Workshop Wednesdays - Split Handle Rake archive
Wednesday 16 September 2015
An extract from Woodland Craft, by Ben Law
Gallery
Wooden rakes used for traditional country tasks such as haymaking looked set to disappear in the British Isles, but with the resurgence of low-impact farming and, in particular, the scything of grass, traditional ash (Fraxinus excelsior) rakes are making a come back. Handcrafted wooden rakes are light, well balanced and an item of beauty as well as a practical tool.
Types of rake
The two main types of hay rakes are the bowstay rake, formed with a bow of hazel to support the rake head - northern in origin - or the split-handle type found in the south. Larger drag rakes were used in fields without rocks and bumps where the extra width was useful without increasing effort.Materials you will need
1 pole for the stail - 198 x 38mm
1 pole for the head - 71 x 100mm - enough for two heads
1 ash log for the tines - 30 x 30cm
Tin plate or thick wire - for securing the split
Nails - 25mm and 38mm
Stail engine
Draw knife
Froe
Japanese ripsaw
Side axe
Tine cutter
Maul
Tin snips
Hammer
Knife
Brace or cordless drill
Calipers
Selection of auger bits
Features of a rake
The size of a rake is chosen depending upon the type of grass to be raked and the height of the user. Having a well-balanced, light rake is essential, especially if you are to be raking all, or most of, the day. Another important factor is the smoothness of the stail - handle. The stail must slide easily through the hand as it is drawn back and forth during the raking process. Although a rough pair of working hands will smooth it with continued use, ensuring a smooth stail to begin with is better. A stail engine is used to do this - an adaption of a rounding or rotary plane with a block of wood clamped to it. An adjustment on the block by loosening the screws creates a smooth taper along the stail. The head is also usually made from ash and is cleft. Holes are then bored for the tines - the prongs that stick out of the head - which are again made from ash.Making the split stail
The size of the rake can be adapted for the purpose of its intended use. Choose a six-month seasoned ash pole for the stail of about 38mm diameter and remove the bark using a draw knife. Next, set the stail engine to smooth the stail and create a gentle taper.Cleave the stail using a lath froe - or use a Japanese ripsaw - down the pole for approximately 60cm - See Fig 1. Prior to cleaving, the split must be secured with thick wire or tin plate where it the split is to stop and meet the fully round part of the stail. This will prevent the stail from being split completely in two and will stop it opening any further - See Fig 2. The split ends that go into the head can be further shaped to about 12mm diameter with a draw knife or rounding plane.