New Project

I'm sure someone will be. I brought this branch off a Maple that was down so I could make a walking stick for the wife.

I use a draw knife from Veritas to take the bark off, I'll sand it tomorrow night.

 

thewoodlands, how are you sanding them? Hand? Orbiting sander?

 

I sanded them with a combo belt sander/disk sander, I won't on the next ones.

 

I have never tried on a circular project like a coaster. Buy I have an orbiting sander with different fine grit paper and it can do a nice job. Might want to try that. And if you don't have one, one would make excellent stocking stuffer. Hint Hint to Mrs. Woodlands.

 

The next batch of coasters will be hand sanded.

 

How do I order mine? How much? Okay. I'll take a dozen if you can have them ready for the week before Christmas.

 

I don't think I'll have the time, I need to finish these an get another 18 done.

 

What type of screw or spike can I put on the bottom of the walking stick?

 

Just given ya a hard time buddy. Nice work on them.

 

The coasters look great! I think they would make an excellent gift too.

Now I will be looking for that next cool branch of cherry or walnut or sassafras or something! Great idea.

 

I'll be making a Cherry walking stick, maybe another walking stick from a Yellow Birch.

 

If I had the time a price was coming at ya!

 

Lay it on me bro! They would make great Christmas gifts!

 

That's a good question for a homemade Deal, I don't know what you would use to keep it from splitting in the end.
I have made a few canes but I never put spikes on them just rubber tips, but if I was going to I would just buy one, cane and walking stick parts are available.
Here is just one http://www.thewoodcraftshop.com/store/p/3793-3-4-METAL-SPIKE-CANE-TIP-W-RUBBER-COVER.html
Here is a kit, http://www.rockler.com/medium-cane-walking-stick-hardware-kit
these might give you some ideas and there are other places to get parts
Some more, http://www.treelineusa.com/walking-...tick-and-cane-tips/brass-and-chrome-cane-tips

Edit, another place http://www.walkingcaneco.com/walking-canes/Walking-Cane-Parts/Walking-Cane-Parts.asp

 

you could use a nice fitting small piece of pipe for a ring , paint it and then a lag bolt ground off or something like that, could use stainless steel

 

I did a quick two sanding on this walking stick for the boss, she like the imperfections in it so I put one coat of Tungston Oil on it, more to come.

The coasters received the second coat of wax on the first side so it's off to the second side for two coats.

 

I made a bunch of these when I was younger so my mother had a little herd in the front yard.
They look a lot nicer if made out of white birch - not sure if you have any around there
Ship boring bit 3/4-1" in the main body & head logs, then whittle the legs out of straight saplings

 

We have Birch but I'll be making it out of something that's down, I'm thinking Hemlock.

 

Gasifier, if the roads are better tomorrow, I'll be picking up one of these.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_117946-70-D...t=orbital+sanders&page=1&facetInfo=$50 - $100

I have another coat of wax to go on the last side, then the first batch will be done.

 

I don't see that it says whether or not it is a random orbit sander.
An orbital sander can create little circle scratches, as opposed to a random orbit that does not do that.
Regardless of what sander you use don't skip grits.
Keep in mind for these little parts you will need to hold them down while sending them, a rubber sanding mat will do the job very well.
Tool drawer mats are a great alternative and can also be purchased in the carpet and flooring Department of Home Depot also.
The stuff looks like this , the stuff that I bought in the carpet and flooring department is off white nstead of black.
Sanding and finishing end grain is the most difficult
Happy