ElvisThePelvis Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 Apologies for the most boring question ever.. I have found the replacement thumb stick for the one 'borrowed' by a friend last game season, i know that it needs to be hung vertically for a year or so (until November in this case) but should i straighten it before or after hanging it up? Any tips on how to straighten it would be appreciated. Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stimo22 Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 Hi, if it is hazel it should but in a dry cool shed or garage for about 12 months per inch in diameter they should be straightened when they are dried. I use steam to straighten, will post photo of the equipment when I get to my computer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElvisThePelvis Posted March 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 Hi, if it is hazel it should but in a dry cool shed or garage for about 12 months per inch in diameter they should be straightened when they are dried. I use steam to straighten, will post photo of the equipment when I get to my computer Excellent thank you, it is indeed Hazel but it seems like it will be ready for next game season rather than this coming one at that drying rate... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panoma1 Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 Try tying the stick into the inner angle of a length of angle iron, use strips of material to do so, this will minimise the need to straighten the stick when it has dried, if it needs to be dead straight?........as others have said use steam when it has dried! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElvisThePelvis Posted March 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 Try tying the stick into the inner angle of a length of angle iron, use strips of material to do so, this will minimise the need to straighten the stick when it has dried, if it needs to be dead straight?........as others have said use steam when it has dried! This is great idea thank you, its not far out of perfectly straight so this may well do the trick, in any event it doesn't need to be perfect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stimo22 Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 Hi again These two photos show how I do my sticks, with a few ideas of what is possible. I dry hazel for about 10 months but longer for blackthorn or holly, I have a tube about 1m long and attach a wallpaper steamer it one end.This end has a blank with a pipe fitting of the correct size, the sticks are put in the steam for about 15 minutes and a cloth to seal the open end. They can then be straightened over your knee. When I cut a stick as soon as I get home I write the date in felt tip on the cut end and this allows me to do them in order. If you need any help just ask# Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 (edited) Let the stick dry naturally for as long as you feel appropriate but I use a moisture meter and work on my sticks when the moisture content is below 15. A freshly cut stick reads about 38-40ish. You can save a lot of time by putting the stick in an airing cupboard or similar, but don`t overdo it. I use a hot air paint stripping blower, looks like a hairdryer with the heat on steroids. Be careful not to get the hot air too close to the stick for too long but otherwise it`s the cheapest and quickest way to straighten a stick. You can apply the heat exactly where you need it. Bend the heated portion of the stick across your knee or in a simple bending jig. Something with a suitably sized and deep,padded hole in it against which you can exert a steady bending force. A hot air gun has the advantage that you don`t run the risk of the bark sloughing off if left too long in the steam. When you begin the bending/straightening process listen out for any sounds of protest from the wood. You can be quite firm with it but, obviously, if you`re too heavy handed it will split or break. Good luck. Edited March 17, 2016 by mudpatten Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 Hi again These two photos show how I do my sticks, with a few ideas of what is possible. I dry hazel for about 10 months but longer for blackthorn or holly, I have a tube about 1m long and attach a wallpaper steamer it one end.This end has a blank with a pipe fitting of the correct size, the sticks are put in the steam for about 15 minutes and a cloth to seal the open end. They can then be straightened over your knee. When I cut a stick as soon as I get home I write the date in felt tip on the cut end and this allows me to do them in order. If you need any help just ask# hello, nice group of sticks there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElvisThePelvis Posted March 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 Hi again These two photos show how I do my sticks, with a few ideas of what is possible. I dry hazel for about 10 months but longer for blackthorn or holly, I have a tube about 1m long and attach a wallpaper steamer it one end.This end has a blank with a pipe fitting of the correct size, the sticks are put in the steam for about 15 minutes and a cloth to seal the open end. They can then be straightened over your knee. When I cut a stick as soon as I get home I write the date in felt tip on the cut end and this allows me to do them in order. If you need any help just ask# Wow they are fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted March 22, 2016 Report Share Posted March 22, 2016 Cut mine in winter and use straight away with a fork in the top. After season is over I leave it to fully dry then straighten for the new season. Usually have a few as I can snap one or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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