Wasters on a budget

[TimJentoft]

I want to obtain a waster(or prefferable more, for diversity), but I'm on a limited budget. The cheapest waster I found was 50 US, and I can barely make that. So, I was wondering if anyone has ever tried making their own wasters, and if so, what did you do, and how well did it "work"?

Thanks.

[Shane Smith]

I've made several. Use hickory for best results but straight-grained oak will work for awhile before it splinters usually. If made from hickory, they last as long as store-bought and cost about 10 bucks a copy. Be sure to finish with boiled linseed oil when you're done sanding and shaping. Do a search on waster making here on the forum from a year or so ago and you should find a very detailed thread.

[TimJentoft]

Thanks. I've done a quick inventory in the shed. Seems I have the tools and equipment needed. But how about weight? I want to get as close to the real thing as I can, both in balance and weight.

[Brian Hunt]

building a waster that has a blade with edges that taper down to a narrower point will help balance it. You might want to examine this article here http://www.arma-ogden.org/content/view/7/30/ Also, do a search on the forum for making your own waster, this is a topic that comes up now and again. White oak is stronger than red oak and will last longer. Hickory or pecan is your best bet. Straight grained maple works fairly well and in a pinch you can use poplar but your waster will be a little on the light side.

laters.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[Matthew_Anderson]

Hey, that's a sweet little article, how did I miss that? I'm gonna point people to that from now on whenever the subject of home-made wasters comes up. Thanks!

[Gene Tausk]

I second Matt's kudos. Excellent article. The instructions are so clear, even I should be able to make a waster that looks like a sword instead of something that looks like it was left over from an episode of Babylon 5.

I'll definitely be giving it a try next year. Good work!


----------->>>>>>>>>gene tausk
SFS
Study Group Leader - Houston ARMA Southside

[John_Clements]

I've made several and have had many fine ones made for me by students as well. Although I have seem some asburd attempts, it's pretty easy to do with simple tools and a little practice. You don't need frills and dazzle. There's really no such thing as a "professional" waster.

JC

[scott adair]

I've made over a dozen in various patterns. Making the guard seems to be the most challenging part. I have tried one piece, two piece and four piece designs. Of all of them the four piece design from the ARMA-Ogden webpage is the easiest to construct.

Scott

[Bill Tsafa]

Where did you see that $50 waster ? I might be interested. Easier for me to buy then to make.

[TimJentoft]

That would be this one: http://www.newstirlingarms.com/woodwasters-viking.html

A lovely waster, IMO.