Popsicle sticks

[FKarl]

Anyone else use them? If so, what for? I'm finding them useful in many ways.

[Sharpie]

I keep a few handy to use as glue applicators, and to mix up cans of wood stain. Other than that, they're too irregular to be of much use.

[augie]

Glue sandpapers of different grits to the opposing sides and you have a handy sanding stick.

[Jack12477]

I found the "emery" sticks you can purchase in the cosmetics dept of most drug stores and/or grocery stores to be equally useful as sanding sticks. The usually come in packages of 8-10 sticks.

 

Jack

[Perls]

Hi,

 

I have found that wooden coffee stirrers a lot more useful. The ones I have are about 7.5"x1/4"x1/16" and are made from birch. They have uniform straight grain and are quite flexible. You can get a box of 1000 for about 6 bucks at Staples, Office Depot, etc. If you look at my build log, I used them for the pump handles on my log pump.

 

Best,

Steve

[FKarl]

I've been looking for a place to buy the coffee stirrers!!

 

I've actually laminated a solid hull out of Popsicle sticks. Happy with the results so far. Trying to save money right now but trying to further advance my skill set. (Even worked with wet sand at the beach recently). Anyway, it's a very slow process but I'm finding that throwing scale out the window and "scratch building" from an image in my head, I am having a great time. My "sail boat" will end up about a foot long if/when I finish it. Laminating the mast and boom as well. Superglue, hot glue and Popsicle sticks are all I've used so far. It's a ton of sanding, but a very pleasant time sitting on my deck working away.

Hadn't seen anything like this done on here before and so I was curious.

[hornet]

I use them when testing a new batch of paint when I am airbrushing. Spraying onto wood gives a more accurate idea of what the paint looks like on ship's timber than does spraying onto paper. I write on the sticks and keep them as a reference for future painting jobs. I do the same when testing the different colours and shades of wood stain.

Edited September 8, 2014 by hornet

[cristikc]

Glue sandpapers, cut parts to build different thinks.

Very usefully.

[testazyk]

What I want to know is how you guys collect so many popsicle sticks!

[Per]

What I want to know is how you guys collect so many popsicle sticks!

 

I'm nicking the stirrers from the box by the office coffee machine. 

[dgbot]

They can also be used for building.  They are tough and in some cases I have cut them down and used them for side carving. A little stain and they work very well.

David B

[ScottRC]

I'm more of a fudgesicle man myself.....

 

I have used them to mix epoxy, stir paint, and even make parts from. Depends on the quality. 

 

I one built a replica, or an attempt at, a replica of the Mayflower out of them in the 4th grade for a class diorama of the Plymouth Colony. 

Edited September 18, 2014 by ScottRC

[Perls]

Hi All,

 

Here is a link to a US office supply store for the 7" coffee stir sticks.

 

http://www.ontimesupplies.com/econtstc10c-wooden-stir-sticks-7in-birch-wood-light-wood-10000-per-carton.html

 

Best,

Steve

[grsjax]

The first model I built was from popsicle sticks.  That was about 55 years ago and the model was a small scow I found the plans for in an old book of building projects for boys.  The book must have been 30 years old even then.  I got the sticks from a local grocery store and it was the only small size wood planks I was aware of at the time.  Lots of fun for a kid with no tools and no experience but willing to jump in and start making something.

[reklein]

No reason to not build a whole model from Popsicle sticks. If they can build battleships and castles from matchsticks. The local restaraunt supply store should be able to supply you by the case. Google matchsticks and one can find sites to buy them in bulk and probably likewise for popsicle sticks. OH! just remembered ou can get them at Michael's or similar stores by the bag.   Bill