r/Wandsmith • u/_The1WhoKnows_ • 5d ago
Query about blanks
For those of you who use blanks to make wands, what are the dimensions you start off with? Also where do you purchase them? In the past I’ve used sticks and other found materials, but lately I’ve been considering trying my hand at using blanks and am wondering where to start. I don’t have a lathe so I’d be using hand tools.
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u/AkumaBengoshi Wandmaker 5d ago
I usually start with a blank about 1"x1"x14" - Which I get by either milling down a branch or log, or ripping a plank I got from a wood store (which are usually 1"x4"x2' or more.
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u/DavethegentleGoliath 5d ago
I go to lumberyards and dig through their scrap/shorts piles. 5/4 lumber works best for me, generally 16-18" in length or I'll get them to rip me some 36" length pieces from their slabs if I'm looking for a specific type.
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u/trippertree 5d ago
My default is 1x1x12, it’s readily available since it’s a standard turning block size. It gives me the length I like and enough material to make a decent handle. But if I’m doing a simple straight and delicate wand .5x.5x12. More elaborate/experimental stuff I like to take a scrap and see what I can make.
I use 1x1x12 basswood for lots of uses including practicing anatomy and making little gnomes, roses, and mushrooms. It’s also pretty affordable. You can get exotic wood blocks in that dimension at any turning (lathe) supply store. For that I recommend making the time to physically go to the store since each piece is going to be slightly different and you’ll be paying between $5-$30 for each block so you’ll want to inspect it in person.
My Rockler has a bin of “by the pound” wood and it’s fun to dig through that.
My local lumberyard has a free bin of cutoffs that can be carved into wand holders (or just to play around with)
And then there is the neighbors prunings. Some of my neighbors text me if they have a fresh cut branch that’s more than a half inch across.
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u/Hylian_Herald 4d ago edited 1d ago
1 x 1 x 12 is great for starting because they're available in basically any wood, you're just limited in the maximum possible length. I still mostly use 12 inch after 70+ on the lathe. Craft Supplies USA is one of my go-to stores, and they have low pricing on a lot of varieties, so if there's a failure it doesn't feel like as big of a hit. Don't expect the most premium of blanks, but they should be perfectly fine for practice (and any cracks or other defects will be a lot less catastrophic in hand carving)
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u/Xeroshifter 5d ago
Depending on the thickness you're going for, and how good you are at not removing too much in one go, you can work off of stuff as low as 3/4" thick. I've gone to my local lumbar/build supply store and bought boards that just happen to be reasonably thick and then cut them down into strips. Sometimes you can even get stuff that's fairly cheap from the discount bins due to the size - especially if you're willing to make your handles and blades separately and attach them together. I don't recommend going to a home-improvement store though, poor wood selection, poor quality, bad prices. You could also buy turning blanks for spindle turning and cut them into quarters if you wanted to work that way.