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Post by 1dave on Nov 28, 2013 8:34:50 GMT -5
This deserves being in this section: Hi, everyone! Firstly, a brief story of how I decided to make this cane. A while ago, my mom told me she'd like a fancy cane, with metal handle. I found a web-site which had very pretty models at fair prices, but when I tried to order on-line it appeared that they don't ship to Europe because of the high cost. Funny that they had a shipment computer which gave the shipping price (some $50). I also e-mailed them, asking if they could send me at least the metallic handle such as I would add the stick, but they told me no, we don't do that. Oh well, too bad that their customer service doesn't raise to the quality of their products. I kept searching and found a local web-site with lots of models, but the prices were totally crazy: some 500 Euros for a cane!!! Well, in these conditions, I asked mom if she wants the handle to be made of silver or if it could be made of stainless steel. She told me stainless steel would be OK, and that was the start of this project. I "extracted" the shape from a stainless steel "cube", as you see below: Then I changed my mind about the design and drew some other shape. The hole you see will host the stick at the lower end and a cab at the upper end. As you see, there were lots'n' lots of holes to drill: Then I started to grind the shape: And to smooth it: The small hole in the left will be filled with a brass rod (sort of metal intarsia) to add to the fish (maybe dolphin) shape of the handle. I think it's quite appropriate, my mom being a Pisces. Notice I put a plug in the upper hole, I think this way it will follow better the curved shape and won't undercut near the edges: That would be all for now, I will post further progresses. Thank you for looking, Adrian
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Post by 1dave on Nov 28, 2013 8:38:39 GMT -5
Thank you again. Fran, I cut the steel between the holes with a hand grinder and with a hand saw. Time for a new update. I kinda brought the handle to its final shape. There could be small further adjustments to get rid of the flat spots, but basically that's the final shape: I also inserted the brass rod for the "eyes" . I am also glad the shape is balanced, it can stand as you can see here: I brought the lower end to a cylindrical shape using firstly a grinder for rough shaping and then I attached the handle to the drill press ... ... and held a file against it, while rotating (VERY careful not to be hit by the rotating handle): Holding the handle in the drill press was pretty easy, due to the threaded hole you see inside here (bad focus): In that threaded hole will be attached this threaded rod, which will hold the stick securely: As the handle gets to its final shape by now, the clamping directly in the vice would leave indents (marks). So I built this wooden clamp for holding the handle for further filing , sanding and polishing: Thanks for looking, Adrian
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Post by 1dave on Nov 28, 2013 8:42:21 GMT -5
Thank you everyone. Tom Connrock, special thanks for your special post. I know first hand how quickly stainless steel heets up while grinding. I was grinding this piece wearing gloves, and then sunk it in cooling water before removing the gloves. It was only once when I forgot to sink it in water and grabbed it by hand. The first thing I noticed was a noise VERY simmilar to the one you hear when you place a stake on a barbeque. Firstly I didn't understand what it was, because it was no pain to my finger. Lucky me I realised VERY quick what was going on and I dropped down the handle and sunk my finger in the cooling water. All of theeese might have been lasted way below one seccond, I think. This is probably why I didn't get any blister. Now, time for a new update. I finished polishing the metal part. Here it is, viewed from different angles: A bit smoother than it was in this stage, is it? Now the stick and the cab have to be attached to this handle. Thank you for looking, Adrian
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Post by 1dave on Nov 28, 2013 8:45:27 GMT -5
Adrian I laughed when you said it was like putting a steak on a barbecue! That distinctive sound of sizzling flesh is the first warning of much worse things that will soon happen!But,,,,,what is it that makes us hold that precious piece of hot metal and not throwing it or dropping it no matter what will happen to our hands and fingers?? I know that at some time in one of your projects you must have done what I call "the juggling act" where you toss the piece from one hand to the other looking for that container of cold water you forgot to place near the work area! YEOWWWWWW!!! And the entire time you're tossing it back and forth you're looking for some place to set it down where it won't get ruined! I was doing a project many years ago where I HAD to arc weld 1/16" stainless steel rods using an AC (alternating current) welding machine! After many attempts of trying to strike and arc and the rods getting stuck to the piece and turning red hot I finally got 1 to burn!After I made the weld which was only about 3/4" I was soooooooo excited I placed the lead and HOT rod down on my right leg(I was sitting).I had just picked up the piece I welded when I smelled my pants burning! I jumped up at the point where I heard that steak hitting the barbecue and danced the Polka for a while but I never dropped that work piece! To this day I still have the scar from that "dance"! I REALLY wish that some day we could meet and swap storied and maybe even do a small project together,,,,,,Without dancing the Polka!! I can't wait to see your Mom's cane finished my friend! connrock
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Post by 1dave on Nov 28, 2013 8:48:10 GMT -5
Thank you everyone, friends! Tom, what a story! That mark is a proof of your restlessly character when it comes to making projects like that, is it? A mark to be proud of, anyway. And YES, I'd love to make a project together. Here's the deal: the first one of the two of us who wins the lottery will visit the other one, OK? Well, I finished the handle completely, including the cab. My mom was concerned about any stone on the handle, but I told her jade is more solid than other stones so she agreed jade. Firstly, I overlapped some coins to lift the bottom of that upper hole. The upper coin is one which fits pretty well in that hole. I glued those coins with two parts epoxy. Then, I took advantage of the rather perfect fit of that coin and glued one of them on the back of the cab, to help me in keeping the round shape: After bringing the cab to its final contour, I inserted it in the handle and drew the line at the contact to the stainless steel handle, as you see here: Then, following that guiding line, I ground and sanded the cab. As you see, I also polished it 'cause I thought it's gonna flush pretty well to the face of the handle and all I would have to do is to set the cab in its final position. But, after the epoxy was hardened and the cab was secured in its place the cab didn't flush and I didn't like its look. So I went back on the diamond pads and brought the cab to the level of the stainless steel handle. Thank you for looking, Adrian
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Post by 1dave on Nov 28, 2013 8:52:52 GMT -5
Hi again friends, I finished it! I found a guy who does wood turning and he made the stick out of oak wood. Then I attached the handle to its upper end and also a stainless steel lower end to protect it. The very end is a small bit of rubber for the grip. I put three layers of laquer on the stick, so it got a bit darker than the natural color of the oak. Here are some pictures: Two pics from above, one focused on the handle... ... and the other one on the stick: If you ask me, I would had preferred another rock, something like a tiger eye or such instead of that jade, but this was my mom's preference. Anyway, her decision was good bearing in mind the toughness of the jade. A zoom of the lower end: I also tested it, it has a very comfortable grip and seems reliable. This is it, now all I have to do is wait until the lacquer cures completely (it still smells) and to give it to my mom. Thank you everyone for looking and for the nice and encouragement words throughout all this work. Adrian
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Post by kk on Nov 28, 2013 9:03:27 GMT -5
Fantastic project and great engineering of all the components as usual. Great to see you back at the bench.
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Post by 1dave on Nov 28, 2013 9:03:59 GMT -5
Adrian, can you post a picture for us of your mother with her new treasure? We'd love to see it. This was such a treat to follow. Thank you so much and you get a great big "Atta Boy" for being such a good son! Jo Your wish is my demand, Jo! Here she is, my mom, the happy owner of the cane: Thank you again everyone, Adrian
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Post by 1dave on Nov 28, 2013 9:06:22 GMT -5
adrian65 I had to skip a lot. Anything you want to add? Dave
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,154
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Post by jamesp on Nov 28, 2013 9:39:31 GMT -5
That is a great gift to the most special person on earth. Awesome piece of work and a bunch of hours. The stainless stays hot for a month after grinding that much material. Big task..
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,339
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Post by quartz on Nov 28, 2013 12:46:11 GMT -5
Quite a project, lots of work and quality+. That would make anyone proud, crafter or recipient, especially a special gift to mom. Thanks for reposting this Dave.
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,774
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Post by adrian65 on Nov 28, 2013 13:51:01 GMT -5
Fantastic project and great engineering of all the components as usual. Great to see you back at the bench. Kurt, that's an old project of mine, but Dave (whom I pointed it up) wanted to re-post it here in the new section. Thanks Dave! Adrian
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Post by kk on Nov 28, 2013 16:53:19 GMT -5
Ohhh, yeahhh. Looked at the date, but not the year. Still, had not seen that project as it was before my time here. Glad Dave brought it up again. Hope all is well and you have settled in, in your new abode. Winter has certainly arrived all over Europe and near east. I hear there is snow as far south as Bosnia. So its time, to get onto your next fantabolous project. Hard to beat the creation of your home though.
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Post by mohs on Nov 28, 2013 22:19:25 GMT -5
a walking stick to get Ma thru the rocky times its a beaut Adrian! and the other thing is that your a master with a file that's a most important & handy skill as you well know Ed
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marinedad
freely admits to licking rocks
Member since December 2010
Posts: 813
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Post by marinedad on Nov 29, 2013 8:24:00 GMT -5
that is a beautiful work of art!
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Fossilman
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Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,680
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 29, 2013 10:43:42 GMT -5
Super nice............I make canes,but with bone handles..That medal one really hits it out of the ball park!!!! Thumbs up
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grayfingers
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Member since November 2007
Posts: 4,575
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Post by grayfingers on Nov 29, 2013 10:59:04 GMT -5
Adrian's talents know no bounds. Creations that will stand the test of time, and become heirloom artifacts.
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