pieces that were identifiable (species) and were marked between $1 and $3. I picked up maybe 3-4 and brought home with my lumber. A couple were walnut, a cherry and a maple. The largest was probably 6"x10" by maybe 3" thick. If you have other nearby sawmills you might be able to find similar pieces. Lastly, if you're near me (Wapakoneta) you can stop by and I'll give you some pieces out of that load of chunks I got...free, or you could go buy a scoop of them from that guy on Facebook. When I picked up mine a Guy from Mansfield (probably a little over 100 miles one way) had drove there with a dump trailer and got it filled up (for firewood, presumably).

Welcome to The Patriot Woodworker @BuckeyeHomestead. Great to have you on board. Always room for another Buckeye and that's coming from a Hoosier.

 

In addition to the other recommendations and you may already have done so but you might take a look a look on FaceBook Market Place. Just do a search for "Hardwoods." The results usually always include "firewood" for sale or just come and get it. Same for Craigslist usually in the Materials or Farm+Garden headers.

 

Looking forward to hearing about your search results and what you're doing in your shop. Glad you're here.

 

If you take Fred up on his generous offer, you might take him a few donuts in exchange not only for the blanks, but the opportunity to see his amazing shop. Been there and ate a few donuts; well worth the drive. Great guy with an awesome wife.

 

Oh, since you (or was it me? Anyways) brought up donuts, new guy always brings donuts for the gang here. Your day is Friday. Just drop them off in the break room. I'll see that everybody gets one.

Have chainsaw will travel. Lots of wood on roadside. In the 19 years I have been turning I have maybe bought 10 blanks. The whole wood thing depends on where you are. Here in the South wood is plentiful and will all the storms lately even more if you can stand it. Check out a Turning club near you for contacts and leads to more wood than you will ever use.

Where in Ohio are you?

I have to agree with @Gerald, Ditch wood is the best wood because it’s free, for me, as I’m learning it much easier to toss out my mistakes when the blank didn’t cost anything. Check with your city as well, here in MI our city often cuts down trees, once the tree is down they haul off the wood to a lot and from there it’s a free for all. I try to drive past that lot once a week. 
for harvesting the wood check out Kent’s You Tube videos at Turn a wood bowl . He also has some great videos on drying the wood. 

Edited January 17, 20251 yr by Gordon

17 hours ago, lew said:

If it is OK with you, I will delete the other post so there won't be duplicates

Please and thanks, I didn't know one posted. 

10 hours ago, HandyDan said:

Where in Ohio are you?

Round about the Zanesville/ Newark/ Somerset in the middle. 

10 hours ago, Gerald said:

Have chainsaw will travel. Lots of wood on roadside. In the 19 years I have been turning I have maybe bought 10 blanks. The whole wood thing depends on where you are. Here in the South wood is plentiful and will all the storms lately even more if you can stand it. Check out a Turning club near you for contacts and leads to more wood than you will ever use.

I for sure get plenty roadside,  I guess next step is just setting up a good drying system.  Turning green is much more fun, but it's always a buzzkill when you check the chips bag to see one cracked like the grand canyon! 

Edited January 17, 20251 yr by BuckeyeHomestead

7 minutes ago, BuckeyeHomestead said:

Round about the Zanesville/ Newark/ Somerset in the middle. 

my brother lives in Newcomers Town.  I'll ask him next time I talk to him.

@Grandpadave52, I brought the big batch of doughnuts,  they're in the break room. You touch it, you eat it though... don't be fingering all the other ones! 

2 minutes ago, BuckeyeHomestead said:

@Grandpadave52, I brought the big batch of doughnuts,  they're in the break room. You touch it, you eat it though... don't be fingering all the other ones! 

Thanks and no worries. I only touch 'em to keep others from eating them.

52 minutes ago, BuckeyeHomestead said:

Please and thanks, I didn't know one posted. 

Done.

 

1 hour ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Thanks and no worries. I only touch 'em to keep others from eating them.

 

We know you do that, and it doesn't work!

13 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Thanks and no worries. I only touch 'em to keep others from eating them.

How much has your nose grown today?

I get all of my wood from down trees. I turn everything from green wood, all free. The only time I buy wood is when I need to turn something and can’t wait for it to dry, which is vert seldom. A friend called me about a coworker that had a maple tree cut down by the power company. They always cut everything thin so it is easy to handle. I went and picked up four pieces around 8” thick. I made a bunch of three inch cuts so I could get side grain bowls. I ended up with 45 seven inch bowls. I don’t normally turn that small but the work great for my beginner bowl classes at Woodcraft.

@BuckeyeHomestead  I talked to my brother and he said to give Eagle Hardwoods a try.

 

11 minutes ago, HandyDan said:

@BuckeyeHomestead  I talked to my brother and he said to give Eagle Hardwoods a try.

 

Thanks for the info!