Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Bark Removal Tool?
Don Thompson, Cutler Ridge, South of Miami FL
>I have been inspired by various posts here to rescue small logs (nothing more than a yard long, so far) from the clutches of the wood chipper. Evidently some of the common trees here in sub-tropical Florida may have interesting woodworking properties - anyway, the idea appeals to me.
What would be a good tool for removing the bark? A heavy-duty draw knife? Straight, curved? A spud?
Thanks.
Re: Bark Removal Tool?
Todd Hughes
>I used to sell a few draw knives to guys that used them to de bark small diameter trees that they were using for Tepees and lodges and they always wanted large heavy draw knives because they said the mass helped make it easier to use.Also told me they didn't want them too sharp because that way they wouldn't dig in so easy....Todd
Re: Bark Removal Tool?
Dennis
>Any of those and a slick works also, but you will need shaving horse,spliting axe and down the slope you go.
Get some Woman's tongue(Albizia Lebbek) great color and texture.
A good old worn out shovel.
Basil
>Correction-----don't get a 'good' shovel but do try to find a heavy old wornout one.
My great uncle was tight with a dollar when it came to building farm sheds. He used to skin out poles for barn construction. Here's what he did.
Get an old worn out round nose shovel that has been worn to the point that it curves back into the shovel in much the same configuration that it once protruded outwardly. Or just grind it into that configuration. Let the logs lay awhile until the bark begins to loosen up a little. Have the logs laying on the ground for the skinning process. Start on one end and get a small area clean. Then using one side or the other of the sharp point part of the concave center portion of the shovel, slide it under the bark and twist or rock the shovel back and forth or up and down as needed to pry off strips of bark.
My greatuncle usually did 8" to 12" logs and the concave section of the shovel pretty well fit the curve of the logs and he made it look easy to do. If you try this and it works for you, I think you might want to make the concave portion a little different on 2 or 3 shovels for different size logs.
Basil
Re: Bark Removal Tool?
kees laan
>Todd, I think you're right, the big rounded one of Gransforsbruks is also used for it .
regards,
kees
Re: A good old worn out shovel.
Greg B�tit, Vergennes, VT
>Good idea with the shovel, Basil!
But I've found that oak, hickory and ash peel easier when freshly cut. The juicier the better (cut in Spring/Summer VS winter). I have made one slit down the length and peeled 5' ash logs in one piece. I worry the bark off with a dullish hatchet blade when the logs are fresh. The whole-log ash bark is fun craft stuff. I've made containers, masks for kids, a back-of-lathe shaving catcher, etc. Its almost too much of a distraction from the actual wood I'm supposed to be riving into chair parts!
When the logs are drier, I have been using a gozunga draw knife. But the shovel idea sounds like it is worth trying.
Thanks,
Greg