Walkingstick question

[David43515]

I`m just learning to carve, but I`ve always enjoyed making canes and walkingsticks. I usually just put a rubber crutch tipon the end, but I`ve been wanting to use ametal ferral. I suppose I could fasshion one from pipe and polish it up, but that wouldn`t cover the bottom.

Does anyone have a source where they buy ferrals?

[squbrigg]

Lee Valley tools in Canada has all kinds of cane parts and accessories.

Bob

[bbeery]

A copper pipe end cap works if you aren't to fussy about looks. I also use a stick epoxy stuck on the end of the cane. It'll never wear out. You cut off a small slice, mix it in your hand, then attach it to the bottom of your stick. Works for me.

[AlArchie]

Try here for Lee Valley cane making parts and plans.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/Search.aspx?c=2&action=n

If you don't mind the metalic "click-click-click" as you walk along, try a cast iron pipe cap. I use 1/2" pipe caps for my own walking stick and they have held up really well, and are easy to replace when they do wear out. Just relieve the end of your stick to the inside thread diameter of the female end cap, and screw the thing on with a pair of pliers.

I've had my own walking stick since 1983 and have replaced the worn out tip twice since then. That's a LOT of hiking on very difficult trails. When the tip wears out, just unscrew it and thread a new one right back on. Odds are unless you are a dedicated hiker, you will never have to replace that tip, though.

This particular hiking stick is made for work, and only has destinations and dates burned into it for decoration and as a journal of my hikes....nothing fancy. I made it out of northern ironwood (American hop-hornbeam) and it's as tough as a splittin' maul handle!

Dave, I keep remembering other options......check the hardware stores for chair leg ends; some are straight fixed and others have swivel bases, but both types sometimes have replaceable nylon ends that either screw or snap onto/into brass or chrome ferrules.

Al

[R-OLDS]

Al you might be crossing the line installing a pipe fitting on UR walking stick
That was my job in my first life, plumber pipefitter.
The stick I use for hiking is Rio Grande Ash ITS HARD, I carved a woodspirit in it and boy did it ever dull my tools..
A couple more links for parts..

http://users.netonecom.net/~swordman/crafts/sticks.htm

http://www.fashionablecanes.com/Walk...cessories.html

Randal

[Kenny_S]

You might try Treeline at:
http://www.treelineusa.com/catalog/walking_sticks.html
For stabability I prefer the rubber tips. But then, That is just me.

[AlArchie]

I don't think I crossed any lines, Randall, I use this stick to PLUMB the depths at creek crossings, sometimes to dredge a small chanell to DRAIN a puddle across the trail, lean on it on a sunny day while I PIPE dream a bit, and in a pinch, I can even hitch the back of my jeans up over my butt crack!

Al

[David43515]

Thanks for all the help. You guys are the best!

[nameless]

Originally Posted by David43515

I`m just learning to carve, but I`ve always enjoyed making canes and walkingsticks. I usually just put a rubber crutch tipon the end, but I`ve been wanting to use ametal ferral. I suppose I could fasshion one from pipe and polish it up, but that wouldn`t cover the bottom.

Does anyone have a source where they buy ferrals?

Hi David. It seems that the ferrules that one buys are a bit less than elegant. Elegant translating into TAPERED! Where I get my ready made, beautifully tapered, multi sized ferrules is from the bottoms of old cheap hollow metal table and chair legs. Swap meet stuff. Garbage stuff. One good table can provide many various sized ferrules. Cut what you need. Trim the end of the stick nicely so the ferule fits in with the taper of the wood, and meets it solidly at the top edge.
I use a bolt, often a 'hardened bolt', a couple of inches long, but not ending at the top of the ferrule = weakness. The head of the bolt being barely larger than the diameter of the ferrule at the bottom.
Epoxy the ferrule on and drill and epoxy the bolt in and let it cure. 5 min epoxy works fine. Grind the bolt head round to blend with the ferrule. Sand.. polish the metalwork, buy a cane tip, crutch tips are big and ugly, of the appropriate size, install and voila'! If you don't want to use the cane tip, don't lean on the stick on tile or lineoleum floors! Outdoors is fine. A non-hardened bolt (like a carriage bolt) will 'grip' better.
Good luck!

Oops, I neglected to mention about those chair and table legs, they are usually (every time I have used some) coated/plated with chrome or copper or somesuch. I sand it off (belt sander, and don't forget respiratory protection) and sand/polish/burnish the sweet iron beneath.

[GeorgiaCarver]

No help here!

But... I do have 50 walking sticks that have now dried for 1 1/2 years :>)

This post is very timely, thanks for posting the question and thank you for the answers. It will come in handy in the weeks to come. :>)

Greg