Kawai tsugite

Paul Atzenweiler · Wed Mar 25, 2015 2:35 pm

This week I became aware of a joint called Kawai Tsugite. I of course don't know how to pronounce it. I also don't know any history or practical use for this joint, but it makes a good exercise for layout and cutting. The joint consist of 2 pieces cut exactly the same and they can be oriented at 2 different 90 degree angles or straight. Marking out the joint is surprisingly straight forward. There are many repeated angles that MUST be exactly the same so I used 2 sliding t-bevels set with angles 63.4 and 26.6 degrees. I also used my combination square with 90 and 45 degrees. There is one angle that is mismarked in the picture. The angle is 54.7 not 54.3. There are many surfaces in this joint so any mistakes in marking and cutting are quite exaggerated in the finished product. The stock must be dead square. Unlike many joints I have cut, it is very unforgiving and cannot easily be "tightened up" if it doesn't fit. I have enjoyed playing with this joint and I will continue to practice making it. Once I become adept at reproducing it, I may make several sets to give to my woodworking friends. I used Western Red Cedar which in itself is difficult to cut complicated joinery in due to its tendency to tear and chip when cut against the grain. In the future, I will use walnut, cherry, elm, pine, oak, etc.

Paul Atzenweiler · Wed Mar 25, 2015 2:37 pm

More pictures.

Yxoc · Wed Mar 25, 2015 4:24 pm

Paul I love it - well done. Where did You find This beast? Practical use? well training and practice are very practical...

Wed Mar 25, 2015 9:52 pm

Named after the guy who invented it...

Joint was developed in the past 10 years, entirely as a novelty item, a form which can be assembled in two different orientations. You did a good job with the cut out, especially given the material you chose.

Paul Atzenweiler · Thu Mar 26, 2015 12:05 am

I'm currently making the joint again. I am using the same layout but this time I am going to leave negative space from the first joint. Given the way the joint is constructed, it should go together the same but the appearance will be different.

Thu Mar 26, 2015 4:55 pm

Nice work Paul!

Paul Atzenweiler · Fri Mar 27, 2015 2:36 pm

I am wasting a lot of time exploring this impractical joint. Using the exact layout, I recut the joint and reversed what was removed. The result was a different look with the same result - a joint that can be assembled in a straight configuration or at 90 degrees. This is a great exercise in joint cutting because there are many grain direction changes. I used an awful wood for this because western red cedar tears when cut against the grain or end grain even with very sharp chisels. I used my camellia oil a lot while cutting. I urge everyone to try this joint and hopefully your results will be tighter than mine. I would also suggest a different wood that is more forgiving when cutting against the grain because it is impossible not to go against the grain while cutting this.
I would urge you to at least draw the joint, it would be a good exercise in figuring angles and such.