Re: [at-l] Tips for Sticks

[tmcginnis@ucclan.state.in.us (Thomas McGinnis)]

     Thanks for your bamboo "tips". Although I'll admit to springing for a 
     one piece aluminum Cascade Designs neoprene-handled thing, it is still 
     a heavier stick than bamboo. I've a couple of untipped sticks that 
     I've been saving till I could manufacture good tips for them.
     
     Bamboo is still the lightest, strongest, and by George, cheapest 
     hiking stick around.


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: [at-l] Tips for Sticks
Author:  David Hicks <DaveHicks@worldnet.att.net> at ima
Date:    1/15/99 3:31 AM


There has been some questions about tips for walking sticks and
environmental concerns about hiking poles.  So, I thought I'd share an approach.
     
I have a bamboo stick I've used for years.
     
I cut the bamboo midway between two of those growth ring type ridges.
     
I then drilled a small hole about an inch from the bottom; cut a slot in one 
side at the bottom.  I inserted an inch or two of a steel wire (about 18 
gauge as best I remember) into the hole; wrapped the wire very tightly 
around the bamboo all the way to the slot at the end; bent the wire into the 
slot and pushed three or four inches up the center of the bamboo; and pinned 
both ends of the wire by pushing an inch, or so, long small dowel up the 
center  of the bamboo.  The dowel was pushed about 1/2 inch beyond the end, 
leaving a "cup" at the end.
     
Then I mixed up an ounce or so heavy duty epoxy past (PC-7, I think) -- auto 
body putty, steel paste, etc. would probably work also.  This stuff works 
like putty and hardens like a rock.  I used it to fill the "cup" at the end, 
then fashioned a "tip" about 1/4 inch beyond the end of the bamboo and  1/16 
inch thick around the wire.  It looks like a crutch tip but wears like 
steel; and I guarantee nothing will "suck" it off.
     
BTW -- I treat the bamboo with boiled linseed oil ever now and then and have 
renewed the handle I fashioned on the other end, but the "tip" is still 
going strong.
     
If you want a blunt end, make yours wider.
     
Chainsaw
     
     
BTW -- My old PC is not "browser" friendly.  So, I no longer post to ATML -- 
as I cannot use Trailplace on the www; albeit I still get the ATML digest. In 
fact, I get both list in digest mode, because this piece of junk is too slow 
to deal with individual messages.  Until I spring for a new machine, I'm 
stuck in an old fashion  Email/ list server mode at home. I have more 
computing power than I need at work, so it runs against my Scottish soul to 
waste $s to chase the technology at home.  
     
Bottom line, if anyone wants copy and paste any part of this suggestion to 
Trailplace, please feel free. 
     
     
     
     
     
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