#axecraft

My scout axe and hatchet at a campsite last year. 

Speaking of, I’ve a whole pile of antique axes that my father has cleaned up and rehandled/polished in the workshop getting sheaths made and collar wraps done! Should have them complete in time for the next upcoming market.

mortise and tenon joinery with an axe, a bit and brace, and a saw.  After the board was shaped I augured 3 holes with the bit and brace.  With an expansion bit bit I matched the diameter to slightly smaller than the de barked leg diameter.  Interestingly enough, I discovered that this particular auger actually grows in diameter as you drill, owing to a slightly defective locking mechanism.  This created conical holes, which served my purpose quite well in this case as I had shaved down the diameter of the table legs to create the 'shoulder' of the tenon.  Thus, when the wedge is driven in from the top, the leg is seated in the hole, without a chance of movement in either direction.  The legs are made from dry standing timber, the seat from wet, thus the mortise will shrink around the tenon as the seat dries.