Walking Sticks - A Money Making Hobby
Walking sticks are a very profitable hobby. These three sticks were purchased for a total of $17.50 and the wood was harvested from the trees worth just over $30. The stick maker made a profit of $56, giving him a margin of 29%.
And there's no reason you can't be like him or even make your own walking stick! Woodworking is not only satisfying and relaxing but also creates room for creativity. The potential to make some money on the side will also motivate you to enjoy using your new skills as much as possible.
Let's take a look at how exactly you can craft your own walking sticks - it's not as hard as you think!
What Do You Need to Get Started?
To make the aforementioned sticks you'll need:
Decent wood (maple, ash, or oak will work best) - $26-$60. Your local lumber store should have everything in stock. A leg vice - $65. You can purchase one at any tool store. It will help you secure the wood while creating the handle section, and it will also allow for precise cuts. A chisel set ($50) and a saw ($30). Again, find these tools at your local hardware store. Sandpaper (around $10). A belt sander ($40) is optional. The sandpaper will help you create the finish, and the belt sander is perfect for polishing. Beeswax - $15. It's optional, but it'll help you create a nice finish. A brush - $20. Again, optional, but using it will make your job much easier!
All in all, if you want to start walking stick craftsmanship without breaking the bank the necessary tools will cost you about $170. That's not bad at all considering how much money you can make from them!
Finding Wood
The first step to making your own walking stick is choosing suitable wood for it. Maple, ash, and oak are the best choices; in fact, they were used to create the three sticks pictured above. The wood you find needs to be firm and elastic enough so that it won't break under pressure and excessive bending - which would ruin your efforts as well as your stick!
Maple and ash are hardwoods renowned for their strength; an average piece of these woods should cost you around $15-$26. On the other hand, oak is a very popular choice amongst stick makers due to its durability. Look for a piece of dry oak at your local lumber store or buy one online - it should go for about $30 or more.
Not all the wood you'll find will be suitable for crafting walking sticks. The best way to check a piece's quality is to use your hands, literally! If the wood has been dried out properly and treated with special oils or paints it should feel smooth and slightly oily. If any splinters stick out or if your fingers start getting uncomfortable as you touch it, then it's no good for making walking sticks.
Step-by-step Instructions on How to Make Your Own Walking Sticks
Step 1: Prep Work - Creating the Handle Section of Your Walking Stick
The first step in making your own walking stick is creating a handle section out of whichever piece of wood you've found. This section of the stick will determine its size and final look. You can either follow an exact center line or you can do a freehand sketch, just remember that the bigger your handle section is, the longer it will be. It will also make your stick more sturdy and comfortable to hold - which is essential for effective walking!
Now find a flat surface where you will be working. You can also use a table, but I prefer to use my kitchen countertop because it's easier to clean afterwards. You'll need some tools for this step:
a leg vice - a clamp-type tool produced for woodworkers; its purpose is to secure a piece of wood using grip handles. At the end of a clamp is a hook that you'll use to attach the wood. These should be available at most hardware stores.
- a clamp-type tool produced for woodworkers; its purpose is to secure a piece of wood using grip handles. At the end of a clamp is a hook that you'll use to attach the wood. These should be available at most hardware stores. a chisel set - these are large, flat-tipped tools meant for carving and sculpting small pieces of wood quickly and precisely. You can find these in any hardware or home improvement store, but make sure you choose one specific for making walking sticks.
- these are large, flat-tipped tools meant for carving and sculpting small pieces of wood quickly and precisely. You can find these in any hardware or home improvement store, but make sure you choose one specific for making walking sticks. a saw - this tool is used for cutting wood. You can use a hand saw, but a power one will do the job much faster. Before purchasing one find out how much power it has (measured in either watts or volts). The more powerful it is, the better - a 120V corded tool should be your first choice if possible.
- this tool is used for cutting wood. You can use a hand saw, but a power one will do the job much faster. Before purchasing one find out how much power it has (measured in either watts or volts). The more powerful it is, the better - a 120V corded tool should be your first choice if possible. sandpaper - use this to apply coat after coat of beeswax to the piece of wood you've chosen to create your handle. It's very important that you remove all splinters from the wood before waxing because otherwise you'll ruin your project.
Before you start sanding, make sure the wood is dry. Take a piece of paper, fold it in half, and lay it flat on your table or counter. Place your wood on top of the paper so that half of it is slightly raised.
After this you'll want to take your chisel and begin working around the wood's entire edge; keep doing this until you've outlined the entire shape you want to create on the piece.
To finish off, flip the wood over and work with the blade of a knife removing any leftovers (splinters). Repeat this process until all areas of the wood are covered in wax.