The Best Wood for Turning In 2024

The Best Wood for Turning In 2024

As a woodturner, you’ll know that selecting the best wood for turning, whether you are creating a decorative bowl, a functional utensil, or a complex piece of art, is crucial to the success of your project, so when it comes to choosing the type of wood to use, choosing wisely.

The type of wood you use can impact the appearance, strength, and overall quality of your finished piece, there are several factors to consider when choosing the best wood to use, including density and hardness, grain pattern and figure, stability, and seasoning.

Hardwoods are generally considered to be better for turning on a wood lathe than softwoods. This is because hardwoods are more dense and have a finer grain, which makes them easier to work with and results in a smoother finish. Hardwoods are also more durable and resistant to wear and tear, which makes them well-suited for functional pieces like utensils.

However, it is worth noting that both hardwoods and softwoods can be turned on a wood lathe, and the choice of wood will depend on the specific project and the desired outcome. Some softwoods, like pine and spruce, can be used for turning and can produce beautiful, decorative pieces. These woods are generally easier to work with than hardwoods and may be a good choice for beginners to start with.

By considering these factors, you’ll be able to choose the right wood for your project and create a beautiful, long-lasting piece that you can be proud of.

Maple Wood for Woodturning

If you’re a seasoned woodturner, you’ve probably used maple wood before. It’s a popular choice and it’s one of the best woods for turning due to its strength, stability, and smooth finish. Maple wood has a light to medium color and a grain pattern that can range from straight to wavy. It’s a hard, dense wood that is known for its durability, making it a great choice for a variety of turning projects. Whether you’re making a decorative bowl, a functional utensil, or something else entirely, maple wood is a solid choice.

Maple Lumber Square Turning Blanks

If you’ve not tried your hand at turning maple, then this pack of 4 maple wood turning blanks are a great choice for your next project. These blanks are sized at 2″ x 2″ x 12″ (lots more sizes available) and have a beautiful grain. They are surfaced hit or miss at 1″-15/16″ and are kiln dried, which ensures that they are ready to use straight out of the package.

These blanks are made of hard maple, which is known for its strength and durability. It is a popular choice for woodturning due to its smooth finish and ability to hold up well to the turning process. These blanks are guaranteed to clean up at 100% at 1″-3/4″, which means that they are ready to be turned as soon as they are received. This saves time and effort, and allows you to get started on your project right away.

One of the great things about these blanks is that they come in a pack of four, which is enough for multiple projects. This makes them excellent value for the price, so whether you are a beginner or an experienced woodturner, these blanks are definitely worth stocking up on.

Large Curly Maple Bowl Blank

Curly maple is a type of maple wood that exhibits a natural figure or pattern in the grain that gives it a wavy, curling appearance. This figure is caused by the way the wood grows and the orientation of the fibers.

Curly maple is highly prized for its attractive appearance and is often used in woodturning and woodworking to create decorative pieces with a unique, eye-catching appearance in pieces such as bowls, platters, and spindle work. It is also a good choice for functional pieces like utensils due to its strength and durability

If you’re looking for a high-quality woodturning blank for your next project, the large curly maple bowl blank is a great choice to go for. This blank is made of beautiful, curly maple wood, which is known for its unique, wavy grain pattern. The blank measures 12 inches by 12 inches by 3 inches, which is a good size for turning a large bowl or other decorative piece.

Big Leaf Maple Burl 2.5″ x 6″ x 6″

In case you haven’t heard of big leaf maple burl, it’s a type of wood that is harvested from the burl of a big leaf maple tree. A burl is a growth on a tree that is caused by a genetic mutation or injury.

It is characterized by a wavy, irregular grain pattern and bumpy surface. Burls are highly prized in the woodworking world due to their unique, eye-catching appearance and are often used to create decorative pieces.

The size of this burl, at 2.5″ x 6″ x 6″ is perfect for a variety of woodturning projects, from small decorative pieces to larger functional items.

One of the most striking features of big leaf maple burl is its natural edge. The burl growth often extends beyond the trunk of the tree, creating a jagged, uneven edge. This natural edge adds character and interest to the finished piece, and can be left as-is or trimmed to create a smoother edge.

Big leaf maple burl finishes well, with a smooth, glossy finish that brings out the depth and beauty of the grain patterns. It can be finished with a variety of products, including oils, varnishes, and lacquers.

Cherry Wood for Woodturning

Cherry Square Turning Blanks 

Cherry wood is also on our list of the best wood for turning, it’s a popular choice for woodturning due to its attractive red to reddish-brown color, smooth texture, and good workability. It is a relatively hard and strong wood, making it suitable for a variety of projects including bowls, vases, and other decorative items.

One of the unique qualities of cherry wood is its ability to change color over time. When first cut, cherry wood has a pale pink to reddish-brown color. As it ages, it will darken to a deeper, red-brown color. This natural color change can add character and interest to your finished woodturning projects.

These blanks, which come in a pack of 4 measuring 3″ x 3″ x 8″ (lots more sizes available) are a great size for a variety of woodturning projects.

No matter what size you choose, cherry wood is a great choice for woodturning projects due to its attractive color, smooth texture, and good workability, and remember that its natural color will change over time which can also add interest and character to your finished pieces.

Cherry Lumber Bowl Blanks

This cherry bowl blank is a great choice for woodturning projects due to its attractive color, smooth texture, and good workability. Its natural color will change over time, which also adds interest and character to your finished piece.

This cherry bowl blank, sized at 3″ x 8″ x 8″ has been surfaced hit or miss, which means that one side has been rough planed and the other side is rough sawn. This allows for flexibility in the final turning process, as you can choose which side to work with depending on the desired finished look.

Additionally, this cherry bowl blank has been perfectly kiln dried, meaning that it has been dried to a specific moisture content in a controlled environment. Kiln drying helps to reduce the risk of warping or splitting in the finished piece, and ensures that the wood is ready to work with.

Cherry Lumber Bowl Blanks (2pc)

Cherry lumber bowl blanks are a popular choice for woodturners and craftsmen looking to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind wooden bowls. These blanks are made from high-quality cherry wood, known for its attractive grain and warm color.

Each blank measures 2 inches thick, 8 inches wide, and 8 inches long, and is square in shape. They have been kiln dried to remove excess moisture and stabilize the wood, making them easier to work with.

The blanks have been surfaced on two sides (S2S), but may be “hit or miss” at a thickness of 1-15/16 inches due to natural variations in the wood. Whether you’re an experienced woodturner or just starting out, cherry lumber bowl blanks are a great choice for creating beautiful, durable wooden bowls.

Red Oak for Woodturning

Poor Boys Farm – Red Oak Turning Blanks – 4 Pack

Red oak is a strong, dense wood that is known for its durability. It has a medium to dark color and a straight to wavy grain pattern. Red oak is a popular choice for turning a variety of projects, including bowls, platters, spindle work, and functional pieces like utensils due to its strength and durability.

These blanks are made from red oak, a strong and durable wood with a beautiful grain and a warm, reddish-brown color. Each pack contains four blanks, with dimensions of 2 inches thick, 2 inches wide, and 12 inches long (other sizes are available too).

The blanks have been surfaced on two sides, but may be “hit or miss” at a thickness of 1-15/16 inches due to natural variations in the wood. You can expect at least 95% heartwood in each blank, which is the strongest and most attractive part of the tree.

Black Walnut for Woodturning

Black Walnut Bowl Blanks (2pc)

Black walnut just had to be included, it’s a wood that is prized for its attractive grain, rich color, and durability. It is a hardwood, meaning that it is denser and more resistant to wear and damage than softwoods.

Black walnut trees are native to North America and are typically found in the eastern United States. The wood has a straight grain with a medium to coarse texture and a uniform, medium to dark brown color.

It is known for its natural resistance to rot and decay, making it a popular choice for outdoor furniture and other projects that will be exposed to the elements. It can be difficult to work with due to its density and hardness, but the results are well worth the effort.

Each blank measures 6 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 2 inches thick (other sizes are available too). These blanks have been surfaced on two sides, but may be “hit or miss” at a thickness of 1 15/16 inches due to natural variations in the wood. You can expect each piece to measure at least 1.8 inches in thickness, ensuring that you have plenty of material to work with.

Black Walnut Lumber Turning Squares (4 Pcs)

These squares are made from black walnut, a strong and durable wood known for its stunning grain and rich, dark color. Each square measures 2 inches thick, 2 inches wide, and 24 inches long (lots of other sizes are available) and is suitable for use in a wide variety of woodturning projects.

The squares have been perfectly kiln dried to remove excess moisture and stabilize the wood, making them easy to work with. They are guaranteed to clean up at 100% at a thickness of 1-3/4 inches, ensuring that you have plenty of material to work with.

The squares have also been surfaced on two sides, but may be “hit or miss” at a thickness of 1-15/16 inches due to natural variations in the wood, these black walnut lumber turning squares are a great choice for creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind projects.

White Ash for Woodturning

White Ash Wood Turning Blanks 6pcs

These blanks are made from white ash, a strong and durable wood known for its attractive grain and pale, creamy color. Ash is a good choice for a variety of turning projects, including bowls, platters, and spindle work.

Each blank measures 2 inches thick, 2 inches wide, and 36 inches long, and is rectangular in shape (other sizes available).

The blanks have been kiln dried to remove excess moisture and stabilize the wood, making them easy to work with. They have also been sanded on all four sides, ensuring a smooth and ready-to-use surface. These blanks are defect-free, ensuring that you have a clean and uniform piece of wood to work with.

Ash Bowl Blank 2″ x 8″ x 8″ 2 Pcs

And of course Ash wood had to be included, it is such a beautiful wood to work on and produces some stunning pieces.

Ash bowl blanks are an excellent choice for woodturners looking to create beautiful, high-quality wooden bowls. These blanks are made from ash, a strong and durable wood known for its attractive grain and pale, creamy color.

Each blank measures 2 inches thick, 8 inches wide, and 8 inches long (other sizes are available) and is suitable for use in woodturning projects. The blanks have been kiln dried to remove excess moisture and stabilize the wood, making them easy to work with.

They have also been cut with the grain going across the face to prevent major tear-out from occurring during the turning process. These blanks are surface with no protective coatings, allowing you to work with the natural beauty of the wood. As a natural product, no two blanks are alike, ensuring that each bowl you create is unique.



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