Taiaha, finally!!!

[Battara]

I think that would be great, to put the eyes back in and restore it's soul again.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Battara

I think that would be great, to put the eyes back in and restore it's soul again.

Battara, you have done many a restoration, should I manage to get the eyes carved, can you recommend any non destructive, intrusive or permanent methods for attaching the 'new eyes'? I thought about warming some blu-tak to make it very soft and placing it behind the eyes??? At least it can all be rubbed off and out of the sockets if ever wanted.

Anyone with recommended securing methods along these lines?

Gav

[Maurice]

Gav,
Not my collecting area, but I really like this one.


Beautiful carvings and old patina!

[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

[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

[Battara]

Actually Vandoo is onto something. Elmer's glue is not that permanent and can be taken off easily. The eyes should stay on as long as you don't use the piece.

[Gavin Nugent]

Thanks Guys,

Not a product I am familiar with downunder. I'll google it and have a look around....no lasting effects hey....thanks it might just be what I need should I be able to source some shell.

Gav

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by Maurice

Gav,
Not my collecting area, but I really like this one.


Beautiful carvings and old patina!

Thanks Maurice, I have been viewing all that I can find in NZ museums and this is to my eye by far one of the most attractive and best carved examples I can find.
Many of the Oldman collection are in these museums too and it is of the quality found in his collections...very happy.

Gav

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by freebooter

Battara, you have done many a restoration, should I manage to get the eyes carved, can you recommend any non destructive, intrusive or permanent methods for attaching the 'new eyes'? I thought about warming some blu-tak to make it very soft and placing it behind the eyes??? At least it can all be rubbed off and out of the sockets if ever wanted.

Anyone with recommended securing methods along these lines?

Gav

You should be chuffed mate, its a beauty!
As for the eyes.....
If you get the right replacements made, then why not fix them permenantly?
Alternatively, you could test a little silicon sealant or acrylic for that matter, won't seep into the wood and should peel off.
Congrats again.
Gene