Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

homestead - Re: [Homestead] Working wood by hand

homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Homestead mailing list

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>
  • To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [Homestead] Working wood by hand
  • Date: Sun, 05 Jun 2005 15:41:27 -0700


Please to ignore ignorance of humble servant. What is a glut, and what is
a froe?

Now, Ray, even a city dweller can click on Google and type in froe and glut and then click on the Search.

Here's one site:
http://www.craftsofnj.org/toolshed/articles/froes%20by%20hank%20allen/Hank%20Allen%20on%20Froes.htm

A glut is a wooden wedge, the sort of thing a pioneer would make when working in the wilderness having carried no metal except a gun and an axe.

A froe is used by placing the blade on the end grain of a billet (block) of wood and striking the blunt top of the blade with a mallet or hammer of appropriate weight. The froe blade goes into the wood like a wedge. You pull back on the tall handle, which causes the blade to lean back and open the split. You then relax the handle and strike the protruding end of the blade again, forcing it deeper. Continue striking and pulling the handle back until the billet rives (splits) apart. Repeat the process an inch or so away or closer and you end up with a shingle or stave an inch thick and the length of the billet. Repeat a thousand times. Now use a shaving horse and drawknife to taper the shingles. This is a good time to practice meditation. Now nail the shingles onto your cabin roof. At which time the rain mostly stays out.






Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page