Walnut turning blanks

[Webb Willmott]

I have a lot of 16/4, 12/4, and 8/4 walnut lumber in 5 to 8” widths that was kiln dried. If I cut them up into bowl or spindle blanks what would be a reasonable price selling price? I could even cut to order at no charge or cut up a batch to sell.

Should it be priced per board foot or by the piece? A 6x6x4 bowl blank is 2 board feet but companies that sell blanks command a premium for larger thicker blanks which makes me wonder what is the best way to market.

For example, if you wanted a 6” x 6” x 4” bowl blank, what should the price be?

 

[Alan Weinberg]

woodbarter discusses this in detail in one of their forums.

 

[John K Jordan]

I'm certainly not one to ask (I cut and air dry a lot of green domestic wood but never sold any, rather give it away), but if I wanted to figure out what to sell wood for I'd check some dealers online, and visit some local dealers if you have one (there is one in our area frequented by woodworkers and turners.) That might give you some ideas. Lumber, both domestic and exotic, is usualy priced by board ft, but turning blanks priced by the piece

BTW, for my own stock I like keep boards/planks on hand so I can cut them into various shapes and sizes as the mood strikes, spindles, platers, bowl blanks, etc.



Also, as mentioned I have no desire or experience selling blanks, but I do have some experience at our club wood auctions. I donate lots of dry blanks every year. When I bring bowl blanks, they seem to go for higher prices if I spend a few minutes and cut them round on the bandsaw then run them through the drum sandter (to flatten, show the wood color and figure better, and show the presence or absence of defects) - people can better see what they're getting and the blanks are ready to take home, mount and turn. I think I took 8/4 mahogany cut into 10" rounds for our last auction.

JKJ