Finding the right wood

Three places to get wood

Thanks to a generous gift from a prior Gold Canyon resident, we can supply the wood you need to make your first bowl. If you continue with this hobby, you'll need to get your own wood. You'll have three options:

1. Milled construction lumber, such as pine from Home Depot. You won't see this used as much in our woodshop, but it's a terrific way to get started, in fact, that's what the instructor uses in the Turn your first bowl video. And this video gives tips on using this inexpensive option.

2. Milled lumber from specialty stores: This is generally hardwood such as maple and walnut, as well as more exotic woods such as padauk and zebra wood. 

3. Logs from a variety of sources, such as tree maintenance companies. In Arizona, it's not too hard to find local woods such as mesquite. Unlike lumber, this raw wood needs to be dried for about a year (it varies by size and type of wood) before you'll want to make a bowl with it. Wet wood, also called green wood, can be used, but your bowl will change shape and possibly crack as it dries.