Log to Wood Turning Blanks

I explain some of the basics in cutting green wood logs into wood turning blanks. Preparing turning wood is an essential skill for wood turners since green wood frequently appears in log form.
I upload a new woodturning tutorial video each and every Friday so Ya’ll come back, hear?
You can download demonstration handouts, downloadable copies of articles I have published, and other useful woodturning information available on my website www.mikepeacewo...

[@b19bmf]

You don't feel the need for safety gear when using you chainsaw? not a good way to advise people?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I appreciate your comment. No I am not wearing a helmet and chaps. I am not in the woods. I am in a very controlled environment with no branches or debris around. Standing on a concrete pad. Wood firmly held in a sawbuck. I am wearing safety glasses and ear muffs. Left arm stiff. Do you have a tablesaw? I have one but it is not a SawStop.Everyone has to set their own safety standards. Stay safe my friend.

[@MrClarkio]

Looked even more dicey at 1.5x playback. But good video, I enjoyed the whole thought process being explained rather than just your standard imma gonna turn a bowl from this log.

[@drewkoerick6122]

@@MikePeaceWoodturning I watched a guy take a chunk of his knee cap off with a very controlled cut like this mike. I agree, be careful brother!

[@kenvasko2285]

Appreciate you showing us your logic and your set-up for preparing wood blanks. Good video!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Glad it was helpful!

[@knothead5]

Mike, thanks for the video. I'm impressed to hear your thought process in determining where to cut for platters, bowls, etc. One thing I have heard is to let the rough pieces dry one year per one inch thickness. I'm at the age where I don't even buy green bananas! BTW, will subscribe as I have seen some of your other videos.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

That drying rule really applies to lumber. Roughed out boxes and bowls will dry much faster

[@ThisoldWoody]

Great video Mike! Thank you for making it.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@coolbreezeatp]

Thanks for showing this. As a new woodturner I picked up a pickup full of white oak and a load of poplar. Now I have an idea on processing the wood into blanks.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

coolbreezeatp Excellent!

[@dan89592]

Thanks for posting this, Mike. I realize it's a couple of years old, but still very helpful.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Happy you found it useful, Dan.

[@cwhussey5432]

this video was just on time... I just had some trees cut down and saved the limbs 5" or larger and the trunks... Osage and Hackberry....Thanks ....

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I have never turned hackberry but know it is lovely. Osage is very nice and can be threaded.

[@johnnyspropshop]

Mike nice video, getting inspired to get something green on the lathe. Thanks for sharing.

[@SuperBowser87]

Mike I think your finally getting the hang of this woodturning hobby. Lol great video!

[@michaelmorris1451]

Thanks for the video. I recently loss a huge Red Oak and need to make a lot of blanks. Stay safe.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks, you too, Michael.

[@JimmiePorterAtStuartArts]

Good timing on this. I brought some "roadside wood" down from Tennessee to Florida a few weeks ago after a storm eand I'm ready to prepare it. Thanks!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Be cautious trasnporting wood across county/state lines. Lots of restrictions to prevent the spread of certain tree killing infestations like the Emeral Ash borer that can devestate trees. It is getting to be a challenge to trasnport turning wood to woodturning symposiums.

[@tomasarguinzoni9022]

Thank you for sharing the video

[@songtoanvvm5317]

Thank you for your guidance

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

You're most welcome

[@micklaingmwlwoodcraft2280]

Mike, thanks for the information, just got a few logs and now have a better idea of how to handle them, thanks again, Mick.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Like a lot of things in woodturning, breaking down a log is not always intuitively obvious to the casual observer.

[@banglajim4612]

Awesome video

[@mdashik7d298]

Nice

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks

[@donbeveridge997]

I love wood Mike, enjoyed watching you cut that up! There's several large Osage Oranges near me and I keep watching to see if they lose branches or anything. You're lucky to have all those blanks!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Atlanta has been described as "a city in the middle of a forest." We have such a variety of trees and once you have been turning a while, you get all of the free green wood you can turn (and then some).

[@donbeveridge997]

I started turning about 2 years ago. Since then everybody who has a tree coming down will call me and ask if I want it. I've got 1/2 a cord of Bradford Pear, a cord of Silver Maple (some well spalted, beautiful) a good sized pile of Pecan, Cherry of different varieties, Bartlett Pear, Black Walnut, Black Locust, Red Maple and White Oak. I will have to turn steady for the next 50 years but I can't say no! I'm sure you know what I mean.

[@MrMatt2979]

I only started turning this year, but I've also accumulated a nice supply of wood after deciding that big bowl blanks were too expensive to buy and I bought a chainsaw to make my own. Forgot how old I'd gotten since using a chainsaw on a regular basis and now I realize why some of those blanks cost so much! lol Awesome vid, as always!

[@knothead5]

Good video. Did you see the bugs crawling across the piece on the bandsaw? Could be a problem.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Yes, they were entertaining weren't they?

[@knothead5]

@@MikePeaceWoodturning Bet they were surprised when you hit the wood with the saw! Good turning!

[@michaelmorris1451]

Thanks for this. I need to know how to cut logs for blanks.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Yes, processing wood is an essential skill for woodturners. It frequently leads to a chainsaw and bandsaw or bigger and better ones. 😉😉

[@willie5437]

Good thing I saw this I got some nice ash crotches to trim just started turning I need to copy your saw horse

[@davidholliday5063]

Thanks that was interesting

[@cobberpete1]

Thanks Mike, some good Info there on the cutting. Nice to see you have a sharp chain, another requirement for safe cutting. Maybe you need to get some safety boots to add to the glasses and muffs (smile)... What is the TPI of your band saw???

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

3tpi

[@DigitalNative01]

Is it possible to just dry the logs by sealing either end and come back to them and turn them after they dry out? Honestly im at a loss, ive tried so many methods and i still manage to get alot of cracks. Ive tried taking out the pith and cutting out blanks then sealing them to no avail - had apple crack and warp on me. Ive tried not sealing at all and just keeping em indoors and had cracking again. And somehow - my neighbour who threw out a log into the garden like 3 years ago, ends up with no cracks... im wondering whether its worth the hassle of sealing or even trying to protect the logs i do have at this point.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

You do not dry logs for wt. Keeing turning stick in log form as long as possible is good. You get some cracking, a few inches, that you can cut away. This is better than cutting and storing bowl blanks which tend to Crack. Think of green wood like fruit. Do not get more than you will use soon. Roughed out bowl blanks will generally have minimal cracking compared to whole sections of a tree.

[@DigitalNative01]

@@MikePeaceWoodturning Hmmm food for thought. So keeping things in log form until you're ready to turn and only processing as much as you can turn in a relatively small time is best to avoid cracking, if i understood correctly? I have a bunch of logs (40 or so large diameter) ive sealed on either end and stored under a balcony outside - there is no way i can process all of it - so this is good news. Much appreciated - you've saved me alotta work and heart ache.

[@pjseiber2774]

You stated that Anchor Seal only lasts for a little while. So how often should a person reapply it if your timber is green when you first apply it?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

It is not the reapplying that is the issue - It only slows down drying, it does not completely stop it.

[@jeffoldham3466]

great video mike,,,what kind of bandsaw do you have and what is the highest cut you can get

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I have an 18" Rikon model 10-345 that will cut 12".

[@jackwebb8749]

Mike, good video. I couldn't hear the name of the product that you used to seal the ends of the blanks. Could you please provide that? Stay Safe!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I use Anchorseal, a wax emulsion designed to seal wood.

[@jerryrudolph6603]

Do you ever make segmented bowls? This initial log would have been ideal for cutting strips and maximizing wood yield. Keep up the good videos.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

No, segmenting does not appeal to me. 90% of the time is spent cutting and gluing thousands of pieces of wood and only 10% of the time is spent turning. What is the fun of that?

[@johnwachter6975]

Mike enjoy your videos, I like that saw bench you use to cut the logs. Do you have plans for it. I need to build something like it. Thanks

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

No plans, sorry. A friend gave me some treated 6x6's so I just cobbled this together. If I was redoing I would make the tops slightly slanted to better hold round logs. It has held up about 8 years.

[@frankingram3382]

I enjoyed that Mike, it gave me a lot of information. Must all turning be from the side or can you turn down through the ends? God Bless my friend.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

The overwhelming majority of bowls are cross grain with the grain running perpindicular to the lathe. Stronger and easier to turn. Boxes are end grain because there is less wood movement which would soon interfere with a fitting lid,

[@DerekCadmus]

By removing the bark I'm guessing you don't do many natural edge bowls. Do you find that in removing the bark it causes more uniform drying of your blanks? I have several logs that I'm processing now so this technique has been helpful in deciding my layout. Any thoughts on putting together a video on chainsaw sharpening? I have an inexpensive saw and have probably spent more sending it out to get sharpened then I actually spent purchasing the saw itself

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I am more concerned about the bark holding or concealing critters. I don't feel like I am expert enough to demo sharpening of CS but it is a thought. It is not that difficult.

[@carltonhunt8088]

Mike. What type of chain is that on your saw? I noticed the chips are long and stringy. My saw has problems cutting along the grain like that. Thanks

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Mine is a standard Stihl chain. No special grind. I hand sharpen every couple of tanks of gas.

[@mikein_ga]

Where in Georgia. I’m in St Mary’s

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I am north of Atlanta.

[@knothead5]

@@MikePeaceWoodturning After living south of Atlanta, your description takes in a lot of Georgia; 20%?

[@icespeckledhens]

Thanks for the video with a lot of useful information. What did you use to seal the end grain?

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I use anchorseal. A gallon lasts me about 2 years.

[@icespeckledhens]

thanks

[@jeffoldham3466]

mike if your cutting a tree branch about 6 inches in diamenter do you still need to remove the pith,,reason I asked this is because there would not be much to work with if you do

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Generally on many woods with a piece no more than 6" in diam., if you cut exactly thru the middle of the pith, the wood will be able to move while drying and not split.

[@jeffoldham3466]

thank you mike

[@jeffoldham3466]

mike how do you like your rikon bandsaw,,the reason I asked im getting ready to get the 10-326,,,and is your 220 volt,,this 326 is 110 volts

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Mine is a 18" 2.5 HP 220V. When I got it a few years ago it was on sale at a big discount. I think the 10-326 model may be a higher quality model and should provide all of the cutting capacity you will need. Rikon has several different price points for each size. I think mine was a mid range model. I think there are better saws than the one I got but it was a good value and I am satisfied with it. I use it a lot. Big improvement over my previous Delta 14 with riser block.

[@vinnyvlog]

What is the product you put on the wood after you cut ???

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Wax Emulsion. Goes by the name of Anchorseal and others.

[@crackerjack3359]

Chainsaw chaps are cheap. Cuts to the legs tend not to be. They only take a minute to put on.

[@UTube354]

True. Chaps or artificial limbs only take a minute to strap on. Anyone else find their nutsack tightening and breath holding when watching a weekend warrior with a chainsaw? Sorry for the late post,I know it’s years old but it’s new to me. Thanks for all your work Mike.

[@crackerjack3359]

@@UTube354 It's never too late.

[@garymccoy2888]

Hi Mike. I'm 80 and I have to turn down a fair bit of wood because it is cut in such large pieces that I can't handle it.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I hear you, Gary. I think maybe that is why I don't turn many larger projects. That is where my log lifter can help but it can be a challenge even getting them on to my saw buck.

[@michaell7877]

What about electric saws.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Very handy near the house or trimming a blank on the lathe. Someone was using one of these yesterday at a workshop and was very happy with it. Thin blade and 15 amps. amzn.to/2Hqw5Nz I am not convinced about battery powered ones yet.

[@pjseiber2774]

Battery operated are really handy, I have a Dewalt 60V. I use it to cut turning blanks and also use it when I ride my side by side for clearing trails of fallen trees. I am well satisfied with its performance.

[@gilgrace1915]

I hope you saved some of the Osage trimmings as they would make some nice medallions to repair an accidental funnel. Don't ask me how I know this. ;-D

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Is there any other kind of wood funnel, LOL?

[@ronh9384]

Hi Mike. I’m not sure where this comment should go but I just found this video from Woodworkers Journal about drying turning blanks, bowls, etc, with very little to no cracking and thought you might find it interesting. Feel free to move or copy this comment/link to another more appropriate video of yours if you want to. Thanks Ron kzbin.info/www/bejne/epLEhZV6ibqmnZI

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Yes, I had seen this before. For me it is not worth the expense. I don't have a big problem with cracking. Once you start roughing out bowls it is not hard to always have a supply to return when you want to finish one. I kind of like turning them green to finish with some warping. If you have the money and are in a big hurry for a truely round bowl it is an option.

[@SpartysDad]

Great video BUT, not a good example of safety equipment when using a chainsaw. Tennis shoes-NO, Shorts-NO. Sorry, but you should be wearing proper protective equipment. I understand it is your choice but have seen too many times where you think you are able to handle it and one slip and things change. You almost dropped a piece on your foot and boots with steel toes would prevent a potential broken foot.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Thanks for your concerns. You motivated me to check the price of steel toed shoes and I see they are quite reasonable. Next time I buy some Sketchers at buy one, get the next pair half price, I will pick up a pair.

[@SpartysDad]

@@MikePeaceWoodturning Thanks for taking ithe comment positively. I agonized after posting it that it may have been too strong. I simply want to make sure you are able to educate the novices like myself. Have a great day.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

@@SpartysDad I have learned to take all comments as feedback. Sometimes it helps me to rethink things. Sometimes we don't get everything right. I appreciate you taking the time to post.