Tools to Trim Canes

377 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by CV3, 2 mo ago

Blackstaff

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

Hi guys,

I know I mostly post for cane modification advice. That's because I'm a disabled cane-user, so I don't really have much experience with making canes or sticks so much as just using them. I realize that probably puts a lot of my questions a bit off-topic, but there just aren't very many forums out there (that I can find) that get much traffic or have makers like yourselves who work with wood for the express purpose of making canes, so this seems like the best place to ask for help.

I've posted before about my physical limits making it difficult to modify my walking canes and what I might be able to use to do that. For things like trimming canes to a good length, I do have a Japanese pull saw, but it is still pretty labor-intensive for me to use this method to get through the wood dowels. I'm also sort of concerned about the continuous sawing noise from my small apartment annoying the neighbors when I do have occasion to do this, but it is not my main concern.

I'm always looking for "hacks" to make it easier for me to do projects and DIY things myself rather than find someone else to ask, disability notwithstanding. I've read some much older posts (oddly on forums that have nothing to do with woodworking specifically) that people can cut wood in a sort of handi-capable way using either pipe cutter tools or ratchet shears instead of the saw.

I was wondering if anyone here has tried something like that? It sounds like it might be a great hack to get around my balance and coordination issues (disability-related) while also being generally easier and quicker to use in a space like my apartment since I don't have a proper workshop or anything. I see some products online which may work, but I am hestitant to make wild purchases without getting some feedback first. The biggest issue seems to be that some of these tools can cut through relatively thick wood, but they leave somewhat jagged or crimped edges on the cut. I could deal with those as long as I know that I should be able to relatively easily trim the came.

Some say that these tools may have a tendency to "crush" the wood edge rather than cut it, but others claim perfect success with the specific tools they chose and that they are much easier to use than a saw. I'm not sure, but I thought it might be a good idea to check with the experts to see if you guys had any opinions on this.

In general, I appreciate the help I get here when I do post infrequently even though I don't really bring any of my own wisdom to the discussion. Independent cane life has been made easier thanks to much of the help here, so I want to thank you all for that.

Does anyone know or recommend things like: pipe cutters, ratchet shears, or large dog nail clippers? These are the top three things people mention for cutting wooden dowels that I wonder if I could use for canes. Thank you for reading.

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dww2

· #2 · 2 mo ago

I saw a cane maker on Youtube use a pipe cutter to form the shoulder of a peg joint for fitting a cane handle one time, but he only cut in about 1/8th to 1/4 inch. I very much doubt it would cut the whole way through, but I've never tried it. Never tried ratchet shears but I think they'd have a tendency to crush as much as cut. Same with lopping pruners. They're more for fresh wood (or at least wood you don't care how it looks when cut.)
I imagine that the finer the saw teeth, the less noise it would make when cutting, so maybe a razor saw like those used by model railroad hobbyists.

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Kelly

· #3 · 2 mo ago

Because you're doing long things, a small bandsaw wouldn't work well. However, something like the Rockwell Bladerunner might. IF there is enough clearance, you could knock a 1-1/2" dowel down to length, or you could even carve divots out f it. And, I doubt it would be horribly noisy (maybe - never ran one): BladeRunner X2 Portable Tabletop Saw - Rockwell Tools

The only other thing I could think of that might do the trick is, pruners, but they take a lot of strength, UNLESS you can put some hydraulics behind them. Then it's just repetition.

If all you had to do was chop things to length, a guillotine built from a hydraulic press could be the ticket. The mods wouldn't have to be too complicated (a blade (e,g., a cleaver) between two plates, pressed down through the limb or dowel). It would take much jack power to pull it off.

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Kelly

· #4 · 2 mo ago

Found specs on that Bladerunner: Rockwell Bladerunner X2 Portable Table Saw Review [2023]

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dww2

· #5 · 2 mo ago

Just after posting I had to go feed the horse his supper and, while I was waiting for his grain to soak, I remembered that I had a small pipe cutter in the tool chest. Did a test and can confirm that it won't work. As you can see in the pic, it cut in a little way, but it is limited by the bits that hold the blade in place. Pic is a bit blurry. My camera doesn't do close ups well.

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Blackstaff

Discussion Starter · #6 · 2 mo ago

dww2 said:
Just after posting I had to go feed the horse his supper and, while I was waiting for his grain to soak, I remembered that I had a small pipe cutter in the tool chest. Did a test and can confirm that it won't work. As you can see in the pic, it cut in a little way, but it is limited by the bits that hold the blade in place. Pic is a bit blurry. My camera doesn't do close ups well.

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Many thanks! I appreciate that you took the time and effort to make the test; it definitely confirms things for me and has likely saved me a purchase that wouldn't do what I needed.

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Blackstaff

Discussion Starter · #7 · 2 mo ago

Kelly said:
Because you're doing long things, a small bandsaw wouldn't work well. However, something like the Rockwell Bladerunner might. IF there is enough clearance, you could knock a 1-1/2" dowel down to length, or you could even carve divots out f it. And, I doubt it would be horribly noisy (maybe - never ran one): BladeRunner X2 Portable Tabletop Saw - Rockwell Tools

The only other thing I could think of that might do the trick is, pruners, but they take a lot of strength, UNLESS you can put some hydraulics behind them. Then it's just repetition.

If all you had to do was chop things to length, a guillotine built from a hydraulic press could be the ticket. The mods wouldn't have to be too complicated (a blade (e,g., a cleaver) between two plates, pressed down through the limb or dowel). It would take much jack power to pull it off.

Thanks for your insights, Kelly! I make do with the pull saw for now. It isn't as though it takes forever to do the job, but it does take probably (for me) 20 minutes of fairly intense sawing whereas I think your average bloke could probably do it in about 3 minutes. It's not a big deal, but it sometimes puts me off buying sticks that I know might need a good trim, I must admit.