OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

276130 Patrick Olguin <paddychulo@g...> 2022‑08‑11 Hewing Implement Needed
GGs,
I've had a largish Russian olive tree removed from my front yard - it's
chief offense being an uninvited guest in my clay sewer line. I've saved
some significant branches and intend to make them into various rustic
projects. The crew was very kind in creating somewhat of a face with a
chainsaw, but I am looking to neander my way to squaring up other chunks.

Do any of you woodspeople have a favorite hewing tool, and almost as
importantly, is anyone willing to part with one or direct me to a source?

Best,
Paddy
276135 the_tinker <tinker@z...> 2022‑08‑11 Re: Hewing Implement Needed
Paddy,
Sounds like a job for a hewing adze. I’ve seen ‘em in all sorts of sizes and
profiles in antique shops over here in Ohio Amish country. Flat, round and U
shaped. Even short, one handed ones. I helped hollow beams to hang from a
ceiling in a new construction big, expensive house. We hollowed them to reduce
the weight. A lot of heavy but never the less rewarding work.
As an aside, I just went through the same sewer disaster but it was a neighbors
tree so unfortunately I can’t chop it into bits. As much as I would like to.
-JP
276137 the_tinker <tinker@z...> 2022‑08‑11 Re: Hewing Implement Needed
Paddy asked about chopping up a tree galoot style. Reminded me of my own
nightmare. At least mine wasn't clay tile.

https://mega.nz/file/hMlRlKqB#-zo-2N3BAHMAXOjUamqZEStHk9gfD3d1NL1AriGKkGs
276139 Phil Schempf <philschempf@g...> 2022‑08‑12 Re: Hewing Implement Needed
Seems like St. Roy has a video of squaring a log with an ax. Layout your cuts
with a chalk line, cut notches every foot or so down to the layout lines, and
split off the intervening chunks. Roll a quarter turn and repeat.

Here’s Roy’s TED talk on the subject -

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Au1TbIyLcPU

And another on hewing -

https://www.outdoorrevival.com/instant-articles/survival-shelter-squaring-beams-
by-hand.html/amp
276140 scottg <scottg@s...> 2022‑08‑12 Re: Hewing Implement Needed
It depends on how large the work is and what you plan to carve.
   If its newel post or smaller, then a hatchet.

I always used a broad hatchet, but on tv I saw Peter Follansbee using a 
regular double bevel hatchet.
OK I say regular. His is a hand forged custom piece of art.
  But its double bevel.

   Carving with a hatchet is something everyone should do. Swinging a 
razor sharp blade in earnest is an experience.
You will want a chopping block for sure.
You use the bottom portion of the blade to dig in deepest. Middle of the 
blade can dig in too, but its more controllable for when you want a more 
controlled cut.
   Use the top of the blade for feather smoothing strokes.

There are a couple of good hatchets with your name on, waiting at the 
swap meet this weekend. ;)

   One thing I figured out is never make imitation sawmill lumber first. 
If you want a dog (or leg), carve the dog from the round. Don't bother 
making a rectanglar beam from a log, so you can carve a dog. Just carve 
the dog.
Well you know what I mean.

If you were talking whole log sculpting you will need bigger tools
   yours scott

-- 
*******************************
    Scott Grandstaff
    Box 409 Happy Camp, Ca  96039
    scottg@s...
    http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/
    http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/hpages/index.html
276141 scottg <scottg@s...> 2022‑08‑12 Re: Hewing Implement Needed
BTW you can do bigger work with a hatchet, but its tough going.
   This was a pretty large broad hatchet (with about a 6-7" edge).

I cut to depth with a saw and took off the entire waste with the ax.

I was stripped to the waist and glistening the whole time. (behind the 
house where nobody saw.

http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/house/pole2a.jpg

http://users.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/images/house/poles11.jpg

-- 
*******************************
    Scott Grandstaff
    Box 409 Happy Camp, Ca  96039
    scottg@s...
    http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/sgrandstaff/
    http://www.snowcrest.net/kitty/hpages/index.html
276143 Michael Blair <branson2@s...> 2022‑08‑12 Re: Hewing Implement Needed
Paddy, how big are your "other chunks?"  Why do you want them squared? 
How straight is the grain on your chunks?  The answers to size and
straightness of grain will determine the tool(s) to use. If the grain is
straight you can roughly square shortish pieces by splitting -- wedge
and sledge work. Smooth and shape it after.  Here's a video of my friend
Anton working the side of a beam with a Russian ax.  How proficient are
you with axes and hatchets?  There are tricks in using them.  Anton's ax
is sharpened to about a 20 degree angle, basically chisel sharp. 

https://www.facebook.com/1657035445/videos/pcb.10225471645972190/145690434473354
0

https://www.facebook.com/1657035445/videos/pcb.10225471645972190/560828602491851


If you aren't proficient with axes, aren't familiar with using an adz,
practice first.  Neither one is just a chopping tool.  Axes can be used
in a slightly slicing motion for shaping.  The adz is a bit more
difficult to explain. 

Mike in Woodland 

I've had a largish Russian olive tree removed from my front yard - it's
chief offense being an uninvited guest in my clay sewer line. I've saved
some significant branches and intend to make them into various rustic
projects. The crew was very kind in creating somewhat of a face with a
chainsaw, but I am looking to neander my way to squaring up other
chunks.

Do any of you woodspeople have a favorite hewing tool, and almost as
importantly, is anyone willing to part with one or direct me to a
source?

Best,
Paddy
276144 Phil E. <pedgerton66@g...> 2022‑08‑12 Re: Hewing Implement Needed
I recommend "Chop with  Chris" on YOU-Tube. He has the right tools and
is self taught for hewing and shaping logs. He's definitely a GIH
(Galoot in
Hiding).

Phil E.
276148 Mpfiller 2022‑08‑15 Re: Hewing Implement Needed
I still see a lot of hewing being done in Japan.  
Almost every carpenter owns a Hewing Axe or hatchet, called a Masakari.  These
show up on ebay all the time, some new (they are still being made), often used.
Here is an example listing (not my listing).203996767809

These types of axe are common (on ebay) in the 16" (400mm) handle length, with a
5" (125mm) cutting edge.  I own several, some with long handles and larger
blades.
Below is a Tokyo tool shop I have had great luck with, and a hewing axe in
stock.  He may also have adzes, chouna in Japanese.
https://www.shop.kurashige-tools.com/collections/adzes-axes-masakiri/products
/toshihide-japanese-carpenters-axe-masakari

At 250 monme (a monme is 3.75 grams) this is a good weight, and with the long
handle you let the tool do the work.  "White paper steel" is basically iron and
carbon, and takes a keen edge.  The steel mills used to wrap the bundle with
colored paper, high carbon was white, alloy steel was blue, medium carbon steel
was yellow.
The prices outside Japan are great right now, about 130¥/$1.  So excluding
shipping this is $97 or £80.  Shipping is likely $45 FedEx
Best regards,
Michael

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