View Full Version : Getting hold of wood
firecrest
01-04-2009, 23:18
Does anybody know where I can buy (or order) Wooden panels made from birch or sycamore? I am after A4/A3/A2 size. Ive tried the local timberyard, the homebase the BnQ, they just dont sell real wood planks! Ive no idea where to look. I need them for pyrography, which Im currently obsessing about. If anybidy has some, Im willing to buy then :)
I wish you lived nearer since I can get hold of the stuff so easily. It's heavy though and that's a pain to post.
I do know that companies that sell blanks to woodturners also sell for pyrography though.
Craft Supplies in Millerdale, near Buxton was where I bought pieces years ago.
How about asking Eric ? It's just the sort of thing he might well know how to help with.
atb,
M
Bit of a random thought here, I have a relative who is employed in "house clearance" and they often have old furnature or wall panelling or similar to dispose of, usually they don't have the facility to keep it for any length of time so either sell it fast and cheap or burn it....so if you take a look locally you should be able to find a firm or two advertising who may be worth approaching.....and they may even have access to many other materials a talented artist could use...
Hope that's helpfull
Smoggy.
Singeblister
01-04-2009, 23:44
Is plywood no good to you Linz ? the outer layer is usualy birch.
I would offer to help you out but my bandsaw died the other day and I cant find the part i need anywhere :(
andywinkk
02-04-2009, 00:52
you could try one of then naf wooden floor shops and blag some free samples, not laminate but solid stuff
does it have to be birch or sycamore because our kid is well into woodwork but uses mainly ash oak and some other woods (cant remember name) he might have some bits lying around
andywinkk
02-04-2009, 00:54
I wish you lived nearer since I can get hold of the stuff so easily. It's heavy though and that's a pain to post.
I do know that companies that sell blanks to woodturners also sell for pyrography though.
Craft Supplies in Millerdale, near Buxton was where I bought pieces years ago.
How about asking Eric ? It's just the sort of thing he might well know how to help with.
atb,
M
oh ye ive been to millersdale with john and its a really cool shop:D
have you been mary ?
Eric_Methven
02-04-2009, 08:58
I can't really help with this one I'm afraid. Although I also like pyrography, I usually do small stuff on plates and spoons. I've found beech to be a good wood to work on. I can only suggest contacting a reputable timber merchant to see what they say. Other than that, ask Robin Wood. I know he has a chainsaw and if I remember correctly he may also have an alaska saw mill (chainsaw attachment for slicing planks off a tree). If I had one I'd be able to cut you a half inch slice right down the length of the trunk then cut it into panels. These could then be run through a planer/thicknesser to dress it ready for use.
Eric
oh ye ive been to millersdale with john and its a really cool shop:D
have you been mary ?
Yeah :D about twenty years ago though :o I love rambling through the attic finding yet more stashes of blanks and chunks of timber :cool: I was buying for my Uncle who had said, "Och, just bring me what you find interesting :) ".......carte blanche :D :D . so I did.
They carry lots of little fixing and fittings too :approve: Ferules, compasses, glass, silver and brassware. Useful stuff.
atb,
M
firecrest
02-04-2009, 19:44
I might try the place in buxton , its fairly close by. Who thought it would be so difficult to source some wood!!
I could use plywood but as I was thinking of doing some pictures to sell to the public, I dont know if that might cheapen the appearance a bit.
Gailainne
02-04-2009, 20:11
Just a thought Linz but what about local council, if they are felling anywhere near, ask then to tablet a Birch into 1-2" sections for you, if they do it at an angle you should get some nice oval shapes, oh natural may go down better with the punters as well :cool:
Only problem would be it would be green and prone to splitting, unless they have any dead standing.
Good luck, your box was brill, looking forward to seeing more of your work.
Cheers
Stephen
Mesquite
02-04-2009, 21:15
I've got a couple places on an estate near to where I work that might be able to help you out Lindsey. Next time I've got a bit of time I'll stop off and do some asking around :)
Singeblister
02-04-2009, 23:15
Place in Buxton , if your on about craft supplies they only sell turning blacks and square blocks linz :( they do sell a small range of boxes and other bits and bats for pyro people though
How about bread boards/ chopping boards Lindsay ?
I'm still using a sycamore one my father made for me, and decorated with pyrography, when I got married over thirty years ago.
Ikea were selling plain boards recently, and come to think of it Lidl were selling a set of six oblong ones for a few pounds recently too.
Failing that, what about birch bark ? Good thick stuff is available through the net. I know I have some, and I'd happily send it..........when I can find it :o
cheers,
M
bushwacker bob
02-04-2009, 23:41
Go to your local builders merchant and flooring suppliers, tell them you want to have a birch floor and would like to see some unfinished samples. they will supply samples about 6'' wide by upto about 15" long all planed, sanded and ready to go.
These folks might be worth a call http://www.robbins.co.uk used by many of the classic and vintage dinghy sailors.
Another near me is Rohan Woodworking ltd 01653 697333. I've bought odd bits of timber from them in the past.
Al
got some birch and sycamore logs that could be split.
How thick do you want?
firecrest
03-04-2009, 16:56
How about bread boards/ chopping boards Lindsay ?
I'm still using a sycamore one my father made for me, and decorated with pyrography, when I got married over thirty years ago.
Ikea were selling plain boards recently, and come to think of it Lidl were selling a set of six oblong ones for a few pounds recently too.
Failing that, what about birch bark ? Good thick stuff is available through the net. I know I have some, and I'd happily send it..........when I can find it :o
cheers,
M
Can you pyrograph birch bark? thats a great idea. The public would go for that I think.
Im doing chopping boards as well, they burn lovely. Im concerned about the lastability though, and of haboring germs, Ive just pyrographed the bottom corner of one and the back of another, im not sure if I can do it all over or if it would require more scrubbing to get clean. Youve reminded me I bought some papyrus last christmas, I may be able to burn that. I think this stall will be more of a success, as I go to this show each year and see loads of c**p on sale for high prices. And this year they have moved it just down the road so I can cart my stuff in a wheel barrow:D
firecrest
03-04-2009, 16:59
got some birch and sycamore logs that could be split.
How thick do you want?
As close to a picture panel as possible :) I guess that depends on the width of the log than the thickness, as I dont need it to be more than 2 centimetres thickness. Would fresh would warp? I might be best seeing if I can buy treated wood first, but cheers anyhow.
Eric_Methven
03-04-2009, 17:33
There's always veg tanned leather too. That burns lovely, and you can get it in as big sizes as you'll ever need.
Incidentally, I was looking at the Peter Childs pyrography machine. Don't look like there's much in the box for a hundred quid. So I was contemplating making one from scratch. Haven't come across PCB plans for one have you?
Eric
Are you looking for "real" wood or could you use ply? Some model shops sell birch ply for model making. I have bought some 6mm birch ply, its about 300mm wide by 1200 mm long if I remember correctly and it's normally "aircraft" quality with pretty good surfaces. Hope that helps.
firecrest
03-04-2009, 18:45
That may well be helpful jojo. all these places i didnt think of looking....
Eric, I dont really know much about pyrography machines, I bought the Peter Childs as I saw it recommended by professionals. I dont know what the other models offer but with this one the heat is dial controlled and it holds just like a pen. It looks a little home made though so making one would probably be simple, but Im happy with it, it does what I intended it to do, not like the awful blunt instrument i got from hobbycraft which got hot when i held it and my hand was several inches away from the tip.
robin wood
03-04-2009, 18:59
Sounds like you are after sawn and dried planks so you need a timbver supplier like John Boddy http://www.john-boddy-timber.ltd.uk/ or craft supplies http://www.craft-supplies.co.uk/
I think I just read in another thread you are in Sheffield? There are a few folk I could recomend that have sawmills and birch and sycamore but it would be green so would move a little during drying, then you would want it dried then shoved through a planer thicknesser. Easiest just to go to Boddy's.
firecrest
04-04-2009, 13:09
Burnt some veg tan leather last night. Im reet pleased with this result, its better than using a pen because the shading can get more subtle :) :) my favourite new toy. thanks for the leather tip Toddy this is much better than wood
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/firecrest22/pyro002.jpg
And these are just doodles I'll bet! Wow! that's all I can say. Now you can make leather bags and such and with your art work on them you'll have no problem selling them.
Have a look at this site (http://www.artcuir.com/artcuir.htm) to see what can be done. All in french I'm afraid.
I think it was Eric who suggested the leather, but either way, Lindsay those sketches are stunningly good :D .........you do know that a lot of folks would happily pay to have you do something on leather for them to sew ?? Even little things, like patches or mini pouches let alone satchels and sheaths. They would frame well too :cool:
cheers,
M
firecrest
04-04-2009, 15:58
I think patches would be very popular. I thought about making my own leather goods like sheaths and alike, but Id then have to get the handicraft up to top standard and I really don't have the means or the know how. Ill produce a lot of leather motiffs i think, as I want a tonne of stuff to put on the stall at the Farmers summer show. if they dont sell there, Im sure at least some will sell here. can I sell as a `maker`?
You will need to talk to Tony about becoming a Maker, but I'm sure he'll be happy about it :D
I really hope your Farmer's Market goes well, it would be good to have a regular outlet for your work.
cheers,
M
Mesquite
04-04-2009, 16:29
Your talent continues to leave me astounded Lindsey.... like Jojo said about your doddles... WOW
I'm glad I bought the pastel drawing of the kettle it's better in real life than the pic you posted :) and whats even better about it the little wifey likes it :D
Eric_Methven
04-04-2009, 17:54
I've seen the way you work in other media. I just knew you'd like working on leather. Great fun innit?
Eric
firecrest
04-04-2009, 18:02
I've seen the way you work in other media. I just knew you'd like working on leather. Great fun innit?
Eric
Its so smooth. Im not sure how to get deeper shades without blasting holes in it though, that may be unavoidable. Im just waiting in suspense for my first burn after seeing what it does to leather !!
firecrest
04-04-2009, 18:05
Your talent continues to leave me astounded Lindsey.... like Jojo said about your doddles... WOW
I'm glad I bought the pastel drawing of the kettle it's better in real life than the pic you posted :) and whats even better about it the little wifey likes it :D
Im glad you both like it. I just sent a picture down to the the pastel society hope it gets in this year.
*edit* well actually I sent Phil down to London on a bus to deliver it , I couldnt be bothered myself. haha!
Eric_Methven
04-04-2009, 19:19
Its so smooth. Im not sure how to get deeper shades without blasting holes in it though, that may be unavoidable. Im just waiting in suspense for my first burn after seeing what it does to leather !!
Don't press too hard in any case, turn up the heat and work slowly. I've found I can get almost black that way. It doesn't work too well for large shaded areas though. Lots of tiny dots is better for shading large areas - different tip temperatures and variable spacing with the dots can get you an infinite variety of shades.
Incidentally, and I don't know if you have tried this, but for complex work on leather, I find drawing on paper, with a sheet of carbon paper underneath (the wrong way up) will give you a reverse impression in carbon ink. Place the paper on your leather and go over the paper with a warm iron. The heat will transfer the carbon ink from the back of the paper onto the leather. The pyrography tool will remove all traces of ink during the burning process. Just make sure the iron is cool so it doesn't shrivel the leather.
Eric
Gailainne
04-04-2009, 20:14
Lindsay the detail on those hands is amazing, how fine is the tip on one of those gadgets ?
Next thought is, how to get one of your "superb sketches" on to a sheath without ruining it while dyeing it :bluThinki.
maybe an inset panel ? anybody got any ideas ?
Linz if you have any expensive courses you want to go on, I think you've found the cash cow to fund them mate, amazing work.
Stephen
MartinK9
04-04-2009, 20:20
That is some stunning work there Lindsay,
Eric_Methven
04-04-2009, 22:45
Next thought is, how to get one of your "superb sketches" on to a sheath without ruining it while dyeing it. Maybe an inset panel ? anybody got any ideas ?
The easiest way on a sheath is to mark it out flat, do the carbon paper image transfer, tool a border round the image, burn the image onto the leather, then, paint over the image up to the tooled border with masking fluid. Copydex will do at a push. Then dye it whatever colour you like. The copydex or masking fluid acts like a resist when it dries. Once you are finished with the dyeing, remove the masking fluid with a rubber. Because the image is burned onto the leather, the rubbing won't effect it. It's what I used to use for highlights when air brushing. It also works on veg tan. Then when that's done, sew up the sheath and wet mould as normal. Finally, a coat of neutral boot polish over the whole thing and a good buff with a soft brush and job's a good un.
Eric
British Red
04-04-2009, 23:19
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/firecrest22/pyro002.jpg
Goddess thats fantastic work!
Do you take commissions?
Red
Eric_Methven
04-04-2009, 23:36
This is a guy called Brendan Power (http://www.brendanpowerart.com/userimages/NEWLAYOUT/bik2.jpg). He has developed a pedal power pyrography machine that means he can work outdoors without electricity. Just what I'm after except I can't find any details. That panel he's working on in the link above is currently going for 800 Euro. Here's his gallery (http://www.brendanpowerart.com/page6.htm). There's good money to be made if you have talent - and you've got it in spades Lindsey.
Eric
firecrest
04-04-2009, 23:57
Goddess thats fantastic work!
Do you take commissions?
Red
Is that goddess or goodness?
Ill take Goddess thank you :)
Yep, I do indeed dance for my dinner. always accepting of commissions:D
British Red
05-04-2009, 00:40
Definitely "Goddess" ;)
Okay - Hows about a red squirrel with nice tufty ears in an oval? Suitabe for wearing as a jacket patch?
Price - you work out whats fair!
Red