I'm turning my own fly grips, reel seats, trim rings, etc. out of wood. I'm interested in using some stabilized wood, but I've never been able to find it in lengths long enough to do grips. Where can I find stabilized wood that is 1.5" X 1.5" X 6" or 7"???

Lamar Reel Seats can probably get you anything you desire. Shoot Andy an email and see what he can come up with.

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Andrew,
I can get it for you, but there is a turnaround time in so far as the stabilizing. Pieces of that size I do not keep in stock.

Gimme a shout if you're interested or need more info.

Andy Dear
Lamar Reel Seats

Isn't it also possible to turn the grips first and then stabilize them? I would think this may be preferable since it would be easier to turn the unstabilized wood.

Jeff-

The only problem with turning and then stabilizing is that the wood "moves" during stabilization. You'll have to turn it over-sized and then turn again. I also prefer turning stabilized burl or really hard woods like purpleheart and zebrawood. The resin makes a more consistent surface and leaves a better tool finish. As for Maple and such I think it's 6 of 1 ,half dozen between stabilized and non-stabilized. You have to sharpen more with stabilized, but you get a better tool finish, and no need for an external finish.

Andrew -

The other option is to use naturally oily woods like Cocobolo, Rosewood, or Teak. They don't need to (and shouldn't) be stabilized. Several companies have turning stock in those dimensions. I would guess Andy Dear has (or can get) blanks in those oily woods for you.

Christian

Actually it is better to rough turn and bore the wood prior to stabilization. The reason being is that the folks who do the stabilizing charge by weight. So the less weight you have the less money you'll spend. Now having said that Christian is correct in that SOME woods do move when they are subjected to the process. Generally it is the softer more porous woods that will warp a bit, Box Elder and Buckeye being two of the worst! Harder denser woods like Walnut, Amboyna, Thuya...they don't seem to move hardly any if at all.

Call me if you need more info.

Andy Dear
Lamar Reel seats