Crepe myrtles

[Canemaker 1]

I’ve been doing woodworking projects for years. About 3 years ago, while trimming the crepe myrtles in my yard, I noticed that many of the cuttings were nice and straight.l saved about a dozen of the limbs about 1 in. by 6 ft. A few months later I decided to try my hand at cane making. Lots of good videos on the internet helped. I have since made over 300 canes and walking sticks. I have given away (never sold) about 150 to friends, church benefits, and recently gave 40 to a relief benefit for Ukrainian relief.
I have learned a great deal working with crepe myrtle and it is now my favorite medium. You have to scrape the bark and under layer off but then the wood grain sands and finishes beautifully. The wood takes a great stain. It is great for canes because of its weight and strength. I use only hand tools and have found this to be a great hobby. It has also provided me with the excuse to make several cane racks.

 

[jlwest]

Very nice. Giving away makes the heart strong. I love walking canes.

 

[mdbuntyn]

Those are nice

 

[stevenross]

sounds like a workshop idea

 

[Graywolf]

It sounds like a demo for the Extravaganza!

 

[JNCarr]

VERY nice!

 

[creasman]

Nice work!

 

[Mike Davis]

I cut some for table legs. It was drying nicely and looked good then all of a sudden one day every piece split from one end to the other. Had to burn it all and look for other wood. I like the sinuous and muscular look of the natural bark limbs. But how can I dry it without the splitting?

 

[Danny Batchelor]

I would like to see your drying technique….

 

[Berta]

Very cool! Great workshop idea!

 

[Canemaker 1]

I would like to see your drying technique….

I always paint each cut end until I use the piece, I try to debark the cut pieces before it dries because it’s so much easier than after it dries. When I first used crepe myrtle I put it in a very dry space and didn’t treat the ends and it split wide open. Since I’ve been painting the ends ((using leftover latex paint) I haven’t had a problem. I usually stain the piece as soon a I’ve finished carving, and polyurethane as soon as the stain is dry. So far, no more splitting.

 

[awldune]

I always paint each cut end until I use the piece, I try to debark the cut pieces before it dries because it’s so much easier than after it dries. When I first used crepe myrtle I put it in a very dry space and didn’t treat the ends and it split wide open. Since I’ve been painting the ends ((using leftover latex paint) I haven’t had a problem. I usually stain the piece as soon a I’ve finished carving, and polyurethane as soon as the stain is dry. So far, no more splitting.

Thanks for this. I also have had trouble with splitting.