Taiaha, finally!!!

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by VANDOO

I HAVE SEVERAL SIZES OF ROUNDS MADE OF NEW ZEALAND PUA SHELL I BOUGHT AT A GEM AND MINERAL SHOW THEY COME IN ALL SIZES AND ARE INEXPENSIVE AND ALREADY POLISHED. IF IT WERE MINE I WOULD MEASURE BOTH EYES TO GET NEAR THE CORRECT SIZE AND THEN MEASURE THE CENTER AND SEE IF I COULD DRILL A HOLE (USE A SMALL BIT FIRST THEN PROGRESS LARGER UNTIL DESIRED SIZE REACHED, GRIND AND SHAPE EACH EYE UNTIL THEY FIT CORRECTLY AND THEN GLUE THEM IN. I AM NOT SURE WHAT I WOULD USE FOR GLUE BUT SOMETHING THAT COULD BE EASILY REMOVED WOULD BE BEST. ELMERS WOOD GLUE IS WATER SOLUBLE BUT I DON'T THINK SOAKING THE WOOD IS A GOOD IDEA. CHECK AROUND FOR A ROCK SHOP OR ROCKHOUND CLUB OR SOMEONE WHO DOES LAPIDARY WORK AND PERHAPS YOU CAN FIND A SOURCE FOR THE SHELL ROUNDS. THEY DO MAKE A LOT OF JEWLRY USING THE PUA SHELL. MAKE SURE TO USE NEW ZEALAND PUA SHELL FOR THE EYES OR THE TIKI WILL GET YA GOOD LUCK

Thanks Vandoo....eeeekkkk, glue...permanent....maybe.....
I will read and look for the shell at local markets and gem shows too, I will get a few spare and try my hand at the dremel....I think I'll need that luck too if I am going to undertake it myself.

Gav