log tenon cutters

[Joey Grimes]

I've been thinking about getting some log furniture tools does anyone have suggestions? Been looking at lumberjack tools.Ive got an abundance of small cedar logs that I would hate to see used as fence posts .

[Magicman]

@yukon cornelius and @POSTONLT40HD both use them.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

Thanks Magic for the direction.

Hey Joey....yep, I cut tenons and absolutely love it.
I bought the whole set from Lumber Jack and also the drill motor. The drill motor is made by Milwaukee and turns at a constant 450 rpm. A variable speed just doesn't work good.

What rubbed my fur backwards was when I bought the whole set....within 24 hours they sending me ads by email with some of the cutters on sell at half price. 

If I had bought a little a long the way I could have saved some $$$$. They send be sale ads all the time.

But anyway, If I can help you, just let me know. I'll even call you and chat about it. 

Member Yukon Cornelius actually cuts WAY MORE tenons than I do and has been doing it longer. He can be of a great help also.

Merry Christmas

[yukon cornelius]

I have a one inch and 2 inch with the radius shoulders, home series. I have a 1.5 with the flat shoulder comercial  series. I use them nearly daily for over 2 years. They have held up flawlessly. Now, pros and cons. the commercial series with the flat blade takes much less power to turn. It leaves a rough tenon. The home series with radius shoulders, with knotty cedar requires removal of some materials to get them to work well.

Holding the log is another thing to consider. Piston had an amazing setup. I started using a pipe vise. Worked great but limited by size. It required padding to keep from biting big marks in the wood. I now use a big metal vise bolted on a heavy metal table. I will be happy to help you with any questions.

[yukon cornelius]

I bought mine from grizzly mostly because its about an hour from here. A good forstner bit set is good to have.

I considered going to the commercial series solely but the rough tenon is the killer for me.

[Ohio_Bill]

I agree lumber jack tools are good and made in the USA. go to there Web site and sign up for email and they will send you emails of specials, if you're a veteran you get a discount.

[Kbeitz]

I use the lumberjack tenon bits but I dont use a drill.
I mount the tenon bit in my wood lathe chuck and hold the log.
I made a metal ring to slide the log into that hooks on the bed of the lathe
so it cant sling the log out of my hands.

[johnnyllama]

We have the Veritas tenon cutters and they work great, very smooth cutting but only have the 1/2" and 1" sizes, more for smaller projects like benches and rails. I built a shaving horse that works well to hold the sizes we are using but it could work with a 2" also. Here's a photo of my son using it with a drawknife.

 

[Joey Grimes]

Thanks to all think I'm going to order commercial 2 cutter kit one inch and 2 inch and get the 1.5 later.My first project will be a bed for my son.

[customsawyer]

This is the only experience I have with making tenons and doubt if it counts.
 

  

[yukon cornelius]

joey, that exactly what I did. everything I make could either be 1 or 2 inch. the 1.5 is handy at times for the inbetween size log but not necessary. the veritas cutter look identical to me. they also look like they would be pretty good.

[isawlogs]

 Lee valley tools has  Veritas tenon cutters that I use. I have a few for use with brace and have a few a drill.

[Kbeitz]

This is what I'm useing...

 

 

[Magicman]

Jake =   

[yukon cornelius]

This is what I'm useing...

 

 (Image hidden from quote, click to view.)

I have just one of that style. I upgraded my forstner bit to Irwin's with the self feed screws. The work well but are very aggressive and can on occasion the screw can cause the log to split. 1 out of maybe 100 times. I drill in with a 1\4 inch to help relieve some tension.

Customsawyer,   

[DbltreeBelgians]

I've been making rustic log furniture for close to 20 years now and really enjoy it.
I too use the Veritas radius type tenon cutters and have 1", 1½", and 2" and I purchased
them from Lee Valley Tools. I also have a Bosworth 2" 60° commercial cutter. I use an old
Sioux heavy duty cast alum drill with a 5/8" chuck. Sometimes if I catch a knot in some oak
that's real dry that big drill will try to take me for a ride. The wife has been hounding me for
years to make a king size log bed but I just haven't figured out what I want to make it out
of yet. I used almost all of my Aspen to make her a love seat that turned out sweet.
Whatever you decide to get you'll find it enjoyable and very rewarding making log furniture.

Brent

[Joey Grimes]

I may have to rethink my size of cutters as after checking my log sizes most of my small logs are 5-6  inches on small end.
A 2 inch tenon cutter has a maximum log size about 4 inches.

[POSTON WIDEHEAD]

I may have to rethink my size of cutters as after checking my log sizes most of my small logs are 5-6  inches on small end.

Put em on a lathe. 

[yukon cornelius]

I may have to rethink my size of cutters as after checking my log sizes most of my small logs are 5-6  inches on small end.
A 2 inch tenon cutter has a maximum log size about 4 inches.

I remove material to get it to a size it will handle. You can drawknife it or a electric hand held plane works well.

Can I put out a plea again please! If you use the old metal case drills and electric tools, please please please!!!! Make certain it is fully and well grounded. While working in EMS I had to work my 21 year old cousin who wad electricuted and died using the big metal case drill. It just shorted to the metal case. I would rather see them replaced. I have been zapped before but that was heart breaking. Its now my mission to put that out every chance I get.

[Kbeitz]

I really like using my wood lathe to hold my tenon bits.
I never got a shock from this drill but it almost got the best of me anyway. 20" high.
One inch chuck and it will snap a 2" bit with no problem if you are strong enough to hold it.