All Questions
Tagged with hand-tools traditional-techniques
22
questions
22
votes
9
answers
34k
views
How can you make a square without a square?
There are many tutorials on making a square to check that corners are 90 degrees, but they all require you to use a square to check.
So how can you make a square, without using a square? How were ...
- 323
15
votes
2
answers
4k
views
What are spokeshaves and what is their intended use?
A lot of the woodworking books and articles I read will mention using spokeshaves for different things. What exactly is a spokeshave and what is their primary design purpose? I've never used one and ...
- 16.1k
11
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Comparison of Western saws and Japanese Saws
I was considering acquiring a Japanese style saw from Lee Valley.
I have a small collection of tenon saws and regular saws that would, it seem, already serve the same purposes as most of the ...
- 20.3k
11
votes
1
answer
875
views
What drove the design for the traditional tang?
My terminology might be off as I am basing it on the image below
Many traditional bits and tools used the tang style end. I am trying to figure out why that was the standard at the time. Was it power ...
- 20.3k
10
votes
2
answers
896
views
What is this brace bit cutter tool exactly and how is it used?
I was liberating some old hand tools from my grandfather's shop again, before grandma throws them in the garbage, and found some more interesting things. This time I am sure that this one is a ...
- 20.3k
10
votes
6
answers
601
views
Improve Grip on Shavehorse
This weekend I was using my shavehorse to make some wooden spatulas. After a while, the head started losing grip on the pieces I was working.
To help improve the grip, I wrapped a piece of leather ...
- 12.2k
9
votes
6
answers
13k
views
What is the old-school way of smoothing a curved surface?
I have heard that the old-school way of creating a flat surface is to use a hand plane, and that if you use the right tools, you may not even have to sand because the surface is so smooth. Can I use a ...
8
votes
2
answers
10k
views
What hand tools to use for rounding edges and creating pockets?
I've seen some tutorials online about how to create a cutting board, and all of them suggests using a power router to round the edges and create the pockets for the handles. It looks so easy to do ...
- 949
7
votes
2
answers
10k
views
How can I debark wood?
I'm up at the cottage and I wanted to make myself a traditional bow saw. I got this green piece of poplar and I need to debark it before I rip it. It's about 4-5 inches in diameter if that matters.
...
- 20.3k
7
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Precise 90 degree cuts on small pieces
This is a question about technique. When I cut small pieces of wood (1-2") I struggle to make precise square (90 degree) cuts by hand or handheld tools without a guide. If I just eyeball it I'll often ...
- 233
6
votes
1
answer
447
views
What is this turning process on the woodworking Wikipedia page?
I was looking for a simple way to describe woodworking and I found myself glancing the wiki page for it. The pictures on the side were intriguing. Particularly one showing one (two?) gentlemen turning ...
- 20.3k
6
votes
3
answers
3k
views
What kind of woods can be riven with a froe?
I've never used a froe before but I'm enamored with the idea of making my own boards.
Right now, I use splitting wedges to make quarters small enough to feed through my bandsaw. This results in a lot ...
- 1,927
6
votes
1
answer
302
views
What are the different styles of Japanese Saws
Pretty much just what the title says. I would like to know the different styles of Japanese saws and what each one is designed for. I am aware of Dozuki and Ryoba but I will assume there are others.
- 20.3k
5
votes
3
answers
803
views
Finding the right metal for making a froe
They started clearing old ash trees from the lot where I work. There was lots of nice wood there so I took a couple pieces. One in particular a piece of green ash about 17" in diameter.
I have been ...
- 20.3k
5
votes
2
answers
401
views
What are the ideal traditional tools to use for creating an inlay?
I know how I can create one kind of fake inlay. I would like to know what is involved, at least at a basic level, how one creates inlays using traditional techniques and tools.
What tools could I ...
- 20.3k