1st time making a cane

[Wingmann]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to the forum and have been doing some family tree research. I found an old cane that my great great Grandfather made and embedded various coins in it. The years on the coins represent the date of birth for his children. Its a very unique cane and I thought I might try to make one for my family. I have no experience with wood working so I am looking for your expert advice on what type of wood to choose, what tools wood be needed and any advice you can give a novice. If you know of books or videos that would be helpful, please suggest them. I appreciate any advice you can give me.

Thanks,
Wingmann

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I embedded some military buttons in a cane and another with a union pin etc...I used a small forstner bit and set the depth in the drill press..worked great....put them in with epoxy

[Eddy-Smiles]

Wingmann...

Might I suggest that you click on the following link to Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers (SMWC) and then go to page 33 where they offer all kinds of cane blanks. It's their 2007 catalog but they can send you a 2008 if you give them a call. The page is just about the same in both issues.

http://www.woodcarvers.com/SMWC_07_FINAL.pdf

If you have the time and resources you can go out in the woods and select just about any proper sized sapling, cut it, strip off the bark, and then let it set for about 6-months to dry out. If all the bark is stripped off a sapling under 2-inches generally will not split. Poplar, maple, oak, beech, dogwood... your choice depending on the tools you select. Softer wood can be hand carved.... harder woods are more easily carved with power.

As for the tools, give SMWC's a call, tell them what you plan to do, and let them make a recommedation. I think that you'll find that they won't steer you wrong.

[Wingmann]

Thanks for the information guys. Anyone else have any suggestions?

Wingmann

[woodtrapper]

Once you find the right kind of cane you want, I would scribe a line outside of the coin and remove the wood(power or chisel)so you can get a feel the wood.Obviously, you will not have to go deep for the coin and glue or epoxy it in.Good luck with your project.
Davy

[Gergie]

Do you want to replicate your Grandfathers cane? Or just make your own. I have a Diamond willow cane setting here and I thought your Idea would be real cool with the coins put around the open parts of the cane. Or right in the center of the diamonds. Tools you'd need would be a sharp knife set of gouges and sandpaper and the before mentioned forestner bit.

here's an example of what Diamond Willow looks like finished.
http://www.customwalkingsticks.com/w...w_staff4_l.jpg

[Wingmann]

Thanks for the reply. I am trying to duplicate my grandfather's can. It has a half circle on top with a silver dollar placed in it and four flat sides where he has placed the coins and did a little engraving with the child initials and birthdates.

Wingmann

[Clifford_Parker]

This sounds like a neat project. Pictures and measurements of the original might help us to help you pick the correct woods.