Caroline's Club
Page 2

(up-dated 30/Mar./2016)

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Here, is the chert "saw", prior to being used to notch the teeth. It's another piece of typical raw, Crescent Quarry Burlington Chert.

Here's the chert "saw" after it was used to notch the teeth. Notice the use-wear on the edge.

The teeth were laid out and numbered prior to being inserted into the walnut handle.

This is the antler chisel which will be used to cut the mortises for the chert teeth.


 

At this point, all of the teeth have been mortised and pre-fitted to the walnut handle. Now, to drill the walnut club.

 This chert micro-drill (in a river cane haft) was used to drill the walnut handle, prior to installing tooth #1. The hole for tooth #1. It took 8 minutes, 52 seconds to complete this hole.

This chert micro-drill (in a river cane haft) was used to drill the walnut handle, prior to installing tooth #2. After drilling for 1 minute, 38 seconds, the other side was marked and the hole was completed from the other side. Total drilling time:

 4 minutes, 17 seconds

This chert micro-drill (in a river cane haft) was used to drill the walnut handle, prior to installing tooth #3. This hole was drilled to the 9 minute, 4 second mark. It was noticed that the bit was not seated well in the haft so a small leather shim was placed on the side of the bit to seat it better. Drilling was resumed until the 9 minute 35 second mark when resharpening was needed. After resharpening, the bit was used to the 10 minute, 41 second mark where it was found to be too short to continue. A second longer bit was attached and the hole was drilled for and additional 1 minute, 50 seconds. Total drilling time:

12 minutes, 31 seconds

The hole for tooth #4 was made with the opposite end of the same micro-drill used for tooth #2. Tooth #4 was drilled to the 1 minute, 46 second mark, then the other side was marked, and drilling resumed. At the 2 minute, 59 second mark, I stopped to rest. I was interrupted by a phone call at the 3 minute, 20 second mark. (Note) the drill bit was hot at the end of the drilling). Total drilling time:

4 minutes, 43 seconds

While drilling the hole for tooth #5, the chert bit broke off in the walnut handle. There's also a close-up of the chert bit, after it was removed. The bit had to be resharpened after the initial 15 seconds of use. This drill was the opposite end of the same bit that drilled tooth #3. At the 2 minute, 25 second mark I had to resharpen the bit. It was also resharpened at 6 minutes, 49 seconds. At the 7 minute, 41 second mark, the bit broke off in the walnut handle. This was at the end of the drilling while I was trying to ream the hole. The club tilted slightly, putting the bit in a bind, and it snapped off at that point. No other drilling was required, so drilling was stopped there. total drilling time:

7 minutes, 41 seconds


Next, the dogbane cordage was prepared.

My stash of dogbane. The fibers were separated and the cordage was made. This was a simple 2-ply cord.

Here, the great white shark teeth, are tied to the club, using the 2-ply dogbane cordage.

Next, the chert teeth were glued in,. Pine pitch was used. It was heated on this little make-shift stove, using a small candle for the heat source. I found out that having a small

 soldering iron handy was the best way to reheat the pitch where needed.

Sanding the club with Indian sandpaper:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE2Ccc55ju4

This is a picture of the club, when completed.

Here are some more pictures with and without scales. Front.    Back   Front

Back

 Here's close-ups of the handle. Front   Back