I am so geeking out right now. Two things I love most, woodworking and bicycles, in the same forum! Thanks, Patrick.
Although I have no desire to live on the floor, I always found this joint to be a fairly simple but strong joint for beds: http://www.finewoodworking.com/readerproject/2009/01/21/tatami-style-bed. If you search for tatami or Japanese style beds, you'll find lots of variations (I saw one that used stone for the feet). As for tools, the people at Hida are fantastic, especially the fellow who works Saturdays (Glen, maybe?). I learned how to mount a saw blade into a handle from him which is totally counter-intuitive. The best book I've found for an overview of Japanese woodworking tools is aptly named, "Japanese Woodworking Tools" by Toshio Odate. They sell it at Hida. They really are the best source I've found for Japanese tools. Tiny, but good. It was a drag when Woodcraft bought the Japan Woodworker. They used to have a great showroom in Alameda which was one of my "happy places" in the bay area. The other thing that the "Saturday-guy" recommended to me was a DVD by Jay van Arsdale called, "Connections - Introduction to California Daiku Woodworking - bringing traditional Japanese hand tools and joinery techniques to modern hands". He told me to watch it a couple of times before investing in tools. It gives a good overview for about $50. If you really get into this topic, I can also recommend a few more books: "The Complete Japanese Joinery" is a great book I've referenced a great deal. Another fun read is, "The Genius of Japanese Carpentry: The Secrets of a Craft" by S. Azby Brown. He is an architecture professor who studied the rebuilding of a traditional temple in Japan. If you really get into the traditional Japanese home, here are two more: "Japanese Homes and Their Surroundings" by Edward S. Morse He was a zoologist from Portland, Maine but lived in Japan for a few years in the later 1800's and wrote this book as a "side project" "The Inner Harmony of the Japanese House" by Atsushi Ueda gives a pretty nice overview of the important parts of the traditional Japanese home. Two other books that I think anyone who enjoys Riv bikes and craftsmanship would enjoy are: "The Craftsman" by Richard Sennett and "Shop Class As Soulcraft" by Matthew B. Crawford (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/magazine/24labor-t.html). I came across these as I was trying to build a defense of learning with your hands rather than just teaching students to work in the computer from the start of their design education. I am always defending this as University administrators always seek to get rid of shop facilities. Also, I agree with Michael regarding brands such as Lie Nielsen (MUSA). I buy their planes unless I re-tune an old Stanley or Miller Falls one. I buy my handsaws from Hida (with the exception of one Lie Nielsen. Bad Axe saws are also very nice). As Michael said, you can easily outspend your bike habit with a woodworking habit. That's the reason I only own one Riv. Woodworking takes up the garage AND the money! Sorry for the long post but you tripped on a subject very dear to my heart. Best, John (who is thrilled to be going back to Japan this summer!) On Friday, April 28, 2017 at 4:03:43 PM UTC-7, Deacon Patrick wrote: > > My general approach has become far more clear. There is plenty of > information available on Japanese tools, but not much on joinery specifics. > Thus my plan is: > > -- use Japanese tools because they are designed for using on the floor > (angles, cutting on the pull rather than push, etc). > -- use standard western joinery that I can find easily as I learn Japanese > joinery as I find it. > > This is likely a good thing as just looking as some of those Japanese > joints boggles me poor wee brain. Sardonic grin. > > Eric, the place in Maine no longer Japanese joinery. > > Takashi -- I'd imagine you grew up with "floor living"? (and likely just > considered it "living). > > Garth. Ha! Aye, all cultures floor lived, until their royalty sat in > chairs and other emulated it. Grin. > > Mike -- thanks! Fascinating looking book. > > With abandon, > Patrick > > On Friday, April 28, 2017 at 5:34:08 AM UTC-6, Deacon Patrick wrote: >> >> Thank you, gents! Update: I've talked with both Hida Tool (excellent >> resource and my choice for tools). They suggested I talk with the guy who >> only comes in Saturdays, so I will. and Japanese Wood Worker (now owned by >> Wood Craft, so kind of like getting help on timber framing at Home Depot). >> Eric, I'll check out woodworking Magazine and the Center for Furniture >> Craftsmanship in Maine. I've also made contact with Jay van Arsdale and Hap >> Stanley (of shapton.com sharpeners), so we'll see where that goes. >> >> With abandon, >> Patrick >> >> On Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 12:12:19 PM UTC-6, Deacon Patrick wrote: >>> >>> Does anyone know good books or online resources or someone willing to >>> share the craft via video conference? If so, could you please email me off >>> group (lamontglen [at} mac dot com)? >>> >>> Since we floor live it’s hard to find furniture. Since I’ve been able to >>> work in my own bike shop, we’ve wondered if this is the next step of brain >>> therapy. >>> >>> Thanks! We now return you to your Riv Bunch programing... >>> >>> With abandon, >>> Patrick >>> >>> www.CredoFamily.org >>> www.MindYourHeadCoop.org >>> >>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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