How to Cut Your Own Woodturning Blanks. The Old Way are the New Way.

This video is about how to cut your own woodturning blanks - The Old Way versus the New Way. We will look at cutting turning blanks with a chainsaw. Then I will show you how to cut your own turning blanks faster, better, and easier using The New Way of Cutting Turning Blanks.

[@ShortFuze1961]

Don't worry about those that think you're taking too long explaining. You do a great job teaching us, George! Thanks.

[@katiehoetger6918]

I live in Michigan, I’m new to turning bowls. The information from your video is priceless! Thank you! I learned something every minute of the video. Truly wonderful.

[@magdalenamartinez2273]

Thank you George for incredible instructional! Here on KZbin some of the most successful channels create 2-3 hour videos on certain subject matters. I grew up here in Texas, learning and assisting Craftsmen (Metal, Wood, Fabrics, Textiles) and Crafts Women who ranched, farmed, and designed and built thier own everything. I am returning to the land, and have wanted to work again with wood. Your videos are so interesting - I am sure you would have an audience for even longer videos. Would you please consider showing how you create the end products? Thank you again. 🤠

[@amandameglio2903]

Excellent video and you are a really good teacher! I live in NY State and getting wood can be very difficult and having the tools you have is expensive, but this give me a lot to think about. Thanks.

[@williamhanna5224]

Longer videos and more details are better and thank you for all the time you invest in making these highly educational videos and all the work you put into them.

[@CrimeVid]

I like to use a compass rather than a template then I get less waste, and a centre. Also, you could only get a log to my workshop with a helicopter !! I can cut a days work on the lathe in an hour, the old way, I don't want or need too much green timber in front of me. I tend to use whichever screw chuck is nearest ! I like long videos thanks ! Sycamore ( Acer Pseudoplatanus) is what was used in UK and Ireland for timber for the dairy industry for many years, it is very good kitchen bowl wood. Horse chestnut is also good. I could turn a Huge bowl, but who's got a house big enough to take one !

[@nicolaaloisio2474]

New Way? Been cutting bowl blanks this way for 25 years. lol. Just remember if you was watching this, there is an up and down side to every method. If you dont have access to a band saw mill and a $40k tractor, you just need a chain saw and a 14" -18" band saw in the shop and you are set.

[@robertshirk3479]

George, I have a circle sled for my bandsaw that is similar to yours. I’m wondering how you made your center pin adjustable? I made mine with several set diameters. It looks like yours slides in a track and can be locked at any point. A short video on the details of your circle sled would probably be interesting to a lot of people. Thanks for your videos. They are very informative.

[@carsonwells1785]

I've never turned a bowl in my life but I am hoping to change that within the next couple months. But I found your video fascinating and truly educational. I'm starting a little late in life to ever end up with the saw mill or treactor to handle logs, but I do have several acres of wooded land. Unfortunately my land lies on the bank of a large river, giving it a substrate of sand. That sand supports white pine and red oak. That's pretty much it. So I see a lot of red oak bowls in my future. Thank you for spending the time to share your knowledge. It is truly appreciated.

[@HRConsultant_Jeff]

If I had a saw mill, this would be really useful.

[@tonychan647]

I'm not a bowl turner, but utube got my curiosity and it was 90 minutes well spent. Really appreciated all the effort to produce this. It was fun to learn from you. : )👍

[@cletuselbert8685]

😅😊😊😊😊

[@yan_1312]

Very informative video! Try watching drinkin one shot everytime George say ''bowl blanks''!

[@The78bluedevils]

A true education for any woodworker needing data to expand their business. Or knowing what they can do for themselves, more choices for when that special log appears. quality wood and other benefits from it. A gold mine of info. Thanks 😊

[@georgewoodoftexas3509]

Thanks for the great comment.

[@YO3A007]

That texas heat and humidity is formidable.

[@christopherharrison6724]

It’s a great process George love to see this start to finish.I’m new to turning but used to work in the forestry here in Britain.

[@16bitWoodCrafting]

I still come back to this video , great work.

[@denisclay1536]

It looks to me like someone could benefit from one of those chain saw attachments that are made for a circular saw (worm drive would have quite a bit more torque).

[@stephenbarakin7177]

Thanks for all the practical suggestions. Lean from the people who do start to finish. Unless I missed it any info on the blade type, we gave many hardwood species? Regards Steve

[@crackerjack3359]

I found this video to be very interesting and informative both as a wood turner, and as an industrial/production engineer in my pre-retirement life. This is quite the process though I would be surprised that any one would pay $80 dollars for a bowl blank plus shipping. There is a lot of manual material handling, and if I might make one simple suggestion (thinking of my old weak back) would do away with the hand truck in the work shop, and get a cart that would transport the blanks at working height. Maybe more trips but less bending to pick up and unload at the each production station. Great video, thanks.

[@williampeak8851]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the wood,I’ve always liked to make use for the small pieces,enjoyed it 👍❤️

[@TomBTerrific]

Hey at my age I have nothing but time! I sent your video off to a friend who loves creating things. I look forward to his addiction!

[@siph2o]

Good video. I shared it with my sawmill buddy who can now supply me with the slabs that I can process!

[@jonlanier_]

I don't have all the equipment that you have... I do a lot with my chainsaw only. We were able to get a trunk of a Claro Walnut tree. And I I was figuring the cost of a 4 inch thick 10x10 was in the neighborhood of 75 dollars. After watching this, I see I'm in the ballpark of the value of my blanks. Thank you!!!

[@eugeneloza802]

George thanks for the excellent video. Very well done. It’s a long video but a lot to explain like you said. Thanks for all your doing for the rest of us.

[@alshurden6328]

I found your channel recently and glad I did. Look forward to learning more from you and decide what I want to be when I retire and grow up. Thank you. Al Shurden

[@michaelcoslo6497]

Sir! Thank you for producing the blanks we turn into our bowls. Iv'e been looking for this knowledge for a while now.

[@chezlerq4478]

Great video. Looks like I'll need about $30,000.00 for a loader. $7,000.00 for a saw mill. $1500.00 for a band saw. and $300,000.00 for a place to put it. OR I can continue processing the old way. With my chainsaw I can get my blanks a lot closer to round than what you are showing. I'm retired, and been doing it that way for years. I'll keep looking for a cheap bandsaw, but don't expect to find one like I want. Good video, though. I enjoyed it very much.

[@rockinjuliescott]

Thanks, George!! Very good information, and thank you for taking the time to explain everything.

[@kisslooms922]

Thank you for this great video! I was just able to buy some 3" slabs from my local sawmill and hope to cut some blanks out this spring. Thank you for giving me the confidence to try this on my own!

[@stevehord5547]

Great video. I also use my milk to make slabs and then blanks. It works well for me.

[@michaelogden5958]

You got 'er goin' on, Sir! Thanks for sharing!

[@edlloyd976]

Brilliant clip George, I’ve learnt quite a lot, thanks.

[@stevefromlondon9175]

Thank you so much for all your hard work in making these videos you did a great job explaining the process keep well and strong I wish I could buy some of your stock Regards Steve UK London

[@labtecmike]

When i try this method my blade always drifts quite a bit. Any tips? I love this video, Thank you!

[@Flyingstationwagon]

I’m 74. I admire your work ethic. You’d leave me in the dust.

[@williamhale6808]

George so good. To see you back was a little concerned hadn't seen any videos in awhile . missed you buddy !

[@johnbrooks1422]

Great Video very impressive the wat you got 56 woodturning blanks

[@SilverBack.]

Great process George, Thank you for sharing 👍👍

[@daveburley7115]

George. Thanks for doing this video. I recently had some English walnut and butternut slabbed and didn’t know if I should run my blanks straight down the center of the slab (fewer blanks) or fit them in as you did (more blanks). This helped a lot. 👍

[@jeffreyw9903]

Well maybe some useful information but way beyond the average wood turner. This gentleman is talking about the business of producing turning blanks for sale. I'd need at least a half acre yard, saw mill and loader to find this really useful.

[@brucegibson8053]

Although I have a semi-full shop, a lathe is the last piece of equipment that I'm buying. I'm glad I found your channel. The way you go about explaining everything helps me in many ways. They're a little long but I feel it's time well spent. Looking forward to more from you. Thanks

[@georgewoodoftexas3509]

I often struggle with how long these videos are and how much detail I need to explain. It's always a work in progress. Thanks for the comment.

[@pablomoralez5910]

AWESOME VIDEO, THANK YOU SO MUCH I NEEDED THIS IN MY LIFE TODAY AGAIN THANK YOU GEORGE!!!💖😎👍

[@jeanlong4285]

I ran across this video from a year ago and really enjoyed it Can you tell me how you made your circle jig. Thank you so much.

[@golf2actual375]

A great explaination for your method. Questions: how often do you have to change your band saw blade and what kind are they?

[@cjphillips6648]

Thank you for making this video, now I know how to make the bowl blanks, and other wood for spindle turning on my PM202!😊

[@denisclay1536]

I just happened to come across your videos. This is awesome! Thank you so much!

[@abebeaku8369]

Very informative. Thanks for sharing your knowlege

[@AffordBindEquipment]

I use 3” stretch wrap to seal the edges. Way cheaper, way faster and no mess.

[@sweetlandsheatingcooling9039]

Thanks much for the info. I’m going to make the bandsaw bowl blank sled and give ‘er a whirl.

[@SeabertCox-sg7ug]

Why not use a Sawzall instead of chainsaw to take blanks out of slab? Love seeing your method and glad you did not try to cut the time down to much.

[@ClintHitchcock]

Thanks so much for this explanation. Really appreciate it George.

[@thomasnewton9818]

Thanks

[@jimbrock8928]

Thanks that video was very informative I watch all of it enjoyed every bit of it im in east texas and love wood m not good at turning but it keeps me busy if I knew where u are located I could come get some blanks good pieces would prolly make a better turner wit good blanks

[@rosehavenfarm2969]

Thank you, sir, for the education. Much appreciated.

[@santonucci]

If I was selling blanks, this way is very efficient. If I intended to turn them myself, I would draw out the blanks on the slabs as needed and cut off with chainsaw and round enough on bandsaw. No reason to anchor seal because they would be turned and cored into multiple bowls and put away to dry. It would save a lot of time and cost on waxing.

[@georgewoodoftexas3509]

I woodworking/ woodturning there is often more than one way to do things. Your way works as several other way of creating wood turning blanks. On a video there are time constraints to including everything. Thanks for the comment.

[@santonucci]

@@georgewoodoftexas3509 I agree. In the future, if you have repetitive steps like using the circle cutting jig, perhaps a way of compressing time would be to show cutting one blank, moving the pin and then showing it cuts a different size by moving the pin... But you probably don't need to show 50 blanks being cut, every pass through the slab with the band mill...etc. you can just insert a quick table and say "I cut 30 blanks in 30 minutes" in this step.

[@georgewoodoftexas3509]

@@santonucci Every video is lots of choices between showing to much to long and showing to little to make a point. thanks for the comment.

[@Mr_Chuckles]

Genius, thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

[@rafaelramos1486]

I like the video,learned few tips to maximace the use of the log. Disfrute el video aprendi varios trucos para el uso maximo de el tronco madera

[@georgewoodoftexas3509]

Thanks, keep up the good woodturning.

[@scottfonner]

George, thank you!

[@moelletm]

So all I need for the new way is a sawmill and a tractor. The neighbors will be upset.

[@charliemckay6402]

You need a walking pole to pull your saw with ease. Make an eight foot long pole with a point on one end and use it to leverage your rope. Angle iron or a hollow pipe might be a better choice.

[@tonyturnswood]

There any plans for that circle jig out there?

[@-ZIO]

GOD. BLESS. TEXAS.

[@ericbrown9251]

Our club does not have a saw mill so we cut trees similar to the "old way" then cut them round on the band saw.

[@larrysmelcer7966]

can!t thank you enought for sharing your information . very helpful. look forward to your next vidoes

[@jimbrock8928]

I enjoyed this video full of good info I’m 82 and wood like to buy a few blanks I use to cut dead trees and do the same but the hard way , if I knew where you are I could come and purchase some from you m

[@georgewoodoftexas3509]

Call: George at 214-334-4035

[@harryjoy6655]

Thanks for the info. Have a great Thanksgiving.

[@codystanfill9633]

Great video Mr. George! Im really enjoying the info and the fact you're passing on the knowledge to the next gens. Thank you! You in east Texas?

[@richardkelleher1711]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing this with us.

[@shilodconn8973]

Anyone know what kind of pin is used that can be tightened or adjusted. I’d love to make something similar with a track jig. Please reply, I’d love to know. Tx!

[@hansbiebuyck]

inspiring

[@michaeldavis-cheshire9848]

George, I have a 14” bandsaw that has worked well for furniture-making but is not adequate as I have gotten into bowl turning. How do like your Grizzly? Any suggestions on 2-3 hp bandsaws?

[@johnwilliams9783]

Great videos. Very informative for a new wood turner. Do you have plans for your bandsaw circle cutting jig? Thanks

[@jettkeyser9909]

Great choices thank you…

[@edcable2711]

Do you have plans for the bandsaw sled for cutting the blanks?

[@georgewoodoftexas3509]

You are the second person that ask me about the sled. Maybe I need to do a short video on how to make one?

[@DH-lq6lf]

George, Good Job. Do you sale these? Where in Texas Are you. I am in Dallas Texas and would travel to get some

[@nicolasbertschy5881]

Great video, thanks!

[@josecanyousee56]

Let's see you turn some wood!!

[@waldocorsair]

George: Why don’t you use the center hole to apply your seal. I would mount a stud horizontally, put a tray of seal underneath and then place the bowl blank on the stud and simply spin it. The sealant in the tray depth is set to be about 1/4 inch into the radius of the blank. Pull off, spin another, check the depth, add sealant and keep on spinning. Just and idea.

[@georgewoodoftexas3509]

I am a little confused about your question. Do you mean to apply anchor seal to the bowl blank? If that's what you mean you do not want to coat the whole blank with anchor seal, it will never dry. Only coat the end grain of the wood to slow down drying as it dry's faster than side grain.

[@waldocorsair]

@@georgewoodoftexas3509 My apologies George, I knew when I tried to write my idea description it was going to be trouble. I picked up a Tormek sharpening system off FaceBook marketplace. I say this so you can go to their website to see how the machine works. Essentially the sharpening stone spins in the vertical (like a car tire) with the circular stone bottom sweeping through a trough of water at about 1/4 of an inch up the radius of the stone. Now they do this to clean the stone and keep it cool for better sharpening. I thought you could “spin” your circular blanks using the center guide hole with a trough of sealant coating. That would eliminate the paint brush, allow you to finish quicker, and perhaps by submerging the end grain in the sealant get a better seal. I am sure when you see the Tormek in action you will quickly see how my idea might work for you. Again, sorry for the confusion.

[@georgewoodoftexas3509]

@@waldocorsair I understood your Idea, but you only want to seal the End Grain of the bowl blank, not the whole blanks rim, it will be very slow to dry and dry unevenly because the end grain drys first.

[@gottaspeakout4272]

Richard, I understand what you are saying with regards to a quicker way to coat the end grain by spinning it rather than using a brush. One thing I noticed is that he did not coat all of the end grain but if he explained why I missed it.

[@jontoolman]

Good info.! Thanks!

[@thefrieguy4328]

Love this guy's accent

[@Pacecar2000]

in Michigan all leftovers go into fireplace to heat house

[@danielbeach4855]

Mr. Wood - where does one find these wood calculations/tables that you cite for weight?

[@Capt_Matt]

Can you tell me how I can hollow a large diameter log about 3 to 6 feet long. I need a 36” hole or larger

[@fynixartsstudios6880]

How’d that bbq go? Mmmm…. Pecan smoked

[@neilrotzler]

I REALLY GOT A LOT OUT OF THIS VIDEO , I WATCHED IT TWICE .

[@kenseng4937]

Can you tell us where to get the pin insert that goes on the bowl blank sled? Thanks Great Video

[@billy19461]

Just one thing to say, I don’t have a sawmill and there is no one in my vicinity that does. You are suggesting that I go buy a sawmill and a bandsaw. Sorry the bank will not give me that much money and if they would they would want me to pay it back. I will just have to stick with the old way!

[@thecrackedpotshoplee5406]

George I live in Colorado. Do you sell your blanks. If so how can I get in touch with you

[@Lglenn4146]

I’m in South Central Louisiana and am always looking for cherry, walnut or mesquite. Do you ever sell any logs? If so, where are you located? Also, did you have a video of making your bandsaw circle jig? Enjoyed the info from this video.

[@georgewoodoftexas3509]

contact me at " [e-mail]"

[@garytompkins3761]

Excellent and informative video. Going to need to source a mill although not many in Deleware and certainly no pecan sad to say. You don't sell and ship do you? In any event again a great video thanks for taking the time to make it

[@georgewoodoftexas3509]

I have not stated to ship green wood, it weights so much the freight would cost you as much as the wood blank.

[@garytompkins3761]

@@georgewoodoftexas3509 ah, so true, but thanks for responding

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Great video! New sub.

[@denisclay1536]

How long does it take for the wood to season to the point of being ready to turn?

[@georgewoodoftexas3509]

Depending on how you want to go about turning. Green wood is easier to turn than dry wood, but you have to deal with shrinking and warping. Dry wood is harder to turn but is more stable. Choose your method of turning. How long does it take to dry wood? The old rule is still fairly accurate - in a thick board wood will dry approximately one inch per year. That's in Texas, it will dry slower the farther North you go with shorter summers and cooler temperatures.

[@robohippy]

I never liked screw chucks. Too much work. I do take a forstner bit and drill a recess on the top side of my blanks. I then expand my chuck into that. Holds bowls excellently. I seldom go above 14 inch, but it does handle 16 inch bowls no problem. I do use the Vicmark chucks, and standard jaws fit into a 2 5/8 inch forstner bit recess. I prefer to turn green to final thickness and let them dry and warp.

[@georgewoodoftexas3509]

Thanks for the nice response. I woodworking there is often more than one way to do things. on my big bowl and vases I like to use heavy duty Oneway face plates with #14 screws to hold them.

[@kylewo0]

How many of those bowls cracked before you had time to turn them?

[@georgewoodoftexas3509]

Very few. remember we were carefully grading the wood and bowl blanks to get the best defect free wood from the log.

[@kylewo0]

@@georgewoodoftexas3509 ahh. I’ll rewatch the clip. I’ll admit. I was speeding ha. Thanks for the response George. I recently cut a large 35” up I found in Houston and was in panic mode. I don’t have time to turn so many at once lol. I may have some bowl drying question for you since we are in the same area.. let me watch the vid again.. Are you on Instagram?

[@kylewo0]

Mr. George , do you only seal the end grain so the blank can continue to dry out from the grain that is not sealed? Or I guess it slows down the release of moisture from the endgrain yo that of the other grain(plain sawn)

[@ressl5]

How do i buy some of your blanks?

[@georgewoodoftexas3509]

call 214-334-4035

[@MrThenry1988]

Good show man. I'm in to check what else. You got a sub. With this video I have to say you made these about half the price with your efforts. Lol. Again, good show man. I have a few video to check out. Check m.

[@ryansant2724]

Hi George, where in Texas are you at? I'm in Texas and looking for blanks locally

[@georgewoodoftexas3509]

Quinlan, Tx. 214-334-4035

[@unclemonty9506]

fun to watch but unfortunately I don't have a forest, a lumber graveyard, industrial cutting gear or a forklift in my garden, sorry, yard.

[@neabud]

What brand are the 3/8 wormwood screws you've switched to?

[@georgewoodoftexas3509]

we use the One-way wormscrews, they come in two lengths, we use the longer length on large bowls.

[@neabud]

@@georgewoodoftexas3509 thank you. Great job on this video. Love the bandsaw sled.

[@jimmiezehner6939]

do you sell bowl blanks