tenon cutter for rustic furniture....alternatives????

[mldollins]

I am looking at making some small scale rustic furniture. I realize that you do have to make joints. However, I was shocked to see a tenon cutter almost 100 bucks...

http://www.amazon.com/Veritas-2-Powe...9155687&sr=8-4

Has anyone ever done this by hand?

[timfromohio]

Never made rustic furniture, but do a lot of woodworking and thumb through many catalogues. Veritas makes high quality tools (excellent hand tools), but like you found out are pricey. Check out what you can get from Rockler:


http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...ic%20furniture

Also, just for fun go to www.leevalley.com and look at their hand tools. They actually have three catalogues you can order for free - one for hardware (amazing selection), one for gardening stuff (mostly yuppie stuff, but some useful items), and one for woodworkings tools. The woodworking one has an awesome selection of hand tools and all three catalogues are color and fun to drool over if you enjoy looking at hand planes, wonderful saws, etc.

[NCLee]

I'm a woodworker, too. Agree with checking with woodworking tool suppliers. Lee Valley is one of my absolute favorites for a variety of tools. You may be pleasantly surprised at some of the other types of merchandise they offer as well. Do get their catalogs.

Sometimes tendon cutters show up a flea markets and once in a while at yard sales and estates. Most people don't know what they are, so sometimes the prices can be quite reasonable.

If you have a lathe, you can turn them on it. However, that requires skill because the fit is critical for a good joint. But, it doens't take long to learn it, with a little practice and some good lathe tool. Open end wrenches make good gauges to help with the fit. If you need a 3/4" tendon, use a 3/4" open end wrench.

Do you really need a 2" cutter? What are you planning to make?

And, what is the volume that you plan do do? If only a few pieces, a high end cutter may be over kill. OTOH, if you're planning to do this for furniture to sell, go ahead and get the best you can buy. It will be the most economical choice over the long haul.

Lee

[mldollins]

suggestions for low end???? Can they be done by hand?

[mossywyatt]

You could use a draw knife
wyatt

[TurnerHill]

I enjoy looking at the Lee Valley catalog. It makes me feel funny in my tummy.

It's like tool porn.

[NCLee]

Ditto on the draw knife. Rough out first with a hatchet or small axe.

Lee

[WisJim]

search on eBay for "hollow auger", although ones over 1" are not common

[fantasymaker]

Use a hole saw and cut down to it?

[fordson major]

Originally Posted by TurnerHill

I enjoy looking at the Lee Valley catalog. It makes me feel funny in my tummy.

It's like tool porn.

Gee, be glad you can't go too their store! (head office is in our town!) often they have deep discounts on discontinued products! they manufacture under the "veritas" name.

[Farmerwilly2]

You don't have to use a round tenon either. You can cut a square or triangular one with a hand saw, you can cut a mortise with a chisel. Nothing fancy or pricey about that.

[clovis]

I am with WisJim on this. These are available on ebay.

There is a tool collector group called MWTCA. I think their website is mwtca.org.

WisJim, are these known my another name?

Clove

[Alex]

I have a tenon cutter bought a Lee Valley in Vancouver.

However, that is all I have done with it, that is, buy it. I have had it for two years and look at it every so often when I run across it in my tools.

It sure looks nice.

Will report more later.

Alex

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...,42288&p=45539

http://www.winbuyer.com/cat-96669/ke...FShGagodAgtOmg

[Ken Scharabok]

If a round tenon why not drill in a hole into the piece it will be on and then glue it in.

[MushCreek]

I like Ken's idea- drill a hole, glue in a piece of dowel, and taper the rest of it with the implement of your choice. I think having a hand-hewn bevel would look more rustic than a machined bevel anyhow.

[whiterock]

The old mexican colonial style, or santa fe style, uses rectangular tenons, cut with a saw, mortise is done with drill, saw, and chisel, tenon is sometimes pinned or pegged.

[o&itw]

Originally Posted by mldollins

I am looking at making some small scale rustic furniture. I realize that you do have to make joints. However, I was shocked to see a tenon cutter almost 100 bucks...

http://www.amazon.com/Veritas-2-Powe...9155687&sr=8-4

Has anyone ever done this by hand?

For what you want to do, the tenon cutter will be much faster than anything else. Mortising by hand takes time, as well as cutting tenons by hand. That is why all the large makers of rustic furniture use a (circular) tenon cutter of some sort, it is quick, and morticing can be done with a regular spade or auger bit.

[solidwoods]

If you are going to be in business 100$ is nothing.
It's also a business tax write off.
I'd go with a lathe so you have a dual use tool. Make turned lamps, plant stands, pedestal tables, plant plates, bowls, candle sticks, Christmas ornaments.
jim

[agmantoo]

There are basically two designs on the tenon cutters. The ones with the curved knives give far better results. This link will show you the type that is most preferred. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003a