Irish shillelagh

[genek]

I Received A call from the new CEO of a new Irish Brewery in Kentucky. He has requested that I make 25 Shillelagh to give to the stockholders of the new Irish Brewery. (not at liberty to say the name at this time, they want the opening to be when it is announced) He Heard that I was the best craftsman to do the job. He has specific requirements on wood and specific requirements on how they are made. He is sending over the drawings and all the needed information. This job will be totally hand made no machines are to be used. I quoted a price of $150.00 per Shillelagh... No argument said that was more than a fair price.. He siad that it would cost more to have them made in Ireland and sent over than what I quoted.

[MogulTx]

How interesting!

Let us know what the "Specs" are that are placed on shillelagh procurement! I am sure they will be interesting!


Monty

[genek]

I got the spec's on the Shillelagh. They want it made out of beech. The ball or knob has to be 2" in diameter. In order to get the 2" diameter ball or knob I will have to find beech trees that is at least 3 Inches diameter with a 1 inch limb. They want it hand carved with a draw knife. and the Ball to be offset to one side. I may have under bid this job. Walking through the woods hunting beech trees of the right size and branch placement for the number they want may be harder than I thought. The Shillelagh has to be smoked dry. (good thing Dad kept the old smoke house.)

[bleeth]

No proposal goes out of my office without complete specs coming in first. Otherwise it is called a budget or an allowance subject to repricing based on final design and/or materials. There is a huge difference in selling a product that you developed and fine tuned every thing from material acquisition to packing and doing custom work.

On the subject of hand made: There is a Shopbotter (or so I have been told) in one part of the country making woodcarvings that are partially complete. The final detailing is done by a Native American Tribe. The carvings are then sold as "Hand Made by Native Americans".

RE: Shillelagh's: Quite a few available on line from Hammecher Shlemmer to "Ye Olde" type sellers.

[scottp55]

Eugene, Lucky they didn't spec the traditional Blackthorn! Good thing about the smokehouse as I was trying to figure out how you would get 25 up your chimney to cure/dry black:)
You got an area nearby that had a "shear" storm or twister, roots are considered best and one good blow down could give you a bunch--Other thought was to find saplings the right diameter and bring your mattocks along and where root starts should give you better than 2". The "musculature" of the saplings would be a VERY nice Tactile feature but a pain to drawknife, but shouldn't need to do much if you can get bark off clean with a sharp hardwood spud. Pick up a couple bales of compressed peat for the smokehouse fire as I think they'll appreciate that "Touch" :)

[MogulTx]

Sounds like they will be aging in Beech barrels. I am tickled thinking of you wandering the woods looking for 3" diameter and up beech trees. I would invite you over here, but we don't have ANY beech trees!

Go get 'em Eugene! You can do this. In fact, it sounds like fun! Will you cure them before or after shaping the ball?

Hold onto your rejects. You can probably sell them to these guys here or to others!

[genek]

Will have to cure them first then shape the ball end to keep it from splitting. There are lots of beech trees in my area. I have cut about 17 already... will post pictures of one when I get them finished. I sort of dread carving the beech after it is dried. will be hard as rock. will probably use a dremel to do the rough shape.

[myxpykalix]

it's kind of funny that out of wood you are making "Beech Balls":rolleyes::D

[Burkhardt]

Will have to cure them first then shape the ball end to keep it from splitting. There are lots of beech trees in my area. I have cut about 17 already... will post pictures of one when I get them finished. I sort of dread carving the beech after it is dried. will be hard as rock. will probably use a dremel to do the rough shape.

Might be easiest with a spokeshave for the stick and rotary microplane rasp for the knob? Or, if that is too power-tooley, then a regular hand microplane rasp.

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/ProductImages/fileraspriffler/microplane/462526.jpg http://www.rockler.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/720x720/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/2/6/26792-01-1000.jpg

[genek]

Might be easiest with a spokeshave for the stick and rotary microplane rasp for the knob? Or, if that is too power-tooley, then a regular hand microplane rasp.


http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/ProductImages/fileraspriffler/microplane/462526.jpg http://www.rockler.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/720x720/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/2/6/26792-01-1000.jpg
That is a good Ideal Mr. Burkhardt. Can get it close with the rotary microplane then use the hand plane. Like your carvings. Very Nice.

[genek]

I only like five more trees to find and cut down...

[Burkhardt]

That is a good Ideal Mr. Burkhardt. Can get it close with the rotary microplane then use the hand plane. Like your carvings. Very Nice.

Oops, have to apologize here for not quoting properly :eek:

Unfortunately these are not my own carvings. They are a linked Rockler web site picture. But I have used the microplane rasps on pretty hard wood with good result. They take off the material well, don't clog like normal rasps and leave a rather smooth surface.

That said I would still dread doing that many sticks by hand. I get sore muscles already by thinking of that.

[Burkhardt]

Hey Eugene, you inspired me to try one for myself. I butchered a branch from an ash tree in the back yard and gave it a rough shape with that rotary microplane gadget in the drill press. Worked quite well. But I still need to let it dry, make smooth and finish. How long is such a stick actually supposed to be?

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2aYB5JqJWN8/VGWJtK-SqqI/AAAAAAAAFaA/UbUZVZ4B7L8/w455-h853-no/DSC02846.JPG

Maybe I take it with me on my evening walks instead of pepper spray.:D

[scottp55]

Nice G. Little bit of lead shot and a ferrule and you'll be ready for a relaxing evening stroll:)
http://www.oldeshillelagh.com/fighting-sticks

[genek]

Hey Eugene, you inspired me to try one for myself. I butchered a branch from an ash tree in the back yard and gave it a rough shape with that rotary microplane gadget in the drill press. Worked quite well. But I still need to let it dry, make smooth and finish. How long is such a stick actually supposed to be?

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2aYB5JqJWN8/VGWJtK-SqqI/AAAAAAAAFaA/UbUZVZ4B7L8/w455-h853-no/DSC02846.JPG

Maybe I take it with me on my evening walks instead of pepper spray.:D
They wanted theirs five feet long. But as far as walking stick go it what ever you like. Looks great. coat the end so that it will not crack.
but if it does no problem just find a copper tube that would fit and drive it on.

again great work.

[Burkhardt]

I had the stick dry for a couple of weeks and finished it over the weekend (got to take a break from the maze madness). Since I do not have a facility to smoke the wood (and other family members might object to a smoke smelly object in the house) I just used espresso colored stain, but left the knob natural color.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pdvJjFD3A68/VLMO7kFlfyI/AAAAAAAAFjE/3-QZlrgyShg/w247-h853-no/DSC02971.JPG

Ergonomic detail :D

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eB72U1UOE5w/VLMO817fcOI/AAAAAAAAFjM/_D53OEn22D4/w752-h853-no/DSC02972.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qEfx9GnwnBw/VLMO-c8udbI/AAAAAAAAFjU/fllKLHnZ7CU/w912-h853-no/DSC02973.JPG

[genek]

That looks Great..

[mikeacg]

Looks great Gert! Reminds me of the old shifter knobs I used to carve and sell...
How is the project coming Gene? Any updates?
Mike

[genek]

Looks great Gert! Reminds me of the old shifter knobs I used to carve and sell...
How is the project coming Gene? Any updates?
Mike
Mine are still drying plus getting ready to do the show in Washington.