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Ever cut a tree down with a chisel?

5K views 48 replies 31 participants last post by  superdav721 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
If you have the time watch as the skilled North American Indian turns a tree into a water proof box. He uses simple tools. The adze, wedge, stone mallet and knife to make an ornate and water proof box. The show is 30 minutes long but well worth a glimpse in the methods of woodworking before the white man was here.
 
#5 ·
The video says they're using a modern steel chisel now, but "In former times, an elk horn chisel would have been used."
 
#15 ·
Very interesting. This adds a new joint to the traditional box - dovetail - rabbit scenarios. As slow as I work, using this method would allow me to complete one box every 5 years or so.
 
#19 ·
I wouldn't be able to do it that accurate with a router, digital gauges, incra fence and what not!!! But I would be able to make it look just as "rustic"!!!

Thanks for the vid, Dave.
 
#20 ·
I am glad you guys enjoyed.
Things that stick out to me.
He is only able to do the box joinery that way because of the absolute straight grain board he has. If you made any part of that board with a saw of any kind. His joinery would fail.
I to noted how close at times the tools were to skin.
 
#21 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thanks Dave. This was fun to watch and to see what folks could do with the tools they had available to them. I can imagine that the work shown went even slower with Elk horn than with steel chisels, but I can imagine that the techniques would have been pretty similar. Their products would have been highly prized and they would surely have felt them worth the time invested in them. After all, we are satisfied with the time invested in products made with today's tools, but they may also seem very primitive and slow in the not to distant future. Interestingly, the most revered members of these tribes were those who gave the most away at the big 'potlatches' they held, with wealthy people giving away just about everything they owned to other members of the tribe.The possessions would include blankets, food an other useful items. A truly unique practice.
 
#22 ·
Mike that is the true meaning it is better to give than receive. I could only imagine doing that with deer antler. But if I was in it for speed I would not have choose the hand tool route. Thank you for the extra information.
 
#23 ·
That's really quite amazing Dave. Have you dug yourself a steam pit yet? Bet you did. I'm glad they didn't show the soaking in urine part, the predecessor to green treated pine I suppose. Hard to believe this would even be possible, but there it is…..thanks Dave…
 
#24 ·
Jeff I was trying to help Marty with is Grill O matic steam setup. Marty was having an awful time. I might have to try this one. It seams the parts are already in the yard. Me to, just think urine soaked parts for a box use in food storage.
That was wrong. Funny but wrong.
 
#25 ·
Crazy thing… I get about 10 min into and it stops with "No longer Available" note…
... let it rest a little… tried again… gets to the about the 20 min. mark & does the same thing…
Got to where he just folded the box up & was about to cinch it up… & it STOPPED!

Will try again later… sure is interesting… What a way to cut the slab from the tree!! Awesome!!
... oh for nice straight-grained trees!
 
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