Queensland Woomera Type 4


Woomera from Cape York, Queensland in northeastern Australia.


Material:
Wood, 35" x 2" x 3/8"
Dowel, 3/8" x 2"
Resin/Rock Hard Water Putty
Artificial Sinew

Construction:

• Starting 9" from the peg end, round it down to 1" high at the end.
  
  
• Cut out the handle "block" as shown.
  
  
  
  
• Shape the top and bottom of the woomera. Starting 18" from the handle end on top, round/taper it down to meet the handle block. Starting 12" from the end on the bottom, rount/taper it up to meet the block.
  
  
• Thin the peg end to 1/8" wide.
  
  
  
  
• Cut a notch on the peg end of the woomera 1/4" from the top. The notch should be 1/8" high and 1/4" deep (see picture below).
  
  
• Make the body of the woomera elliptical and sand it all smooth.
  
  
  
  
• Round off the top and bottom of the dowel.
  
  
  
• Starting 1/4" from the bottom, cut a groove 1/8" deep, 1/8" wide, and 1" high. This fits on the end of the board.
  
  
• Cut a notch in the peg to match the board, 1/8" high by 1/8" deep.
  
  
• 3/8" from the top of the dowel, cut a notch and round it off. This is the peg for the dart.
  
  
• Cut a piece of wood 3/8" x 3/8", 1/8" thick. This goes between the board and the peg.
  
  
• Glue and assemble the peg.
  
  
• Wrap it with artificial sinew.
  
  
• Put resin/putty over the wrappings. Go 1" up the shaft.
  
  
• Make a ball of resin/putty to go over the handle block. Coat the handle with resin to about 7 1/2" from the end.
  
  

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