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This is my version of a riving brake originally made by Peter Galbert. It is constructed of southern yellow pine and plywood, with 3/4" pipe nipples for cross-pieces. My modification was to fully box in the lumber with plywood, trapping the nipples within. Since I have a tendency to run into things sticking out, this seemed the safest course.

For full construction details, see my pair of blog articles:

http://littlegoodpieces.wordpress.com/2011/04/22/riving-brake-part-1/

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3,465 Posts
That's a great piece! I'd love to see it in action because I don't do much green woodworking and I'd love to know how it works.
 

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I dont know what it is or what it does, but it looks cool
 

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Sorry, Daddy T, I guess I should have made that clear. A riving brake holds pieces of green wood while they are levered apart (rived) with a froe. Traditionally, a forked tree trunk was used to wedge the pieces for this process. Peter Galbert's design makes it much easier to brace differently-sized pieces at the best angle for you.
 

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Thanks for the clarification ,a interesting tool,well done.
 

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I must be over-thinking this.

I did followed the links and I understand what you start with, and I understand that you end up with split boards that have a minimum of cut grain, unlike using a saw. But it isn't coming together for me. (More coffee?)

Please explain (or even a link) to the process and how this device helps you get from a large piece of wood and down to the split blanks.

Thanks,

-Dave
 

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Rather than try to explain myself, let me give you some links to blog articles by Peter Follansbee, one of the foremost experts on the process that I know of. If these don't immediately make things clear, a search for "riving" on his website will turn up a wealth of information on the subject. Hope this helps!

http://pfollansbee.wordpress.com/2009/10/20/i-forgot-stability/

http://pfollansbee.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/more-carving-riving-cedar/

http://pfollansbee.wordpress.com/2009/12/28/some-birds-some-woodworking/
 

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OK. That explains it. The "brake" helps to hold the wood blank in place while you split it with the froe. Makes sense now.

This is why I like Lumber Jocks. Always learning new (old school) things and techniques from others.

Thanks!,

-Dave
 
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