pricing bowl blanks

Common sizes seem to be 5x5" to 8x8", 2 or 3" thick..

Depending on type of wood, larger size seems to be a premium, but that might be due to supply, or just demand?

Besides looking on the web for cam parable prices, I'd try to locate a local turning group and ask them..

mac

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In message , mac davis writes

Mac I think its a combination of the factors you mention

The way I have seen it in the UK is that smaller sizes say up to 8x8x3 are reasonably easy to obtain in most species with prices being reasonably constant to volume. But as the size increases say 16x16x3 which is 4x the volume does not equate to a 4 fold price increase, but often a lot more.

Another factor is that new turners don't often turn larger blanks partly due to cost, secondly confidence with that fast moving surface ( a lot more inches passing a second) . They also have a tendency to have lathes with lover capacity over the bed and a minimum speed of @400, and outboard turning can be a little intimidating for some. Hence a higher demand for the smaller sizes

As I tried to explain to a friend recently an 8x8x3 is quite an easy size to obtain, but depending on the species if you want 16x16x3 you may have to wait for the tree to get big enough, and that may take 100+ years so if you have time to wait... Simply put there are more smaller trees than bigger.

Good points, John... I knew somebody translate what I was trying to say into English.. ;~]

Thinking back now, I used to wonder how folks could make a bowl out of a 2 or 3" thick blank.. maybe a PLATE..lol

I'd cut my green blanks 4 or 5" thick and end up making popcorn bowls or large cups..

mac

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I have bought turning blanks from Ebay. You might check their site and see what other vendors are selling their wood/burls. I am always checking ebay as I like to get woods that are not available in my area (California). Good Luck.........Ralph

What I hate about blanks is that often the person that cuts them up does not take into consideration what a turner might make with it.

I look at a nice square blank and think, what am I going to make with the corners after I've cut them off with my bandsaw. Most end up in my fire place eventually.

I prefer to cut the burl up myself. I often find a nice piece that is absolutely wonderful except someone cut off the corner or cut a strange angle. If you think of paying $5 to $15 a pound for a blank the actual price is much higher for the wood your going to use. There are local turners that like to make square bowls but I don't.

For example, I really like doing natural edged turnings both bowls and vases. However, I hate waste. Most wood is by pound or foot so why pay extra for something your going to throw away. I easily pass up pieces where I know I'll not have a use for a big part of it. I'll pay extra for an entire burl cap or ball so I can make decisions myself and have less wasted wood.

Well I have been gone for a few weeks but this was something I came across in my travel to Iowa. Mesquite pen blanks were selling for $7.50 in Des Moines, while here in south TEXAS they are a buck or two if you go to the store or free if you look around at some of the BBQ woods. I pick up some olive wood real cheap in Iowa but it a premium down here so supply & demand seem to be alive & well

Marty