how to draw a spiral on a walking stick

[watereerat]

I have a straight stick that I want to create a spiral line all the way from top to bottom on. I need the spacing to stay fairly even all the way so I can place the carved design between the spiral lines.

Can anyone tell me how to mark this spiral on the stick? Is there a simple way (for the simple minded like me)?

THANKS!

[Donsexton]

Electrical tape leave a gap and mark that gap with a marker.

[pallin]

Mark the even intervals down one side of the stick, i.e. every 6 inches. On the other side, mark the intervals half way between the first marks. Now start at the top and draw your spiral to the first mark on one side, then to the first mark on the other side, then on to the second mark of the first side, etc.
Another way is to attach a string to the top edge and spiral the string around the stick until you have the spiral you desire for the carving. Tape the string at the lower end and use a marker to follow the string, being careful not to deflect the string as you draw.

[toycarver]

I have some friends that are carving ornaments where the beard is a spiral and looks sort of like a spring when they are done. They wrap automotive pinstriping tape around and around and then cut out the wood between the spirals.

[stogiedog]

Kris, good idea. I will be trying that out. Thanks.

[mpounders]

I use 1/2" masking tape to lay them out, or whatever size is appropriate, but first I figure out how to space them evenly around the shaft. I use tape for that also and mark it exactly where it overlaps. Then I take that piece of tape and lay it diagonally on a piece of lined notebook paper, so that it covers the number of lines (spirals) I want around the shaft, and mark the tape. That is a little trick for evenly dividing a line. I reattach the tape and so the same thing to mark the bottom of the spirals. Then I just spiral my masking tape around the shaft, making sure each spiral starts on one of my marks and ends on a mark at the bottom. I usually do about 3 spirals on a shaft. I used to try using a router lathe to lay them out, but I can cut them by hand much quicker. I cut the spiral ines and deepen them to a v with knives or gouges and then I use a rotary shaft tool to round them over and smooth them out.

[bill#1]

Use a drawing compass and start your spiral down the length..with whatever width and go from there...Bill #1

[Dicky]

I use masking tape and eyeball it. But then I am doing snakes and lizards. My main fear is that if it is too perfect, it will look like it was done using mechanical means.

[Marvin Little]

To keep it from looking too mechanical use the features on your shaft. Natural vines always spiral clockwise. If the vine encounters a limb it goes above or below it. Vines do not always embed themselves to the same depth all of the time.

Marvin

[watereerat]

Thanks, Marvin, and I agree about following nature's lines with the naturally "curly sticks." This is a basically straight stick I want to add some character to. I'm thinking of woodburning a couple of spirals going in opposite directions so they criss cross. The handle features a carved bear head so that's where the carving comes in. I just want to make the stick itself less plain.

Thanks again!