Edited the title to clarify I'm specifically looking for a source of larger maple blanks, which is not readily available in south texas.
So I'm located in houston and I'm having some trouble finding larger turning blanks for hollow forms.
Specifically, I'd like to find some blanks large enough to turn down to 6" to 8" ODs with heights in the 6 to 12"-ish heights. I'd like to get some maple primarily (but other woods of interest as well).
Any advice on sourcing some larger blanks like this and contacts from those who turn larger items?
If city has a yard waste dump, where they take in bushes, grass & trees etc. Or have a tree cutting service in the area not sure what to tell you. If can find a local saw mill or firewood people might have some luck.
I harvest lot of wood at construction sites along side the road, and local parks. I am not very chossey about species or size. Most of that wood is wet and am okay with that shoot for even wall thickness of 1/4."
WildBill just gave you all the sources you have in your neighborhood, but left out storms. In fact, did the one that just hit Louisiana do any damage in your area?
You should never have to buy wood unless you want the exotic, then take Steve's advice and got to SWAT. Or, establish a rapport with turners on woodturning sites and get wood from them for postage costs. I would say trade, but from what you posted, you don't have any wood….............. Jerry (in Tucson)
NW of Houston, on FM 2978, I drive by a firewood place where they are air-drying whole logs all summer long. Presumably all manner of local hardwood. You could almost certainly get stumps for free, or nice pieces of log for peanuts.
If you do, let me know how they treat you.
To find it, just google "McCurdy Tire and Truck". The adjacent lot is covered in drying tree trunks.
I appreciate the feedback guys. I'm not in need of wood in general, I have plenty of access to local stuff (oak, mesquite, pecan, etc). For example, I just helped a friend of my dad's take down a huge hackberry. What I have not been able to find locally is Maple which is something I'm specifically looking for.
I realize that I didn't really clarify that I'm specifically looking primarily for Maple blanks, so I'll edit my initial post to clarify.
What the others said but if you still can't find it locally you may try woodbarter.
May be someone with lots of maple that would like to swap for mesquite or other that you have.
Houston is about like south Louisiana, lots on oak, pine and chicken trees(Chinese tallow).. only maple is in someone yard and very few of them.
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