From Log to Turning Blanks - How I do it

A few of my viewers have asked if I had a video on how I take logs to turning blanks. While I've shown parts of my process in a few videos, I never really considered doing a video on the entire process. Since I recently was contacted by a friend about a fallen Arizona Ash tree, I decided to take the opportunity to video the process. If you have questions that I didn't answer, feel free to contact me. Thanks for watching. Please Like, Subscribe and Share.
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#turningblankprep #logtobowl #turningblanks

[@ClairesCraftyCorner]

So sorry Billy ... missed it x watching now xx

[@ClairesCraftyCorner]

Ahhh thankyou for explaining the process xx really helpful to understand why you paint them x thanks Billy 🙌 xx fab video x sorry you're still hurting hope you're healing ok xxx

[@TheMessyStudio]

Thank you, Claire! No worries. I'm getting better. Just need to learn not to over do it. Billy

[@markstevens8142]

Thanks Billy, enjoyed watching and got some good tips👍👍👍👍

[@TheMessyStudio]

Glad you enjoyed it, Mark. Thank you. Billy

[@GordonRock1]

Great video, Billy. A lot of turners will find this very helpful. Well done, brother!!

[@TheMessyStudio]

Thank you, Gord! I appreciate it! Billy

[@SKKrafts]

Nice insight on how to prep blanks billy.

[@TheMessyStudio]

Thanks, Steve! Billy

[@charlesreicks648]

Nice tip with the paint Thanks

[@TheMessyStudio]

No problem, Charles. 👍 Thanks for watching! Billy

[@WOODTURNINGBYBRANDSTRUP]

Thanks for sharing.. stay safe and have a great day

[@TheMessyStudio]

My pleasure. Thank you. Billy

[@gaile2845]

Thanks, Billy

[@TheMessyStudio]

My pleasure, Gail! Billy

[@diydarkmatter]

looks like a big job billy . but it will pay off im sure . good stuff billy .

[@TheMessyStudio]

Thanks, Dark! Billy

[@mountainviewturning5319]

Great process

[@TheMessyStudio]

Thanks, Chris! Billy

[@richardarguelles194]

Thank you very much for your log tutorial amazing I wish I had a pile just like that doing what you’re doing please teach me more keep it from me thank you very much God bless you

[@TheMessyStudio]

You are very welcome, Richard. Thanks for watching. Billy

[@booyaa1851]

👍Billy

[@TheMessyStudio]

Thanks, Mark! Billy

[@jonsayre9404]

Thanks for the information. Always good to know different ways of drying wood.

[@TheMessyStudio]

Thank you, Jon. Billy

[@manicmaker52]

Good job sir...

[@TheMessyStudio]

Thank you! Billy

[@WoodenItBeNice]

Hi Billy, This is the perfect time for you to post this video for me. When this lockdown is over my brother has a load of Oak, from his forest, which has been cut down and stacked for me. I'm hoping that I will be able to get some decent logs out of it. I now know what to do when I can get there. Thanks Billy and take care. Cheers, Huw.

[@TheMessyStudio]

My pleasure, Huw! Glad it helped, mate. Billy

[@markfishburn8284]

Thank you for sharing, Billy

[@TheMessyStudio]

My pleasure, Mark! Thank you for watching! Billy

[@geoffchristie7432]

Great information Billy. Thank you.

[@TheMessyStudio]

You are very welcome, Geoff. Thanks for watching! Billy

[@KennettBTurned]

Sweet billy. thanks for sharing. I’m not sure my band saw has enough height to do what you do... but my chainsaw collection is extensive so I think we are good 🤣. I gots to get me some paint though... or more wood 🤣

[@TheMessyStudio]

Thanks, Mert! I imagine your chainsaws will more than do the trick, buddy! 😉 Billy

[@bobleeswoodshop7919]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on your turning blanks!

[@TheMessyStudio]

My pleasure, Bob! Billy

[@ThePapa1947]

Thanks for the video of my most non favorite thing to do. I have used my band saw with a 1/2 inch 4 tooth blade and still do not like doing it that way. So an Oregon Chain with the ripping tooth is the answer. Made to cut parallel with the grain. But still I get lazy and use my band saw. Laying down in a holding fixture works better though. Green wood is just hard to deal with. I scared myself this morning...I looked it the mirror and thought you had snuck into my house ....I tossed my razor when the pandemic started..along with the hair clippers...lol Lots of good points here in getting the log cut into pieces to avoid it cracking. Take care my friend, Gary

[@TheMessyStudio]

Thanks, for watching, Gary! I've looked for an Oregon ripping chain, but haven't had much luck. I'll look again. LOL... that would scare even me! Billy

[@haleythomas5287]

This is a good video to share. Some people are out there looking for guidance. Who knows you may be just what they need 😁

[@TheMessyStudio]

Thank you, Haley! Billy

[@Hencley]

Thanks Billy I have a bunch of legs needing cut now I know how.

[@TheMessyStudio]

My pleasure, Lynn! Glad I could help. Billy

[@johnpbh]

Thanks Billy, no really seen a upload like this one... one thing I haven't turned is green wood but if ever any comes my way then I will know exactly what to do with it. Thank you...

[@TheMessyStudio]

My pleasure, John! Billy

[@dianerhymes1875]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I've been looking for a video on prepping a log to turn later. I have some live oak on the ground now and will be having more large limbs coming off this winter. These are 40 to 50 year old trees that have never been pruned or shaped up.

[@TheMessyStudio]

You are more than welcome, Diane! I use this same process for my liveoak. Thank you for watching! Billy

[@TorbayTimberTwirler]

Good info Billy, Iv'e just taken delivery of a fresh cut Cherry tree so may steal your method.👍👍👍

[@TheMessyStudio]

Go for it, Kev! That's why I shared it. Thank you. Billy

[@ericbrown1907]

As always very informative and entertaining. Knew what you said but heard cut the piss out started laughing right away. Have to I am 47 years old but still some my silly adolescent side comes out from time to time.

[@TheMessyStudio]

Thank you, Eric! Billy

[@LeonaFayWoodturning]

Thanks for sharing Billy, good info. Being in Ireland I only seal the ends and a stripe down the middle otherwise the blank would take forever to dry as it’s so damp here. Can see how you’d need to seal the whole blank there with it being so hot it would probably just dry too fast otherwise.

[@TheMessyStudio]

Understandable, Leona. For smaller logs I just do the stripe and end method. But I really wanted to protect these bigger pieces. Billy

[@DiemenDesign]

Some good info Billy. I do things a little differently, I use my Bandsaw Mill to split logs, mainly as it's easier. Then I use old candle wax to seal the end grain, mainly as I get it for free from the wife's used candle's.

[@TheMessyStudio]

Thanks! If I had a bandsaw mill I'd use it too. Nothing wrong with wax. Billy

[@DiemenDesign]

When I Mill green timber logs into lengths I wax the ends before milling, found it's less tedious to do that than coating each length individually and the wax doesn't hurt the blade.

[@BradsWorkbench]

Thanks billy... that helps. I was using an 18" jet with 3/4 timberwolf blade and it dulled within a month... not sure if it was something i did... nature of the beast or what. Its hard to tell when ur a beginner

[@TheMessyStudio]

My pleasure, Brad. I use Timberwolf blades and the only times I've had issues is when I did something wrong. So it could have been any number of things. Billy

[@codyschreiner2211]

First of long time viewer, first time in the comments🤪 love the content keep up the good work!! Second kind of off the subject but I’ve been wondering for a while a out your scrapper? What kind is it?

[@TheMessyStudio]

Awesome! Thank you! Mine is like this one, Cody: amzn.to/2AFU4IG Billy

[@rickchapman3051]

I've used oil based not latex. Don't do it often so I'm not sure how one might be better than another

[@TheMessyStudio]

I'm not sure either, Rick. I've only used latex. Billy

[@shednut2666]

Thanks Billy for sharing how long do you let them sit after painting them Thanks again stay safe and God Bless

[@TheMessyStudio]

Blanks this size I will let sit 6 months to a year. I'll weigh one after the paint dries and write the weight and date on the blank. And I will weigh it again every month or so. Once the weight no longer drops, they should be ready to turn. Of course, they can always be rough turned and set aside to finish drying. Thank you! Billy

[@TriKnotWoodworks]

Nice job Billy. I tried using elmers glue, it didn’t work. Ill try this method now. Stay safe out there.

[@TheMessyStudio]

Thanks, Bob! And thanks for the input. I'll just stay with what's been working for me. Billy

[@daveporter2555]

Hey Billy, I was curios if you have ever used PVA primer to seal blanks up? (I have a few gallons left over from a job.) I have some walnut and cherry logs that I plan to make blanks out of and was planing on getting some anchor seal. Very informational. Thanks for sharing--Dave.

[@TheMessyStudio]

Dave, I have not. And I've heard mixed reviews on it. Thanks for watching. Billy

[@DSandwich]

Nice video. Thank you. Is there a limit on how large or small in diameter of log to make blanks? I have a decent size maple tree I just cut down and there is wood from 14-16" in diameter down to smaller branches. I just don't know what to save and what to burn.

[@TheMessyStudio]

Thank you, Jesse! It actually depends on the size of lathe the turner has. My big lathe will turn 20" over the bed but larger of the end. My smallest lathe will turn 10" blanks. Billy

[@davidmspinelli8951]

Pretty standard stuff as far as milling the blanks but I noticed in the rear window of your truck there is a sticker. Are you a Marine Billy? You also made a comment about hurting once you got it all milled up. Don't you remember that pain is merely weakness leaving the body? That might have been true when I was 18 and on Paris Island. Now I am 59 and just making dinner is painful sometimes! LOL SEMPER FIDELIS BROTHER! (I knew there was a reason that I like you!)

[@TheMessyStudio]

Thanks, David! I'm only an honorary Marine... as proclaimed by a few classmates when I went through the Data Systems Officer's course at Quantico in the 1990's. And I trained quite a few Marines. My son was a Marine, though. Semper Fi! Billy

[@davidmspinelli8951]

@@TheMessyStudio Close enough Teach! My prayers for you and yours. I got to go through Quantico twice. Be safe and stay healthy. Semper FI! OORAH!

[@artemise1tara3938]

Awesome video. I've turned a lot of green maple, so I have to ask, why didn't you use a chainsaw to cut the log?

[@TheMessyStudio]

As I explained in the video, I don't have a ripping blade for my chainsaw and it would have taken me at least 4 times as long. Billy

[@MakeThings]

Interesting. I’ve never heard of painting anything other than the ends. Where do you store your wood? Down in Louisiana your humidity is unbearably high (no hit on your state...I think it’s unbearably high here in Indiana 🤪)...I would think it would be difficult to get that water out.

[@TheMessyStudio]

I'm actually in Texas, Rob, but no buggy. LOL. Some of it I store in a store room on r side of the shop. Some in the shop attic and some I leave stacked outside the shop. Our humidity here in south central Texas isn't a bad ad Houston or Louisiana, but it can get high at times. Billy Billy

[@MakeThings]

Billy Burt whoa! How’d I ever think you were in Louisiana?! Yeah, Texas can be dry and humid...hell, it’s its own country! Thanks for the great reply. My apologies too. 🤯

[@TheMessyStudio]

@@MakeThings No worries, my friend.

[@cortlandhunt4721]

What tooth blade did you use on your bandsaw?

[@TheMessyStudio]

Cortland, I believe it is 3 tpi... but it could be 4. Billy

[@juanitakimbel7125]

How long before you can turn the wood. Thanks for the advice.

[@TheMessyStudio]

Juanita, for the size of these usually 6 months to a year. I'll weigh one every month or so and write on it. When it no longer loses weight it's ready. Billy

[@juanitakimbel7125]

@@TheMessyStudio Thanks Billy, I'll try to prep some of my logs.

[@homebrewer4750]

How long from painting until it's dry enough to turn does it take please ?

[@TheMessyStudio]

It depends on your climate (humidity, temperatures, etc.), but usually turntable in a year. Six months if you're in an arid climate.

[@chadhenwwodschainsawswoodw2108]

why not drill a whole through the pith???

[@TheMessyStudio]

Ash is hard! Ever try drilling a 2 to 3 inch hole in end grain... especially a foot of end grain? I don't have a drill bit that would do it. And I don't want to spend the money one would cost. I'd rather just cut it up and prep it. Billy

[@chadhenwwodschainsawswoodw2108]

@@TheMessyStudio ok all good thanks

[@chadhenwwodschainsawswoodw2108]

they wont be werthless just do resin projects with any cracked ones

[@TheMessyStudio]

I do when it is necessary. Thanks for watching!