Timber frame musings – ‘The Jowl Post’
PEGS FOR TIMBER FRAMING
Pegs or “tree nails” are used to hold joints together, locking the tenon into the mortice. They are hand made from straight grained offcuts of green oak using a shave horse.
Step 1 – Using a huge amount of brute force and a modicum of skill, cleave the oak along the grain into square blanks with mallet and froe.
Step 2 – The blanks are then bashed through a hexagonal die with yet more brawn and even less dexterity
Step 3 – Apply a gentle taper to the pegs with a drawknife and shave horse.
Step 4 – Leave to dry for a couple of weeks
