Round Tenons - any (cheap) ideas?

[Claus]

I’ve been getting into the Lost Art Press Blog and the stick chairs he’s making. I really like the looks of some of those chairs and would love to try to build one or a few. I know there’s a book in the works but I’d rather try a few things before spending money. (Or maybe this is just an internet infatuation)

So from a perspective of staked furniture in general it seems to me that crux of it is a round through-tenon into a round hole, with a taper (buy “giant pencil sharpener“ and reamer) being another option. I’m happy to try some prototype chairs, stools, tables, whatever, to see if I can make it work before jumping in deeper.

Does anyone have a good method for making a plain, untapered round tenon? Larger than 1/2 inch but probably less than 1 inch. Hand carving is not my forte and it seems a good fit is critical. I’ve seen some Izzy Swan contraptions but don’t really want to go that far. Any ideas?

 

[Chris C]

How about a tenon cutter for a brace?

 

[Claus]

How about a tenon cutter for a brace?

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Thanks, That looks about perfect. And it’ll help develop those Popeye arms. So where do I get one?

—Claus

 

[junquecol]

Search "Cutting round tenons on a table saw."

 

[cyclopentadiene]

Veritas makes excellent tapered tennon cutters. They are manual as opposed to the one Chris C posted but work great out of the box. I have cut about 300 or more and still have not had to sharpen. They are about $60 each. I have a 3/8 and 1/2 as these are generally used for the back support spindles. FYI, I generally do not glue these and this tool allows a precise fit of multiple spindles. The most I have ever done in a single row was a Nakashima bench with 17 spindles

 

[Chris C]

I see them regularly so I would have thought eBay... but a quick search yielded little. I think I paid $35 for mine. I saw one at a regular haunt several weeks ago. If I can swing by I'll stop and see if it's still there. IIRC it was in that same price range and was complete.

 

[mdbuntyn]

So where do I get one?

Search ebay for "tenon cutter" and "hollow auger"

 

[creasman]

Check at the Tool Store in Pittsboro. Send Ed an email and let him know what you want. He probably has a couple to sell.

 

[Claus]

Thanks for all the suggestions, some of those table saw methods look possible.
I should clarify - I’d rather not buy anything at this point, I’d rather use something that I already have (standard shop: table saw, band saw, router w/table, etc) as this is sort of a proof of concept for me. If it works I’ll probably spring for the veritas cutter and tapered reamer.

—Claus

 

[Hmerkle]

I may have a second - let me look this weekend, and then remind me on Monday that I said I would look! LOL