Blank question

[Oso]

What size should pen blanks typically be? I found some that are a 1/2" x 1/2" x 5 1/4". This seems a little small. Comments?



Oso

[JoeScroller]

Most blanks I've seen are either 1.5 x 1.5 x 12 or 2 x 2 x 12 I have seen some longer pieces such as 3 x 3 x 40 and 3 x 3 x 34. Please not that these are from a lumber yard which generally has slightly larger pieces than your more refined stores, I assume that you could get 2 pens or pencils out of a 12 inch piece.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Oso

Pen blanks are usually 3/4 X 3/4 X 5" long blanks sqared. Rounded down to about 5/8" So I think the 1/2" is too small You can get thicker pieces to do some of these cigar pens but not much thicker. If you have a mandrel check the size of the bushings and this will be the smallest you can go.

[Woodbutcher68]

After buying a LARGE quantity of blanks when I first started turning pens, I found that it's ALOT cheaper to buy 1" boards and cut my own blanks. That also gives you the option to cut across the grain or on a diagonal.

[Oso]

The reason I was asking was someone was selling a large lot of misc pen blanks. But they where 1/2" x 1/2". Me being a novice, thought that seemed a little small, but the price was good. I passed on the offer.



Oso

[Pen Man]

I have used 1/2 but like bigger ones. :)

[Ex19k]

personally i like the 3/4 inch blanks. i do at times use 1/2 blanks for slim pens. but that is stuff that i have "stolen" from dear old dads scap pile. and most of it is domestic stuff. Black Walnut, Cherry, Pecan ect... The 1/2 blanks are great for the slimline pens but for lager projects I personaly like the 3/4 inch blanks. Speaking of blanks. does anybody here order blanks online? I just want to get some feed back on what kind of quallity that you get when you order from like PSI or Bera hardwoods. local shop just doesnt have the stuff i am looking for and i see that most of it comes from PSI for just a little bit more....thanks

lytle

[Servcman]

I've ordered blanks From Penn State and through ebay and have had good luck so far. The only one I had that didn't work out the best was ordering some birdseye maple blanks off of ebay lots of eyes on the outside, almost none by the time it got down to pen size, but then thats the nature of birdseye. As far as Berea Hardwoods I've picked through their stock and usually I have a hard time deciding which blank not to get,seems they got a decent suppplier, but like anywhere else they have their blanks that don't have a good pattern to them also.
Dennis

[Ex19k]

thanks for the info. Next time I am in ohio I am going to take a little side tripp to berea! It seems that the only place around here doesnt get a alot of blanks. Oh well. Hopefully I can get some blanks out of the Dogwood trees I have to cut down this week. The good thing is that I have acess to a rather large band saw that is able to cut down small trunks and such....have to see what "turns" up :D