Oils

Some of the different oils I am using to preserve tools and wood with. From left to right: Japanese Tea Oil (Camellia Oil), Chinese Tea Oil (Camellia Oil also), Safflower Oil, Rice Bran Oil. I am very fond of the Chinese camellia oil with the bright yellow label. I am currently using it on all my tools, wood and metal. The Japanese oil is great also, but too expensive for everyday use. I am still trying out the saffron oil, and rice bran oil, no conclusions on those two yet. I once used boiled linseed oil for woods, such as the tops and sides of dai and chisel handles. I have found that the stickiness of the linseed oil never goes away, it just gets messier as time goes on.

Spoon Bottom Plane

Strike Thru Chisel

Cooper's Kanna

Big Hammer

Naguri Nomi (Convex Getaya Chisel) ナグリ鑿

Iiyori Timber Slick

Japanese Shipwright Hammer - Funate Genno

Window Frame Plow Plane (mado waku shakuri kanna)

Window frame plow plane (mado waku shakuri kanna). Used in western influenced carpentry to cut grooves in window frames for sashes. 30mm blade (1-3/16") one of the two common sizes, the other is 36mm. Most likely a wholesaler brand, which is common with specialty and molding planes (men tori kanna) going by the thick non-legible stampings. The center stamping is legible, but I haven't taken the time to look up the kanji yet.

Makita 3004A 21mm Groover - Cutter - Notcher

This is the Makita Model 3004A Groover - Cutter. It is essentially a handheld dado saw. The blades are a fixed width and come in sizes up to 21mm for the particular model. Makita makes two different size ranges (small and large) and at one time were making 4 models, 2 in each size. To my knowledge, these were never offered to the US market, but may have or still be available in Canada. The UL requirements were cited as a reason for not importing the tool. This particular unit was made in Japan for the Japanese domestic market. In general, the good power tools there are way above anything we can now buy here, nowadays (I have some great Makita tools from the 1980's sold in US).

The groover has an adjustable fence, and is depth adjustable, but is made to plunge. It has an exceptionally long cord to tangle without the help of an extension cord. Blades are available in 2 cutter, or 4 cutter models, in carbide or steel. The 4 cutter model leaves a smoother finish at a higher price. This one has the optional vacuum port attachment (a $5 option).

I will try to get a video up of this thing in action, in the coming weeks.