What Are Wood Turning Blanks and How They’re Used
A woodturning blank is a piece of wood cut and sized specifically for mounting on a lathe: a rough cylinder or square section for spindle work, or a disc-shaped block for bowls. Blanks are sold by species and dimension (a "6x2 bowl blank" is 6 inches across and 2 inches thick), and you can also cut your own blanks from a log for the cost of a chainsaw afternoon.
Blank sizing shorthand: bowl blanks are sold as diameter x thickness ("8x3" = 8" across, 3" thick); spindle blanks as square section x length ("2x2x12"). Buy the blank at least 1/2" larger than the finished piece in every dimension.
What Are They Used For
They can be used to virtually make anything. In the process of construction, you can choose to make a blank in any shape. Yes, curved shapes like rounds and cylinders are also possible.
Professional blanks are made on a woodturning lathe. You can create anything from spoons and bowls to ornamental pieces on a lathe.
You start by attaching a chunk of wood to the lathe and fastening it securely. The lathe has a spindle that moves in a circular fashion. That is measured in rotations per minute or RPM and you can set the speed depending on what you’re trying to make.
While the piece of wood is stuck to the lathe and the spindle gets going, you can use tools like chisels to make the shape you want. It’s kind of like working on a potter’s wheel except with a piece of wood.
| Species | Cost | Turning behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Maple | $ | The benchmark — even grain, cuts clean, forgiving |
| Cherry | $$ | Cuts beautifully, darkens richly with age |
| Birch | $ | Clean and cheap, good practice hardwood |
| Walnut | $$$ | Turns superbly, premium look |
| Ash / Oak | $$ | Open grain, more tearout, needs sharp tools |
| Exotic/spalted | $$$$ | Beautiful, unpredictable — for settled technique |
Green vs kiln-dried: green (wet) blanks cut like butter and cost little but move and can crack as they dry; kiln-dried blanks hold their shape and finish immediately. Beginners should start dry, then learn twice-turning for green wood.
The Shapes and Sizes They Come In
Once again, depending on what you’re making, woodturning blanks come in dozens of shapes and sizes. For instance, if you’re making a small bowl (like in this step-by-step project) you are looking for a 4 x 4-inch blank.
A big one can consume up to 12 x 12 inches. And the thickness ranges from two to at least six inches.
Pro-Tip: If you are gunning for a slender end product, you might want to use a long blank.
Common Sources for Turning Blanks
The most common types of sources of wood for turning blanks are cherry, cedar, walnut, and maple. You can also look up exotic woods if you have a specific pattern or fragrance in mind. That rule is also applicable if you want a specific strength, turnability, or hardness.
You can pick any species of trees and any part of the tree for a good blank. But a few species are easier to work with and are stable too. That means it will not warp too much when you’re drying it. That’s good if you’re using a lathe.
Hardwood trees like oak and maple are obviously a preference. But you must learn about the species growing near you so that you can cut the shipping cost. This includes learning about the type of grain (fine, medium or coarse) and also the density of the tree which plays a key role in the drying process.
For example, boxwood is a good option but you might not find pieces that make for large blanks.
How They Are Made
Like in the movies, the process starts in a lumber yard with a giant log of wood. Get a big sawmill and get started on the sectioning. Then you work on it a little more with a bandsaw or a table saw. This is how you start producing blanks. If it is freshly cut wood, you can proceed to dry and turn it.
Wrapping Up
Another smart thing to do if you only have small projects is to figure out how to get free wood. Start by checking local tree chopping services. Their scrap can be your raw material.
Also, try connecting with local landscapers who might be able to put you in touch with a couple of sources. Building sites that are cutting trees down are also a good idea.
It’s unfortunate but you can cash in on it and not cut down more trees. Craigslist and eBay can also be surprisingly helpful with lumber deals. Contact woodturning clubs if any exist in your vicinity. Good luck!
From log to blank in four steps
- Cut the log into sections slightly longer than their diameter.
- Rip each section through the middle to remove the pith (the crack-starter at the center of every log).
- Band-saw or chainsaw the halves round (for bowls) or square (for spindles).
- Seal the end grain with wax or anchor seal and let the blank dry, or turn it green and let the finished piece move.
Frequently Asked Questions
Written by Vince
Vince is a woodturner and the founder of WoodturningOnline. He writes tool reviews, buying guides, and turning tutorials to help woodturners at every level make informed decisions about their craft and equipment.