Diamond willow? I've got a huge pile of weeping willow, but I don't know that I'd call it very split-resistant, unless you're talking about how it acts when it dries.
Aspen seems a little weak as well- might be good as far as strength goes, but I could see it getting dinged up right away.
That would be great- let me know what you'd like for the trouble, and I'll be ready for it in a couple of weeks (once the post-holliday poverty abates a little.)
If you like, drop me an e-mail at snipped-for-privacy@charter.net , and we can discuss the details off-list.
That's.... awesome. Sounds like something I'd do if I was ever in that position.
Will do. Sounds like that is going to be the way to go, judging from the various replies. In retrospect, a wooden cap might be a little funny looking anyway- sort of like a cartoon pirate or something. I suspect there are ways of dressing up a hospital prostetic somehow anyways.
Another use for willow.
Might be an opportunity to do some historical research. Has to be some published material on how such prosthetics were made in, say, the 1700s. Might or might not be possible to make a properly fitted socket using historically accurate materials.
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--John to email, dial "usenet" and validate (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
Could be a great time to practice veneering, eh? ;-)
Bill
When I split it and sawed it, it was still green, and it was pretty easy going. I do have big pile of blanks that are fairly close to dry, so I'm going to have to try it out again (I haven't used it much in the last 5-6 months, because of the smell- I was hoping drying it out a bit first would lessen that!)
I used to work river rescue with a team member who always wore a peg leg (which he turned himself) when on the river, or in the woods. He claimed it gave him more stability on the river bottom. He also pointed out that it was a lot cheaper to replace, if he trashed it.
FWIW, he had an "above the knee" amputation. He didn't have a "cup" at the top of the peg leg. It was more of a "U" shape, with a strap that went around what was left of *his* leg. (Wood on the sides, with strap at the front and back). The peg leg looked sort of like the letter "Y", when viewed from the front. I hope that made sense! It was turned from a single piece of wood. Sadly, I have no idea what type of wood he used.
I thought you might be interested in the "cap" alternative.
Good Luck! Hal
It does, but it's like elm, get it damp, like setting with water when sanding, or worse, char it on the saw, and Katie OPEN the door - QUICK!
Definitely- thanks for the suggestion!
That has got to rank up there in the ten most wild turning projects ever. But, a century ago, some turner may have made a living doing this.
I would glue up a hollow, staved blank and turn that to reduce the weight. Then, use an mfgrd. prosthetic cup mounted on top.
Dan
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