Tools

[Deleted]

I can imagine many exciting topics posted under this thread, but today I want to ask about something boring.

When I am attempting to construct a wooden item, I will often assemble it with wooden pegs instead of nails or screws. This usually involves making a hole into which a short length of dowel can be pounded. If I'm not in the "period methods" mood, I'll use an electric hand drill to make these holes. Often the holes aren't very large, either 1/8" (~3mm) or 1/4".

The question is, what would be a period tool for making holes? A mechanical hand drill of some kind (like a bit-and-brace)? A simple gimlet?

My web searches are all coming up with no clear indication.

[AJBryant]

For wood? A hand drill. They had 'em.

[Bun'ami]

Yes, a gimlet, specifically, a nezumibakiri or 3-toed mouse gimlet.
It had the main point as a spear tip and 2 smaller cutters at both sides, the smaller ones were for keeping the hole straight and smooth.
Hida tools in CA used to carry them. www.hidatool.com/
might call and ask them if they have any as it's not listed in the catolog on-line.

[Rokurou]

Ishiyama-dono,

As strange as this sounds, a chisel was used. Basically they would cut out the square hole from both sides, of course measuring everything a couple of times to make sure the hole would be in the right place. The process is quite simple, but also time consuming because of trying to get the hole just right. I think they would have made the hole first and then the peg to fit. That way they didn't have to worry about accidently making the hole too big.

When I was building the frame for my tent, I started to wonder about the same thing, that was until I strted doing the joinery. Most of the cuts, using a saw, creates the opening for the peg (which can be square) or a key (which can be rectangular, or rectangular with notches in it). The holes for the peg, or key, is then finished up (or made nicer looking) with a chisel. I will admit though, most of the pegs for my tent are currently round, and I used a cordless drill to make the holes, but I am in the process of squaring up the holes and making square oak, or cherry, pegs.

A good book that illustrates what I'm refering to is: "The Complete Japanese Joinery" by Hartley and Marks Publishers, ISBN 0-88179-121-0

I hope this helps.

Rokurou

[Deleted]

Well, that's three different answers, isn't it?

AJBryant: For wood? A hand drill. They had 'em.

When you say "hand drill", what do you mean exactly? I can think of several items matching that description. Most people would think of the geared hand drill that's similar to a hand-cranked egg beater.

Kusunoki: Yes, a gimlet, specifically, a nezumibakiri or 3-toed mouse gimlet.

The bit you describe sounds similar to a modern "spade bit", but maybe more like a brad point bit?. I can't find anything online about nezumibakiri, and the only gimlets I can find have a threaded tip.

Rokurou: As strange as this sounds, a chisel was used.

I believe you misunderstood my question. I'm not speaking of the pegs used to secure a mortise and tenon arrangement, I'm speaking of the pegs used to attach one surface to another like we would use screws or brads today.

While chisels are great for cutting a hole through something, I cannot imagine using them to bore a hole into something. Removing the waste from a hole five to ten times deeper than it is wide is quite past my skill level.

[Rokurou]

Are you talking about a corner joint, like for a box or drawer? And how thick is the material you are using? And more specifically, what are you building? Knowing these things would help, as well.

[Deleted]

Sept 8, 2009 13:13:07 GMT -5 Rokurou said:

Are you talking about a corner joint, like for a box or drawer? And how thick is the material you are using? And more specifically, what are you building? Knowing these things would help, as well.

It was more of a general concept question in this case, but yes, typically when I'm doing peg joinery it is a box of some kind. (Actually, typically when I am doing woodworking it is a box of some kind.) It's not just the corners, but holding the bottoms on and often the lid tops on as well.

Here are a couple of example pictures. You can click on each if you want more information on the project. Both of those are made with 1/4" poplar scant, and the pegs are pieces of 1/8" dowel in 1/8" diameter holes.



More recently I have been working on a larger box made of 1by (3/4") boards. I used a pull saw for all the cutting, so I was all proud of myself, but then I had to fall back on my cordless drill to make holes for the 1/4" pegs. Of course, I'm not sure how happy I would have been drilling the ~60 peg holes for that one by hand.

I've seen copies of that joinery book you recommended, and you're right to recommend it, but I don't think I'm quite at that scale or level of ambition yet.

[Rokurou]

Looks really cool. I did find this: www.amazon.com/Tansu-Traditional-Japanese-Cabinetry-Heineken/dp/0834805480/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252448081&sr=1-4# on Amazon and I'm contemplating getting it for myself. I did the "look inside" thingy and in the table of contents it does list joinery. I also remember seeing a book offered by Japan Woodworker about Tansu, but I think it runs around $95.

And the joinery in the previous book I suggested took me quite a few trys to get where I am confident doing them. I am by no means a master at them, though.

[Bun'ami]

The bit you describe sounds similar to a modern "spade bit", but maybe more like a brad point bit?. I can't find anything online about nezumibakiri, and the only gimlets I can find have a threaded tip.

The fourth one down in the picture at this URL www.dougukan.jp/en/modules/tinyd8/index.php?id=35
, they called it a nezumi ha giri and say it's used on bamboo, I've used it for dowel holes as it keeps the sides of the hole clean and free from splinters. The Tsubogiri is a good one to use also, but harder to master.

[Bun'ami]

Saiaiko has my book on period Japanese furniture, yet I don't recall anywhere in the book, that boxes are held together with any kind of peg and hole joinery.

Tops and bottoms are butt, flat, or slip joints, sides are butt joints or half-lap joints like the one in your picture. Held together with rice paste glue and then sealed with laquer.

I have the book on Tansu, though not period for the SCA as I believe the first tansu quoted in there was late 1600's. Good book to have.

[Deleted]

Sept 8, 2009 22:12:08 GMT -5 Bun'ami said:

The fourth one down in the picture at this URL www.dougukan.jp/en/modules/tinyd8/index.php?id=35
, they called it a nezumi ha giri and say it's used on bamboo, I've used it for dowel holes as it keeps the sides of the hole clean and free from splinters. The Tsubogiri is a good one to use also, but harder to master.

Wow, excellent resource link. Thank you.

Now with the note about bamboo I can find gimlets on the hida tools site. www.hidatool.com/shop/bamboo/gimlet/ichibanyari_gimlet/bb_ichibanyari_gimlet.html Only square and pointed tip, but now I know what they look like, at least.

Saiaiko has my book on period Japanese furniture, yet I don't recall anywhere in the book, that boxes are held together with any kind of peg and hole joinery.

Tops and bottoms are butt, flat, or slip joints, sides are butt joints or half-lap joints like the one in your picture. Held together with rice paste glue and then sealed with laquer.

I don't know if I could ever quite trust any joinery made without mechanical fastening of some kind. It's true that glue provides more strength to the joint than the fastener, but I've had too many glued items break apart on me if the joint ever gets flexed.

[Saiaiko]

From said woodworking book that I am hoarding.




Please click on the image for a full size scan of the page.

[solveig]

Bun'ami Sensei!

Greetings from Solveig!

Sept 8, 2009 22:21:57 GMT -5 Bun'ami said:

Saiaiko has my book on period Japanese furniture

How about a citation?

[Bun'ami]

Sept 9, 2009 22:34:22 GMT -5 solveig said:

Bun'ami Sensei!

Greetings from Solveig!

Sept 8, 2009 22:21:57 GMT -5 Bun'ami said:

Saiaiko has my book on period Japanese furniture

How about a citation?

Traditional Japanese Furniture by Kazuko Koizumi
Can be found here: www.amazon.com/Traditional-Japanese-Furniture-Kazuko-Koizumi/dp/087011722X

I thought you had this book Solveig Sensei.

[solveig]

Bun'ami Sensei!

Greetings from Solveig!

Sept 10, 2009 4:27:01 GMT -5 Bun'ami said:

I thought you had this book.

So many books, so little money to buy them and so little time to read them. Nope, I don't believe that I have that book. I have a Japanese book on "kagu" in the series of architecture books I have, but I believe that is rather different.