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Woodworking Forum => Woodworking Forum => Topic started by: Nolatoolguy on December 28, 2011, 05:06:05 AM

Title: Cane making, I need help
Post by: Nolatoolguy on December 28, 2011, 05:06:05 AM
Long story short my grandpa just got a hip replacement an now having both knees replaced. He is almost always with a cane.

anyways

I got to thinking what if I made a cane for him with a hammer shaped handle(he is a longtime carpenter an woodworker) I have saw similar ones before. However I have no idea how to go about doing this myself.

Heres what I was gonna do

1-trace out a hammer head an long handle at a comfortble height for him(I would call and ask). Make the handle stright but have subtle curves in the sides to make it look not so square an give it a softer look.
2- transfer it to wood and cut the rough shape out with the bandsaw. Then from there go in with a draw knife and spokeshave to finish the shaping procces.
3-Then stain and plolyourathane it. Or another finish not sure at his point, I will worry about that once its built.

However the more I think the more I get concerned. Is this even possible to do safely for him?

I know if the grain goes up an down the whole way the handle could easily snap as soon as it goes past the edge of the support. However if the grain goes sideways it could snap as it gets extended out an hits at a angle to the ground. The only way I can picture fixing this is doing a two piece cane an combining them with a peg in the handle an having the grain go two different ways. Am I just worrying to much or would it be fine all as one piece?

Also I was considering using a hard maple but not sure what wood is best.

Any suggestions, comments or concerns are appreciated.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: Papaw on December 28, 2011, 05:21:04 AM
Sounds like a good project, Neil!
My wooden canes have the grain either going up and down or a twisted grain. I haven't made any canes myself except for simple ones made with Crepe Myrtle that I just used pretty much as is.
Others here will have better ideas than I have.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: Branson on December 28, 2011, 08:43:28 AM
I think I would use ash for the stick.  It's hard and just a little springy.  Hickory, if you can find it, would be even better, and you could use it for the entire cane.

>I know if the grain goes up an down the whole way the handle could easily snap as soon as it goes past the edge of the support.

Attach the handle with a tight mortise and tenon joint -- just like hammer heads are attached to their handles.  Don't peg it on, as that would weaken the end of the stick.  This is the old way to make crutches, by the way.  It's strong.

Me, if I were to make one out of a single piece of wood, I'd look for a branch that grew nearly straight out from the tree.  The branch would make the stick, and a section of the tree where it grew out would make the handle.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: johnsironsanctuary on December 28, 2011, 08:43:46 AM
How about carving a real hammer head out of some wood with a tight grain that won't split and then make the cane part like a hammer handle. I think that I would glue the head on with a dummy wedge of some sort. How about a real hammer head with a long handle. Kinda heavy, but muggers beware!
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: scottg on December 28, 2011, 11:22:10 AM
I would either carve a hammer head or use a real one (a small light head would be good)
 and attach either one the same way.
 Namely, square peg and a square hole.
 
 You are right, the stick needs its grain running up and down the shaft.
 The head's grain goes perpendicular to that.
If you try to make it all one piece the hammer part will want to snap off since you will have short grain in the head.

  If you can find a straight branch and cut it where it attaches to a log, taking a little of the log in the process you can use that.
  Where the branch meets the trunk is crotch grain, and its -very strong-.
  You can carve a hammer head of that and it'll hold up to probably anything.

 I have seen a number of saw handle canes (pretty big and clunky looking) but never a hammer head cane.
 I like it!
  yours Scott
   
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: KeepinOldBolts on December 28, 2011, 05:57:50 PM
A quick Google images using "double sided mallet" brings up lots of ideas for a smoother handle (and easily identifiable) for attaching to a cane. Depending on the image, it still would relate to a traditional carpenters metal hammer head.

My 2c....
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: Nolatoolguy on December 29, 2011, 03:39:32 AM
Thanks guys

My orginal plan an current plan is still to carve out a hammer head an shape the stick part by hand giving it some slight curves just enough to soften the look but not take away from its strengh. These will be two different pieces combined.

I will probably practice on cheapo carving block of wood I have had for a while. That way, hopefuly if I mess up I wont be messing up on a expensive piece of finer wood.

I will keep you guys updated.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: amertrac on December 29, 2011, 05:49:40 PM
If you need any ideas here are a few
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: keykeeper on December 29, 2011, 07:30:19 PM
I think I would use a real hammer head, and polish it up real nice and shiny. Then give it a clear coat to protect it. Make the cane part, and mount just like a regular hammer.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: 64longstep/Brian on December 29, 2011, 08:38:12 PM
I'm with Keykeeper...
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: amertrac on December 30, 2011, 03:37:05 AM
How abour useing a bevel square handle there are several ways to mount useing the pivit point of the square   bob w.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: Branson on December 30, 2011, 07:20:08 AM
I think I would use a real hammer head, and polish it up real nice and shiny. Then give it a clear coat to protect it. Make the cane part, and mount just like a regular hammer.

Vulcan straight claw hammer heads are streamlined.  If you wanted to use a hammer head, I'd look for one of these -- easier on the hand without much, if any modification.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: Nolatoolguy on December 30, 2011, 04:35:21 PM
A few hours in the shop and a few blocks of wood later my hammer head carving ability isnt to great.

I got a few ideas and none of them are sounding to great.

I was thinking about using a large wrecking bar claw as a handle. That one doesnt have to much of a hook to it.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/BOSTITCH-24-Spring-Steel-Wrecking-Bar/T22322

Or my other idea was getting a old thor d handle drill and taking all the guts out and just using the handle portion from that as a handle. Only thing with that I dont want it to be to bulky so I would just use the hanle part.

Or maybe I shouldnt make it so complicated and go with just a reall hammer head as a handle.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: KeepinOldBolts on December 30, 2011, 06:36:40 PM
Whatever your choice is, you're sure to bring a smile to your Grandpa's face when he realizes you put the time and effort of your handiwork into it.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: anglesmith on December 31, 2011, 02:12:23 AM
Nolatoolguy.
 I would try and go down the carved wooden hammer head track. I don't yet need a cane, but I have noticed people that do use them, hook them on to  tables or rest them against chairs etc and the cane often ends up on the floor! A steel hammer head cane would be  more prone to such behavior, and I wouldnt like it to fall on my toe or my tiled floor! Also a steel headed cane would probably be classed as a weapon over here, not sure about your situation? That being said I think that the idea to give and elderly carpenter (or blacksmith!) a hammer handled cane is brilliant.
Graeme
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: Nolatoolguy on December 31, 2011, 11:10:52 AM
Yeh, My carving skills aint great. I dont wana give up on that idea yet.

I am going to keep working at them.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: scottg on December 31, 2011, 12:10:50 PM
Take another run at the carved hammer head.
There is no question you can do this. Maybe need a little help though. 
 First, what you got for wood?
 And second what you got for tools?

 If you are trying to use a home depot 2X4 life will be tough. Hemlock grown in 2 years, or whatever plantation dreck they are selling now will want to fall apart on you, whatever you do. 
 You need something decent.
  Show us your wood stash??? Try to show the end grain as well as the face?

  And tools, get a picture of tools for us?

   If you don't have one, for a beginning carver you want a shoe rasp. 
Flat rasp and file on one side, and curved rasp and file on the other.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nicholson-10-Shoe-Rasp-18962n-/370567578833?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56478c84d1 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nicholson-10-Shoe-Rasp-18962n-/370567578833?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56478c84d1)
   
Make sure its made in USA or it won't even work! I have seen several imports that had teeth so bad they wouldn't cut at all!  Nicholson is worth the money.  Big box places won't have it.
If you get a good one, always protect it. Never let it touch metal or especially another file!! It'll last for years this way.

 Oh man I just wish I had you in my shop for 1/2 a day!!  We'd make him a fine stick together!!
 
 Hey, any accomplished woodworkers nearby you can drop in on? Having a guy show you and help you take a couple stabs,  would make a world of difference for you right now.   
 You can certainly learn it all on your own, but help would shortcut everything!   
   yours Scott
 
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: Nolatoolguy on December 31, 2011, 02:42:48 PM
Scott

I was all amped up to take a few pictures and show some new tools I picked up but my camra is being stupid.

The carving set I just bought a few hours ago at a local hardware store is a shop fox 12 piece set. Not the best not the worst.

I also got a flexcut carving knife today to as well.

Along with all that I do have a few nicholson files and rasps already.

For wood I have some tighter grained maple, Walnut and then just regular stock. Just practicing with what I got.

My skills got a little better once I got the new tools that helped alot but I think its gonna take some practice.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: Nolatoolguy on January 01, 2012, 03:25:12 PM
If you need any ideas here are a few

Thats alot of canes. Did you make them all yourself. If you didnt you deffinilty have good choice in picking them out.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: Nolatoolguy on January 01, 2012, 03:36:10 PM
Just a update


I have gone through all of the scrap maple and walnut I had. I went out and bought some basswood to practice on. Its going better then before. Maybe a lot more practice and I will have this down.

I managed to cut myself a tad an its a small cut but boy is it the small ones that really sting.

http://lumberjocks.com/projects/48735

I did a google seach and came up with that. I am not going to try to make one that elabrate but I am going to do the basic hammer shape an stick with rounded edges. I envy that cane. Maybe once my carving skills get better I can make something like that, or so I hope.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: Nolatoolguy on January 07, 2012, 02:55:53 PM
After several attempts on various woods this is the best I have came up with. I still have some rounding out to work on with this one.

(http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz141/nolatoolguy/snapshot-10.png)

(http://i822.photobucket.com/albums/zz141/nolatoolguy/snapshot-9.png)

There is deffintly improvments to be made.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: 64longstep/Brian on January 07, 2012, 04:27:32 PM
Nice job so far...
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: Nolatoolguy on January 07, 2012, 04:57:20 PM
Thanks
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: Branson on January 07, 2012, 05:34:26 PM
That looks really good!  Kudos.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: Papaw on January 07, 2012, 06:54:13 PM
Imagine the piece of stone Venus de Milo was carved from! You will get there, Neil!
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: RedVise on January 08, 2012, 11:54:53 AM
Your grandfather is a lucky man...
Hips and knees can be replaced, but not family. 

Keep up the good work!


Brian L.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: Nolatoolguy on February 05, 2012, 02:32:52 AM
Thanks for all the support guys.

I am still working on perfecting my skills. It will be a while till I actually am able to make a finished product I think.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: scottg on February 11, 2012, 11:33:15 AM
You are on it Neil! Stick with it!!
One thing you need are some belt sander belts.
 Rip strips from the cloth and use them "shoeshine style" on your rounded parts. They sell narrow strips of the stuff and narrow belts too, but sometimes you can score regular belts for pennies at the swap meet, Salvation Army, Goodwill or Habitat etc.
  yours Scott
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: kxxr on February 11, 2012, 09:41:51 PM
Just a update


I have gone through all of the scrap maple and walnut I had. I went out and bought some basswood to practice on. Its going better then before. Maybe a lot more practice and I will have this down.

I managed to cut myself a tad an its a small cut but boy is it the small ones that really sting.

http://lumberjocks.com/projects/48735

I did a google seach and came up with that. I am not going to try to make one that elabrate but I am going to do the basic hammer shape an stick with rounded edges. I envy that cane. Maybe once my carving skills get better I can make something like that, or so I hope.

You may have already found this, but it is a PDF file with the diagrams for the cane shown in your link.
http://legacywoodworking.com/PDFs/Project2.PDF
I think you are off to a good start already. It looks great!
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: Nolatoolguy on April 21, 2012, 11:39:19 PM
I am still at it, havent given up yet. Its gonna get done eventually.
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: john k on April 22, 2012, 01:05:14 AM
I have gotten some nice figured wood bits on the cheap at times.  The thrift stores end up with old softball and bowling trophies, many of them have  blocks of walnut, oak, or something exotic in them, have gotten 3 trophies for a dollar.   Also had 2 just given to me by the staff, as they tire of looking at them.  Use the wood for knife handles, and working on crafts. 
Title: Re: Cane making, I need help
Post by: Nolatoolguy on April 24, 2012, 06:31:20 PM
Thanks for the tip, I will have to check next time I am there.