Colonial Red Gum Blanks

[Sprung]

In George's latest Mr. Anonymous Game I won a package of really nice Colonial Red Gum blanks. However, I somehow ended up with two packages! And, since the other prize winners received their packages, George has said I can give these blanks away!

Here's what I've got, as pictured: 8 full sized blanks and 8 random length blanks, shorter than full length. These are real nice blanks and I'm currently making a pen from one of the Colonial Red Gum blanks I received from George - he really does provide some great blanks!

I'm going to divide these blanks up into 2 or 3 packages.

I'm looking to send these blanks to some who haven't ever had or turned a blank from George's Bits of Timber.

So if you are interested in some of these blanks, please post here. Sometime Wednesday night - let's say 9PM CST - I'll do a random draw and pick out 2 or 3 winners to receive some of these blanks.

If you're in the US, I'll pay shipping. If outside of the US, I would ask that you pay shipping.

I only ask one thing of whoever receives some of these blanks: When you receive your blanks, make one into a pen sometime and post some pics in the "Show Off Your Pens!" forum.

 

[IowaBob]

I would
like to try some.

 

[ChinaDad]

I would also like to try some.

 

[wyone]

One more nice thing that George does.. and obviously so does Sprung.

Very pretty wood. Turns great

 

[micharms]

Wow! Nice thing from both you and George. I'm interested in being added to the draw.

Thanks
Michael

 

[duncsuss]

What a generous offer ... I haven't ever had any red gum (or any of George's blanks). Please add my name to the drawing

(ignore my request to be included in drawing -- I just ordered some direct from George)

 

[ottotroll]

I would like to try turning...

 

[Edgar]

Way to go, Matthew!
These Colonial Red Gum blanks really are nice. I haven't turned any of mine yet, but I've selected one & will make a pen soon.

if anyone is not familiar with Colonial Red Gum, I encourage you to read the posts in the recent Mr. Anonymous Game #23 to learn about the source of these blanks. Colonial Red Gum is just George's term for some very old Red Gum planted by the earliest settlers to his part of Australia. Very interesting & educational.

What a great way to get some of these great blanks to more turners!

 

[magpens]

Put my name in the hat, too, please ! I have never turned any Colonial Red Gum and I'd like to give it a try. I lived in Australia, not far from where George lives, but I wasn't into pen turning at that time. It would awaken fond memories of Oz if I were lucky enough to get a piece of this wood to make a pen !!! Thanks.

Mal Phillips

 

[Sprung]

Way to go, Matthew!
These Colonial Red Gum blanks really are nice. I haven't turned any of mine yet, but I've selected one & will make a pen soon.

if anyone is not familiar with Colonial Red Gum, I encourage you to read the posts in the recent Mr. Anonymous Game #23 to learn about the source of these blanks. Colonial Red Gum is just George's term for some very old Red Gum planted by the earliest settlers to his part of Australia. Very interesting & educational.

What a great way to get some of these great blanks to more turners!

There's a reason George was asking who had received their blanks - because I had received two packages and we wanted to make sure everyone who was supposed to get one, got one. I told George that if they were an extra set, if everyone got theirs, that I'd be happy to send them back to him or share them here - and with his approval, I'm glad to share them here so others can get a chance! (I'm also planning to share some of what was in my package with some non-IAP penturners so they can try these blanks too.)

I'll be looking forward to seeing your pen, when it's done. Mine might be done tonight, but I won't be able to post pics just yet!

 

[jojomcdugal]

I am always wanting to try something new. Put me in the drawing and thanks for your generosity.

 

[Marnat3]

Can I still get in?

 

[Mike Daugherty]

Blamks

Put me in as well.

Thanks!

Mike

 

[Muzzy17is]

Hey man I would love to turn a couple of these pens. Please ad me to list.

 

[Janster]

just ONE would make me smile?......Janster

..ooops, I did not read the post. I have purchased from George prior to this. Thanks!

 

[robutacion]

Way to go, Matthew!
These Colonial Red Gum blanks really are nice. I haven't turned any of mine yet, but I've selected one & will make a pen soon.

if anyone is not familiar with Colonial Red Gum, I encourage you to read the posts in the recent Mr. Anonymous Game #23 to learn about the source of these blanks. Colonial Red Gum is just George's term for some very old Red Gum planted by the earliest settlers to his part of Australia. Very interesting & educational.

What a great way to get some of these great blanks to more turners!

Hi Edgar,

Sorry but, I need to make a slight correction to what you wrote, I actually believe you know that is an error but at the time it just shipped, huh...??:wink:

So what is the correction, the Colonial Red Gum, was not PLANTED by out first Settles to this area, the wood wouldn't be that old, the oldest would be 200 years or so, Is correct that, they cut them down as the most readily available large trees of good/strong wood to be use in everything they need to built of wood, the applications are endless however, they those Settlers arrived here, those trees were probably 500 to 1,000 years old if not more in some cases so, adding up the possible age of the trees when cut/processed, and the time in years of when that has happened, 100 to 200 years ago, I felt a lot more comfortable in call this wood "Colonial" from those Colonial times.

There is also a big difference between Colonial wood and Ancient wood, there is no specific age that determine when wood become Ancient but, has been a common agreement between many of the wood specialist around the World that, Ancient wood should be no younger than 3,000 years old...!

So there you go, a little more learning...!

Cheers
George

 

[magier412]

I've never turned any Colonial Red Gum and would be very pleased to be entered in the drawing. Thanks for doing this. Very cool of both you and George! I'll look forward to seeing all the pens regardless.

 

[traderdon55]

I would like to give them a try.

 

[penmaker1967]

put me in the pool if i may

 

[jamesbil]

I would love to have a go! I have never done wood like this..

 

[csr67]

I've never turned Red Gum. Please add to the list for your very generous offer!

 

[magpens]

If I could make a suggestion:

There seems to be quite a lot of interest in this offer.

More people would get a taste of George's wood if more lots were gifted out.

For example, there are, I think, 16 blanks to be given away. Why not send 2 blanks to each of 8 people, one short blank and one long ?

There would then be more happy campers, more pens made from this wood, more feedback, and more exposure to George's product.

Sounds like a multiple win idea to me, but that's just my 2 cents.

 

[robutacion]

If I could make a suggestion:

There seems to be quite a lot of interest in this offer.

More people would get a taste of George's wood if more lots were gifted out.

For example, there are, I think, 16 blanks to be given away. Why not send 2 blanks to each of 8 people, one short blank and one long ?

There would then be more happy campers, more pens made from this wood, more feedback, and more exposure to George's product.

Sounds like a multiple win idea to me, but that's just my 2 cents.

Well, there is not up to me (this time) to decided what and how to do it however, I wasn't expecting so much interest and, while I believe your idea as credibility, I can also say that...! continued here.

Just to keep everyone happy...!

Cheers
George

 

[Edgar]

Way to go, Matthew!
These Colonial Red Gum blanks really are nice. I haven't turned any of mine yet, but I've selected one & will make a pen soon.

if anyone is not familiar with Colonial Red Gum, I encourage you to read the posts in the recent Mr. Anonymous Game #23 to learn about the source of these blanks. Colonial Red Gum is just George's term for some very old Red Gum planted by the earliest settlers to his part of Australia. Very interesting & educational.

What a great way to get some of these great blanks to more turners!

Hi Edgar,

Sorry but, I need to make a slight correction to what you wrote, I actually believe you know that is an error but at the time it just shipped, huh...??:wink:

So what is the correction, the Colonial Red Gum, was not PLANTED by out first Settles to this area, the wood wouldn't be that old, the oldest would be 200 years or so, Is correct that, they cut them down as the most readily available large trees of good/strong wood to be use in everything they need to built of wood, the applications are endless however, they those Settlers arrived here, those trees were probably 500 to 1,000 years old if not more in some cases so, adding up the possible age of the trees when cut/processed, and the time in years of when that has happened, 100 to 200 years ago, I felt a lot more comfortable in call this wood "Colonial" from those Colonial times.

There is also a big difference between Colonial wood and Ancient wood, there is no specific age that determine when wood become Ancient but, has been a common agreement between many of the wood specialist around the World that, Ancient wood should be no younger than 3,000 years old...!

So there you go, a little more learning...!

Cheers
George

Thanks George - I did know that the early settlers cut and used these large, old trees when they arrived in your area some 200 years ago. I'm going to chalk up my "planting" error to old timer's disease.

It really is great to see so much interest in these blanks & your sales offer in another thread is a really good deal for anyone who doesn't win one of Matthew's packs here (or even if they do).

I would also like to encourage everyone to watch for George's next Mr. Anonymous game and try to win some of George's great blanks directly. These games are fun and educational & anyone can win - but only if you play. :wink:

Edgar

 

[Leatherman1998]

I'd love to try some.

Thanks for doing this.

 

[OLDMAN5050]

Me too at a chance..

 

[duncsuss]

Matt -- I just placed an order with George, you can take my name out of the hat and give these other folks a better chance at winning :biggrin:

 

[mike4066]

I'd love to try them out. I'll even pay my own shipping

 

[walshjp17]

If it is not too late, Please add me to the growing list of interested turners.

 

[suefox51]

please put me in the drawing...have not turned this wood previously. and, thanks for sharing

 

[PSNCO]

Put me in the drawing. I've turned only1 wood pen. (My son's turned many, but I just turned my 3rd through my 12th pen this past weekend.... all PR blanks.)

 

[Sprung]

I like Mal's (magpen's) idea to spread it out a little more and have decided to share the blanks with 4 different people - 2 full size and 2 shorter blanks for each person.

Here are the four winners, chosen by random draw. (Also known as writing post numbers on slips of paper and letting my 2 1/2 year old son pull four slips out of the bucket.:biggrin

#2 - IowaBob
#9 - magpens
#12 - Marnut3
#21 - csr67

If you guys could send me a PM with your addresses, I'd appreciate it. It's likely that these blanks won't ship out until next week sometime, probably Tuesday, as I'm pretty busy with a number of things from now through the weekend.

Please be warned that I don't like shipping a whole lot of air, so I'm sure some extra blanks from me might fall into the packages.

Mal (magpens), if you could please, I'll need you to advise me on what the cheapest/best way is to ship to Canada - I've only shipped north of the border by USPS Priority Flat Rate and that gets expensive. If there's a way to get some blanks to you for about $5 to $8 or so, I'll cover the shipping on yours too. Otherwise I'll cover the first $5 of the shipping cost.

Thanks for your interest, everyone! If you didn't win any of these blanks, well, go check out George's site. When you do the math on the exchange rate, you'll be surprised at how reasonably priced his blanks are! And they're great blanks from a great guy too.

 

[Edgar]

Well done, Matt!

 

[robutacion]

I like Mal's (magpen's) idea to spread it out a little more and have decided to share the blanks with 4 different people - 2 full size and 2 shorter blanks for each person.

Here are the four winners, chosen by random draw. (Also known as writing post numbers on slips of paper and letting my 2 1/2 year old son pull four slips out of the bucket.:biggrin

#2 - IowaBob
#9 - magpens
#12 - Marnut3
#21 - csr67

If you guys could send me a PM with your addresses, I'd appreciate it. It's likely that these blanks won't ship out until next week sometime, probably Tuesday, as I'm pretty busy with a number of things from now through the weekend.

Please be warned that I don't like shipping a whole lot of air, so I'm sure some extra blanks from me might fall into the packages.

Mal (magpens), if you could please, I'll need you to advise me on what the cheapest/best way is to ship to Canada - I've only shipped north of the border by USPS Priority Flat Rate and that gets expensive. If there's a way to get some blanks to you for about $5 to $8 or so, I'll cover the shipping on yours too. Otherwise I'll cover the first $5 of the shipping cost.

Thanks for your interest, everyone! If you didn't win any of these blanks, well, go check out George's site. When you do the math on the exchange rate, you'll be surprised at how reasonably priced his blanks are! And they're great blanks from a great guy too.

Thanks mate...!

You never though to be "jumped" like that, huh...????

That magic work "free" is a real winner...!:wink::biggrin:

Interestingly, when I first the whole chunk into 4 pieces and then cut them in half again, I did not bother with equal chunk sizes, it was done more to be easier to me to handle lifting and on the lathe so, the amount of blanks yield from each piece do vary significantly.

The first 2 chunks, I made 40 odd, nearly 50 blanks, then I cut another 2 pieces because I had 9 that endup being only 8 members as winners so, I got the rest of the 100 and odd blanks needed out of that, I still had to cut a 5th chunk to get a few extra I needed and I have cut, left from that 5th piece, about 5 packs of 4 blanks...!

This mean that, I have 3 more pieces to cut and then it will be it, I will be cutting at least another 2 pieces as pen blanks and leave 1 for something a little bigger is necessary so, will be interesting to see how many pen blanks I will endup making out of the whole chunk.

So far, 5 pieces produced about 130 blanks which give and average of 26 blanks a piece however, one of the 3 pieces left is the biggest of the 8 and seem to have the least rot that was a shame and not worth it to cast (too far gone) so, I'm expecting (hoping) to get about 90 to 100 blanks out of the 3 pieces left, I will see how close I get from my estimation.

Either way, I put 1 dozen of blanks aside for myself so, there will be plenty for others to enjoy, also...!

Cheers
George

 

[csr67]

Thank You! pM sent

 

[magpens]

Thank you very much !!!

Sending a PM now. .. Shipping will be to a US address, so I'm no different from the others in this respect !!

 

[bloodhound]

I may be late to the party. But if not. Please consider me in. I have never heard of it. But i would love to give it a try. Thanks.

 

[bloodhound]

OOps. Didnt finish reading to the last page. Yep i was a bit late. maybe next time. I would love to see some pics when yall turn these blanks.

 

[Sprung]

I like Mal's (magpen's) idea to spread it out a little more and have decided to share the blanks with 4 different people - 2 full size and 2 shorter blanks for each person.

Here are the four winners, chosen by random draw. (Also known as writing post numbers on slips of paper and letting my 2 1/2 year old son pull four slips out of the bucket.:biggrin

#2 - IowaBob
#9 - magpens
#12 - Marnut3
#21 - csr67

If you guys could send me a PM with your addresses, I'd appreciate it. It's likely that these blanks won't ship out until next week sometime, probably Tuesday, as I'm pretty busy with a number of things from now through the weekend.

Please be warned that I don't like shipping a whole lot of air, so I'm sure some extra blanks from me might fall into the packages.

Mal (magpens), if you could please, I'll need you to advise me on what the cheapest/best way is to ship to Canada - I've only shipped north of the border by USPS Priority Flat Rate and that gets expensive. If there's a way to get some blanks to you for about $5 to $8 or so, I'll cover the shipping on yours too. Otherwise I'll cover the first $5 of the shipping cost.

Thanks for your interest, everyone! If you didn't win any of these blanks, well, go check out George's site. When you do the math on the exchange rate, you'll be surprised at how reasonably priced his blanks are! And they're great blanks from a great guy too.

Thanks mate...!

You never though to be "jumped" like that, huh...????

That magic work "free" is a real winner...!:wink::biggrin:

Interestingly, when I first the whole chunk into 4 pieces and then cut them in half again, I did not bother with equal chunk sizes, it was done more to be easier to me to handle lifting and on the lathe so, the amount of blanks yield from each piece do vary significantly.

The first 2 chunks, I made 40 odd, nearly 50 blanks, then I cut another 2 pieces because I had 9 that endup being only 8 members as winners so, I got the rest of the 100 and odd blanks needed out of that, I still had to cut a 5th chunk to get a few extra I needed and I have cut, left from that 5th piece, about 5 packs of 4 blanks...!

This mean that, I have 3 more pieces to cut and then it will be it, I will be cutting at least another 2 pieces as pen blanks and leave 1 for something a little bigger is necessary so, will be interesting to see how many pen blanks I will endup making out of the whole chunk.

So far, 5 pieces produced about 130 blanks which give and average of 26 blanks a piece however, one of the 3 pieces left is the biggest of the 8 and seem to have the least rot that was a shame and not worth it to cast (too far gone) so, I'm expecting (hoping) to get about 90 to 100 blanks out of the 3 pieces left, I will see how close I get from my estimation.

Either way, I put 1 dozen of blanks aside for myself so, there will be plenty for others to enjoy, also...!

Cheers
George

Aye, it was fun! And my son had fun pulling numbers out of the bucket! Fun all around, and more people get to try these blanks!

You got a lot of blanks out of that piece! And, see, everyone, George has more blanks! So, head on over his way!

 

[IowaBob]

Thank you.. pm sent. Can't wait to turn these.