[STICKMAN49]

Just got ask to make a shepards staff for a guy I work with.He wants it all one solid piece.I plan on making it out of maple.Already got plans for a steam box.I'm going to ask $100.Would like to know if thats a fare price? Any tips welcomed.
Thanks in advance,
Stickman49

[squbrigg]

That's a fair price. In my opinion. If it's just a staff, un-carved, just bent.

Maple will be a good wood, and to bend it, just make sure it's green wood. Steam well, and prepare how you are going to bend it before you begin. What I mean is, make a form to bend it once steamed and to hold it around the form while it drys. Once dry, it will retain the bend.

Good luck with it.

Bob

[mark yundt]

I've never got into steam bending in any major sort of way,,did play with some pieces though. A friend does quite a bit. One of his "tricks" is to use some fabric softener in the water,,he said it helps soften the fibers in the wood the same as in fabric.Might be worth a try.Let us see how it comes out,,bending always did fascinate me.His specialty was redoing wooden car bodies and making the bentwood steering wheels and the actual wheels for the cars.Hard to believe they were not much more than wagon wheels at one time!I mentioned it once before, but the most amazing thing I saw him do was bend 2 inch x3 inch white oak in a 90 degree angle with no splintering,he did it for making a windshield frame and didn't want to miter the corners,,go figure!

[STICKMAN49]

Thanks for the responce.It's all kind of strange I was just reading on this site Sunday night about steaming and bending.Then out of the blue Monday this guy ask me about the staff.Kinda cool.