LOG HEWING BY HAND

BY DON BURD

APRIL 2018"Pioneers and early settler built with logs because of the simple construction involved and the availability of materials. In today's world, building and living in a structure made of logs is a philosophical statement equating to the simple life. People throughout the country are restoring existing log structures and building new ones. Some are using original techniques, such as hewing with a broadaxe."

Harrison Goodall

Renee Friedman

From 'Log Structures, Preservation & Problem Solving'

Hewing means leveling off a side or sides of a log. This will expose the more decay and insect resistant heart wood and give you a flat surface for walls in a log structure, railroad ties, fence posts, etc. Hewing can be accomplished using only a few hand tools and by using the following eight-step procedure.

The tools needed are:

1. Two log dogs - used to hold the log steady while hewing (they resemble big staples with sharp ends).

2. Wooden mallet - used to drive the log dogs into the log and yoke.

3. Drawknife - used to peel bark of the log.

4. Level - used for marking chalklines and to indicate the plumb log orientation during hewing.

5. Chalkline - used to mark a straight line.

6. Felling axe - used to score sides of logs to the depth of the chalkline.

7.Broadaxe - used to remove 'juggles' from logs made by scoring.

8. Carpenters Adze - used for smoothing the surface.

Once you have your tools together the first step in log hewing is to find two sections of log about three feet long and one foot in diameter. Cut a V-notch in the center of each log, eighteen inches long and half the log's diameter deep. These sections are called yokes or cribs…

Continued on page 3

Table of Contents

Page 1 – Log Hewing by Hand

Page 2 – messages from the president and editor

Page 3 – Log Hewing article continued

Page 4 – Log Hewing article concluded & whatsit?

Pages 5 & 6 – New Mexico Meetings

Pages 7 & 8 – Colorado Area Meetings

Page 9 – Advertisements & Officers

President’s Message

A new year has arrived and spring is almost upon us. Spring time is an awaking for tool collectors as well as nature. Like the bear awaking from his winter hibernation the tool collector, leaves the confines of his or her house, in search of a well-deserved meal. But unlike the bear the collector is in search of bargains not berries, trammels not tubers, marking gauges not meat (although I have seen some the guys strip a plate of cold cuts to the bone in seconds at meetings). The collector will find new garage sales and estate sales, popping up like tulips and other spring flowers, each week more and more come up. But unlike the bear, the tool collector is willing to share his prizes.

At each local meeting, we share our finds with each other. We share with displays, talks and demos. We share by selling and trading our surplus tools with each other. We share by food and drink with each other. But lately we have not been willing to share the work involved in making these meetings happen. I feel that there is a fear of stepping up to help. Which confuses me (though I am easily confused) , because the group of people I see at each and every meeting are a great bunch, people that are not afraid of hard work and I would trust completely. So I don’t think the problem is laziness or indifference. Is there a fear of financial burden? , Sure, I can see that, maybe a fear of making a mistake? Sure, I do that all the time. Maybe a lack understanding of what helping out entails could be. Maybe it’s just a lack of leadership, I don’t know, but I hope to find out soon. Please share with me any ideas you have.

We also have found a space for our Labor Day annual meeting, It will be held at the Radisson Hotel Denver Southwest at I-225 and Parker Road Sept.1st and 2nd. It’s a nice hotel, room rates are $110.00-$120.00 a night, with a very nice free breakfast for those staying at the hotel. The meeting rooms are easily accessed and spaces and the banquet promises to be special. It’s just across the street from the Cherry Creek State park for those of you who like to hike, bike, sail and fish. This year we hope to draw more members and new members from surrounding states. I would appreciate your input on what would make you want to come. There will be more information coming out very soon, so stand by. See you at the next meeting,

Steve Gosselin

Editor’s Ramblings

Here we are in April already and time to think about getting those displays started for the Annual Meeting on September 1st & 2nd. There's more info about that elsewhere in this newsletter and on our web page. So, don't delay and get that display started if you already haven't done so (I know there will be some great prizes for the winners!).

Just a few more things from me and then you can get to reading the 'good stuff'. First off - my co-editor (who happens to be my fabulous daughter) and I trying to standardize the SSS format and the months it comes out. This issue will be our first attempt with this format - please let us know what you think. Is it too long, too short, etc. and what other types of articles, columns would you like to see or not see. Secondly we will do our best to get 3 editions out every year on a regular basis. They will be a March/April, July/August and a November/December edition. Again, please let us know what you think.

Now, lastly; Elections are coming up for President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and one Board member. Please consider serving if you are contacted by the Election Committee (which should be appointed soon by our President) or consider nominating someone. Nominating someone can be done in two ways:

1. Suggest someone to the Election Committee.

2. Nominate someone "from the floor" when called for at the Annual Meeting just prior to the membership voting. Nominees will, hopefully, be listed in the July/August newsletter.

Don

“The Difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits”

- Old woodworker’s saying

Log Hewing by Hand – continued from page 1

In step two you rest your log to be hewn in the two V-notches of the yokes. One yoke should be on each end. This positioning accomplishes two things: 1) it raises the log to a more desirable height causing less back strain and, 2) the V-notches brace the log to permit accurate work.

In step three you peel off all the bark with your drawknife or you can use a bark spud (which is not covered in this article but preferred by many, including myself. For the novice and this article I choose to use the drawknife for simplicity). To do this, sit on the log with the blade facing you, rest the drawknife on the surface (bevel opposite from you), tilt the blade about thirty degrees and 'draw' it toward you, peeling the bark as you go. You'll need to rotate the log several times to get all the bark off. This process is called "barking". Barking simplifies making a chalkline (step four) and scoring (step six) by creating a smoother surface - it also removes the 'hiding places' for insects and moisture which can be very detrimental and hasten decay.

Your next step, step four, is to run a chalkline from end to end of the log. This line is called the "hewing line" and should be right above the plane you intend to hew. Turn the log 180 degrees and make a another line directly above the first one. Use your level to make sure the two lines are plumb (directly vertical) with each other. This line will serve as a reference in step seven to ensure a level plane.Move on to step five, placement of your log dogs, after marking your hewing lines. Take one of your log dogs, and using a wooden mallet, hammer one end of the log dog into one end of the log. Hammer the other end of the log dog into one of the yokes. Do the same with the other log dog on the other log end. This will secure the log from moving.

Step six is called the scoring step. Scoring is the process of cutting across wood fibers at regular intervals, down to the hewing lines. This is done with the felling axe. Scoring intervals should be five to six inches wide. The scoring cuts are made by standing atop the log and chopping down. The wood between the scoring cuts (juggles) are then hewn with the broadaxe in step seven.

Hewing (step seven) involves removing the wood down to the hewing lines with the broadaxe. To begin hewing position yourself to sight along one of the hewing line. Carefully hew down to the vertical line starting at the end of the log. Stop hewing about two-thirds of the way down the diameter of the log - hewing all the way through can and does cause 'breakouts' on the bottom. Make successive forward passes with the broadaxe as you work your way along the length of the log, hewing in a circular, rhythmic motion on the same plane. Never raise the broadaxe above your head as you would if you were chopping wood - you'll find out this will quickly tire you out! Rather, raise the broadaxe about shoulder height, let it drop and the weight of the axe will do the bulk of the work for you. Hewing five or six feet per minute is a good speed. After hewing two-thirds of the way through the log all the way to the end, turn the log over and hew the remaining one-third. Learn to hew wide, fine wafers. Concentrate your attention between the log and the inner face of the broadaxe. This will give you a flat surface…(continued on page 4)

…Now use your adze (step eight) to take off those irregularities that the broadaxe left. Only take this excess off in thin chips. This will give you a smoother surface than the broadaxe could. Most marks seen on a hewn log were made by an adze or felling axe (during 'scoring') and not by the broadaxe as many folks believe.

Although it takes many years to develop great skill, even beginners can do productive work. While at first glance hewing may seem a grueling task, it becomes very enjoyable after the tools and procedures are mastered. In the words of a grizzled, old master carpenter with leathered hands: "If you’re working too hard it's because you don't have the right tools, you’re not keeping them sharp or you don't know what you're doing". Thanks to Bernie Weisgerber for being that 'grizzled, old master carpenter', who taught me the 'right way', for giving me the 'incurable disease of tool collecting' and, for being my lifelong friend...

Whatsit?

This issues 'whatsit' is a metal object that is 7" long. In the center is a blade approx. 3/4" wide.

On one end is a 'roller/wheel' 1/2" that is held in place with a screw. The other end is curved and appears to be a place

for your thumb. This tool will be on display at the May meeting in Longmont.

New Mexico Area Meetings

December 9th 2017 RMTC Meeting

Great turnout at Tony and Ruth Moon’s house for the last RMTC meeting of the year! Twelve members showed up at the Moon abode, to revel in one of the best mining tool displays in the region and gab about our latest tool finds and exploits!

During this meeting we discussed 2018 meeting locations, with the usual cast of characters choosing dates for the New Year. We also discussed the possibility of reviving the May Trinidad meeting that had been brought up at the previous Annual meeting. We had positive feedback for attending such a meeting, everyone thinks it is a good idea (note: as of March 2018, we have not done the requisite advance scouting party to Trinidad and it doesn’t look like we can pull it together this year, but let’s really give this a shot in 2019).

We also collected dues, held a small raffle of ‘tool collecting’ related literature (many book donated to the club by the Joe Liebert Estate) and showed a few interesting whatsits and other patented finds.

Tony and Ruth have taken the reigns of our December meeting for many years now, and due to the holiday it is not always the easiest time to host such an event. Many thanks to their dedication to our club and making sure we always have a great afternoon! Look to Dave Fessler for February 2018 and Ken Burris for the following April!

February 2018 RMTC Meeting

The first RMTC meeting of 2018 got fired up at Dave and Connie Fessler’s house on a crisp February afternoon. By my count we had nine attendees, and 3 folks selling tools. Dave’s shop, which I had visited the week previous to this, was cleaned up quite nicely. Earlier, I had noted the chaos of the shop, as Dave had new things coming in, old things going out, Auction preparations, gun show preparations and a host of small repairs to be made. “No way is this space was going to be ready for the RMTC next week”, I had thought to myself. But, of course, Dave had everything under control, and the space was perfect!

I had neglected to bring my phone to take photos, and I also had to leave the meeting a bit early to get ready to perform later on that afternoon. Luckily, I had Ken Burris snap a few overview shots to include in the article.

Because I left early, I don’t have complete meeting notes or info on the display tools or Whatsit’s discussed. But I did get to examine, Dave’s recent purchase, a WWII American Military sword, with engravings and in super fine condition and with provenance. I also collected 2018 Dues for the folks that neglected to pony up at the last 2017 meeting! Thanks to everyone supporting the Club! To those that missed this February meeting, it is always one of the best of the year! The tools on display, the fine food and refreshments, and opportunity for top quality discussion cannot be beat! Next meeting will be in April at Ken and Toni Burris’s, see you there!

Colorado Area Meetings

January 7th meeting at Red Rocks Community College

As always, this is a great meeting and well attended. Not only is this a great place to hold a meeting but it's a chance to see everyone after the long Holiday season, hear what's coming up for the

new year but it's time to get back in that "tool collecting mode" and start buying, trading and selling tools. This meeting we were happy & fortunate to see two of our longest, oldest and lifetime members

after a long hiatus - Cliff Fales & John Gilmore. All seemed right in the world to have those two back amongst us! We were had not one but two demonstrations - Chris Gomez on using and building a miter

jack and Dennis McCaigue on chisel handle making. I was "wowed" by both of them! We had two displays - an early Bailey hacksaw (Don Burd) and zig-zag rules (Jack Boyers). All this plus a business

meeting, and more of Don Baiys’ estate items for sale during the auction.

Dennis

Cliff and John Chris

March 18th meeting @ the Grace Church in Loveland

Another great meeting - hosted by Steve Butti, Chris Gomez and Tom Wiersema. This is the second time we've met here and it's becoming one of the more popular places, especially for the folks coming from the north. We also had several new members and guests. Our demonstrator was, once again, the talented and gifted (not to mention "humble") Dennis McCaigue. This time he showed us how he to make wood working planes. He just decided to take it upon himself to learn how to make planes and, ''wowza"! His planes are not only some of the finest ones I've ever seen, very functional but true works of art... We had several displays (they're increasing in number - thanks!) - Infill planes, pocket levels, Snap on Tools and two pair of uncommon Union planes. During our business meeting more plans/details were discussed about the Annual Meeting (It's going to be a good one!). The auction was lively as ever (Thanks always to Steve Scruggs for making it so and putting it all together) with a few more items for Don Baiys estate and others. The items that drew the most attention were: a Millers Falls No. 11 Jack plane in Fine+ condition ($55), 18th century beech complex molder by B. FROGATT (1760-1790) IN Very Good condition ($60) & an 18th century quarter-round-with-fillet molder by HAYES of LONDON (very rare rating) in Near Fine condition ($55).

Handmade planes by Dennis McCaugue

FOR SALE

Contact Chris Gomez

gomez6322@yahoo.com

720-587-5930

Rockwell/Delta 6” jointer

Craftsman Contractor Series 10” table saw

Craftsman industrial router table

Craftsman 12 ½” thickness planer

Craftsman 8 ½” radial arm saw

Delta 8” drill press

Craftsman sander/grinder 1”x 42” belt, 6” disc

1931 Ford Model A Coupe

WANTED

Union X5AG

Jack Plane w/ Grooved Bottom

Condition: Good or Better

Email: Don Burd

historicdonburd@hotmail.com

Colorado Area Meeting Dates

2018

May 6th - 701 2nd Avenue, Longmont

June 10th - Maguire's, Monument

July 1st - Rock Creek Farm, Broomfield

September 1st & 2nd - Annual Meeting, Denver

2018 RMTC Officers

President - Steve Gosselin 720-338-4483

Vice President - Dennis McCaigue

303-567-2171

Secretary - Dennis Scheel 303-690-7447

Treasurer - Chris Gomez 720-587-5930

Board of Directors

Jim Bewley - (719) 488-1291

Jason Fink - (505) 266-1908

Brian Ken - (970)-226-2738

Editors - Don and Kelsey Burd

Web Master - Jason Fink

Email Master - Fred Mares