Well that sucks. But, it was just a stick and there are lot's of them. Advice....find the best piece of wood you can get your hands on. I prefer staves, but boards are easier to come by. Either way, the better material you start with the better your chances of success. With a pipe straight stave of good quality you have some latitude for making a few mistakes and still come out with a shooter. I will offer it one more time...if your interested in borrowing my TBB I, I will send it to you. Let me know. I borrowed my first copy. I devoured it as I was working on my first one. It.s yours to read if you want it. Good luck with that next stave!