the most badass sawhorses on the block

**ryanarcher** · 1st April 2005, 03:36 AM

Here they are, and a close up of the joinery that was layed out in the quiz. I'll be doing some timberframing soon, and after dealing with some flimsy knock together saw horses I finally decided to build some real ones. Made in the traditional japanese fashion for hand tool skill and compound joinery layout practice. SWMBO says that since i spent a whole day building them, they will be our bar stools until the timber framing begins. :eek:
Ever heard of heirloom sawhorses? silly , I know. I just figure that if it's worth making out of wood, it's worth making it built to last.

Have a good one!
-Ryan

P.S. They'll have a softwood sacrificial top when in danger.

**Grunt** · 1st April 2005, 03:41 AM

Absolutely superb.

**Rocker** · 1st April 2005, 06:49 AM

Ryan,

The compound-angle tenon on the side rail of the rocker should be a breeze now. Do you have a book on Japanese joinery? If so, what is it?

The timber looks like rock maple; but what is the red wood that you used for the wedges?

Rocker

**ryanarcher** · 1st April 2005, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by Rocker

Ryan,

The compound-angle tenon on the side rail of the rocker should be a breeze now. Do you have a book on Japanese joinery? If so, what is it?

The timber looks like rock maple; but what is the red wood that you used for the wedges?

Rocker

Rocker,
Thanks for your confidence.

by far the best book I have on Japanese joinery is this one: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...119521-6322525

allthough I learned how to calculate these angles at a japanese hip roof framing class.
You're exactly right. the timber is rock maple, and the stretchers (nuki in japanese) are wedged with bloodwood and the legs with purpleheart.

Cheers,
-Ryan

**Christopha** · 1st April 2005, 02:07 PM

Nice, pretty, cute, ridiculous!

**Grunt** · 1st April 2005, 02:16 PM

Nice, pretty, cute, ridiculous!

I wish you would stop talking about yourself.

**Wongo** · 1st April 2005, 02:26 PM

:eek: :eek:
Ryan dude, your crazy but i like it. I might build a couple myself.

**TassieKiwi** · 1st April 2005, 02:48 PM

They look as strong as........a horse! Excellent work. They'll look better with paint spatters and sawcuts tramlining over the top

Den

**ryanarcher** · 1st April 2005, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by Wongo

:eek: :eek:
Ryan dude, your crazy...

Yeah, I get that a lot.

Thanks Man! I'm glad you want to build some, but if you come help me frame my new shop (in washington :eek: ) i'll give you a pair.

**ryanarcher** · 1st April 2005, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Christopha

Nice, pretty, cute, ridiculous!

After reading the books by James Krenov and george nakashima, i had a long think about woodworking (it's always a long think when your as simple as I am

). There are very few things made of wood that are an asthetic or even functional improvement over the tree that bore them. the wood we work represents a living bieng that survived for 2,3,400 years. and in our infinite wisdom, we humans believe that it is our perogitive to kill this healthy living thing so that we can build forms for our concrete foundation, then throw them away. As a woodworker I feel a responsibility to honor the wood as fittingly as I can. to use it for anything that would not last as long as the tree lived would be a shame. and if that means me sacrificing a little more time on something as ridiculous as sawhorses, then so be it. Now, i wholeheartedly admit that I have never improved on the tree that produced the wood, but i try every time.
I'm not preaching Christopha (preaching to the choir if I am though

). I just thought I'd give my reasoning because when i look at it from the outside them 'horsies are pretty ridiculous.

-Ryan
stepping down from my soap box (that took me a month to build

)

**Wood Borer** · 1st April 2005, 04:59 PM

Ryan,

They are wonderful. Thanks for sharing them with us.

**Driver** · 1st April 2005, 06:00 PM

Magnificent work, Ryan. Congratulations! Something for us to aspire to.

And, yes - you're preaching to the choir but it doesn't hurt to have someone put those sentiments into words now and again. Anyone can knock a sawhorse together with a few bits of wood and some nails. But to make one that is an attempt to do honour to the tree? Now that's a worthwhile enterprise!

Col

**AlexS** · 1st April 2005, 10:02 PM

No wonder you do such nice work when you have such nice tools in your shop. Having saw horses like that must make you feel good about everything you make. Absolutely inspiring.

**boban** · 1st April 2005, 10:34 PM

Now, theyre beautiful saw horses Ryan. Are you sure you want to work on them? I can understand what SWMBO is saying. They are furniture grade. Come to think of it, they are the equivalent of hand made Japanese chisels and your little bloke's child will probably be using them in years to come. A day well spent I'd say.

**derekcohen** · 1st April 2005, 11:06 PM

Ryan

I'd be happy to add a nice tabletop and turn it into a sideboard! Beautiful craftsmanship.

Regards from Perth

Derek

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