Thread: Walking sticks

Tip No 1

Tip No 2 listen to SWMBO

And describe details of the problems you had.

Then we may be able to help.

regards

OK I was trying to avoid pic to save my embarrassment but I will post some tomorrow.
and a in depth description.

Originally Posted by Rum Pig

OK I was trying to avoid pic to save my embarrassment but I will post some tomorrow.
and a in depth description.

...why should you be any different than the rest of us

Originally Posted by Ed Reiss

...why should you be any different than the rest of us

i second that

show us the walking stick

Patrick

I have a jig that fits into the banjo on the lathe, that simplifies boring the hole for the brass fittings. Will take some photos tomorrow. If I get enough time tomorrow,(retirement is a full time job.. , I will do a wip.
Jim

OK Here are my photos

The main problem I had was alignment every time I fitted a brass attachment it all seem to go out of alignment. if you look close to photo #1 and look along the stick it has a slight bend at the brass fitting and if you look at photos #2,3 & 5 you can see where i had to trim the brass to become flush with the stick again
I also had to trim the brass at the joiner but that is not obvious
I'm glad I only had to use one joiner as the total length was only 740mm if I had to use the second even a blind man would have been ashamed
I will look forward to your pics Jim because I have to make another one now
On the up side the lady that it was made for apparently cried when she received she thought is was so nice she even named it after me

And ED I do not think I should be any different to you mob I just just well well thought well um I might um OH I don't know maybe it was the rum that made me think I could get away with it

Something which might help with the alignment.

Drill the holes on the ends before you do the final turning.

Then when you put it on the lathe, the cone of the live centre will ensure the t/s end is centered. Turn to dimension, leaving the h/s end a bit oversize. Then reverse, and repeat for the other end, aligning the h/s end by eye. Any error will be minimised over the length, compared to a centring error at the t/s.

Do the centre ferrule joints first, as they will be more critical, and the handle and toe last.

Thinking further, if you are doing only the final light cuts to true up, you can also grip a piece of hardwood in your chuck, and turn a cone centre on it. Rely on friction for drive, (probably OK for light cuts) or put a dab of hotmelt at the join. Let me know how you go.

regards

one of the problems is i have to drill the holes by hand. So I can centre it between holes but if the holes run 45 degrees to the stock when I screws the joiner in it will not be true if that makes sense

Looks good to me and I think its all part of something that is hand made and finished. I think its great if you are not satisfied with your work because it always makes one strive to do better each time. I am never completely satisfied with any of my work be it turning, box making or picture framing. I strive for perfection but when you make something yourself, you are aware of every little flaw in the product and I think you are your own worst critic. Little imperfections are part of a hand made product.
Well thats my story and I'm sticking to it. Personally I think you did an excellent job.

Originally Posted by Rum Pig

OK Here are my photos

The main problem I had was alignment every time I fitted a brass attachment it all seem to go out of alignment. if you look close to photo #1 and look along the stick it has a slight bend at the brass fitting and if you look at photos #2,3 & 5 you can see where i had to trim the brass to become flush with the stick again
I also had to trim the brass at the joiner but that is not obvious
I'm glad I only had to use one joiner as the total length was only 740mm if I had to use the second even a blind man would have been ashamed
I will look forward to your pics Jim because I have to make another one now
On the up side the lady that it was made for apparently cried when she received she thought is was so nice she even named it after me

And ED I do not think I should be any different to you mob I just just well well thought well um I might um OH I don't know maybe it was the rum that made me think I could get away with it

See RP, that didn't hurt to post the pics...and FWIW you did a damn good job on the stick

Originally Posted by Alastair

Drill the holes on the ends before you do the final turning.

Also, I imagine you have a Jacob's Chuck on a MT that'll fit your tailstock? And that you have a centre-steady?

I use a steady during turning, then simply bring it up to the tailstock end before backing off the tailstock so the stick is still supported squarely in the lathe. I've also turned a couple of jam chucks (that go into the Jacob's Chuck) which fit the brass fittings, allowing me to use the tailstock to insert them squarely into the end of the stick and as a clamp while the glue dies.

That way you avoid the dogleg problem altogether. All the other flaws are "acceptable" to the average customer - although they'll annoy YOU - but a dogleg...? Well... you had a good customer this time.

Looks good to me R.P.
What kind of wood did you use.?

Originally Posted by Rum Pig

......
On the up side the lady that it was made for apparently cried when she received she thought is was so nice she even named it after me

Fancy calling a walking stick Rum Pig