Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Where do you source your timber for woodturning, and do you ever use recycled or upcycled wood?
Most of what I use comes from Dalmann Timber near Lambourn, prepared blanks bought direct. I do occasionally use recycled or upcycled wood, and plenty of turners make it a priority. For the kind of turning I do, prepared blanks are generally the right starting point. That said, if something with an interesting provenance comes along, I would happily put it on the lathe. I have a set of old bell swings from St Paul's Cathedral waiting to become something, as it happens.
Anita Applegarth asked this one on Facebook. Part of the Ask Martin series, where I answer your woodturning questions in 60 seconds or less.
Leave your question in the comments and I pick one or two each week.
#AskMartin #woodturning #woodsourcing
🎓 Want to learn in person? I run woodturning courses at my school in Hampshire for all levels — from complete beginners through to more advanced techniques. Details at www.thewoodturning.school 🛢️ My Finishes: yandles.co.uk/shop/?manufacturer=martin-saban-smith-woodturning 📘 Design and proportion in woodturning — I wrote the book: msabansmith.com/shop 📍 Based at Garthowen Garden Centre, Four Marks, Hampshire — next to the South Downs National Park. 🌐 msabansmith.com Facebook — Me: facebook.com/msabansmith Facebook — Woodturning School: facebook.com/thewoodturningschool Instagram — Me: instagram.com/msabansmith Instagram — School: instagram.com/thewoodturningschool The visual video content (including my voice), any text and any graphics in the video are Copyright © Woodturning Online Ltd 2015–2026. All rights reserved.
Where do you source your timber for woodturning, and do you ever use recycled or upcycled wood?
Most of what I use comes from Dalmann Timber near Lambourn, prepared blanks bought direct. I do occasionally use recycled or upcycled wood, and plenty of turners make it a priority. For the kind of turning I do, prepared blanks are generally the right starting point. That said, if something with an interesting provenance comes along, I would happily put it on the lathe. I have a set of old bell swings from St Paul's Cathedral waiting to become something, as it happens.
Anita Applegarth asked this one on Facebook. Part of the Ask Martin series, where I answer your woodturning questions in 60 seconds or less.
Leave your question in the comments and I pick one or two each week.
#AskMartin #woodturning #woodsourcing
🎓 Want to learn in person? I run woodturning courses at my school in Hampshire for all levels — from complete beginners through to more advanced techniques. Details at www.thewoodturning.school 🛢️ My Finishes: yandles.co.uk/shop/?manufacturer=martin-saban-smith-woodturning 📘 Design and proportion in woodturning — I wrote the book: msabansmith.com/shop 📍 Based at Garthowen Garden Centre, Four Marks, Hampshire — next to the South Downs National Park. 🌐 msabansmith.com Facebook — Me: facebook.com/msabansmith Facebook — Woodturning School: facebook.com/thewoodturningschool Instagram — Me: instagram.com/msabansmith Instagram — School: instagram.com/thewoodturningschool The visual video content (including my voice), any text and any graphics in the video are Copyright © Woodturning Online Ltd 2015–2026. All rights reserved.
