Create blade from broken wood stick

[Zombies #77 10]

Has anyone broke a wood stick at the shaft and salvaged the blade to put in a 2 piece stick. I'm wondering if it's a good idea, how well it worked, and if so I would like to know exactly how you did it? I have a couple I would like to try, but don't have much in the tools department. I'm assuming a sander/grinder would do the trick?

[Chadd 916]

Most wood sticks are reinforced in that area, you would need to cut through the various layers and get the hosel size right.

[XveritasX 13]

I don't see why it wouldn't be possible. It would be a long and tedious project however, and I wouldn't be surprised if you messed up the first couple of times. I would just drop the $20 for a wood blade. Would probably perform better also. If you have the time and patience then go ahead.

[Capt.Hook 23]

You can definitely do it. If you're like me and like to salvage any and everything it's totally worth it.

Will it be as good as a store bought blade - heck no! But it will work for a bit.

I usually started just comparing it with a blade I had to understand where it should fit in a shaft and how much wood should go inside the shaft. I made marks on the hosel/shaft about where I should shave it down to. Then I cut the shaft.

I have used a grinder, dremel, rasp, benchtop sander, etc to make it work. If you have patience you can do a great job. I don't have any and have always rushed the project but made it work anyway. You just begin taking off wood until you've evenly taken off enough to be able to get it in the shaft with some hot glue. Remember, you can't ever put any wood back so be careful.

However, if you do screw up you can always put some cloth tape on the blade to get it fitted right and add a little extra hot glue.

I have no doubt there are those who are more experienced and better craftsman than me that can tell you how to do this more successfully.

However, I've done it many times and always made it work even though I'm a hack.

Go ahead and try it. I'm sure you'll get it to work with whatever tools you have on hand. Best of luck to you brother.

[Neal 41]

I might try taking the hosel and area 1" below the hosel down an 1/8" or so more than necessary and then using fiberglass to build it back up. Seems to me that might strengthen that area.

[Zombies #77 10]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I have a couple of ABS blade I can practice on and hopefully get it down.

[Capt.Hook 23]

I'm sure you'll get it done. Just keep taking a little off and trying it in the shaft.

If it's close remember that when you heat up the shaft it will expand. You really don't need it to fit just be close and it will probably fit when it's heated up.

The key is to not take too much wood off.

Let us know how you are doing.

[hrbekroenick 0]

I have been wondering about the same thing. I have a couple that I did and stuck in old shafts from busted OPS/ I even stuck one in a true Harrow 300 USA shaft. It will be a bear to get out. I tried heating it up and it won't budge now!