Collection: Turning Wood
Woodturning on the lathe, an ancient and prized art, has long been a therapeutic outlet for woodworkers. Whether you're an expert or you're just getting started as a woodturner, we understand that you want to start with high quality turning wood! That's why we carefully select exotic and domestic wood blanks that range in size, price, and figure to meet the needs of each of our woodworking customers.
There are many things to consider when you begin a woodturning project. Our favorite consideration is what wood you'll start with! Hardwoods are typically preferred for their strength and fine grain, which is optimal for detailed turning. Softwoods making turning easier, but may not be as durable. Most of our wood blanks are freshly cut (green), which makes woodturning considerably easier because the wood is softer; however, it's critical to use the twice turning method when working with freshly cut wood to avoid cracking and warping. Dry wood avoids these issues, but can be much harder on tools. For more information about twice turning, visit our wood FAQ section at the bottom of any of our pages.
Woodturning also requires a solid, sturdy lathe that reduces vibration and helps create smoother cuts. A variable speed lathe is also highly recommended so that you can adjust the speed and type of cut based on the wood you've chosen. Tools are another important consideration when turning wood. It's important to have gouges, parting tools, and skew chisels so that you can implement the different shaping, carving, separating, and smoothing techniques necessary for your finished project. Keeping tools very sharp helps with smooth cuts and reduces fatigue when turning.
Woodturning connoisseurs know that the possibilities for woodturning are extensive! Some of the most common choices for woodturning are as follows: 1) Bowl Turning: This technique begins with a bowl blank or round piece of wood to form wooden bowls or other round objects. This technique requires a lathe, bowl gouges, and scrapers. 2) Spindle Turning: In spindle turning, long pieces are used to make projects along the grain, such as candle sticks, pool cues, table legs, and duck calls. 3) Faceplate Turning: This method is best for heavy wood, where the large blank is attached directly to the lathe by a faceplate. 4) Segmented Turning: This method implements the use of sections or segments of wood that have been cut and glued together in specific patterns and then turned. Segmented turning allows for diverse color and grain patterns and the use of scraps and expensive hardwoods that may not be available in larger pieces. It requires great care and precision to turn the complex pieces that are yielded from this method.
Once your project is complete, make sure to sand using progressively finer grit sandpaper. Apply whatever finish you like best. The choices are endless, but many people like oil and wax to enhance the color and grain of the wood.
Woodturning is an extremely rewarding and fun hobby! It requires patience, but can be easily learned by anyone. As your skills increase, the creative possibilities are endless. In no time, you can create pieces for your home, gifts, and pieces that can be sold.

3745 products
Close
Filter
$
-
$
1.31
9.71
18.10
26.49
34.89
$
-
$
0.25
6.13
12.00
17.88
23.75
$
-
$
0.25
2.69
5.13
7.56
10.00
$
-
$
2
608
1214
1820
2425
-
S1012
Bubinga Bowl Blank (4" x 4" x 2-7/8")
2.9 lb | 4" x 4" x 2-7/8"Regular price $17.64Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $17.64 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$0 -
S46
Anzem Turning Square (12" x 2" x 2")
2.2 lb | 12" x 2" x 2"Regular price $16.04Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $16.04 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$0 -
S1037
Red Gum Bowl Blank (6" x 6" x 3)
9.7 lb | 6" x 6" x 3"Regular price $21.39Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $21.39 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$0 -
S1027
Macacauba Turning Square (24" x 2" x 2")
6.6 lb | 24" x 2" x 2"Regular price $28.67Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $28.67 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$0 -
S636
Coffeewood (Bolivian Ebony) Turning Square (12" x 2" x 2")
3.5 lb | x xRegular price $18.18Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $18.18 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$0 -
S993
African Mahogany Platter Blank (7" x 7" x 1-7/8")
3.2 lb | 7" x 7" x 1-7/8"Regular price $15.99Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $15.99 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$0 -
W190203
Madrone Burl Live Edge Bowl Blank
19.0 lb | 10-7/8" max. x 9-1/16" x 2-1/2"Regular price $259.46Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $259.46 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$0 -
W190306
Madrone Burl Bowl Blank
3.5 lb | 5-3/8" x 5-1/4" x 1-7/8"Regular price $85.59Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $85.59 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$0 -
W190321
Madrone Burl Turning Square
1.8 lb | 8-5/16" x 1-5/8" x 1-9/16"Regular price $42.79Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $42.79 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$0 -
W193655
Sycamore Bowl Blank
52.5 lb | 9-1/8" x 9-1/16" x 3"Regular price $184.52Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $184.52 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$0 -
On Sale NowW193769
Sycamore Bowl Blank 4 Pack Box
17.2 lb | 8-5/8" x 3-3/8" x 3"Regular price $86.82Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $86.82 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$108.53On Sale Now -
W193896
Extra Fancy Red Mallee Burl Bowl Blank
9.7 lb | 6-3/8" x 6-3/8" x 2-1/2"Regular price $201.76Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $201.76 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$0 -
W193882
Extra Fancy Red Coolibah Burl Bowl Blank
15.9 lb | 7-15/16" x 7-15/16" x 2-13/16"Regular price $330.16Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $330.16 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$0 -
W193884
Extra Fancy Brown Mallee Burl Bowl Blank
5.7 lb | 5-3/8" x 5-5/16" x 2-3/16"Regular price $119.21Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $119.21 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$0 -
W193876
Exhibition Brown Coolibah Burl Bowl Blank
15.0 lb | 7-7/8" x 7-7/8" x 2-11/16"Regular price $374.49Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $374.49 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$0 -
W193874
Extra Fancy Brown Mallee Burl Bowl Blank
9.3 lb | 6-1/4" x 6-1/8" x 2-9/16"Regular price $192.59Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $192.59 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$0 -
W193869
Extra Fancy Brown Coolibah Burl Bowl Blank
11.5 lb | 6-5/16" x 6-1/4" x 2-3/4"Regular price $238.44Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $238.44 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$0 -
W193864
Extra Fancy Red Coolibah Burl Bowl Blank
15.0 lb | 7-5/8" x 7-9/16" x 2-13/16"Regular price $305.70Translation missing: en.products.product.sale_price $305.70 Regular priceUnit price $0 / per$0
Don't Be Board! Stay Connected...
Sign up to be the first to know about products and specials from Cook Woods!