No power tools allowed!

[oliver2-44 9,743]

Thanks, I'm always looking to improve my woodworking bag of tricks and skills.  The sandpaper on the form is a neat new one to me!

[formariz 11,987]

Two are now done. Removed them a little earlier from form since it is pretty warm in here and it’s curing fast. They will be dressed to about 2/3 of their width. Have enough material milled for two more this way they will already be done for the next one.

 

On the trial runs I leave them in form overnight. When removed for glue they will already keep 50% of the tight bottom curve which makes it a lot easier and faster on the glue up. It had been a few years since I used this form, so waxed parts were not as slippery as they should have been . It wasn't a problem but decided to cover it with the 3M blue tape which has a very slippery surface

.

Forgot to mention that for something like this or somewhat complicated requiring long glue open time, I use Elmer's Glue All White glue. It has the longest open time of any glue of this type out there.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 19, 2023 by formariz

[formariz 11,987]

I was able to make 4 with material that was milled. They are already reduced in width to their final size and preliminarily dressed. Final dressing and possibly some decorations still to do. Laminations came out nicely with tight , gap less invisible glue lines. 
 

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,553]

Beautiful work!!!

 

No cracks?

[formariz 11,987]

6 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Beautiful work!!!

 

No cracks?

Thank you. No not one single crack. Not much to it . The idea  is to take one’s time and do dry runs , slow bending and clamping. Leaving them overnight clamped prior to gluing helps a lot. When unclamped to glue and clamp again they already retain 50% of the shape in the main bend. Time the gluing process, have all clamps and blocks at hand and should go without turning into a panic. 

[formariz 11,987]

Inside of arches needs to be shaped to a somewhat oval shape across their width in order to make it comfortable and not dig into animals’ neck and shoulder. I use a spokeshave and scrapers for that. All edges also get rounded at this point. 

 

Edited January 26, 2023 by formariz

[Handy Don 12,217]

Would these have ever been made by steam bending? I made some cover supports for my guideboat. I used birch and was quite suprised at the degree of flex and conformity to the template I had once they were heated.

[formariz 11,987]

3 hours ago, Handy Don said:

Would these have ever been made by steam bending? I

Traditionally they are not even steam bent. They are bent over fire pretty much like one uses fire inside a barrel to make staves pliable for bending. A proper sized sapling of usually walnut ( around 4” diameter ) is split in half. It is dressed with a draw knife to almost its finished dimensions . Then using a rather rudimentary form it is bent while on the fire. The rate of success varies since there are too many variables in the process. That was however how they were all made. No steam bending and no laminating. Curves however very rarely are close to the extreme that I have on  mine. 
  With the type of oxen used in these yokes, this shape follows the neck better and it is more efficient and comfortable when pulling. 
 

 I have steam bent them but the shape does not stay constant all the time and I find that it is a lot more work. This way there is more consistency and it is forgiving of material quality or grain direction since one is dealing with pieces less than 1/8” thick. 
 

When using them one has to fit them over oxen’s neck first by opening them up pulling them up over the neck. On steam or fire bent one’s one has to be careful as not to open them excessively because they may break. Over time it’s sort of inevitable specially if there is already a slight failure at bending.

  The laminated ones are extremely strong and extremely hard to open . One really needs help to do it. They are like a real tough spring. I am however the only one ever to make them like this. I like the consistent results . Wether I make two or twenty they are always identical to each other.

 

Fire bent typical bows 

Typically made from walnut saplings

typical fire bent shape 

Hand wrought hardware to keep them closed

 

 Another fire bent one this one made from eucalyptus 

 Mark from the form

 Mark from clamping  outside over form on fire

Edited January 26, 2023 by formariz

[formariz 11,987]

Leather work starts. Method is simple but proven for centuries. Increased friction under load is the secret to it staying put and strong. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 26, 2023 by formariz

[953 nut 55,215]

9 hours ago, formariz said:

A proper sized sapling of usually walnut ( around 4” diameter ) is split in half. It is dressed with a draw knife to almost its finished dimensions . Then using a rather rudimentary form it is bent while on the fire. The rate of success varies since there are too many variables in the process. That was however how they were all made. No steam bending

   If the sapling is green when being bent with the fire I guess some steam would be generated inside the sapling.     Heartwood being much stronger than sapwood your laminated method will probably outlast the old traditional method. As gorgeous as your work is I think the laminated yokes are much more fitting.

[formariz 11,987]

Just about to the point that it can be used. Only center harness left for that. Some decorations to  do in arches and it’s there.

 

[formariz 11,987]

Working on center harness which is the part that attaches yoke to cart. It’s a large leather belt. It’s a tough one to break in so it will flex to the area it is supposed to go to. Continuous wedging to stretch it and occasionally soaking it with alcohol will do it. 
 

 

[formariz 11,987]

Final touches, decorations on arches.

 

 

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,553]

Maybe I missed it... are you going to stain / finish the wood? 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,553]

repeat post

Edited January 27, 2023 by SylvanLakeWH

[SylvanLakeWH 25,553]

repeat post

Edited January 27, 2023 by SylvanLakeWH

[formariz 11,987]

19 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

Maybe I missed it... are you going to stain / finish the wood? 

I decided that in the traditional way I am going to leave this one unfinished . Natural oxidation and one’s hands through handling will provide the finish. I have grown fond of its light ivory look. 

[formariz 11,987]

Arches are done

 

 

 

 

[rjg854 11,361]

Don't even miss one little detail  

[formariz 11,987]

This is it. It’s completed. As mentioned before I decided to leave it unfinished in the traditional way. It would have been to owner to finish them if so wished. Usually they would varnish them. I always oil and wax them. I like them however unfinished showing the true character of wood used. It will be up to time and handling to provide the finish. 

 Front

 

 

 

 

 Back

 

 

 

[tunahead72 2,412]

Let me be the first to congratulate you, Caz, that is just gorgeous!  Well done, and thanks for taking us along for the ride!

 

[wallfish 16,995]

WOW. An incredible work of art.

[SylvanLakeWH 25,553]

Beautiful!!!

 

[formariz 11,987]

Thank you everyone for the kind words and indulging me through out this . It was my intention when I planed to build it to leave a complete photographic record of every step involved in its construction. Since I am the last and only one to build this type of yoke I felt it necessary so future generations can see exactly how they were made. It has been done so in memory of those who shared their knowledge with me. I thought that you would enjoy the process using only hand tools as it used to be so I posted it here. The point of using only hand tools was not only so it would be entirely done the traditional way but more importantly to feel what the ones before me felt. It has really been a labor of love and it reflects the influence and teachings of several individuals. One day hopefully I will take it overseas to be used at least once . It will be displayed here and “eventually “ in my children’s and grandchildren’s homes. 

[rjg854 11,361]

Truly a work of art, Caz. Congratulations on this awesome piece of history. I know and appreciate that it will remain in your family, but it also belongs in a museum or some type of gallery for the world to be able to see it.