Woodturning Blanks: Difference between revisions
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[[File:softwood spindle blanks.JPG|thumb| | [[File:softwood spindle blanks.JPG|thumb|200px|spindle blanks cut from various [[softwood]] scraps - good for practicing (e.g. [[Project:File Handles|file handles]]), but not suited for [[Project:Captive Ring Turning|complex shapes]]]] | ||
In any [[woodturning]] project, you will start out with a "blank". | In any [[woodturning]] project, you will start out with a "blank". Those can often be quite small and reclaimed from (free) [[Scrap Wood|scrap wood]]! Some even ''literally'' grow on trees, but often you'll need to make some preparations before actually starting to turn. | ||
[[File:center finder on log.JPG|thumb|using a [[3DP|3D printed]] "center finder" to estimate the center of a not exactly round apple log]] | [[File:center finder on log.JPG|thumb|200px|using a [[3DP|3D printed]] "center finder" to estimate the center of a not exactly round apple log]] | ||
In general, you should look for an even grain structure and avoid knots for easier turning. Single flawless pieces are optimal, but with some experience you can also try to fill cracks with a suitable [[resin]] or turn carefully arranged & glued "segmented" blanks. Whatever you end up doing, make sure to estimate the center of the blank as closely as you can to reduce unwanted forces and unneccessary waste of material! | [[File:hook tool 3.JPG|thumb|200px|a [[brace]] is very useful to pre-drill the center hole so the lathe's center does not split the wood]] | ||
In general, you should look for an '''even grain structure''' and '''avoid knots''' for easier turning. Single flawless pieces are optimal, but with some experience you can also try to fill cracks with a suitable [[resin]] or turn carefully arranged & glued "segmented" blanks. Whatever you end up doing, make sure to '''estimate the center''' of the blank as closely as you can to reduce unwanted forces and unneccessary waste of material! | |||
The more unneeded wood you can remove ''before'' turning, the better! Octagonal blanks are relatively easy to make in most cases, and the extra sawing steps are quickly worth it at larger diameters. | The more unneeded wood you can remove ''before'' turning, the better! Octagonal blanks are relatively easy to make in most cases, and the extra sawing steps are quickly worth it at larger diameters. | ||
Contrary to many other [[woodworking]] techniques, a bit of moisture (or even "green" wood) can be helpful when turning. Very dry, hard woods (e.g. beech table leg used for some [[Project:Tigerente|Tigerente]] wheels) can be hard to cut and produces small chips rather than nice, smooth shavings. | Contrary to many other [[woodworking]] techniques, a bit<sup> how much?</sup> of '''moisture''' (or even "green" wood) can be helpful when turning. Very dry, hard woods (e.g. beech table leg used for some [[Project:Tigerente|Tigerente]] wheels) can be hard to cut and produces small chips rather than nice, smooth shavings. | ||
== Wood Species == | == Wood Species == | ||
Very soft wood, like fir/spruce, is actually NOT easy to turn, you'll often get tear-out instead of nicely shaven surfaces (similar to planing these woods). So while it's good to start "soft" to understand catches & [[Woodturning Tools|tool]] angles, prepare yourself to acquire some higher-quality wood for your take-home projects. | Very soft wood, like fir/spruce, is actually NOT easy to turn, you'll often get tear-out instead of nicely shaven surfaces (similar to planing these woods). So while it's good to start "soft" to understand catches & [[Woodturning Tools|tool]] angles, prepare yourself to acquire some higher-quality wood for your take-home projects. | ||
[[Lukas]] made very positive experiences with [[Project:Drying Timber|self-dried]] apple logs, but (cheap) birch logs do not turn much better than [[softwoods]] because they are grown too fast. | [[Lukas]] made very positive experiences with [[Project:Drying Timber|self-dried]] '''apple''' logs, but (cheap) birch logs do not turn much better than [[softwoods]] because they are grown too fast. | ||
Micha has tried plane ''(Platane)'' and hated it, but is often seen in the Space happily turning '''maple'''. | |||
== Spindle Blanks == | == Spindle Blanks == | ||
[[File:composite woodturning blank.JPG|thumb|300 px|lots of material can be saved by gluing together different sections - e.g. to have a larger blank thickness only where needed]] | [[File:composite woodturning blank.JPG|thumb|300 px|lots of material can be saved by gluing together different sections - e.g. to have a larger blank thickness only where needed]] | ||
Spindle blanks, i.e. those you would turn lengthwise (and often between centers), ideally have a straight grain along the spindle. | Spindle blanks ''(Kanteln)'', i.e. those you would turn lengthwise (and often between centers), ideally have a straight grain along the spindle. | ||
The diameter of these is often quite small and you'll get away with a square blank. | The diameter of these is often quite small and you'll get away with a square blank. | ||
| Line 27: | Line 30: | ||
File:squaring up 2.JPG|step 2: lay your stock flat and cut it along its wider width | File:squaring up 2.JPG|step 2: lay your stock flat and cut it along its wider width | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
=== Glued Spindle Blanks === | |||
When your stock is too thin for the work you have planned, you can glue two pieces together - just make sure to have them in the right orientation so the bond won't crack due to the wood "working" later on! | |||
''Very'' schematic grain constellations that should work:<sup> [http://www.holzwerken.net/Wissen/Tipps-Tricks/Drechseln/Spurloses-Verleimen-von-Langholz]</sup> | |||
* '''()''' (might open in the center, but not visibly) | |||
* '''==''' | |||
* '''//''' | |||
* NOT )( | |||
* NOT =/ (or any other mix of different cuts) | |||
Have a look at the [http://www.holzwerken.net/Wissen/Tipps-Tricks/Drechseln/Spurloses-Verleimen-von-Langholz illustrations on HolzWerken.net] if this doesn't make sense! | |||
<br clear=all> | <br clear=all> | ||
== Bowl Blanks == | == Bowl Blanks == | ||
''We do not have a [[Wood Lathe|wood lathe]] capable of serious bowl turning yet! But perhaps we can already collect some information anyway...'' | ''We do not have a [[Wood Lathe|wood lathe]] capable of serious bowl turning yet! But perhaps we can already collect some information anyway...'' | ||
starting points: | |||
* [https://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-guide/lumber/from-trees-to-turning-blanks "From Trees to Turning Blanks"] (WOOD Magazine) | |||
== Sourcing == | |||
If you do not want to make your own blanks or, perhaps more likely, don't have the proper kind of wood at hand, you can buy blanks at numerous stores. Just do a quick online search for "Drechselholz", "Drechsel Kantel" or "Drechsel Rohling" and you should find what you need! As usual, please share your experience if you try out a shop :-) | |||
[[Category:Methods]] | [[Category:Methods]] | ||
[[Category:Woodturning]] | [[Category:Woodturning]] | ||
Revision as of 01:43, 19 March 2020
In any woodturning project, you will start out with a "blank". Those can often be quite small and reclaimed from (free) scrap wood! Some even literally grow on trees, but often you'll need to make some preparations before actually starting to turn.
In general, you should look for an even grain structure and avoid knots for easier turning. Single flawless pieces are optimal, but with some experience you can also try to fill cracks with a suitable resin or turn carefully arranged & glued "segmented" blanks. Whatever you end up doing, make sure to estimate the center of the blank as closely as you can to reduce unwanted forces and unneccessary waste of material!
The more unneeded wood you can remove before turning, the better! Octagonal blanks are relatively easy to make in most cases, and the extra sawing steps are quickly worth it at larger diameters.
Contrary to many other woodworking techniques, a bit how much? of moisture (or even "green" wood) can be helpful when turning. Very dry, hard woods (e.g. beech table leg used for some Tigerente wheels) can be hard to cut and produces small chips rather than nice, smooth shavings.
Wood Species
Very soft wood, like fir/spruce, is actually NOT easy to turn, you'll often get tear-out instead of nicely shaven surfaces (similar to planing these woods). So while it's good to start "soft" to understand catches & tool angles, prepare yourself to acquire some higher-quality wood for your take-home projects.
Lukas made very positive experiences with self-dried apple logs, but (cheap) birch logs do not turn much better than softwoods because they are grown too fast.
Micha has tried plane (Platane) and hated it, but is often seen in the Space happily turning maple.
Spindle Blanks
Spindle blanks (Kanteln), i.e. those you would turn lengthwise (and often between centers), ideally have a straight grain along the spindle.
The diameter of these is often quite small and you'll get away with a square blank.
Tree branches and small logs also make great spindle blanks if they're not too curvy!
Cutting Square Blanks
step 1: use the narrower width of your stock to set the table saw's parallel fence
step 2: lay your stock flat and cut it along its wider width
Glued Spindle Blanks
When your stock is too thin for the work you have planned, you can glue two pieces together - just make sure to have them in the right orientation so the bond won't crack due to the wood "working" later on!
Very schematic grain constellations that should work: [1]
- () (might open in the center, but not visibly)
- ==
- //
- NOT )(
- NOT =/ (or any other mix of different cuts)
Have a look at the illustrations on HolzWerken.net if this doesn't make sense!
Bowl Blanks
We do not have a wood lathe capable of serious bowl turning yet! But perhaps we can already collect some information anyway...
starting points:
- "From Trees to Turning Blanks" (WOOD Magazine)
Sourcing
If you do not want to make your own blanks or, perhaps more likely, don't have the proper kind of wood at hand, you can buy blanks at numerous stores. Just do a quick online search for "Drechselholz", "Drechsel Kantel" or "Drechsel Rohling" and you should find what you need! As usual, please share your experience if you try out a shop :-)
