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Tools for Building Log Furniture

Log furniture is mainly wood that has not been processed through traditional mills. Whether you are wanting to build rails, bed frames, chairs, footstools or whatever else you might want to put your hand to building, you are going to need a comprehensive set of tools to get the job done.

Tenon Cutters
- Tenon cutters come in a variety of sizes, although each cutter is semiadjustable by utilizing a set screw. Tenon cutters are attached to power drills and allow you to make slots so you can insert one log into another. Tenon cutters are essential for being able to put together log furniture without the use of nails. Blades are removable for sharpening, so if you buy a cutter and maintain it properly, it can last a long time. When buying a tenon cutter, the first number is the diameter of the tenon that it will cut, while the second number is the largest diameter log that the cutter will be able to cut. Different tenon cutters are able to cut different joints ranging from through joints, countersink and noncountersink joints, or joints with different angles of taper.
Draw Knives
- Draw knives allow you to cut through logs without having to use a power tool, taking you back to the traditional pioneering and lumberjack times before saws were used. Oftentimes, power tools are not suitable for rough, coarse logs as they can cause blades to skip and jump, potentially creating hazards for the user. Straight draw knives not only can shape logs and make clean cuts through logs, but curved draw knives can also be utilized to peel bark. Draw knives will require a file to sharpen each individual tooth in order to keep it operating smoothly and efficiently.
Log Mate and Tenon Mate
- The log mate helps to secure your log while working on it so that it does not move around. As a result, the log is easier and safer to work with, making your time on the job much more efficient as well. The log mate features ratcheting straps that will secure logs up to 6 inches in diameter. The complimentary tenon mate system integrates with the log mate so that the tenon cutter and drill are held in a fixed position; that way, each cut is consistent.
Mallets
- There is a wide variety of mallets available for woodworking. Look for a mallet that is suitable for the job that you are doing. Since wood is somewhat soft, blows from traditional hammers will leave marks. A hammer or mallet with a rubber coating will help to reduce the impact on the wood while still creating enough force to get the job done.

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