trying out the "snake tamer" steam box..

[tghsmith]

decided to straighten this holly stick/staff a bit,, made up a quick clamping fixture,, seems like the sized end blocks worked well, just some cotton rag strips to seal things.. looks like mounting the box to a 2 x 6 board wouldn't be the worst thing to do.. all in all looks like it does the job..

 

[creasman]

I'm surprised the steaming process didn't discolor the holly. Was that an issue at all? How dry was the holly when you put it in the box?

 

[tghsmith]

it was a piece I have been letting air dry for a few months,, bark was peeled day after it was harvested ,, it did get a few mornings in a 160 degree drying oven,, a few cracks opened up but they will be filled with colored resin and abalone chips..looks like the holly color was not affected by the steaming.. I didn't do any sanding or scraping figuring it would give me a layer to remove.. trying to get a white final product.. it came from that pile,,

 

[creasman]

Interesting. Please post pictures of the final result when you're done.

 

[tghsmith]

took the holly stick out of the clamps this morning.. all went well no "spring-back"!!! the bottom tip is now centered under the hand hold position.. no color change can be seen in the holly!!!

 

[tghsmith]

lots of rasping and sanding, a little metal work (spike under foot) colored resin with abilone chips to fill the cracks and voids,, still may add a bezeled compass..

 

[creasman]

Beautiful work!

 

[tghsmith]

My sister loves her white witch stick!!! put a corkscrew of a stick in the box,, bends in three directions to adjust,, had to get a bit creative in the clamping but to cool of a stick not to give the extra effort.. had a second set of hands to get in the clamps.. working up plans for better clamping unit that will be faster and less fiddley..