Would you recommend makiwara training to a non-karateka like me? Any tips?

Question

If you do: Can you give me some training tips, and information on making one? I've found some places where I can buy the actual pad, but I still haven't figured out what size wood I have to put in the ground, what type of hand/foot strikes I can do, what is a good amount of training for someone who has some martial art experience (Nothing major in Karate, however), et cetera...
If it's relative to my height: I'm 5'11" if anyone is wondering.

Answer 1

There is a couple of site that teach how to make it: http://www.karatetips.com/articles/howtomakeamakiwara.asp
http://www.ctr.usf.edu/shotokan/makiwara.html

I would recomend it, especially if you dont do karate, because then you will not be inclined to go overboard on it. Some karateka hit the board until huge calouses cover the whole of their fists following Mas Oyamas training of hitting it thousands of times a day

there are some training tips on the site, i think its says to stand in a certain karate stance, but feel free to stand in a normal fighting stance of whatever style you practice, makiwara is great for conditioning your hands and building power at the same time

Answer 2

Big Foot is right. Arthritis can be developed if the training is done wrong. I would suggest better ways of strengthening your hands such as Iron Palm training. I've heard that strengthening your Fists not Palm is bad and many people have done damage to their Knuckles and deformed their hands. Just Warning You.