Richard Raffan cutting a maple log into turning blanks

Here you see how I cut defect-free turning blanks from a small split log - and there's a small bark-rim bowl turned from one of the blanks.

[@garyblankenship104]

I've never yet had to pay money for a piece of wood on my lathe... Folks in the mountains where I live just let me harvest what I can off their trees as they come down. Thank you for teaching me how to make the most of the wood I receive

[@TylerDollarhide]

This helps so much, as most information about bowl turning (especially making blanks from logs) is about turning medium to large size bowls on a full-size lathe. I have small logs, about the size in the video, that I turn on a midi lathe.

[@jayscott306]

You've been producing so much quality content, Richard! I may not be milling, but your explanations of what you're watching for simply add to my understand of timber and how wood behaves. The understanding of the cause of vibration and so many other things, like pencil use to mark areas of attention, have been very useful. Thank you for making me become a more skillful turner.

[@adamf1347]

Liked this video from the start when you said "here is me cutting up yet another log"... Excellent teaching videos and awesome, dry sense of humour 😊

[@tomcoker9882]

Thanks for explaining your thought process as you cut down the log sections to gain the more useful blanks. Most people would have just split it up for firewood or if tried to make blanks, waste as much as the gained in good turning wood. Thanks for the educational videos. Cheers, Tom

[@scottstubberud1137]

You are the coolest! Thanks again for another excellent informative video. I have a bunch of silver maple I got from a neighbor that I will get much more usable wood out of because of this video. Thanks again!

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Great video on a topic that tends to be a total mystery to new turners. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, Richard.

[@michaelquataert]

"Feels like it's about 20% moisture content"... I'd say you've handled a bit of wood in your day. This video and the others you may have that touch on the same topic have changed the way I approach milling timber, for the better. Timber is a valuable resource, and its use should be maximized. Nothing goes to waste. And I love the bead idea! Thank you, Richard.

[@trurex007lee7]

Your expertise is so refreshing. Thank you.

[@marcusfairly2688]

I really appreciate your videos. In particular, the way you discuss the approach to using the wood. I don't think any other channel does this. I struggled recently with a blank with woodworm; a nice log of yew, but I didn't have much of it left after removing the burrows. Hobbyists don't like throwing wood away. I would be interested to hear how you would approach woodworm in blanks.

[@hfbowerndesigns810]

Great discussion and thought process of cutting logs efficiently Take care Cheers Harold

[@Mckmake]

Your videos are very educational, and I thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. I wish all youtube turners had the same approach, knowledge and sharing attitude but it would appear most are only interested in monetising.

[@glencrandall7051]

Excellent information Richard. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.😀😀

[@jamescarter8813]

looking forward to the tiny bowl and the bead video. Great video and information Richard.

[@dtork47]

Very helpful……waste not want not! Thanks for sharing your knowledge as always. Cheers.

[@tomislavtomasicwoodturning]

Great video, can't wait to see tiny natural edge bowl 👍

[@jimgill1105]

Very helpful Richard!!

[@raydriver7300]

So interesting, Richard. I am acquiring some logs at the moment and this video is perfect timing 🌞

[@DiemenDesign]

Some interesting blanks out of what most people would throw away, or burn. Looking forward to see the videos using these. Thanks for sharing Richard.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

This log, typical of what so many people turn regardless of splits, was put aside to do what green logs do so I could shoot a video. I regard logs like this as mostly good for firewood. The bowl goes up next.

[@DiemenDesign]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning YAY, will keep an eye out for the video. I've got some Tas Blackwood I should cut into blanks to dry out. Hope your Saturday has been good so far. We're hoping for some more rain as the paddocks are very dry, and the sheep don't like dry pasture.

[@clydeschuyler]

Your information is Golden fine sir. Thank you so much for what you do.

[@markb5441]

Seems very comfortable leaving the saw running. Good video

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Not that comfortable. I felt that constantly switching the saw off and bringing it to a stop with odd bits of off-cut would be too distracting.

[@markb5441]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Makes sense. Thank you for the wonderfully informative videos. Started turning a couple of years ago so I am still and will always be learning.

[@TuboUser666]

Yes, makes me very nervous watching someone fiddle with wood and a pencil a few inches from a running saw blade while they're talking. But very informative video.

[@brianhawes3115]

Thanks for this information, I’ve got to do this instead of being hopeful that I can fix something later

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Long term that's probably a better approach.

[@jorisdemoel3821]

Once more very informative. Looking forward to the beads and tiny natural edge bowl videos. Would you advise leaving a log with silicon inclusions alone for hobbyist wood turners? Thanks for making these videos and sharing your skill, insights and experience.

[@mashmade-airth]

Hi Richard, as a new learning turner I'm loving your videos, so much useful information. This confuses me so can I ask you what's the difference between a natural edge piece & a live edge piece ? Thanks for all your videos, they're a great help to me. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Live edge seems to be an American term for natural edge or bark rim.

[@mashmade-airth]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning thanks

[@josephpotterf9459]

Thanks

[@boooshes]

Been doing a lot of this kind of work cutting blanks for 2 T coffee scoops.

[@schmfr1950]

Wonderful. Never give up a piece of cracked wood😊

[@richardhefty]

Is this process better than turning it green, letting it dry and then turning it again? Or does it just come down to what stage the wood is in when you get hold of it, and much time you have?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

If you can convert a log to boards and blanks whilst it's green, you get a lot more from the log. After that, rough turning greatly speeds drying and seasoning and limits further splitting. Turning split blanks is inherently dangerous, so I always cut blanks free of splits other than those I'll be able to turn away.

[@richardmarston8513]

​@@RichardRaffanwoodturningthanks!

[@les.6343]

Hi Richard do you seal the ends of the blanks before you store them?.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I don't bother sealing the ends of anything shorter than 150 to 200mm because I find the ends of short blocks rarely develop major splits and not much end checking, unlike longer pieces which I do seal.

[@allanhugh2044]

When I cut blanks like the one you will be putting away for a year or two to dry, I seal the end grain, do you do something similar or do you live with whatever cracks (if any) appear down the track?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I don't bother sealing the ends of anything shorter than 150 to 200mm because I find then ends of short lumps rarely develop major splits and very little end checking, unlike longer pieces which I do seal. I very rarely live with cracks of any sort. Generally I aim to remove them when when I first get hold of any log or board.

[@DiemenDesign]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning I was wondering that as well. I also only seal larger pieces, using old candle wax, as I'm frugal and couldn't be bothered purchasing PVA, or Anchor Seal, lol.

[@allanhugh2044]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Thanks for the reply, that makes sense.