River Cane Powder Measures

[TDM]

This past week I made a set of powder measures from river cane and red cedar. The cane was well dried and the cedar was lath turned. Ended up with a 50, 60, 70, 80, & 90 gr measure. Just trying to keep my hands busy while waiting for my Trade Gun kit to arrive.










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[okieboy]

 Those are very interesting and a little different. I like that the load is marked on each one so there is no misremembering. Thanks for sharing your work.

[Daryl]

Very interesting. The "river cane" we had back in South Western Ontario did not have the 'shaft' strength for making measures.
Very interesting indeed.

[Tim Crosby]

 With an angle cut on them were is the measure made from?

    Tim C.

[TDM]

With an angle cut on them were is the measure made from?

    Tim C.

I just hold them up right and fill to the top of the lower rim with a couple of taps to settle the powder. Then use the extended lip to pour. They throw very consistent charges. I actually did a calibration test on 2 of my adjustable measures before making these. I'd been wanting to weight these charges for years but was afraid of the discrepancies I might find. I was pleasantly surprised with the results. The only variance in weight was when the powder was poured loose without tapping the side. As long as few light settling taps were made the volume/weight was spot on. And the cane is easy to adjust on the beltsander. Here's a few photos of the weight test, the first shows the variance without tapping and the other two with tapping. And I was surprised at the accuracy.

[Spalding]

Those look very nice. Always wanted some river cane measures.

Bob

[rich pierce]

Nicer than mine! I usually cut below a node and use that as the plug, but your way looks more sturdy.

[TDM]

Nicer than mine! I usually cut below a node and use that as the plug, but your way looks more sturdy.

Thank you Rich, and to others as well.

[Rado]

Those look very nice. Always wanted some river cane measures.

Bob

Yep. Wish they would sell it in garden stores here in Germany.
The only thing I can get is Asian Bamboo.

[TDM]

Those look very nice. Always wanted some river cane measures.

Bob

Yep. Wish they would sell it in garden stores here in Germany.
The only thing I can get is Asian Bamboo.

River Cane is native to the American south, but it's getting rare even here. I had stocked up on a fair amount years ago when I started making Native American flutes. The cane needs to be cut with no closed sections so it can dry, preferably a year or more. But once dry, it's tough and won't split. It's a very versatile plant. Another process I use on the cane measures is as I near the final length I apply firm pressure to the sanding belt and burn/cauterize the end. It makes them even tougher.

[ScottNE]

Nice, a bit of a change from the usual antler measures. Would look good with a southern/south-ish themed gun/bag/horn setup.

[Rado]

@TDM The first time I read about this plant, was in the ´Traditional Bowyers Bible´. It was mentioned as a typical arrow shaft material of the Natives. Since then I heared about so many things this stuff is useful for. In big sizes, even as a canteen.

[Tim Crosby]

 Thanks, never thought about tapping a measure.

    Tim

[MuskratMike]

When my friend Charlie Brown in Danbury N.C. makes me a period correct bag he makes me a cane measure to go along with the kit.
The one with the white horn goes with my Jim Kibler SMR. The bag set up is for my new Don Bruton Smoothbore. Note old straight razor patch knife and cane measure.
Going to have to travel a long ways to find cane living in Oregon. Makes a great powder measure and appears to be very hardy as I use my stuff a lot.

[TDM]

When my friend Charlie Brown in Danbury N.C. makes me a period correct bag he makes me a cane measure to go along with the kit.
The one with the white horn goes with my Jim Kibler SMR. The bag set up is for my new Don Bruton Smoothbore. Note old straight razor patch knife and cane measure.
Going to have to travel a long ways to find cane living in Oregon. Makes a great powder measure and appears to be very hardy as I use my stuff a lot.

Very nice setup. The majority of my equipment is similar. My horns and bag are an 1820's Southern style.