Low-Cost System Turns Logs Into Furniture, Fencing

2011 - Volume #35, Issue #2, Page #09

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Building log furniture - or making rail fences - is less expensive and easier with the Logman tenon cutting system from Les Smith. Plus, you might already have the tool to do the cutting in your shop - a heavy-duty 1 3/4 hp or 2 hp router with a 1/2-in. collet.
   Smith came up with the idea after he started building log furniture and started teaching the skill to others. It made him nervous to watch beginners trying to hold and operate heavy drills fitted with expensive cone-shaped tenon cutters. He figured there had to be a simpler way.
  He offers a couple of options. Logman I comes with carbide bit, a holder for the router, and two high-density polyethylene (HDPE) wood guides that make 5/8, 1, 1 1/2 and 2 in. dia. tenons. The router bolts to the tenon maker, which is secured to a workbench. The guides are held in place by wing screws. Turn on the router and push and turn the log through the hole in the wood guide to make as long a radius shoulder tenon as you want or to make a dowel.
  At $149, Logman I has been on the market about five years and has helped many customers make their own furniture and fences, Smith says.
  Last year he developed a tenon cutter to work with larger or bent logs. "It can do more than any tenon cutter out there," Smith says. "The new Logman X allows you to make tenons with different shoulders and tapered tenons. It automatically aligns the tenons, and you can put a tenon on a log up to 8 in. in dia."
  In addition to using the wood guides (including a 2 3/4-in. guide), the stand has a threaded rod feature. Depending how it's positioned, it can make straight or tapered tenons. Holes are drilled in both ends of the log. The rod holds the end to be shaped, and the other end is held level on a log holder with a slide made from conduit. Various bits can be used in the router to make radius, straight or other types of shoulders on the tenons. The logs can be turned by hand or with a cordless drill. Logman X sells for $239. (A less expensive version without the wood guides is available for $159).
  "It puts tenons on really bent logs, which has always been difficult," Smith says, noting that the log holder keeps the ends level.
  The ability to make larger tenons on bigger logs is unique to Logman, as is a wrap around shoulder tenon, which butts up and "locks" the tenon in a hole. Smith shows how to make it and other style tenons in videos on his website.
  Smith also sells a book, "Build Your Own Log Furniture" that includes 10 projects and offers ideas on setting up a business selling furniture.
  Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Les Smith, Logman, P.O. Box 1443, Cut Bank, Mont. 59427 (ph 406 336-2996, www.tenonmaker.com).

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Low-Cost System Turns Logs Into Furniture Fencing FARM HOME Furniture Building log furniture - or making rail fences - is less expensive and easier with the Logman tenon cutting system from Les Smith Plus you might already have the tool to do the cutting in your shop - a heavy-duty 1 3/4 hp or 2 hp router with a 1/2-in collet Smith came up with the idea after he started building log furniture and started teaching the skill to others It made him nervous to watch beginners trying to hold and operate heavy drills fitted with expensive cone-shaped tenon cutters He figured there had to be a simpler way He offers a couple of options Logman I comes with carbide bit a holder for the router and two high-density polyethylene HDPE wood guides that make 5/8 1 1 1/2 and 2 in dia tenons The router bolts to the tenon maker which is secured to a workbench The guides are held in place by wing screws Turn on the router and push and turn the log through the hole in the wood guide to make as long a radius shoulder tenon as you want or to make a dowel At $149 Logman I has been on the market about five years and has helped many customers make their own furniture and fences Smith says Last year he developed a tenon cutter to work with larger or bent logs It can do more than any tenon cutter out there Smith says The new Logman X allows you to make tenons with different shoulders and tapered tenons It automatically aligns the tenons and you can put a tenon on a log up to 8 in in dia In addition to using the wood guides including a 2 3/4-in guide the stand has a threaded rod feature Depending how it s positioned it can make straight or tapered tenons Holes are drilled in both ends of the log The rod holds the end to be shaped and the other end is held level on a log holder with a slide made from conduit Various bits can be used in the router to make radius straight or other types of shoulders on the tenons The logs can be turned by hand or with a cordless drill Logman X sells for $239 A less expensive version without the wood guides is available for $159 It puts tenons on really bent logs which has always been difficult Smith says noting that the log holder keeps the ends level The ability to make larger tenons on bigger logs is unique to Logman as is a wrap around shoulder tenon which butts up and locks the tenon in a hole Smith shows how to make it and other style tenons in videos on his website Smith also sells a book Build Your Own Log Furniture that includes 10 projects and offers ideas on setting up a business selling furniture Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Les Smith Logman P O Box 1443 Cut Bank Mont 59427 ph 406 336-2996 www tenonmaker com

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