Sunday 28 October 2012

Essential Equipment for Making Walking Sticks

ESSENTIAL EQU IPMENT

The first pair of formers will be used to bring the horn close to the walking sticks UK handle shape we are seeking. They can be made from hard wood or metal to the dimensions. If you decide to make these, it is important to note that in the bottom former the rounded corners are not exactly the same shape. One has had less of the corner removed to accommodate the neck (or walking sticks shank) end of the horn; the other, which is much more rounded, will take the nose end.

The second pair of formers, which will be used to squeeze (i.e. bulk) the horn to make the neck of the walking sticks handle, can be made from a 3m (76mm) length of 11/4in (32mm) diameter metal pipe, sawn lengthways into two equal pieces (see Fig 5.3). To reinforce these pieces, I have welded a short section of steel sheet to the back of each; whilst this is not critical it does make them easier to walking sticks handle in the vice and also helps to prevent the pieces of pipe from splaying outwards when under pressure.

In both cases, the moulds I have described are not difficult or costly to make for walking sticks rams horn, but if you prefer to purchase something ready-made and more sophisticated, will be able to help. In addition to these moulds, you will also need an engineers’ vice, a 7 x 7in (178 x 178mm) metal plate, 1/4in (6mm) thick, a 7in (178mm) G-cramp and two Sin (127mm) G-cramps in order to exert and sustain the pressure needed to shape the horn until it has set. The sizes for the G-cramps are minimum sizes and are not critical.

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