Thread: bamboo (or hinoki?) pegs

Hi Yojimbo,

Please forgive this rather useless filler of a post. I too, was once interested in bamboo pegs (even had an expert explain it to me many years ago, but I wasn't paying attention), but gave up trying. I did come across a fine Japanese substitute though called "karaziguru".
However, I'm sure you will soon find the info you are seeking from others who do, indeed, know all about wooden pegs. This time, I will pay attention.

Steve

Hi, Steve,

Thanks for the post -- useless though it might be... Ah, but you could amend it to explain what you remember of karaziguru. Was it a material? A method? A snack to enjoy while contemplating bamboo pegs?

Would love to know more -- however little it may be. Your memory might be better than you think (though mine rarely is...).

Thanks very much,
yojimbo

Yojimbo, here's a hint. Say the word five times quickly. if that doesn't work, think Kung Fu movie with dubbed English voices.

(and please don't beat me with a stick)

Steve

Dear Steve,

...Okay, Sensei: got a hint as to which syllables get the emphasis? I wouldn't want to accidentally conjure up a demon. Or a big stick to -- oh, wait: you asked me not to.

Thanks (?) --
Y

Apologies to anyone that may think I'm making fun of their manner of speaking. This is not my intent. Probably why I'm not a comedian either.

Anyway, what I was trying to say in a flippant and totally lost in translation way was, instead of using traditional wooden pegs (since I really don't know how, but really am interested in learning) was to substitute a well known commercial form of cyanoacrylate adhesive.

So, lets get back to the subject of bamboo or hinoki pegs (somebody save my butt here).

Steve

Steve --

I certainly wasn't offended -- can't speak for anyone else. Sorry if I gave that impression at all. (And sorry to leave you hanging and possibly thinking that: got a phone call -- da noive!)

Totally missed the adhesive ref... my bad.

And I think you're pretty darn funny.

Y

Okay, now I'm worried that what I said could have been misunderstood... I would have made the joke about any language, including English: the implication being that if you don't recite an incantation properly -- oh, heck. Nothing worse than explaining a joke you hadn't thought out well in the first place.

Anyway I also offer apologies if my comment was in any way offensive.

Yojimbo (and others),

Well I was worried that my attempt at humour was quickly becoming way too not funny. My wife mentioned that some may find it somewhat insulting (making fun of the pronunciation). I didn't think you were offended, but my leading you on certainly could have and you would have been justified (and beating me with a stick). So that's why I sheepishly asked for forgiveness even if not required.
And look, we're already at eight or so replies to this thread and no useful information yet.

Anyway, I do have a momokiri, so am anxiously awaiting to learn how to make wooden nails.

Steve

Awright, Steve,

Now you're makin' me crazy. Iz it iz or iz it ain't a real thing? And if so, what?

And sorry, sorry, sorry for endless thread.

Y

Yojimbo, no sweat. I'm OK if you're OK and hopefully all the others are OK too.

What are we talking about? Remember my first post and how I said to realize it was a useless filler? Well, I guess somebody added water (me) and its starting to grow of its own accord.
Anyway, it ain't real. What time is it where you are? Its 1230 am here so I better get to bed. Twelve-thirty and all's well.

G'night. Hopefully by tomorrow (or later today) someone will have an answer for us about wooden pegs.

Steve

Here's hoping. G'night.
yo

Don't know if this will help much, but I made some a while back. Started by bandsawing up sections of seasoned bamboo, which was then split to oversize squarish lengths. Then pointed one end slightly with a whittling knife and drove them through a series of progressively smaller holes which I drilled in a thick steel plate, using a mallet. Don't drive them straight into the hole of the exact diameter, but pare them down slowly 'till you get what you require, working square into round profile. The advantage of 'driven' dowels as opposed to machined or whittled ones is they retain their fibres intact, not weakened by cutting through the length. As for more details on hardening I have no idea, seasoning bamboo is a new field to me.

Cheers.

Hi, Andy --

Thanks. Wouldn't have realized about the fibers without you. Great advice. And much appreciated.

Anyone know about fire tempering?

Thanks again,
y

Yojimbo,

I did search my memory but it is very foggy. I attended a shoji making seminar with Toshio Odate quite a few years ago. It was just over the course of a weekend. Needless to say, a lot of information was passed our way (Odate san is quite a story teller as well as a master craftsman). Anyway, among his many stories was information about bamboo nails. I took many notes about shoji and Japanese tools/woodworking, but alas, I didn't take any notes about the nails (hence my not paying attention comment). What I do remember, oddly enough, is that he talked about heating the nails. What I think I remember was that they were placed over an open flame but in a ceramic bowl. I think that the heat caused a change in colour (thus some physical change), but that's about it.
I have done a search on the 'net (as I'm sure you have), but it has never produced any info about bamboo nails.
I believe that the momokiri is used to drill the hole for wood or bamboo nails but I don't know how the nails are made to match the shape of the hole.
BTW, this post is not supposed to be a useless filler (or an attempt at humour).

Ever helpful,
Steve