Woodturning Wood Blanks for Beginners, Hobby Turners and Woodturning Students in Ireland

Woodturning Blanks FAQ

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Are these woodturning blanks suitable for beginners?

Yes. I supply these blanks with beginner and hobby woodturners in mind. One of the hardest parts of starting woodturning is finding suitable dry wood in small, manageable sizes. These blanks are intended to make that easier, especially for newer turners who do not have access to hardwood suppliers.

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Why do you sell woodturning blanks?

I am a woodturner and I also teach beginners, so I see first-hand how difficult it can be for people to find usable wood for practice and small projects. I began supplying blanks to help my own students and other woodturners who want practical wood they can get straight to work with.

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Why buy woodturning blanks from David Condon Woodcraft instead of a bigger store?

Big-name stores can be useful, but I supply these blanks as a working woodturner who also teaches beginners. The blanks are chosen, cut and described with real woodturning use in mind, not just sold as pieces of wood.

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I try to make it clear what each blank is suitable for, whether it is for practice, beginner spindle work, bowl turning or small finished projects.

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Are your wood blanks suitable for carving and whittling?

Many of my wood blanks can also be used for carving and whittling, depending on the species, size and project you have in mind. Although they are primarily selected and prepared for woodturning, there is no reason they cannot be used for other woodworking and craft projects.

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Softer woods are generally easier for hand carving and whittling, while harder hardwoods may be better suited to more detailed carving or projects using powered carving tools. Check the individual blank dimensions and wood species before ordering to make sure they suit your project.

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Are the blanks kiln dried?

Most of the hardwood blanks listed here are kiln dried, unless stated otherwise in the individual product description. Kiln-dried wood is more suitable for many beginner and hobby projects because it has already been dried before cutting into blanks.

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Why is the end grain sealed?

After cutting kiln-dried blanks, I seal the end grain with PVA glue to help reduce moisture movement back in or out through the exposed ends. This helps keep the blank more stable while it is stored, although as with all real wood, some natural movement can still happen over time, especially if blanks are stored in changing temperatures or humidity.

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How should I store woodturning blanks before using them?

Store your blanks somewhere dry and reasonably stable, away from direct heat, strong sunlight and damp conditions. Avoid placing them beside radiators or in areas where temperature and humidity change dramatically.

Even kiln-dried wood can move slightly as conditions change, so sensible storage will help keep blanks as stable as possible until you are ready to use them.

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Are the blanks ready to turn?

The blanks are rough sawn and practical, not planed or polished. They are ready to be cut, mounted and turned, but you should expect saw marks, natural colour variation and small differences from piece to piece.

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What size woodturning blank should I choose?

That depends on what you want to make. Smaller spindle blanks are suitable for projects such as handles, ornaments and practice work, while larger section blanks and bowl blanks are needed for wider projects.

I include the dimensions on individual product listings so you can check that a blank is large enough for your intended project before ordering.

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Are bowl blanks supplied square or round?

My bowl blanks are normally supplied square. This gives you more flexibility when deciding how to orient the grain and where to place the centre. If you have difficulty rounding square bowl blanks yourself, contact me before ordering and I may be able to rough round them for you. This depends on time available and may delay dispatch.

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Why are some blanks cheaper than others?

Different woods suit different purposes. Poplar practice blanks are cheaper because they are mainly intended for beginners who want affordable wood for learning, experimenting and making mistakes. Beech and ash are more suitable as proper hardwood blanks for practice pieces and finished projects.

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Can I order larger quantities of woodturning blanks?

Yes, but please keep total blank orders around 25kg where possible because of parcel weight limits and safe shipping. If an order is too heavy, I may need to split it into two boxes and request a second shipping payment.

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Can I collect woodturning blanks instead of having them shipped?

Yes. Collection is available by arrangement and can be a good option if you are buying several blanks or heavier bowl blanks. It can also save on shipping costs.

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Will woodturning blanks contain natural markings or small defects?

They can. Wood is a natural material, so occasional knots, colour variation, mineral staining, small surface checks or other natural features may be present, some of which I can't see on the surface.

I select blanks with turning in mind, but they should not be expected to look like manufactured timber. In many cases, these natural variations are part of what makes the finished piece interesting.

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Do the photos show the exact blanks I will receive?

Usually, no. The photos show examples of the type of blank available. The pieces you receive will be of the same general type, size and quality, but grain, colour, markings and natural variation will differ from blank to blank.