[Woodcarver] melting copper

[dick carter]

>From: "Wynne Simmons" <wyndysim at graceba.net>



>My sister is making a walking stick for me and wants to put a copper

>bottom on it.  I'm thinking a copper band would be better, with a

>non-skid bottom.  She wants to know if there's a way she can melt the

>copper at home?


Wynne, unless she has a high temperature forge, I don't think she can
melt copper.

It all depends whether you use a cane 'occassionally' or full time.

I use one full-time & have tried different tips. First one was the 
convertible from
Lee Valley (I think) it was a pain changing the tip from the rubber to the 
steel
tip. (use the steel tip outside & as soon as you get inside you get all 
muddy
putting the rubber one on). I found it very inconvient,

I had one with a copper band (plumbing copper pipe) and it was getting
corroded & tarnished all the time... not much sense using copper unless
its shined. If you  have a plain wood tip it will be 'kinda' non-skid, but 
will
splay-out after awhile.
I use a plain rubber (NOT plastic) chair-leg tip on mine. You can also get
'crutch tips' at a medical supply store.
For Winter, I use a different cane with a metal tip on it. These are 
available from "Hike
America" & are available for different size shafts.
FWIW

Dick Carter

>From the Manadnock area of NH

rhc511 at hotmail.com
Please check-out my stuff at:
http://www.picturetrail.com/cartersstuff