The best way to strip bark from a large branch?

Last time I stripped bark I used a draw knife, and wished I had a
shaving horse to hold the piece. But a sharp draw knife was very easy
to use. A hammer and chisel would be way too much work for me.

I would leave it untreated if a future push stick was going to be
clawing it..

djb

James Duncan wrote:

> I want to make a climbing tree/scratching post for a relatives cat for which
> I've found some largeish branches.
> I now need to strip the bark off them, is there a generally accepted method
> for doing this? I remember doing it ages ago with a chisel and hammer but
> that was on a small branch to create a walking stick. Would it still be the
> same method though for a bigger piece? I was thinking that using a heat gun
> would make the process easier too?

I'd use a draw knife.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.asp?SID=&ccurrency=2&page=44502&category=1%2C130%2C43332



>
> On a second note, should I treat the wood once I have stripped it, bearing
> in mind its for indoor use and that cats might chew it?

I'd leave it unfinished/untreated.

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
(Remove "SPAM" from email address to reply)

Harvest now, with sap up. Soak for a week in dihydrogen monoxide, slit and
peel.

"James Duncan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I want to make a climbing tree/scratching post for a relatives cat for
which
> I've found some largeish branches.
> I now need to strip the bark off them, is there a generally accepted
method
> for doing this? I remember doing it ages ago with a chisel and hammer but
> that was on a small branch to create a walking stick. Would it still be
the
> same method though for a bigger piece? I was thinking that using a heat
gun
> would make the process easier too?
> On a second note, should I treat the wood once I have stripped it, bearing
> in mind its for indoor use and that cats might chew it?
>
> Any thoughts appreciated.
>
> Jim.
>
>

On Sat, 26 Jun 2004 07:07:46 -0400, "George" <george@least> vaguely
proposed a theory
......and in reply I say!:

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

>Harvest now, with sap up.

How do you find work out which way is up for the sap?

>Soak for a week in dihydrogen monoxide, slit and
>peel.

Friggin rocket fuel. It _blows_ the bark off!

"James Duncan" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> I want to make a climbing tree/scratching post for a relatives cat for
> which I've found some largeish branches.
> I now need to strip the bark off them, is there a generally accepted
> method for doing this? I remember doing it ages ago with a chisel and
> hammer but that was on a small branch to create a walking stick. Would
> it still be the same method though for a bigger piece? I was thinking
> that using a heat gun would make the process easier too?
> On a second note, should I treat the wood once I have stripped it,
> bearing in mind its for indoor use and that cats might chew it?
>
> Any thoughts appreciated.
>
> Jim.
>
>

Depending on the size of the branch and thickness of the bark...drawknife
as some have said is most likely the best, but if you don't have a
drawknife try a potato peeler.(G)

GJP

My cat preferred the post with the bark on - - made a mess, but saved the
furniture.
"James Duncan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I want to make a climbing tree/scratching post for a relatives cat for
which
> I've found some largeish branches.
> I now need to strip the bark off them, is there a generally accepted
method
> for doing this? I remember doing it ages ago with a chisel and hammer but
> that was on a small branch to create a walking stick. Would it still be
the
> same method though for a bigger piece? I was thinking that using a heat
gun
> would make the process easier too?
> On a second note, should I treat the wood once I have stripped it, bearing
> in mind its for indoor use and that cats might chew it?
>
> Any thoughts appreciated.
>
> Jim.
>
>