The Japanese hand saw is one of my favorite hand tools. The Japanese hand saw differs from a western saw in that you cut on the pull stroke, not the push stroke.
Layout is one of the most important steps in creating timber furniture. For this project, I used the most common layout method for Japanese timber work: centre line layout.
The first step I needed to do with this project was to straighten and square the timbers. I ordered the timbers planed from the mill, but because the wood sat in my shop for quite some time, the timbers twisted and warped a bit on me. To correct this, I used a level and found a new ideal timber inside the old one.
These are the hand tools that I am going to use for the timber bed project. I didn’t include everything, like a pencil or a utility knife, but I did include the majority of the tools I am going to use. They have all been numbered for reference; see below for descriptions.
I am starting a project to build an Asian influenced timber bed. I am going to do this project all with human-powered hand tools, no power tools at all. I am looking forward to putting away the noisy tools and exploring the techniques and precision of hand tools.
These timber framed accents make use of an elegant curve cut in the beam to artistically frame the entrance to the stairway.
A curved archway is being cut on this beam for one of the timber accents in the remodel we are doing in Nelson, BC. Where walls were removed to give the house a more open feel, the curved archways will still give the sense of an entrance into the living room area.
Curves are to be cut into several timber accents for this remodel, and the layout method was both quick and accurate.
The Land Ark wood finish is a great natural and non-toxic product for interior timbers and trim. It’s important to us to use as many materials and finishes as possible that are healthy for the homeowners and for our team members that are applying the finish. Natural finishes also mean a smaller ecological footprint.
The humble grace of this covered porch belies the complexity of the wooden joinery used to craft the roof.