Guest Boston Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 Hiya, after reading the CM last week (I think it was) I thought that I would give making a thumb stick a go myself as it sounded like a good peice of kit to take along with you on the ferreting trips. Whilst on a walk today in the woods, I noticed a wonderful sycamore branch on the floor amongst the others which was perfect and strong. I have spent the afternoon de-barking it with the stanley managing to keep all of my finger which amazed Matt and then went on to use the sander to smooth it out. I am feeling very proud of myself so far... Matt even trusted me with his new saw to top it off at the desired 49in I was after. Granted the saw went 'twange' a few times too many for Matt whom was waiting behind my with the mobile on speed dial to the nearest hospic, but all in all, pleased with progress so far. I have read that I need to lin-seed it down, sand it down and repeat this three times before adding floor wax??? And that bit I can work out as I go along, but I was wondering what to seal the foot off with making it strong and durable as it is going to have to take some seriouse hammer on wet ground and after all this work I would not want it rotting. I should imagine some of you have made your own thumbsticks and would welcome some ideas on this I have a wonderful Roe deer antler to top it off with when done, here is a picture of it as it is at the moment. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john b 38 Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 I jam a used shotgun cartridge on the end - I'll try and find a pic Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Boston Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 --> QUOTE(john b @ Apr 23 2007, 09:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I jam a used shotgun cartridge on the end - I'll try and find a pic Thankyou. The diameter of the stick at the end is 18mm x 21mm - would that fit? Sorry, don't know much about shotgun cartridgages? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Foxgun Tom 75 Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 A Plumbers blank end ie: what they use to blank of copper water pipe's in kitchen's and bathrooms etc they come in different size's ideal for sticks Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Boston Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 A Plumbers blank end ie: what they use to blank of copper water pipe's in kitchen's and bathrooms etcthey come in different size's ideal for sticks Tom Fantastic idea - cheers Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest baldie Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 Dont put anything on it yet, it needs seasoning, and would have been better with the bark left on. Seasoning needs a year for every inch its thick, then you can straighten it without it reverting back to its original shape, then you oil it.Put it somewhere dry, and well ventilated, like a garden shed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Boston Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 Dont put anything on it yet, it needs seasoning, and would have been better with the bark left on. Seasoning needs a year for every inch its thick, then you can straighten it without it reverting back to its original shape, then you oil it.Put it somewhere dry, and well ventilated, like a garden shed. Wow, didn't realise it needed seasoning for that long, this is roughly an 1 inch think... I'm female, I can't wait that long for any thing!!! I'll go out and hunt for some more and season them correctly, but will call this one practise. Does Willow take the same time, is it a good wood to make sticks out of? Which would be your choice of wood for the strongest stick? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
snoopdog 1,256 Posted April 23, 2007 Report Share Posted April 23, 2007 hazel would be my choice :thumbs-up: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john b 38 Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Most of mine are hazel. Holly and blackthorn are supposed to be good too. And I took a pic of the cartridge stickend. When the brass has worn through you just cut the plastic off and put another one on. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MOLLY Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Why is it called a thumb stick? MOLL. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
falcon 0 Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 hazel is the best u cant go wrong with that cut ur sticks in winter when the sap is low and then put them in a drain pipe to straighten them leave them there for about 8 months or so and u will have a stick that will last u a long time , if u cut in summer they will be brittle like matches. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
john b 38 Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Why is it called a thumb stick?MOLL. 'cos they have a fork in the top that you put your thumb in Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest baldie Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 It doesnt matter when they are cut, but the sap is up, from spring onwards, and they will take twice as long to season. Willow is no good for sticks. Hazel, holly, blackthorn, sweet chestnut, crab apple, all make good sticks. I buy a lot of gear from this guy, he,s the best. http://www.highlandhorn.com/index.asp Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Boston Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Thanks for all the great advice every one. I have friends that have had a hazel tree in their back garden for the pass 12 years and until we got to know them about two years ago never knew what it was and had never collected any of the nut 'husk's' I adore nuts so this year a few months before christmas we picked them and left them to dry out and had stacks of fresh hazel nuts over the Xmas hols I am sure this fall I will be able to help with the pruning :whistle: --> QUOTE(john b @ Apr 24 2007, 01:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Most of mine are hazel. Holly and blackthorn are supposed to be good too. And I took a pic of the cartridge stickend. When the brass has worn through you just cut the plastic off and put another one on. Thanks for the picture - gives me more idea of what it would look like. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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