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Source for wood for tool handles

A

Alex Ku

Joined
Nov 24, 2008
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Location
San Francisco,CA
Guys,

what is a good source of large hard wood(birch, ash, etc) dowels about 1.25"?
I need it to make some tool handles.

Thanks,
Alex
 
Wood for handles

Alex,

Check "Woodturner's Catalog". They have 1 1/2" handle blanks of all types. I have been getting mine from the local Woodcraft or friends. I prefer to start with 2x2 stock. It gives me a little more room to play with contour.

Good luck

Scott
 
I've actually gotten pieces via various methods. I've made handles from Black Walnut, Locust, Elm and and Maple. All obtained from various sources, without any real expense

But then I also have some really nice Tulipwood, Rosewood and other, more costly woods that I paid for
 
If there's any turning-related tools or supplies sites you've already found (and hopefully bookmarked), you'd be surprised at the number of 'em that also sell wood for all types of projects--including a wide range in dimensions suitable for tool handles. The hard part is deciding between "basic durability" wood types for hard service use or economic reasons, or whether to step up to something a little nicer that'll be noticed by your fellow turners the next time you get that tool out to use it.

IIRC, Packard Woodworks and Craft Supplies both include ferrules when you buy tool handle blanks, but there's no shortage of other places, either. A good search engine can easily be your friend on this one.
 
Large Maple Dowels

I got maple dowels from Cincinnati Dowel. They have them up to 2" in diameter.

http://store.cincinnatidowel.com/36_-Maple-Dowels/632

I easily got 2 tool handles out of an $12 1.5" x 36" long dowel which seemed like a good price to me. They have a few other types too. Shipping was fast and free. There is a minimum order of $25 or something like that. No relationship, just a happy customer.

Chris
 
Check out lumber dealers.

The cut off bin at Sandy Pond Hardwood in Pa often had lots of 2x2 purpleheart up to 3 foot lengths. makes great tool handles.
one time the had loads of 3x3 maple - an over run from an order.

a lot of lumber companies have scrap bins.
some for free most for sale cheap.

happy hunting
al
 
Roadside orphans, fellow members of woodturning clubs, tree surgeons in your area. Let the log split, and use the parts between the cracks. You can plane off the sharp corners, or turn to round (+/-) with a short interval of thumps. Set aside to dry for a while, then finish turning later.
 
Alex:

Some of my favorite sources for tool handle stock comes from wooden handles from discarded snow shovels (I got a few "new" handles after this winter!), and my personal favorite: disused wooden baseball bats.

You can put these on the lathe and make some excellent turning handles from them for little or no cost. Baseball bats (mostly ash; occasionally maple) have the added advantage of being 'pre-selected' for high quality wood with few defects. Just make sure there are no cracks in the bat, and you've got some excellent stock. I have purchased bats at garage sales for a quarter a piece a few times, or will offer a dollar or two if it's in good condition. I can usually get two handles out of one bat - one 'normal' sized, and a smaller handle for turning tools for miniature work.

Good luck!

Rob Wallace
 
Head for Home Depot or Lowes and look in the garden tool handle replacement section. Shovel handles, wheelbarrow and posthole digger handles are made of ash and they are already round! Not real pretty but strong.
 
hockenbery said:
Rob,
:)WHAT IS A SNOW SHOVEL??

What is it used for? :cool2: cleaning up chips?:cool2:

-Al
Click to expand...

Hi Al!

When I see you in Hartford, I'll bring some pictures to give you an idea of what they are used for.....although for you Florida guys, this shouldn't be too far off from personal experience about these "foreign" tools....after this past winter, I probably shouldn't have to do much explaining??? I heard even the 'gators were wearing scarves and ear muffs!

Rob
 
Would caution you based on location to avoid the local oaks if you turn and seat green. They'll corrode the steel pretty bad.

Firewood dealers who cull orchards normally have a good variety available. It's usually a third or more along to as dry as it will ever be when you get it, so just use the pinch to hold on to your tools. You can orient the quarter grain to take advantage of the modest oval you'll end up with. Flute and the quarter up.
 
Hey Alex, I see that you are in San Francisco. I collect a fair amount of black locust along the delta canals just outside Sacramento and have left some of the pieces to dry as handles. I'll be in the city May 3 if you want a piece or two.
 
I have always used Douglas Fir heart wood for tool handles. I look for a close grain in a higher grade, and there is a lot of handle wood between the knots in a 2x4 or 2x6 that is 8' long. It works as well as any hardwood, and a lot cheaper. A tight ferrule is more important than with a hardwood because it splits easier.
 
Persimmon is my favorite. I live within a few 100 yards of a few groves and harvest when I need a handle.
 
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