Vancouver BC Woodturning Question

I just bought a snowblower, it came packed in a box with hardwood supports to frame the machine and support the box. From what I can tell it looks like ash and maple, very white and very hard. While I am just learning to turn wood I don't want to waste expensive more exotic wood. So I cut up the frame of the box and now I have so much 2x2 hardwood stock that I could turn bobbles and things for months. I think the same could be said for recycling pallets and such, just be very careful of any nails and staples. I actually made some very nice candlesticks out of one piece.

Dave

Your backyard, your neighbor's backyard, the new development that took down some trees, the city crew clearing rights-of-way or power lines, etc. Really. And most, if not all of it will be free. When you hear the sound of a chainsaw in the neighborhood, follow it like a dog to a meowfest. Let all your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, bank tellers, grocery checkers and mail carriers know you're on the lookout for wood of all types. You'll soon have a pile of the stuff for practicing and developing your skills - it'll happen so swiftly you'll become pretty discriminating pretty quickly.

When you're starting out - even when you're not - the best wood is free. You won't feel nearly as bad when you turn it all down to shavings at your feet or have a catch and blow a crack through the side of an almost finished turning. Another advantage is that you'll be working a limited number of tree species which will allow you to learn within the relatively common characteristics of those woods without encountering an array of temperamental species that could frustrate your learning process. (For example, if 70% of the stuff you end up turning is Big Leaf Maple, then you'll quickly learn it's cutting, drying, sanding and finishing characteristics and be able to develop your skills more quickly beyond the basics than if you go from one challenging characteristic to another by jumping tree species.)

One final bit - after you get some of the basics down, consider giving away some of your work to those who were particularly nice in helping you get the wood - it's not only a unique way of saying thank you, but will also give that person a little reward for their effort.

_____ American Association of Woodturners Cascade Woodturners Assoc., Portland, Oregon Northwest Woodturners, Tigard, Oregon _____

You don't have any trees growing in your area? Of course you don't want to cut down a living tree--but maybe someone is doing some trimming--if you live in a big city, try the parks dept., arboretum, or contact a tree trimmer. Maybe I take my good fortune for granted, living in a heavily wooded rural area--but geez, you must be able to find wood somewhere without having to buy it at a retail outlet! Unless you live in a desert or tundra? Green wood (not necessarily fresh-cut) and found wood can be the nicest stuff to turn, it doesn't have to be big pieces--2- or 3-inch limbs are great practice material

Ken Grunke Southwest Wisconsin

I have been turning the larger branches from fir trees and cedar trees just for fun. They are free, have dense grain patterns that because of being under tension are not symmetrical, are easy to turn, and I even mounted across the grain for making Christmas tree ornaments.

When I was first beginning I would get out what ever wood I found at hand regardless of size and suitability for turning. I learned a bit and one day maybe I will actually know something.

Brian

Worst case, glue some boards together or start segmented work! Regards Lewis

Just want to underscore what others said. I've been at it for a couple months and have already accumulated a pile of wood. What's more, as soon as the snow melts (soon with as warm as it has been!) I have a whole bunch more promised. It's amazing how many people have trees ready to be hauled out. One even cut it up for me...he just wanted to know how I wanted it cut and he was glad to not have to haul it away. So as others have said, just ask around.

Also, I just joined our local Woodcrafters Guild. In the spring they actually put the word out for people looking to have trees removed and anybody that wants to help goes together and cuts the tree down. A member in the group even has a small lumber mill about 30 miles from here and he mills a bunch of it into boards for those members that make stuff out of boards rather than chunks. Very minimal charge. You can't beat it.

Earl

snipped-for-privacy@charter.net (Earl) wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@posting.google.com:

Thank you all for your answers - It looks like the neighbours will find out that I am beginning to use my lathe :)

Cheers

I'm a newbie woodturner too. I have a large supply of straight tree branches which I saw up and practice on. Green wood cuts easily. It will eventually dry out and split after you finish and lay it aside for a while. I understand that you can put the turnings in plastic bags with shavings to let them dry out slowly but you are no doubt going to discard them anyway. Don't forget to wear your face shield with the head protector!

Peace ~ Sir Edgar

Take a drive out the Lougheed through Maple Ridge toward Mission and stop at a saw mill or two...

djb

Don't forget the beach....check the ferry jetty out in Tsawwassen...tons of stuff...yellow cedar / alder / hemlock / fir / red cedar

Steve

does the ferry company pile them up out of the way or something? or just check the beach in article snipped-for-privacy@corp.supernews.com, jsm at snipped-for-privacy@gulfislands.com wrote on 1/14/04 7:53 PM:

There's a long causeway leading out to the terminal and the logs just blow up onto the beach there, but as I recall, you are on the island. Just look on any beach (or more likely flat rock walk-on frontage) after a storm. I'm really only familiar with the East side of the island (we purchased a retirement cottage there near Ladysmith a few years early) and what I've seen is mostly harvested logs that got away from passing "rafts" on their way to the mills, but I know on the west coast of Washington and Oregon, many great species blow in. I don't know why the West coast of VI would be any different.

Art Learmonth

Reyd Dorakeen wrote: