Making oars, the hard way. [Archive]

Michael Beckman

01-21-2009, 11:15 PM

Well, last Friday I asked my friend Jon if he could show me how to make a set of oars. He said sure, but that we would need to mill lumber first. I just got back from a full day, so I'll keep this pretty brief.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4gPfG4jYHQk/SXf9uyZJSlI/AAAAAAAAJXc/MqESA5zE1jA/s800/P1210995.JPG
9:00: Jon picked me up, and we drove out to his property(about 30 minutes away) We spend some time getting tools sorted out, then cut off the end of an already down tree to make a carving block. We then moved up to the fir tree Jon wanted to use for the oars. We clear a small area around the tree to have room to work in. Then, Jon cut down a small alder that was in the landing area, and cut some of that up to use as dunnage.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4gPfG4jYHQk/SXf9ygMcnFI/AAAAAAAAJXk/il6YSajN4cY/s800/P1211001.JPG
10:30: We drop the fir tree. We cut off 11 feet of the butt end of the tree, then Jon ripped it in half with the chainsaw.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4gPfG4jYHQk/SXf94mHmptI/AAAAAAAAJX0/Pc8ePrHksKI/s800/P1211005.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4gPfG4jYHQk/SXf97TaD1MI/AAAAAAAAJX8/SBPMTVg8WtU/s800/P1211009.JPG
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4gPfG4jYHQk/SXf99yOdkeI/AAAAAAAAJYI/OEQGefes8JI/s800/P1211010.JPG
11:30: Lunch

1 or so, go back to the tree, finish rough dimensioning with chain saw, then use portable band mill to cut three pieces of lumber.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4gPfG4jYHQk/SXf-AZrhLTI/AAAAAAAAJYQ/4yRfU1OHUU4/s800/P1211012.JPG
4: Lay out rough oar design, then run through the bandsaw to get rough blanks.

7: Return home.

I stopped taking pictures just before lunch, as I noticed my camera had a rather bad case of salty lens. I cleaned it, then forgot to take pictures the rest of the day.

Anyway, tomorrow morning Jon is coming back to my place to show me how to carve the oars out. We made 3 blanks so that he could do one as a demo, while still allowing me to make my own. My Mom will be around to take some shots, so I might actually have a few of myself next time. With any luck, I should have finished oars early next week. It would be sooner, but I'm helping with the longboat Townshends yearly haulout this weekend.

-Michael

Thorne

01-22-2009, 12:56 AM

Interesting! Isn't there a real chance the blanks will twist as you shape them, since they haven't had a chance to stabilize as a plank yet?

Best of luck, and post dem pics!

Michael Beckman

01-22-2009, 01:02 AM

I suppose thats possible. Jon has been making oars this way for many years though, and they've worked out well. The rest of the work will be done by hand, using ax, spokeshave, plane, and a hook knife. Perhaps a few others also, I'll know the full process after tomorrow.

lagspiller

01-22-2009, 03:32 AM

Nice to see photos of the process.

We were talking about making oars in our project just last week and the instructor sketched out a cross-section showing which part of the stock is used. He was very particular about which parts were 'oar material'.
If our boat planks haven't turned up by Saturday as expected, we will probably begin on oars and other parts. We can compare the techniques...

Steveh

01-22-2009, 03:47 AM

Excellent stuff. Nothing like nipping down to the local timber yard and cutting yourself some stock.

I also would have thought using such unseasoned material would have had problems, but if Jon's done it like this before then tried and true works.

Cool

Bill R

01-22-2009, 06:03 AM

Cool!

DGentry

01-22-2009, 07:09 AM

On the other hand . . . I would have thought that an 11' log could be used a bit more efficiently than to produce just 3 oars.

I'm not saying that what you are learning isn't interesting, but I'm pretty sure deforestation is a real problem, even if it's not evident in your neighborhood.

I'm all for making things out of wood, but the wasted tree thing is what came to mind when I saw those pics.
Hopefully the impression that I got is wrong, though, and you guys are carefully making use of all the wood from that tree that you can. If so, I apologize for assuming! Good luck with the oars!

Dave Gentry

Canoez

01-22-2009, 07:13 AM

Excellent pictures - keep them coming!

On the deforestation issue, you can't make an omlette without breaking eggs, but you can arrange for a continuing supply of eggs with good managment. Same with forestry.

I don't know what the rest of the lumber from the tree will be used for, but I would hope that it doesn't go to waste.

I always figure if I'm making something from wood, I want it to last as long or longer than it took the tree to grow. Hopefully the same will be true of Michael's oars.

Thad Van Gilder

01-22-2009, 07:30 AM

I want one of those portable bandsaws! That is really cool!

-Thad

switters

01-22-2009, 10:07 AM

Great thread, please keep up with the pictures for us.

The chainsaw work is impressive.

Bob Triggs

01-22-2009, 03:17 PM

a-w-e-s-o-m-e!!!

J. Dillon

01-22-2009, 06:28 PM

Good stuff, I can smell the sap all the way here in cold CT.;):D

Keep going!!

JD

Michael Beckman

01-22-2009, 07:36 PM

Good stuff, I can smell the sap all the way here in cold CT.;):D

Keep going!!

JD

No sap actually, its not an issue when the tree comes down at this time of year. Very handy.

More pictures/videos later, along with what happened.

Vince Brennan

01-22-2009, 09:49 PM

Michael, I've said it before, but it bears repeating:

You are a true addition to the WBF. Thanks for being you.

capt jake

01-22-2009, 10:01 PM

No sap actually, its not an issue when the tree comes down at this time of year. Very handy.

More pictures/videos later, along with what happened.

You are just dangling that carrot out there now..... ;) Anxiously awaiting you next installment. :)

You are a true addition to the WBF. Thanks for being you.

And there is no truer statement!

S B

01-22-2009, 11:18 PM

Definitely hard on the trees.

Michael Beckman

01-23-2009, 02:40 AM

Sorry, was off at a friends house building his new computer. Time to leap back in time to more interesting things.

Here are pictures and video of today..
http://picasaweb.google.com/Stuparman/UmiaqOars2?authkey=mBBqU9D4amM#
I am too tired at the moment to do a full writeup. Basically, Jon finished roughing his demo blank, as I practiced using my ax to chop to a line. Eventually my unpracticed muscles didn't work quite so well, and I focused on watching Jon, and trying to get a good understanding of all the techniques involved. I will continue to work each day as much as I am able, without pushing my body too much. Wouldn't want that ax to slip.

Oh, and as a correction, the title is wrong. It should be: Making oars, the easy way.

Hard was in reference to cutting the tree down and milling lumber. Carving the oars is easy, given the appropriate skills. Watching Jon work proved to me that an ax is a much faster and more versatile tool than most others. Its also much nicer to generate shavings and chips than sawdust.

Bill R

01-23-2009, 07:15 AM

Fantastic. Proof that Pete Culler was right when he said "Old ways work".

capt-dave

01-23-2009, 07:41 AM

Good Stuff, Thanks for sharing!!!

-Capt Dave-
Galveston Bay, Texas

Brian Palmer

01-23-2009, 07:50 AM

Excellent! Great documentation of using an adze and ax. Did you get any video of him using the crooked knife?

Thank you for sharing.

Brian

Yeadon

01-23-2009, 10:30 AM

That was really cool. Photo/video No. 39 really answered some questions for me in a way that I didn't know needed answering.

On the oar handle ... I liked how he chipped a number of kerfs with the ax, cleaned them out wit the adz, then faired it all with a spokeshave.

I need an adz.

Peter Malcolm Jardine

01-23-2009, 10:42 AM

Ummm... methinks that guy has done that a few times... Truly impressive thread... Thank you.

botebum

01-23-2009, 01:01 PM

Great stuff Michael! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Doug

Tealsmith

01-23-2009, 01:07 PM

Can you give some details about that little bandsaw mill?

Michael Beckman

01-23-2009, 02:06 PM

Excellent! Great documentation of using an adze and ax. Did you get any video of him using the crooked knife?

Thank you for sharing.

Brian
No video of the hook knife, but its used like a scraper. He used it for this project to carve the oar blades into a nice curved profile. I will take video of myself using it when I get to that stage on my own oars.

Can you give some details about that little bandsaw mill?

I found this, it explains it pretty well: http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f26/my-new-ripsaw-mill-here-4464/
That bandmill is really a great tool for someone living in the woods.

The suns coming out, so its about time to go start chopping I think.

Michael Beckman

01-23-2009, 02:08 PM

Bob Triggs

01-23-2009, 03:07 PM

Re; todays photos and videos as linked above; This is real, forthright and competent, old time craftsmanship. So good to see this here Michael, and so glad that you are sharing it with us.

Trees like the one used here are a renewable resource. Its not like they used an old growth tree for this. Just about every tree around this part of the Olympic Peninsula is a planted tree since the logging days of old. Some only a few decades old. I see this as a very good use of the tree and it's wood as the resultant nearly carbon-free transportation for a lifetime is certainly less toxic or destructive than if he had bought a skiff with a gasoline outboard. And Michael can always plant another tree right next to the stump of the one they cut.

J P

01-23-2009, 03:25 PM

Michael Beckman

01-23-2009, 04:12 PM

I love this kind of 'git 'r done' woodworking. Just chop off everything that doesn't look like an oar.

In the first pic of this thread it looks like there's a wedge cut out of the base of the carving block. How is that used? Is it a support for adzing maybe?

The notch is to hold an end of the piece, so that you can chop using the ax without the piece being verticle. Shove an end in the notch, then support the other end on your shoulder and you can easily chop anywhere along the piece.

Thorne

01-23-2009, 04:13 PM

Like a trip back in time!!

Craftsmanship like that truely deserves to be recorded -- well done!

eleventhirtyfour

01-23-2009, 04:33 PM

That light adze-work is like watching magic.
And remember about the timber- he cut 11' of the butt for the oars. The butt wouldn't have been part of the sawlog anyways... and that's a beauty of a sawlog. I can't imagine any of it going to waste in these capable hands.

rufustr

01-23-2009, 07:11 PM

Never ceases to amaze me how easy someone who is really skilled with a tool can make something seem.:o:cool:

Thanks for posting this.:D:D

J. Dillon

01-23-2009, 07:29 PM

Mike much appreciated in the posting of images and text.:D Thanks. I hope the Forumites that try this technique suffer no injuries, :(easy to do with unskilled hands.;)

JD

Chip-skiff

01-23-2009, 08:54 PM

Given that Jon knows how to saw vertical-grain blanks for the oars, etc., I'm curious about selecting the tree.

Winter, no sap rising, but it looks live— is it green timber? As it cures, I'd anticipate some twist along the shaft and particularly in the blade.

P'raps that's not the problem in a humid, maritime climate that it would be here.

Do you intend to let it season a bit before finishing?

Michael Beckman

01-23-2009, 09:19 PM

Its quite green, being separated from the tree only 2 days ago. Finishing technique is to start coating with linseed oil/turpentine as soon as the shaping is done. The thought is that the oil will go in as the water leaves, keeping the wood fairly stable. I cut down small trees to use as spars about 8 months ago, immediately stripped the bark and began coating with oil. Not one crack.

This method is probably not the best in a dry environment, but its tested and proven in the PNW. No update today.. I went out and began setting up to continue carving, couldn't find my chalkline to layout the centerline, and then a friend showed up and distracted me.. I'll continue tomorrow, chalkline or not.

Alex Low

01-23-2009, 09:43 PM

oh! thanks Michael - that was awesome.

not many can handle edge tools like that anymore.

Alex

Michael Beckman

01-24-2009, 05:00 PM

I would like to say that the adze is a very difficult tool at first. In skilled hands its excellent, in mine its more of a tool of mass destruction. Going very slowly, I'll be spending a lot of time with a scraper cleaning things up. The 2nd oar will be easier at least.

Hughman

01-24-2009, 06:08 PM

Thanks, Michael, that is a well done thing. Let Jon know he's got fans.

Wiley Baggins

01-24-2009, 10:20 PM

Wonderful - two big ol' thumbs up! I bet you could shave with any one of those edged tools.

capt jake

01-24-2009, 10:22 PM

Great thread. :) Any further pictures of the process or end product?

ChasQ

01-25-2009, 08:20 PM

Wow, I thought I was the only one who would cut down a tree to make some oars! I am in the process of taking some of my white oak and making a 1/2" profile of the oars. Then I will laminate some 5/8 (5/8 x 1 5/8) thick half round cedar (starting with half of a hexagon) to each side of the shaft and shape it to a round. Hope it works!

Tealsmith

01-25-2009, 08:51 PM

Thanks for the bandsaw link. Great thread.

botebum

01-27-2009, 10:48 PM

'bout time for an update Michael;)

Doug

Michael Beckman

01-27-2009, 10:53 PM

Hmm. I've been plugging away slowly. Only get one shot at this. Stopped trying to use the adze for now. Difficult to control, and since I don't have room for mistakes I decided to master that tool when I have access to more lumber.. So I'm using spokeshave and hookknife to carve the blades, and will move onto rounding the shaft soon. Haven't taken any pictures since I got most of the process while Jon was doing the demo oar. I'll try to take some when I get into the finishing stage, unless anyone has a specific area theyed like to see?

boylesboats

01-29-2009, 07:08 AM

Com on Michael.. don't leave us a hangin' here... What happened?

Michael Beckman

01-29-2009, 05:06 PM

Was just out working. Figured out how to get a clean cut with the adze finally, so I'm making much more rapid progress. Nearly done with half of the first blade. I'm using muscles I never knew I had.

I keep getting busied up with other things.. had to go pick up a table yesterday, couple hours of driving and there goes the day. Still making progress though. Just maybe not fast enough to do this for a business. >_>

Bob Triggs

01-29-2009, 09:06 PM

Michael, If you read Pete Cullers Skiffs and Schooners you will find a passage in the tool chapter about the Adze work, and the learning curve. He's mostly talking about dubbing off frames etc, but you will see the similarity. Just be patient and kep at it. Good for you man.

paladin

01-29-2009, 09:37 PM

Michael, how do you intend to finish the oars. You could sand them, a coat of CPES, then a coat of epoxy, then some varnish with ultraviolet screens in it...If the idea turns you on, send me your mailing address and I'll send some containers of the goodies....

Michael Beckman

01-30-2009, 03:05 AM

Linseed oil/turpentine/pine tar mix. I don't think a hard finish would work well with the green wood. Jons theory is that the oil replaces the water as the wood dries, helping to keep it stable and free of cracks. His method is tested and true so I'm gonna stick with that. Thanks for the offer though.

On adze work: I will check the library for that book. My main trouble is in that this wood has some pretty gnarly grain, from being the buttlog of the tree. I get wonderful cuts in most areas, but some the grain will really tear out. Just a learning curve as I figure out what to watch for.

Vinny&Shawn

01-30-2009, 11:58 AM

Micheal, Thank you so much for this thread, it has brought back memories of the 70's for me. Instead of hewing oars we were hand making beams,an old timer in Connecticut,hewed up a beam with me. When we moved to Maine this art came in handy many times for making beams for friends cabins.
The process mostly reminds me of making Axe and mall handles,which we fashioned quite often in the same manner. Except we used hornbeam, ironwood or hickory. Started with the green tree,like Jon
Lastly I would like to find one of those beautiful hand adz,to add to my tool collection for use on some upcoming oars and spars!!
Thanks so much, Vinny

Bob Triggs

01-30-2009, 03:57 PM

Michael Beckman

02-03-2009, 08:23 PM

Chop chop chop. Slow, steady progress. If all goes well I will finish the first oar tomorrow. I'm finding that I need to put perfectionism aside if I ever want to finish these. I'm starting to accept that my next set of oars will be better, and eventually I'll be skilled enough to do a spotless job. Some shots from the past week:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4gPfG4jYHQk/SYju2BqlHAI/AAAAAAAAJlw/3o4hw2T5QJo/s800/P1230023.JPG
Trimming to thickness with ax.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4gPfG4jYHQk/SYjvSDNMJqI/AAAAAAAAJnc/KSZXrp8ZSjU/s800/P1230035.JPG
Constant distractions!
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4gPfG4jYHQk/SYjwzU4IdCI/AAAAAAAAJqU/LaBHQuRrJ7s/s800/P1290057.JPG
Shaping blade with adze. This part is where I have spent most of my time.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4gPfG4jYHQk/SYjxG2JoSUI/AAAAAAAAJq4/GwNHF7VVmdc/s800/P1290061.JPG
Cleaning up with hook knife.. sloooowly. I'm not quite the master of the adze yet, so I have lots of cleanup to do still. Today I said screw it, and moved onto 8 siding the shaft. I'll do final cleanup later on.
Tomorrow I should be rounding the the shaft, then carving out a handle. Some cleanup and then onto oar #2.

Pete Dorr

02-03-2009, 08:38 PM

That adze looks like it has a slight round to it - am I correct ?

Anyone have sources for that type of hand adze ?

Michael Beckman

02-03-2009, 09:03 PM

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4gPfG4jYHQk/SYjw5OK4aFI/AAAAAAAAJqg/K1J3pIU-rZ4/s800/P1290058.JPG
Yep, rounded on the edges. Jon made it as a scaled down version of a larger adze passed down from his father.

Alex Low

02-03-2009, 09:49 PM

I think it is a carvers adze - but you see them on Ebay as bowl adzes... which I think is incorrect - but none-the-less they are there. They are a great tool. Perhaps someone who knows a lot more than I do (not that hard!) has a better name for this type of adze.

http://i19.ebayimg.com/05/i/001/2f/39/9a86_1.JPG

Great thread. Thanks.

Alex

Jim Ledger

02-03-2009, 11:34 PM

Looking good, Michael. I was wondering if a drawknife might be useful at this stage?

boylesboats

02-03-2009, 11:39 PM

Jim,:)
I was about to ask the same thing....

StevenBauer

02-03-2009, 11:45 PM

Lee Valley sells a 'sculptor's adze'

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/carving/65u1401s2.jpg

And also an enxó (pronounced en-shaw), a Portugese boatbuilders adze:

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/logbuild/59u2001.jpg

Steven

Michael Beckman

02-04-2009, 12:07 AM

Looking good, Michael. I was wondering if a drawknife might be useful at this stage?

Perhaps. I went to 8sides using the ax. I will probably go to 16 by eye with ax also, then start bringing it closer to round(really an oval) with a spokeshave. I'm not super comfortable with a draw knife yet, and dont want to take any chunks out.

If you mean for the blade, the shape wouldnt work with a drawknife. The blades are thicker in the middle and carved out thinner at the edge.

boylesboats

02-04-2009, 12:18 AM

And also an enxó (pronounced en-shaw), a Portugese boatbuilders adze:

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/logbuild/59u2001.jpg

Steven

Hummmmm, nice handy tool...
Better keep that one locked up... outta reach of wife's green thumbs or she'll use it to hack roots in the flower beds:eek:

Jim Ledger

02-04-2009, 03:23 AM

And also an enxó (pronounced en-shaw), a Portugese boatbuilders adze:

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/logbuild/59u2001.jpg

Steven

Don't bother with one of these. I got one as a present once. They don't take an edge. At all.

Vinny&Shawn

02-04-2009, 06:06 PM

[quote=Alex Low;2093700]I think it is a carvers adz - but you see them on Ebay as bowl adzes... which I think is incorrect - but
Great thread. Thanks.

Nice adzes but if you look closely at the pictures Jon is using a lipped adz so where did he find that type. Maybe Micheal could shed some chips on this?

Michael Beckman

02-04-2009, 07:59 PM

I think it is a carvers adz - but you see them on Ebay as bowl adzes... which I think is incorrect - but
Great thread. Thanks.

Nice adzes but if you look closely at the pictures Jon is using a lipped adz so where did he find that type. Maybe Micheal could shed some chips on this?

Jons primary trade is blacksmithing, so he makes his own tools for the most part.

Vinny&Shawn

02-05-2009, 03:09 PM

I am going to keep my eyes opened in antique tools, haven't found one quite like that in new catalogs?

Chan

02-05-2009, 04:29 PM

Vinny & Shawn
You should be able to find a lipped boat builders adze at the Maine Boatbuilders show in Portland next month. A little pricey since they're sold as antiques but there will be a booth on the second floor selling old tools that will have a few.
Plus a great show!

J P

02-05-2009, 05:10 PM

Kestrel Tool makes a variety of light adzes and offer a lipped one. Different handle style than Jon's here, more like the Pacific NW carving type.

http://www.rockisland.com/~kestrel/adze.html (http://www.rockisland.com/%7Ekestrel/adze.html)

This is a good reminder that I need to make a new handle for mine. Good excuse to go out and bumble around in the woods.

Looks like fun Michael. I'm going to make myself one of those carving blocks. Looks like it'd be handy to have out by the wood pile. Good pair with a shave horse.

Vinny&Shawn

02-05-2009, 06:13 PM

[quote=Chan;2095747]Vinny & Shawn
You should be able to find a lipped boat builders adze at the Maine

Thank you Chan, we plan on going there and will check it out, they all seem pricey,we'll see. Then we can go to Steve and Marys for our WBF,EBS, sound like a plan!!

Vinny&Shawn

02-05-2009, 06:20 PM

[quote=J P;2095786]Kestrel Tool makes a variety of light adzes and offer a lipped one. Different handle style than Jon's here, more

Wow, I like the Kestrels,they might just fit the bill, I'd like to see a larger picture,see what I can do.

J P

02-05-2009, 08:31 PM

V&S, I'll post a pic of my Kestrel lipped adze here a little later.

Here ya go ...

Michael, hope you don't mind a slight thread tangent here, but it's kind of related to the work you are showing and these tools are from your neck of the woods ...

I threw the guitar pick in for scale, it's one inch wide. I think this is the largest Kestrel lipped adze at 3" wide. They aren't for making heavy cuts or prying out big chunks.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/picsonline/m_IMGP2250.jpg

The back of mine could use some attention but this next photo is a little misleading in that the curved part of the blade (lip) is actually polished and bright but it looks dark here. Photo flash thing I guess. The blade came with a very nice edge and polished back.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/picsonline/m_IMGP2254.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/picsonline/m_IMGP2253.jpg

Vinny&Shawn

02-06-2009, 08:48 AM

Thanks JP, I like it and I already have a larger lipped adz for heavy work, I was even thinking the smaller one at 21/2" wood be fine. Kestrel sell just the iron or a kit,save a little money or I can make the haft myself.

J P

02-06-2009, 09:47 AM

That's interesting, when I was taking those pictures last night I thought, "hmmm ... that little 2 1/2 incher would be sweet". (I also have a heavier lipped adze.)

I just got the iron and made the haft myself. It got the job done that I got the tool for but I need to make a new one.

Michael Beckman

02-06-2009, 09:54 AM

Cool. Thats the same style as what I'm using aside from the handle.

J P

02-06-2009, 10:17 AM

The problem with this handle is that there's a little crook in it (doesn't show up in these pics) and it throws off the alignment with my arm a little. And the grip is too small and round in section. Bigger, more oval, and straighter would be better. I left this one longer than it needs to be thinking I'd trim it down but I ended up using it two handed anyway because it was twisting in my grip from the problems mentioned.

I've thought about fashioning a handle to try and use it like a drawknife/scorp. Think I'll do dat.