Settlers Wrench / Scotch Auger

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TeeDee

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Nov 6, 2008
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Does anyone have a source for a UK supplier of the following.

Notice the Circular Chisel head design for cutting pegs.

TIA

set.jpg
 
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TeeDee

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What would that be used for.?


The round chisel section can be knocked down the length of slightly larger sticks to produce a constant 1 Inch peg.

The Auger bit is obviously also in the same measurement allowing one to knock up furniture and structure in quick time.

At least I believe that is what its for.
 

TLM

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Nov 16, 2019
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Similar but longer ones are used here for log construction (the old hand way), the pegs used though are square or rectangular cross section.

I have two of different diameter.
 

Dave Budd

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Ive been asked to make them for people in the US, but they would be silly expensive. The tube has to be slightly tapered like a tine cutter and the tube would need to be thicker and tougher than off the shelf pipe (the bloke that makes them in the US turns them from billets of tool steel).

Just use a knife and shavemthe tennons roughly round, they dont need to be dead round to work.
 
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Robson Valley

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Those tools were critical for the erection of home stead barn frames as western Canada was gradually settled.
My family homesteded on the Regina plains in Saskatchewan in 1884. The barn beams were assembled with imported oak pegs. About 1.25" in diameter and more than 12" long. Dad had one from when the old barn was demolished.
I can only imagine that sch a crucial tool was passed from one "sod-buster" to the next as the west was opened up.
 
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TeeDee

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TeeDee, I use a settlers wrench I purchased from here. He makes limited batches and they sell out quickly.


The link I supplied is to the "perfect" ones. He also has a separate page on his site where he sells seconds.

I hope this helps.

- Woodsorrel


Thanks WS , I was looking into a source to possibly organise a GB.
 

Robson Valley

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One of my uncles had one. About a foot long. That's when I was told the story about the assembly of the barn beams.
They shaped the pegs with an axe and finished them in a tube-like cutter. The railroad was new and the flat cars could bring 6x6, 6x8, 6x12 and 8x12 Douglasfir beams of 40' lengths from the Pacific coast.
 

Jared

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I get the feeling that it was made specifically for the Alone series where you are limited on the number of items you could take.

Pretty sure old settlers would have separate tools, just so both can be used at the same time. One banging out pegs, and another boring holes.
 

Stew

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TeeDee, I use a settlers wrench I purchased from here. He makes limited batches and they sell out quickly.


The link I supplied is to the "perfect" ones. He also has a separate page on his site where he sells seconds.

I hope this helps.

- Woodsorrel

Do you find it much better than just an auger and a knife for shaping the tenon? The chisel cutter seems the weak part of the design to me, though I see were it's going. If you're chiseling wood that's only a bit oversized anyway, shaping it down with a knife possibly isn't much work and then add a wedge to tighten?
 
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demographic

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Apr 15, 2005
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The auger part of that just looks like the good Irwin augers I use for drilling out for locks.

The bit that cuts the tapered peg seems to be performing the function of a knife to me.
Just put a point on a stick, bray it in then cut it off flush.
 
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TeeDee

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Guys/Gals - I get the way it can be improvised with just a Knife - My initial post was just trying to see if there was a UK stockist as a possible GB item.

Thanks.
 
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Brizzlebush

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Feb 9, 2019
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Guys/Gals - I get the way it can be improvised with just a Knife - My initial post was just trying to see if there was a UK stockist as a possible GB item.

Thanks.
Hi TeeDee,

This isn't it I know, but it's pretty close. I'm not sure the round wood/pole/peg shavy bit (technical term) is here, but perhaps the seller can put you in touch with the maker?

 
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