Cutting blanks

[malc]

I have found a hardwood supplier close to me. They supply the wood turning hobby and all their blanks are circular up to 12 inches diameter. The problem is the thickness. The thinnest is one and a half inches, about twice what I want. What is the best way to slice it? My band saw has only a depth of about four inches. I am a little worried about the straightness of a hand cut. I could run it through a thicknesser, but that would be a terrible waste of good timber. Any ideas?
Malc

[Russ C]

You have a problem most of us face. You would have to find a lumber mill locally with a saw big enough to slice it. Or spend the big bucks to buy a band saw that will do the job. If you took your time and a sharp saw you could do it buy hand. I have done it successfully on a couple of occasions.   

[Bill P]

Although I hate seeing half the wood wasted, when I have this problem I use my planer. Sort of my last resort.

Good luck.

Bill

[dunk]

Make a "V" block and cut them on your table saw and then run em through your planer to clean em up.

[dgman]

My advise Malc is find another source of wood. One important thing to consider is  most wood for turners is not kiln dried. It will have a much higher moisture content than kiln dried wood. This means this wood has a  better Chance of warping and checking after you have spent hours scrolling on it.

[jimbo]

You got it dg people don't realize how long wood takes to dry, for every inch of thickness it takes 1 year to dry and over 4" it does not dry in the center of the wood, as far as making a 12" round of wood thinner is to put it through planner [safest] or if you have a lathe you can take down on that
Jimbo