Wonderwand

[Carl Root]

Mike Swendsen wrote:
> 
> Most of the woods used are very hard.  Pear or apple would be ok, but they
> are light and usually light in colour.  Darker woods are prefered mainly
> because they show less dirt...   Also most of the woods used  are hard
> ehough that they don't need to be finsihed to maintain a good look.
> Finishes eventually wear off.
> KOA would probably be fine.  Some of the harder walnut would probably be
> fine as well as crotch maple etc... If you are going to make a tool out of
> it, it might as well look good.

I've had two hammers - one walnut, the other a reddish brown wood, maybe
cocabolo - that split because the shaft was too short and too thick -
approx. 5/8" turned down to 7/16" at the head.  

A machinist friend of mine made me a 10" model with a long 7/16"
stainless steel shaft, a HD brass ferrule, and a dogwood handle.  Light
weight and rigid.  You're right about the lighter wood showing dirt.  I
chucked the headless lever in the drill press, sanded off the dirt and
finish, and appied a few coats of varnish.   

Carl Root, RPT
Rockville, MD