Ornament Blank sizes

[LandfillLumber]

What size are the blanks you use for ornaments.The time of year is close and I have lots of nice stock that I think will work great for this type stuff.I want to make some boxes up to move stock that has been sitting for to long(oh and money for my knee,lol).Thank you,Victor

 

[KenV]

Depends on the style and wood -- for hollowed burl ornaments, I like 2 1/2 inches square and a long or a bit longer. I tend to use undersized pen blanks for bottom finials and something a bit larger for the top.

Inside out I need to have close tolerance stock 1/2 to 3/4 thick and 4 inches or more in length. (straight square and even to about 1/32nd or better)

Inside out likes tight grain woods, but I practice and try new shapes with clear pine.

 

[LandfillLumber]

Need more input all you ornament turners.HELP.Thank you,Victor

 

[Tony Pridmore]

2 1/2" to 3" sq.

 

[Rjones]

smaller birdhouses 2 1/2 to 3 1/2
bigger birdhouses 3 1/2 to 6

 

[jthompson1995]

I've been making some small ornaments from blocks about 1 1/4" square by about 2 to 2 1/2 inches long for the bottoms and some small cutoffs for the top. If I'm making some larger ornaments, I usually only go about 2 1/2 inches square, maybe 3 by about as long or slightly longer. I figure if they are going to be hung on a tree, they can't be huge.

 

[traderdon55]

2 to 3½ in.wide and 3 to 6 in. long.

 

[Bill Bulloch]

As small as a pen blank

I make some small bird houses out of pen blanks, some larger ones out of 2 1/2 x 4 inch blanks and others out of what ever I have. There is no rule-of-thumb....just turn what you got, have fun and I'm sure you'll like them.

 

[LandfillLumber]

Thanks everyone this is good information.I think I have a batch of smaller blanks in these sizes that have been sitting on the shelf to long so look out for them.Thanks again,Victor

 

[Rojo22]

Victor

If you want to venture on over to the segmented side, we use 3/4 inch thick boards, and cut the angles to the appropriate degree for the number of segments you want to use. We run the boards anywhere from 1 3/4 inch wide, to 4 inches wide depending on the style and "size" of the ball you want for the body.

We rip the boards to width (1 3/4 inch to 4 inches), and then we use a radial arm saw to cut across the board to give us the segments. This allows for continuous grain around the ornament (no end grain). We also use a pen blank size material for the top and bottom finials. If you have a 6 inch blank, you should be able to get both a top and a bottom out of it.

Our style of ornament also has end blocks that we use to seat the finials. They are usually a square of material that is 3/4 inch by lets say 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 inch. As you get more experience you can make the caps smaller.

I will be up at John C Campbell this week, but if you would like more information, I can get back to you next week! Good luck on the ornament project! We want pictures!

Robert