Bowl blanks are the heart of woodturning a bowl, whether salad or soup.
While they are often for sale, they are simple to cut for yourself.
Here are a few things to look for when looking for a bowl blank.
When buying a bowl blank it is best to see it yourself.
Choose one with the ends well sealed.
Usually this will be a layer of wax, generally applied as an emulsion and let dry.
The reason it has been sealed is it has been cut from green or wet wood.
As wet wood dries it has a tendency to crack.
Drying has to be slowed down to reduce tension in the changing wood.
Most of the water in the wood leaves through the ends so these are the parts that are sealed.
Wax does not stop the water, it merely slows it down and allows the tension in the drying wood to relax without splitting.
Having this in mind, examine the ends of the bowl blank for checks and splits.
Some blanks are cut longer than wide and short checks are alright but deep ones will have to be cut or turned away.
Also, bowl blanks are usually cut square or rectangular and the wast corners or lengths will be cut away along with any checks that may be there.
Choose a blank large enough to turn the bowl you desire.
This is not always possible because larger pieces check and split more easily than small ones and distributors tend to have a maximum size they are willing to risk.
In the case of exotic woods this is even more the case.
Their density and sometimes oiliness make them more susceptible to uneven drying and splitting.
In the case of domestic woods you may be able to find a more amenable source in local mills and wood cutters.
They may be willing to cut a log through the center for you and then to length.
If so, be sure to have them cut a bit long and seal the ends with wax as soon as possible.
Many areas have people who cut trees down which are in the way or have died on people's lawns.
Often they own band saw mills and are quite prepared to do the preparation for you.
This may mean that you have to take all the bowl blanks the log can be cut into, but the cost will be far cheaper than imports and can often be shared with fellow woodturners.
There are plenty of ways to buy bowl blanks or to cut them yourself.
Each one is an opportunity for a lot of enjoyment followed by a beautiful and useful piece of art and craft, a hand turned bowl.