Straightening hazel

[tegater 789]

Hi fellas. I have some hazel from last year that has dried nicely, and although it isn't a special piece of wood, I wood like to have a go at straightening it.

I am sure this may gave been covered before, but please can anybody point me in the right direction, with minimum of tools.

Thank you.

[buntinbee 0]

All I do is get as big a pot as possible, put about a couple of inches of water in and boil it. Once the water is boiling lay your sticks over the top where you want to do the straightening and cover with a towel for a few minutes untill the sticks are good and hot, then just straighten them over your knee. Be careful that the towel doesn't catch fire though.

[johnbaz 363]

Another method is to use a hot air gun and a horse or vice (or just the knee)

 

 

Here's a vid of a chap making a very basic stick...

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers, John

[tegater 789]

All I do is get as big a pot as possible, put about a couple of inches of water in and boil it. Once the water is boiling lay your sticks over the top where you want to do the straightening and cover with a towel for a few minutes untill the sticks are good and hot, then just straighten them over your knee. Be careful that the towel doesn't catch fire though.

Another method is to use a hot air gun and a horse or vice (or just the knee)

 

 

Here's a vid of a chap making a very basic stick...

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers, John

Thanks for the replies, I'm going to have a practice with this stick, and maybe a few others.atb

[taz2010 1,297]

i soak mine for 2 days in water then clamp them between 3x3 posts and heng to dry

[Bryony 4]

If you have a wall-paper steamer you put the sticks inside a bit of drainpipe and poke the steam tube up a length of drainpipe. Block with towels to keep the steam in and allow about an hour fo every inch of thickness . I soften sticks to make wreath frames like this .

[jayjay 264]

i use the hot air method (heat gun), this has worked fine for me, as long as you don't overdo it in one area,you need to keep the hot air gun moving on the area you are straightening,otherwise you could burn the bark on the shaft, when you think the area is warmed through enough,just flex it over your knee, and keep repeating this until your happy that it is straight enough........good luck.

 

all the best,

jay.

[pipa 299]

ive done the steaming method, its easier to buy a heat gun for £20, it only takes seconds to do it mate trust me its a lot better

chris

[tegater 789]

Thanks everybody I'll let you know how I get on.