Making blanks?

[_tc]

Hi guys I've not done any turning before but have picked up a lathe and have some wood to turn but it's still in the round. How do you cut a blank from a round please?

[bob]

ideally slab down the grain in the middle and then either side dependant on how thick and how many you want.

Usually you do not want the centre (pith) as this would split

just have a go and see how it goes but basically as if it was going to be a plank

[slack ma girdle]

If you haven't got access to a saw mill, then the easiest way is to split down the middle with a splitting maul, and use a chainsaw or jig saw to rough out the shape.

It will require a bit more work on the lathe.