OldTools Archive
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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. |
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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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