Fun at camp

[Square_peg]

I got to play with a few hand tools at camp this past week. My buddy forgot his spatula and his daughter wanted to make pancakes so I roughed one out with the claw hatchet.

Then I set to a more challenging task, a camp stool/end table. I started with an 11" diameter chunk of Sitka Spruce.

I made some wedges with my boys axe. The first two were made from green vine maple and didn't work very well. The third one was made from Pacific Yew and worked terrific. Yew is good hard wood.

I cleaned up the split with the claw hatchet.

Then I bored leg holes with an old Swedish military surplus auger.

Getting the taper of the leg just right is the key.

It makes a nice place to set one's drink when relaxing around the camp fire.

 

[M3mphis]

Good stuff, Pegs. I need to get my hands on one of those claw hatchets. Looks like an ultimate camp tool. The size of yours looks great.

Nice bench. Did you leave it for the camp site or take it home? I would have taken it for a carving/sitting stool.

 

[Square_peg]

Thanks, Matt.

I took it home. My buddy warned that the next camper would probably take it if I left it. Besides, we're supposed to leave Forest Service campgrounds as we found them. It's crude and the legs are mis-matched from what was available. But it's sturdy.

I need to get my hands on one of those claw hatchets. Looks like an ultimate camp tool. The size of yours looks great.

It's working out well as a camp tool. It's surprisingly good as a 'stump axe'. You can choke up right behind the bit for detail work. Or you can grip it by the swell for heavier work.

 

[lmalterna]

Time well spent! I will have to check again to see if Grandpa left any one man saws, he had a few misery whips but an aunt took up painting and she took the two man saws for "art".

Bill

 

[M3mphis]

It's crude and the legs are mis-matched from what was available. But it's sturdy.

It's probably worth $200 in a hipster shop.

 

[mrkus]

I like that it was all without having to plug in. Something satisfying about doing it the old fashioned way. Awesome work!

 

[shortwinger]

Great job! But no pics of the pancakes??

 

[Square_peg]

They were blueberry!

 

[OutdoorEnvy]

Excellent job sir! Fun work and a useful result.

 

[Shotgun]

Neat! I see you're using short and fat wedges. Have you tried longer and thinner ones?

 

[Square_peg]

I've used long thin ones for keeping the kerf open while bucking with a crosscut. But I haven't tried them for splitting. Do you find them to be an advantage?

 

[WarnerB]

very cool

 

[CedarEater]

Neat camp table/bench. Fun stuff right there.