Questions tagged [traditional-techniques]
Generally tools and techniques used before the advent of common power tools.
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How does a traditional bow-lathe work?
I'm interested in building a traditional bow-lathe, specifically of the type still used in parts of North Africa, a few videos of which can be found on YouTube.
The problem is that I can't really ...
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How to prevent tearout when drilling surface at an angle?
I was boring holes for stool-legs when this huge chunk of hard maple tore out. This was supposed to the be the top surface of the stool, so it's pretty frustrating. The chip was mangled, so I can't ...
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Are household items made from cherry wood poor taste, against tradition, or sacrilege in Japanese culture?
The cherry tree (sakura in Japanese) is one of the symbols of Japan. The yearly sakura viewing is a nationwide event with special forecasts on when the trees will bloom in each prefecture. Both fiscal ...
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Produce long, strong, flexible shavings
Ainu people (indigenous to Japan) use long wood shavings as a material to weave or braid into headpieces. The movie Ainu Mosir includes a scene that demonstrates the process of shaving down a green ...
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Remove little material from a wooden piece with manual tools
I've started to enjoy using manual tools ("unplugged woodworking") and I've been getting manual tools (marking gauges, smoothing plane, saws, block plane, chisels, etc.).
I have piece of ...
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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 ...
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Handsaws for very small flooring project
Is there one excellent-quality handsaw that does both crosscuts and rip cuts, and, if not, what two handsaws should I buy? The task is to install either an engineered wood, or possibly hardwood, ...
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Why is metal avoided when joining wood?
I've seen dowels, dovetails (and other joinery techniques), glue and many more used for joining pieces of wood but metal screws, brad nails and metal, in general, is usually avoided.
Why is this?
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Can I avoid spur / knicker marks in dado bottom cut with plough plane (stanley #45)?
I want to use a plough plane (stanley #45) to cut dadoes (cross grain). The spurs/knickers are useful in preventing tearout and defining a clean knife wall, but they score past the bottom of the dado, ...
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What could I use instead of a froe when cleaving?
I really want a froe. They are hard to find in my area and when they do exist they are expensive.
If I want to cleave a log, e.g. ash, what other options could I consider? I could use axe heads but ...
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Resources for wooden furniture projects without glue, nails or screws
I am looking for resources (mostly books) on how to build wooden furniture without glue, nails or screws (preferably with only hand tools). I would like to learn the techniques involved in this as ...
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Fixing mistake: Filling the gap in a breadboard end on tabletop
I am building a pine desk/table (with handtools, so far) with a breadboard end design. One end piece does not sit flush with the tabletop everywhere along the entire width of the panel (32" or so)...
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How can I flatten the top of a 12" natural log in place?
The logs are natural logs with uneven features since they are natural hand hewn. They were supposed to be flattened at the mill but that did not happen. I tried a 4 1/2" planner but I need to take off ...
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Hand Saws for Timber Framing
What saws were traditionally used for timber framing cuts in British practice? British-style backsaws don't seem to have cut depths any more than about 4", so how did they cut long tenons?
user3187
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What is a good starter traditional hand-tool set [closed]
I am starting to get more serious about woodworking and am embarking on a project for my church (A readers' stand with six sides and a rotating top with 3 book holders). I go to a Greek Orthodox ...
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