thumb stick

[russ91]

can any of u guys tell me how to make a thumb hole stick links and photos welcome

 

russ

[Dunkield]

When I looked I couldn't find a lot on the web, so I bought a book, can't remember which one as I lent it to a boke at work, but there a few on Amazon for not much money.

[russ91]

When I looked I couldn't find a lot on the web, so I bought a book, can't remember which one as I lent it to a boke at work, but there a few on Amazon for not much money.

 

 

right ok m8 ill hav a look

[Stealth Stalker]

The craft of stickmaking by Leo Gowan

 

SS

[russ91]

The craft of stickmaking by Leo Gowan

 

SS

 

thanks bud

[Jonty]

Russ,

 

this is a post I originally posted on another forum, it was my first attempt at making a stick - maybe there's something of use to you in it.

 

Here's my raw materials, the stick, a roe antler, some buffalo horn offcuts and a metal cap for the end of the stick.

 

 

 

 

The first thing to do was to cut the antler to the desired shape and size, once I'd done this I cut a couple of small discs of buffalo horn to make caps for the cut points. Also, as the antler was of a smaller diameter than the sick, I had to put a couple of spacers on the base which I'll shape to match the thickness of the stick. I used some threaded rod to connect the antler to the stick. The tape is to stop any glue getting onto the antler.

 

 

Once the glue had set, I sanded the buffalo horn caps and spacers to suit.

 

 

The antler and horn is really good to work with. Once everything was approximately how I wanted it to be. I fixed the handle to the stick. This was done by drilling a hole in the end of the stick and using the threaded rod as a dowel. You can see that the buffalo horn spacer is wider than the diameter of the stick, the aim is to sand that down once it's in situ to ensure a perfectly flush finish between the handle and the wood.

 

 

I've still got some work to do on it before it's finished, and it'll never win any awards, but I'm really pleased with it. The antler is a little narrow for the size of the stick but as a first attempt it'll do.

 

 

As I said, that was my 1st attempt and I only had a small Roe antler - since then I got some red deer antler which was much bigger and fitted the ends of hazel staves much better. Here's a picture of my 2nd attempt - exactly the same principles as above, it still needed sanding and poliching when the photo was taken, I've done that now and it turned out really well.

 

 

I'm no expert by any means, but if I can help you out, PM me and I'll do what I can.

 

Cheers

[russ91]

Russ,

 

this is a post I originally posted on another forum, it was my first attempt at making a stick - maybe there's something of use to you in it.

 

Here's my raw materials, the stick, a roe antler, some buffalo horn offcuts and a metal cap for the end of the stick.

 

 

 

 

The first thing to do was to cut the antler to the desired shape and size, once I'd done this I cut a couple of small discs of buffalo horn to make caps for the cut points. Also, as the antler was of a smaller diameter than the sick, I had to put a couple of spacers on the base which I'll shape to match the thickness of the stick. I used some threaded rod to connect the antler to the stick. The tape is to stop any glue getting onto the antler.

 

 

Once the glue had set, I sanded the buffalo horn caps and spacers to suit.

 

 

The antler and horn is really good to work with. Once everything was approximately how I wanted it to be. I fixed the handle to the stick. This was done by drilling a hole in the end of the stick and using the threaded rod as a dowel. You can see that the buffalo horn spacer is wider than the diameter of the stick, the aim is to sand that down once it's in situ to ensure a perfectly flush finish between the handle and the wood.

 

 

I've still got some work to do on it before it's finished, and it'll never win any awards, but I'm really pleased with it. The antler is a little narrow for the size of the stick but as a first attempt it'll do.

 

 

As I said, that was my 1st attempt and I only had a small Roe antler - since then I got some red deer antler which was much bigger and fitted the ends of hazel staves much better. Here's a picture of my 2nd attempt - exactly the same principles as above, it still needed sanding and poliching when the photo was taken, I've done that now and it turned out really well.

 

 

I'm no expert by any means, but if I can help you out, PM me and I'll do what I can.

 

Cheers

 

 

thanks mate much apresheated

[craftycarper]

what glue did you use, and do you coat the antler or leave natural

[Jonty]

I used araldite for all the joints. I'ts worth dilling some small holes on the surfaces of the antler and the horn before gluing the end caps in place. It seems to hold a little better espescially when you have to rasp and sand the horn after it's been glued in place. I yacht varnished the stick and used some beeswax applied with fine wire wool on the antler - it gave it a really good finish.

 

Hope this helps.

[Suffolk shooter]

I was given this book by friends for Xmas 2006 and completed my first stick only last week. Well when I say completed I have got a bit more necking to do at the join of the thumbstick, brass collar and then a coat of beeswax with 0000 wire wool.

 

Stickmaking Handbook by Andrew Jones and Clive George

Published by the Guild of Master Craftsman Publications.

166 High Street

Lewes

East Sussex

BN7 1XU

 

ISBN 1-86108-126-X

 

Brilliant Step by Step colour photographs and diagrams covering one piece sticks, antler, horn, wood tops as well as carved tops. Even a section on what makes a good stick when looking to cut your own.

 

I will take some pictures of my stick and post them shortly.

 

All the best, it is great fun.

 

SS

 

PS Leo Gowan's books are legendary in stick making circles and he was the president of the stickmakers guild before his untimely death.

Edited January 5, 2008 by Suffolk shooter