Your Axe Can Be a Finishing Tool Too

[Ernest DuBois]

Just fitting the final plank in the floor to its opening.

This one I have cut to measure with the axe out in the workshop.
It gets tapped in progressively down the length.

Sighting down along the edge, what doesn't fit getting cut back on the way.

In the end the fit is good,

using the axe this way.

 

[BitingSarcasm]

That is some impressive control. My axe can't do that because I would be the one using it, and I know I don't have the "chops." Thank you for sharing your work.

 

[Ernest DuBois]

Thank you BS, I'm sure when you had the axe I do in your hands you'd get the hang of it. No lie, with this axe in hand the work gets done almost itself.

 

[phantomknives]

ernest, you do amazing work and i strive to do this type of work

 

[Ernest DuBois]

Well, the type of work has its limitations, in all its simplicity - and maybe even simple mindedness - In other words I am useless and unable to give any help to my brother who is renovating in a more, lets say, conventional style, his home, for example. It is a given fact that axes tend to make a mess of plywood.

 

[Square_peg]

Well done! I enjoy seeing you work with traditional tools.

 

[Ernest DuBois]

Well done! I enjoy seeing you work with traditional tools.

Thank you Square_peg, I have taken on the challenge.https://archive.org/details/axemen

 

[Dusty One]

Scribing in place with an axe.....Well Done !

 

[the possum]

Nice work, Ernest! I've often dreamed about building a hunting cabin in the rustic style, and have been making mental notes of the techniques used for various parts.

 

[Ernest DuBois]

Thank you TP, such a house, it seems would be ideal for getting out your axes and going at it, from start to finish.

Dusty One, you are right in your characterization as you can see here where I catch a concavity and fill it with a bulging.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Impressive feat of old world traditional craftsmanship there, I doubt there are that many people today who would know how to do something like this or that could pull it off if they did.

 

[Ernest DuBois]

Consider the form of the edge and how suitable it is for this particular application, working down against the installed plank from above on the new one it buts up against. Add that to the mass of the axe which provides for control and momentum and the thin blade for getting a clear line of sight. The unusual instance where the new plank is securely wedged in position is a big plus facilitating work. The only thing not going in my favor was the grain direction which I was working against.