Olive Wood

[Spacecadett]

Can anybody let me know where I can source Olive Wood blanks from?

I have had a good look about online but cannot find anything bigger than square blanks at 190mm x 100 mm

Thanks!

 

[Bodrighy]

You do occasionally see it in the UK but rarely in large pieces and usually at exorbitant prices.

Pete

 

[Cowboy _Builder]

What size are you looking for, I can have a look in my firewood pile and see what I've got ,but large pieces are hard to find even here in Spain .
If I find any I can chuck them in the van ,I will be back in the UK within the next two weeks .

This is where I get my firewood ,it's mostly Olive and Eucalyptus .

 

[Spacecadett]

I am not looking for anything huge but would like to make 12'' bowls if possible - as requested by my wife!!

 

[paulm]

I think The Toolpost have some in, but I doubt as big as 12", but worth giving them a call ?

Cheers, Paul

 

[JimB]

I use bits occasionally from a tree in the garden (about 120 years old) but to get anything that size would mean felling. If my experience is anything to go by I'm not surprised it's expensive as I've found it very difficult to dry without cracking and the more colour the more risk.
That said, turning it is a culinary experience.

 

[Andrewf]

I aquired some whole olive trunks, through an aquaintance who was importing olive trees to the uk. These were coming from olive groves in italy that were being re planted. Sometimes the dead trees were being stuffed in the trucks as packing or to make up the space. The bigger pieces were not the easiest to dry, even after drying for several years they were still very wet inside and would move whilst turning. Containing lots of inclusions and stress cracks.

 

[Inspector]

There is an Aussie, George, that has lots plus a lot of other woods from his area. He sells mostly pen blanks but also has bowl blanks and will cut to order too. Send him a request for what you would like and he will do his best to help.
Here is his contact from the bottom of his web page.
http://www.georges-bits-of-timber.com/pages/contact-us

Pete

 

[andersonec]

Try these.

http://www.olivewoodturning.co.uk/spindle-blanks.html

Andy