Looking for an Adze

bigshow · March 15, 2009, 11:54:57 AM

Any recommendation for an adze to help me make a curved diminished taper on floor joists. 6x6 pocket to full 6x8 depth of timber with a curved sweep making up the taper. Is there a better tool than an adze (other than portable or non portable bandsaw)?

suggestions?

thanks....

Dave Shepard · March 15, 2009, 02:31:12 PM

An adze is probably best, but you could rough it out to your line with an axe, and then finish with a draw knife and spokeshave. You will want an adze that has a sweep to the back of it. I have a shipwrights adze that is almost flat, it won't follow the curves of the floor joist reduction.

moonhill · March 16, 2009, 06:25:38 AM

Even when I use an adze to reduce the end I chop a good bunch of wood off with the axe, it makes the adze work a tad bit easier. An adze should be used with control and not brute force, it is a finishing tool.

Jim should have the proper adze in his tool list.

Tim

Jim_Rogers · March 16, 2009, 09:11:19 AM

Yes, we currently have two adzes on our list.
I'd be happy to quote you a shipping price....

When I was taught by Jack Sobon to do floor joists, we when from axe, to adze, to draw knife to spoke shave to shape the curved section of the joists.

Dave Shepard · March 16, 2009, 09:55:17 AM

I am an advocate of the "captured" adze technique. You hold on to the end of the handle, or wherever comfortable, and you hold that hand against your thigh. You then move your entire body to swing the adze. Swinging and adze like an axe is very risky, especially to your ankles. ;)

SwingOak · March 16, 2009, 08:13:52 PM

I got mine at a used tool/furniture (aka antique) store in NH for something like $25. Any suggestions for the sharpening angle/blade bevel? I think the one I bought was used as a hoe. The edge is clean and straight, but dull as can be.

moonhill · March 17, 2009, 06:17:21 AM

Standing with the adze in the working position, you should be looking at the bevel side of the blade, it is a single bevel tool. Don't over heat it, keep it cool or use a large file to gain the edge, then polish 'till you can see yourself.

Tim