Well as they say, “the best laid plans…”. Friday I went to purchase the wood that I needed to make the tops and shelves for the end tables. The first issue was that they did not have enough white oak in stock to fit my needs. So I settled on some red oak. It won’t make a lot of difference to the finished tables, but I do prefer white oak over red. As I was paying for my lumber, the second issue occurred to me. This lumber has been in a climate controlled area for who knows how long and I’m taking it to my shop which is decidedly not climate controlled. Crap! So
much for getting the tables done this weekend. I brought the oak home and stuck it in the shop. Today I cut it to rough lengths and stickered it. I’ll keep an eye on it this week and see how it reacts as it acclimates to my shop. Maybe next weekend I’ll be able to get the
panels glued up. Time will tell.
The three pieces joined together on top of the stack of oak is a corner joint proof of concept. I’ve had an idea rattling around that I have dubbed the Hillbilly Tansu. This will be the corner joint and it is surprising how strong it is. There is no glue on this joint and I tried my best to pull it apart. It would not budge. So I think this one is a keeper. I’ll probably add wedges to the thru tenon as well. It probably doesn’t need it, but it can’t hurt. I’ll post some more about this joint soon and I have to work out a drawer rail joint and how to best to add grooves for the sides, top, back and bottom. The Japanese prefer to hide all their joints and to not show any end grain. I am not so inclined.
HILLBILLY DAIKU 
Hi Greg,
looking forward to the Hillbilly joint. Is this going to be used in the end tables? That aside, what is the story with the trestles in the opening pic?
No, the joint doesn’t have anything to do with the tables. It’s the first joint in a series that I’m developing to build a tansu (Japanese chest). Here’s a link to several antique tansu. I’ve always been fascinated by Japanese woodworking, my first hand plane was a Japanese kana and I’ve been hooked ever since. I keep trying to transition to western style tools only, but I’m drawn to the Japanese tools. The trestles are one of the first things I built when I built my shop. They are based on a Japanese design and I made mine out of southern yellow pine. I use them in place of sawhorses.
I’m working on a drawing to illustrate the corner joint and will post it soon.
Greg
hi greg do you git the ROCKLER tool catalog? boy they have nice tools I have a 800 no if you want it
Yep, Ben I get that catalog and there is some good stuff in there. Thanks for thinking of me.
Greg
Hi Greg!
I 1st seen your work in WWMC, and since you made this blog I stop by from time to time.
I’m also a Knot fan – I started when I was a boy scout, and then I studied some “arte de marinheiro” (that’s what it’s called around here – the art of making knots, connections between several ropes , ties, and the ways (knots) of sailors mans – you got the picture).
Anyway, the main reason is the videos you posted about Japanese wooden crafts. I’m very found about oriental culture and the ways they respect nature. Something, that in my opinion, we western folks “forgot”
And working wood like this, kind of re-do that bond.
“wood is a living thing”
All the best to you, and carry on…
António from Portugal
Looking good Greg!! You’re solid efforts are showing some great rewards. Brian
Hi Greg.
I really like your way of making large wedges that can take a beating. I think I’ll try to copy that approach for my next project. I normally just make some standard flimsy wedges that occasionally breaks when I pound them in. Your approach seems a bit more laborious, but also a lot more solid.
Brgds
Jonas
I knew that I would be taking this joint apart several times so I needed a way to get the wedge out. This shape gives me a place to hit and drive the wedge out. I got the idea after watching this video of Japanese timber framers.
Greg
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