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Comment by Jon Dowell on April 5, 2009 at 9:05pm

You can also make your own tenon cutter, I have copied the style of the logman tenon maker you bolt your router to. I works rather well with some tuning. Also I have the option to make different size tenons. Yes us moden log craftsmen use draw knives, but we use power tools to get it done, I have used my drawknife all weekend skip peeling, but my router is my best friend in the shop.

Comment by Alan D on April 5, 2009 at 8:23pm

Oh, one other thing is that you might want to consider a shaving horse to work this stuff, unless you have another way to secure it while working it.

Comment by Alan D on April 5, 2009 at 8:22pm

Glenn,

I haven't really thought about the tenon cutters too much, didn't realize they had them with 60 degree shoulders on them. If your looking for that type of look, it will certainly be easier to get them from the cutter. Those cutters are quite a bit more at lumberjacktools than Lee Valley, that would be something to consider. The LV cutters don't have the 60 degree shoulder on them though. I think it is only for looks, as I don't know of any drill bits that have a 60 degree shoulder on them. Lumberjacktools does have 60 degree countersinks, but those are about another $100/each. Lee Valley also sells an inexpensive DVD on Making Rustic Furniture using a power cutter, I have never seen it though.

I have several draw knives, and many of the new ones do not look very attractive to me. The one thing about a draw knife is that there are 2 ways to use them, with he bevel up and with the bevel down. Typically what dictates how one is used is the angle of the handles in relation to the blade. On many of the older vintage style draw knives you can bend the handles so that the draw knife can be used both ways. Brian Boggs describes this pretty well in his video, Drawknives, Spokeshaves and Travishers--A Chairmaker's Tool Kit which Lie-Nielsen Toolworks sells. A good video for $20, but not directed at rustic furniture. Another consideration with a draw knife is that you can also push them, rather than pulling, and depending on the grain it could be preferable to do so. You could actually cut the tenons with a draw knife, just that they would not be uniform and/or harder to make them symmetrical so they would fit into a standard round hole. I don't like the vintage draw knives that fold up, and I prefer the style that has a slight curve to them, like the old english style draw knives. Modern log craftsmen often peel the logs with draw knives made out of planer/chipper blades, there is a guy in Montana that makes them. I don't have much details on them. The Barr knives are used by quite a few folks as well. They recently came out with a chair builder's draw knife, and it looks nice, IMO. The other option is to find a blacksmith that can make one for you. Here's one that was forged from an old farrier's rasp:

For drilling tenons, a spade bit would work, but remember that a spade bit has a pointed end on it, and you would need to have the depth clearance on the piece drilling the mortise in. A forstner bit will have a smaller tang/point but one other thing to note is that a forstner bit will leave a flat bottom in the mortise after you drill it. A spade bit will typically not, and is often used to drill all the way through. As long as you have enough depth for the mortise that might not make too much difference, but the spade bit typically has two tangs on the outside of the bit and only a flat cutting surface across, where a forstner bit has a spiral cutter which helps clear the chips.

I am a big supporter of buying quality tools, but this doesn't always mean new, and often you can find vintage tools that are better quality. I would look for a draw knife at a local flea market and/or garage sale, you might be able to find a nice one for about $5-$10, they don't sell very well.

HTH,
Alan

Comment by Glenn V on April 5, 2009 at 7:35pm

I was looking at 60 degree tenon cutters and have a couple questions. If you get one that has a max of 3 1/2 inch logs can you use it on smaller logs like down to 1 1/2 to 2 inch? It makes a 1 " tenon. Also do you need to use the 60 degree counter sinks or is that just sometimes for a sturdier tenon. I like the looks for furniture of the 60 degree part of the tenon showing as in railings. Do you use forstner bits to cut the 1" tenon hole or is just a spade bit acceptable. I see a German draw knife also for $59 a 1" forstner for $13 and a tenon cutter for $259 all from lumberjack tools. I'd rather have a good quality too if it isn't too expensive. Thanks, Glenn

Comment by Tim on February 10, 2009 at 1:13pm

I,m new to the site, and DIY as well. I hope to add to the group and help if I can. Having computer hook up problems, so can only log on at work for now.

Comment by Andrew Hanelly on April 25, 2008 at 3:46pm

Very cool project, Tom. The photos on your site for this are awesome, too. Now all I need is a functioning fireplace!