gamekeeper1960 Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 1 hour ago, mgsontour said: OK Boss, I hear you and love your motivation; just what I need, plain and simples just like a cheese sarnie. Got and drill and hacksaw and some PVA so will get some glue and go find myself a stick Thanks again to you all and will be in touch with pics as soon as I have my paws on a stick Good luck Michael....keep us posted 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 On 19/02/2022 at 12:12, boo said: 9Think your going about this a bit backwards , before buying loads of kit for carving etc , start off making a simple natural thumbstick , learning to straighten it ,fit ferrule ( can make break a stick) , how to finish it , then go onto an antler top, progress into wood ,get the feel of different tops& designs , learn joints& fastening methods ( stud or peg) shaping , get the inside line first rest will follow , decent ply makes a good top, looks nice & cheap to try ! Then move onto horn & carving , so basically need to source & sort,season straighten shanks , fit ferrules ,learn jointing ,fit & finish ....simples ......don't go mad on tooling, never have enough decent vices , hot air gun for straightening, various saws ( hand& mechanical) , ensure got a decent set of files & rasps , cloth backed emery , various grits , supply of ferrules & epoxy for jointing, personally find a power file really helpful, old bits of leather to hold pieces in vice stop markng, on a big safety one DUST !are sure got ventalation set up & decent mask, especially when sanding, then have a go , learning curve . This is how I started, and finished. I have never aspired to carved sticks but made a huge number of horn topped ones. Nothing fancy they are all working sticks learn to straighten a simple thumb stick using a hot air paint stripper. Sand it and varnish or danish oil to finish. antler tops next but don’t pick any old antler. Get to a fair see the stick makers and try the pieces in your hand until you find one that is comfy. I find less than one in ten feels right. Buy some horn spacers too if you can. I joint my sticks flat with one or two spacers using threaded bar epoxy glued in place. If you take your time you can get great results from the start. but just now get out and cut some sticks it will take a year or two to dry them. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 (edited) A few that I have made since I started a couple of years ago. Nothing fancy and fairly straight forward to make. As has been said, get cutting those hazel and blackthorn sticks during winter to season for a year. Edited to say that I didn`t do the carved one which is mounted on bog oak dredged from the Cambridgeshire fens. OB Edited February 20, 2022 by Old Boggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diver One Posted February 20, 2022 Report Share Posted February 20, 2022 Being an engineer I tend to 'overdo' things a bit. I don't like starting at the lowest rung and like a bit of a challenge this was my first attempt 4/5 years ago ( I think) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottletopbill Posted February 21, 2022 Report Share Posted February 21, 2022 To old boggy Glad to see you are still making those fine sticks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted February 22, 2022 Report Share Posted February 22, 2022 10 hours ago, bottletopbill said: To old boggy Glad to see you are still making those fine sticks Still making the odd one or two Bill. I hope that the legs soon improve. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted February 22, 2022 Report Share Posted February 22, 2022 Nice sticks. Not rocket science. Have any of you fitted the angled joint? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottletopbill Posted February 22, 2022 Report Share Posted February 22, 2022 The way the legs feel I will put up with the pain Do not worry I know were to look for a stick 👍 Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted February 22, 2022 Report Share Posted February 22, 2022 2 hours ago, Walker570 said: Nice sticks. Not rocket science. Have any of you fitted the angled joint? Not tried an angle joint, but Boo, whose sticks are amazing is a past master at them and says that they are easier than a straight joint. I`ll have to try to do one but they look better on a crook and I think that bending the horn is beyond my capability. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted February 22, 2022 Report Share Posted February 22, 2022 Start with a simple antler handle and master jointing and shank straightening. Don`t forget to consider the ergonomics of the handle. A stick handle with an irritating sharp edge or awkward angle is the difference between one that is used for decades, or one that is quickly discarded. Use a belt sander for the heavy duty work. Good luck with your stick making, but beware that it can become addictive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottletopbill Posted February 22, 2022 Report Share Posted February 22, 2022 old boggy let me know when you are doing the crook ones as think Will be going that direction very soon. bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diver One Posted February 22, 2022 Report Share Posted February 22, 2022 I have only attempted one angle joint. Made this for one of my granddaughters during lock down ( she is just 6 , so it may be a bit over the top) solid brass top,with threaded rod going all the way through into the hazel. I think the angle is a bit too steep but in my defence I was trying to follow the angle of the antler tine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamekeeper1960 Posted February 24, 2022 Report Share Posted February 24, 2022 On 20/02/2022 at 13:21, mgsontour said: OK Boss, I hear you and love your motivation; just what I need, plain and simples just like a cheese sarnie. Got and drill and hacksaw and some PVA so will get some glue and go find myself a stick Thanks again to you all and will be in touch with pics as soon as I have my paws on What I don't understand is why folks have tried to undermine what Michael has set out to do, as far as it goes he may well be one of the best carver who exist but to try and set him on a path which differs from the one he has asked for help on makes me wonder why... All I can say is Michael have a go ... Don't worry about what others have said..at the end of the day if only you could see what has ended up in the bin in my shed ......but had I have just given up then I would not be where I am now...If I can help in any way for you to achieve your dream I will be here to help... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diver One Posted February 24, 2022 Report Share Posted February 24, 2022 My next project is to carve a head. What's the best animal to start out with? Don't want to disillusion myself at the onset😉 I only shoot/miss clays so,I can't really carve one of those into it😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walker570 Posted February 24, 2022 Report Share Posted February 24, 2022 (edited) 36 minutes ago, gamekeeper1960 said: What I don't understand is why folks have tried to undermine what Michael has set out to do, as far as it goes he may well be one of the best carver who exist but to try and set him on a path which differs from the one he has asked for help on makes me wonder why... All I can say is Michael have a go ... Don't worry about what others have said..at the end of the day if only you could see what has ended up in the bin in my shed ......but had I have just given up then I would not be where I am now...If I can help in any way for you to achieve your dream I will be here to help... Exactly...as I have said, have a go. Diver one. I like that stick and no the angle is not too sharp, it looks good, very good to me. Edited February 24, 2022 by Walker570 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamekeeper1960 Posted February 24, 2022 Report Share Posted February 24, 2022 49 minutes ago, Diver One said: My next project is to carve a head. What's the best animal to start out with? Don't want to disillusion myself at the onset😉 I only shoot/miss clays so,I can't really carve one of those into it😂 What is the one animal that means the most to you ...for if you have some affection then you have a feeling to what you are carving.... and it really doesn't matter if it ends up in the bin at least had a go and ...Next time will I guarantee will be better... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgsontour Posted February 24, 2022 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2022 1 hour ago, Diver One said: My next project is to carve a head. What's the best animal to start out with? Don't want to disillusion myself at the onset😉 I only shoot/miss clays so,I can't really carve one of those into it😂 Assuming your username and picture are correct then you should carve something of a nautical theme. . . . . . maybe a clitawrasse, octopus or nudibranch? 1 hour ago, Walker570 said: Exactly...as I have said, have a go. Diver one. I like that stick and no the angle is not too sharp, it looks good, very good to me. I thought the angle was good too, eyecatching and probably from an engineering point of view stronger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diver One Posted February 24, 2022 Report Share Posted February 24, 2022 54 minutes ago, mgsontour said: Assuming your username and picture are correct then you should carve something of a nautical theme. . . . . . maybe a clitawrasse, octopus or nudibranch Mmm that's a thought. Also,considered a Siebe Gorman helmet like the one I am wearing in my avatar, but it has a lot of twiddly bits, lenses, hose connectors, spit valve etc so i cancelled that one. We have had Jack Russells for about 20 years so that's another option. next question, is seasoned oak any good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamekeeper1960 Posted February 24, 2022 Report Share Posted February 24, 2022 41 minutes ago, Diver One said: Mmm that's a thought. Also,considered a Siebe Gorman helmet like the one I am wearing in my avatar, but it has a lot of twiddly bits, lenses, hose connectors, spit valve etc so i cancelled that one. We have had Jack Russells for about 20 years so that's another option. next question, is seasoned oak any good? No go for it..... I did a old divers helmet a few year back for a chap who was a driver all over the world for the oil industry would be good to see ...👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted February 25, 2022 Report Share Posted February 25, 2022 On 22/02/2022 at 23:08, Diver One said: I have only attempted one angle joint. Made this for one of my granddaughters during lock down ( she is just 6 , so it may be a bit over the top) solid brass top,with threaded rod going all the way through into the hazel. I think the angle is a bit too steep but in my defence I was trying to follow the angle of the antler tine i like that........i made myself a similar one with a hook so i could use it to pull myself up the slopes of ditches when i was beating.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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