Travisher kit

Travisher kit

This kit allows a woodworker to save money by making his own travisher rather than purchasing the completed tool.

The kits contain the following:

• Hard maple block, (CNC) machined to accept the blade.
• Ben Orford blade – hand forged from O1 tool steel (see www.benorford.com).
• Two blade-adjusting set screws, with Allen key, already fitted to the maple body.
• Instructions for making the travisher

Unlike other kits on the market the wood block has already been machined to accept the blade and set-screws. This leaves the maker to shape the block and to adjust the nose (in front of the blade).

Patterns are included to guide the shaping of the tool. My preferred arrangement is for the shavings to emerge from the top of the tool (see completed tool). The advantages of this design is that the back of the tool remains entire giving a comfortable surface on which thumbs/fingers can push/pull; also the back of the blade is supported by the body of the tool over its full length minimising the tendency to chatter. An alternative arrangement is to allow shavings to emerge from the back of the tool and guidance is given for this in the instructions.

Travishers are most effective when held lightly, with fingers and thumbs directly in front of and behind the blade. This gives the user maximum feedback from the blade, of how it is cutting through the wood, allowing immediate and instinctive adjustments to be made.

Tools recommended for making the kit: bandsaw, drum sander, rasp.

Prices

Travisher kit: £55.00 (incl. VAT)

Complete tool: £79.95 (incl. VAT)