I did a video about strength testing these skewers a while back called "Skewer Joints by OTB Thinker". they do seem to add a lot of strength. one tip, drill a hole in a small block to put over the skewer when pounding in and they won't split as easily. great video.
You've probably found this out in the time since this video, but in case you haven't: a lot of old tansu do use wooden nails. The ones I've seen are usually cedar, they're tapered, and they don't use glue. They do eventually come out, but they last long enough that 150 year old chests still have most of them more or less in place. (Someone more knowledgeable on traditional woodworking would probably know more, but this is just what I've seen from growing up in a Japanese antique shop).
I love using bamboo skewers, because I can hammer them in dry, keep the them long and then slightly pull the pieces apart to make a makeshift explode view. Awesome for glue ups. When glued, just press, clamp together and clip the skewers to length. Or keep them long for grip when applying a coating.
I've found that if you glue the nails they will swell a lot and it makes hammering them in a bit harder. I use a bit 1/64" larger than I normally would and things go together well and I haven't had any issues with them coming out or loosening. My oldest piece is only 6 years old though, so time will tell. But that piece has moved several times including once across the pacific ocean.
I've been using bamboo chopsticks for years as fasteners for my woodworking projects. Sometimes I have to shave them down to size to fit. They haven't failed me yet.
I used something similar to these bamboo nails recently, had some square profile candy floss sticks in my kitchen drawers. Drilled a slightly smaller hole, tapped them in and they hold great. Awesome job matey
Bamboo is a kind of heavy grass, great because it is fibrous and flexible. When it comes to joints moving using metal fixings, modern 'wire' nails still move along with the wood more than something like a screw, which can prevent the wood moving at all - unless the holes are drilled to be either oblong or keyhole style. I certainly learned this the hard way over the years, trying to figure this all out! Thanks for the video.
I've played with bamboo skewers for dowels, but mine varied quite a bit in size. So, I drilled a hole in a small steel plate and forced the pieces of skewer through it. They came out beautifully sized. I went ahead and drilled more holes in standard sizes to use on dowels in the future.
@@Lemongrasspicker yea but metal nails hold the piece using tension from being driven into the wood. Thats why it doesn't need wood glue. -your know it all viewer
I've used disposible chopsticks, they have an already-machined-in tapered shape like cut nails and are cheap as the skewers are. The taper means I get multiple sizes from one pair though - both a positive and a negative I guess. For holes that small you might wanna get a push drill. There's a modern one made by eazypower that takes hex bits.
It held up for about 3 years. I was impressed with that considered how low effort it actually was lol The wood broke before the bamboo did. So it is definitely a viable method for construction and joinery.
Not to be nitpicking, but bamboo is classified as a grass, not wood. Still a great building material and very renewable, if I recall you can start harvesting bamboo after just three years.
This channel kinda slipped to the back burner of my subscriptions, and I must say, I missed it. It's interesting to see the progress you've made over several months. You're a great craftsman, don't ever stop.
@@Lemongrasspicker Me neither. I work full-time, and I'm studying part-time to become a gasfitter. Back in the summer, I made a small toolbox for my brother's socket set. I wanted to send you a pic, but I wasn't sure how, since I don't use twitter.
@@DangitBobby1990 I don't use twitter either. Maybe you could send a message on patreon? I'd like to see it, little projects like that are always cool.
How does your 'T square measuring device thing' NOT move when you bash it with a hammer?! Also it's amazing to see you using all those power tools... human power.
Question: How many vids have you posted? I had a hit that you put one up about hoop chisels or chisel hoops and it has disappeared and it is not visible (to me) on your page.
It actually lasted a couple years. I don't rightly remember but I think that when a massive ice storm killed the power I ended up burning it to keep the family warm.
More sticker removals please, Bruce!
No sticker shall survive......
I did a video about strength testing these skewers a while back called "Skewer Joints by OTB Thinker". they do seem to add a lot of strength. one tip, drill a hole in a small block to put over the skewer when pounding in and they won't split as easily. great video.
Thanks for watching!
You've probably found this out in the time since this video, but in case you haven't: a lot of old tansu do use wooden nails. The ones I've seen are usually cedar, they're tapered, and they don't use glue. They do eventually come out, but they last long enough that 150 year old chests still have most of them more or less in place. (Someone more knowledgeable on traditional woodworking would probably know more, but this is just what I've seen from growing up in a Japanese antique shop).
I love using bamboo skewers, because I can hammer them in dry, keep the them long and then slightly pull the pieces apart to make a makeshift explode view. Awesome for glue ups. When glued, just press, clamp together and clip the skewers to length. Or keep them long for grip when applying a coating.
Im going to try that! Great looking little box, looks easy enough for a beginner like me.
I've found that if you glue the nails they will swell a lot and it makes hammering them in a bit harder. I use a bit 1/64" larger than I normally would and things go together well and I haven't had any issues with them coming out or loosening. My oldest piece is only 6 years old though, so time will tell. But that piece has moved several times including once across the pacific ocean.
It's been 16+ months since this vid, so I imagine that you've discovered that bamboo has extreme dimensional stability.
I've been using bamboo chopsticks for years as fasteners for my woodworking projects. Sometimes I have to shave them down to size to fit. They haven't failed me yet.
Cool deal sir
I used something similar to these bamboo nails recently, had some square profile candy floss sticks in my kitchen drawers. Drilled a slightly smaller hole, tapped them in and they hold great. Awesome job matey
Thanks for watching!
Bamboo is a kind of heavy grass, great because it is fibrous and flexible. When it comes to joints moving using metal fixings, modern 'wire' nails still move along with the wood more than something like a screw, which can prevent the wood moving at all - unless the holes are drilled to be either oblong or keyhole style. I certainly learned this the hard way over the years, trying to figure this all out! Thanks for the video.
I've played with bamboo skewers for dowels, but mine varied quite a bit in size. So, I drilled a hole in a small steel plate and forced the pieces of skewer through it. They came out beautifully sized. I went ahead and drilled more holes in standard sizes to use on dowels in the future.
Maximum utilization of available resources. Great build. Thanks for sharing it.
good job, the bamboo nails look very decorative!
Thanks for watching!
I love your videos. I've already learned so much.
If you pre-drill and glue them, are they not just really tiny dowels?
Maybe? Of course we could call metal nails "tiny metal dowels" so I guess it's really more how you look at it.
@@Lemongrasspicker yea but metal nails hold the piece using tension from being driven into the wood. Thats why it doesn't need wood glue.
-your know it all viewer
@@Kaodusanya if you taper those sticks its a wooden nail, otherwise a dowel I would say.
Cool Idea! Can't wait to see how it holds up!
Thanks sir
I use these to fill old screw holes all the time. It’s helpful when adjusting door hinges.
Another wonderful video as always! I feel like there's gonna be a shortage of bamboo skewers soon because of this, I'm certainly gonna buy some.
I don't know about that lol but thanks for watching!
Great idea, I will be buying some to use as the dowels in my miniature Japanese tool boxes. Thanks
Thank YOU for watching
If you rub some candle wax at the bttom of the drawer, it'll slide better
I've used disposible chopsticks, they have an already-machined-in tapered shape like cut nails and are cheap as the skewers are. The taper means I get multiple sizes from one pair though - both a positive and a negative I guess.
For holes that small you might wanna get a push drill. There's a modern one made by eazypower that takes hex bits.
Rather nice, as usual. Thanks for sharing.
I use chop sticks shave them down to fit works so well!!
Groovy, I loved it.
Been doing this for years on small parts with glue.
Your accuracy with the ryoba is impressive. I have to use a guide.
Nothing wrong with using a guide. As long as you get the cut you news
Is there an updated video on how this held up? I'm curious!
It held up for about 3 years. I was impressed with that considered how low effort it actually was lol
The wood broke before the bamboo did. So it is definitely a viable method for construction and joinery.
NICE STUFF. LOVE THIS! Goat head sez that he is hearin a need for a dab of some machine oil on those armstrong tools
I actually did oil it lol its just a really cheap drill is all, creaky.
Not to be nitpicking, but bamboo is classified as a grass, not wood. Still a great building material and very renewable, if I recall you can start harvesting bamboo after just three years.
Beautiful work
Aww brill amazing thanks so much hehe.
Doitashimashte friend
Like Always. . .Excellent Job Buddy. . . Thanks for sharing 👍👏
Question, where do u buy your Japanese tools? I'm looking I to gettin some but ain't trying To get burn ... thanks n keep up the great vids !!
Great video. How did they survive the seasons, in comparison to iron nails?
This thing lasted maybe 3 years? Been a while so I don't rightly remember
Very nice video -- thanks!
It’s been two years, have the bamboo nails held?
They sure have.
Holly crap you do sound like Bruce Campbell.
This channel kinda slipped to the back burner of my subscriptions, and I must say, I missed it. It's interesting to see the progress you've made over several months. You're a great craftsman, don't ever stop.
I appreciate that. I don't get to do as much woodworking as I'd like these days but I don't have any plans of quitting any time soon.
@@Lemongrasspicker Me neither. I work full-time, and I'm studying part-time to become a gasfitter. Back in the summer, I made a small toolbox for my brother's socket set. I wanted to send you a pic, but I wasn't sure how, since I don't use twitter.
@@DangitBobby1990 I don't use twitter either. Maybe you could send a message on patreon? I'd like to see it, little projects like that are always cool.
Thanks for sharing that
Holy cow you do sound like Bruce Campbell!!! Ps, love the vids. Keep it up
Thanks for watching!
Very good! Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Really cool. You just gave me some good ideas. Actually you always give me good ideas. The idea queue is too long.
Thanks sir!
Just wondering...what size drill bit did you use?
A 3mm seemed to work best
How does your 'T square measuring device thing' NOT move when you bash it with a hammer?!
Also it's amazing to see you using all those power tools... human power.
did the bamboo nails hold?
Sure did. About 4 years
Question: How many vids have you posted? I had a hit that you put one up about hoop chisels or chisel hoops and it has disappeared and it is not visible (to me) on your page.
There's maybe 30 videos? I did a video on hoop setting a little over a year ago. Not sure what's up with that.
How well did the nails last?
It actually lasted a couple years. I don't rightly remember but I think that when a massive ice storm killed the power I ended up burning it to keep the family warm.
Make it a Feature!
Put some oil on that drill.
It was oiled actually. It's just really cheap and creaky lol
sooooo a bamboo peg? lol
oh my god you sound like my hero Bruce Campbell
Groovy
This is not gonna last. Bamboo skewers are simply not designed to handle any meaningful load. I would use real wood or bamboo nails, or just use glue.
It lasted quite a while. 3 years from the day I made it
Неряшливая работа.
k
Who is Bruce Campbell?
its a grass
Yes
Some folks call those wooden nails dowels.
I am not one of those people. Thanks for watching!