How To Make Oak Shakes

The use of wood shingles flourished in the American colonies thanks to the abundance of trees. The practice of using shingles for the roof as well as the walls of homes and farm buildings continues to this day. It is possible to make shingles today as they were made in colonial America.

Oak logs, at least 14 inches tall by 14 inches in diameter
Log splitter or broad ax
Ironwood mallet
Froe
Stump
Shaving horse
Draw knife

Instructions

- 1
  Split the sections of oak logs into quarters with either a log splitter or a broad ax.
- 2
  Set one of the quarters on a large, flat stump. Determine how thick you would like to make your shingle, and place the sharp edge of the froe on top of the quarter of oak at that point. The froe is a woodworking tool with a long, thick blade and a short wooden handle on one side perpendicular to the blade.
- 3
  Grasping the froe handle, rap the blade of the froe with the ironwood mallet. You may have to do a few raps before the wood splits the rest of the way on its own. Continue this process with all of the quarters of oak.
- 4
  Place each shingle on the shaving horse, rough side up. Grasp the draw knife's handles with both hands. Place the blade near the bottom of the shingle and draw the knife toward you, shaving the shingle until you reach the smoothness you like. This may take many passes before your shingle is complete.

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