Ideas?

[CPH]

Whilst out looking for bow drilling materials I spotted what I think was last year’s hogweed alongside a railway track. I was actually looking for mullein to try as a spindle, but cut a piece of the hogweed anyway as it looked like an ideal material to make something from. I must admit I never realised before how robust it is, and it’s as light as balsa wood.
I’ve given it a couple of coats of epoxy to waterproof it and strengthen it even further, and it looks quite a bit like a piece of deer antler.
Anyway, I’m trying to find a specific use for a wooden tube-it’s about 225mm long, with an internal diameter of around 20mm.
Anyone able to offer up an idea for its use please?
One thing I aim to do next year is make some pike fishing floats from the stuff. It looks like a really useful resource, and something I don’t recall reading about before.
The slightly thicker bottom end makes me think it might work as a survival fishing hand line, as I could store tackle inside and utilise the thick end as the casting end, but I’m open to ideas.

https://flic.kr/p/2qEyDzR

 

[crosslandkelly]

Cut down to 5 or 6 inches with a cork or stopper in each end, and you've got a sewing kit or needle case.

 

[HillBill]

Float case? Lure protectors? (stick the trebles in the rim and cut to size of lure) Tinder tube?

 

[Paul_B]

Not serious but as kids we got kinda interested in homemade black powder and fireworks. That to me looks like something we could have used!!

 

[CPH]

Thanks chaps. I’m torn between the seeing case or tinder pack.

 

[Pattree]

I’m not sure that the material will resonate well bit I am a rustic flute maker. Those dimensions are ok to make an overtone flute and just might make a pentatonic one. Varnishing the inside might overcome the resonance problem. If you find a piece 400mm long then you could make a pipe rather than a flute and that is much easier to play. The septa (internal walls across the tube) are not a problem and can be removed with a file.

Of course, for your needle case if you cut at a septum you only need one cork.

Edited to add:
I remember in my childhood that playing in a hog weed brake made some of us feel ill. I have no idea what toxin it might have held (if any) or what effect drying might have if there were a toxin. I’m sure others here will know.

It’s easy enough to drill a cork to form a mouthpiece anyway.

 

[CPH]

I’m not sure that the material will resonate well bit I am a rustic flute maker. Those dimensions are ok to make an overtone flute and just might make a pentatonic one. Varnishing the inside might overcome the resonance problem. If you find a piece 400mm long then you could make a pipe rather than a flute and that is much easier to play. The septa (internal walls across the tube) are not a problem and can be removed with a file.

Of course, for your needle case if you cut at a septum you only need one cork.

Edited to add:
I remember in my childhood that playing in a hog weed brake made some of us feel ill. I have no idea what toxin it might have held (if any) or what effect drying might have if there were a toxin. I’m sure others here will know.

It’s easy enough to drill a cork to form a mouthpiece anyway.

Funnily enough I don’t play any instruments but a flute or penny whistle did occur to me.
I’m also aware that giant hogweed can cause skin burns etc, but this dried ‘timber’ looks pretty innocuous. I have been cautious though.
Ps I did cut it at two joints (Septum?) and it is solid at one end. I.e it only needs a lid making from the bit I cut off that you see in the picture.

 

[CPH]

Not serious but as kids we got kinda interested in homemade black powder and fireworks. That to me looks like something we could have used!!

Lol As a kid I always intended glueing two halves of a walnut shell back together, filling it with powder from a shotgun cartridge and fitting the fuse from a banger (I’m guessing they no longer make them?) by way of making a mini bomb. I think I got the idea from reading the Green Goblin storylines in the Marvel Spider-Man comics and his pumpkin bombs.

 

[Pattree]

Some of my Thai friends delighted in putting closed ended bamboos on our camp fires and waiting for them to explode.