Objektnummer
51/337
Beskrivelse
A froe, also known as a fromard, is a tool used like a wedge to split timber lengthways into boards. This one was used at R. Middleton & Sons' wheelwrights workshop in Eddington, Hungerford, from about 1860 and its small size suggests it was probably used for light cleaving work.
Fysisk beskrivelse
1 fromard: steel blade; wooden handle
Arkivhistorik
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'Fromards are used for cleaving wood, though sometimes the coarser work is done with an axe. They are used mainly by hurdle makers and coopers for splitting poles. There are several ways of using the fromard. One of them is to use a tree felled 3 or 4 feet from the ground, as a splitting post. The split is started by holding the sharp edge of the fromard against one end of the rod and tapping it down to the top of the post, so that as the split increases the two sections pass on either side of the post. For cleaving the large logs the blade is driven in with a wooden mallet or beetle. The size and weight of the fromard varies with the type of work. // Mr. Massingham cites the use of this tool in slatting. In conjunction with a mallet, it was used to cleave oak pegs for fixing the slats to the roof-battens. He says that it was also used for finding the medullary ray in oak, beech, sycamore and chestnut. The carpenter felt for the circles when the wood was green by tapping with the fromard and mallet. This process is called 'quartering'. // The fromard is also known as a FROW, FROWARD, FRAMMER, or FRUMMER, names probably derived from the fact that the tool is always driven away from the user. Other names are REAMER, DILLAXE, THROWER, DIVIDER, SIDE KNIFE, and CLEAVING KNIFE (Shropshire). // The fromard is shaped like a letter L, the upright arm is a wooden handle and the horizontal one a steel blade, sharpened on its lower edge. The handle is 11” long, and the blade 6.5” long and 1.25” wide. // It was in use in the Middletons’ wheelwright’s shop at Hungerford from about the middle of the 19th century. It is a small type, probably used for light cleaving work.'
Produktionsdato
1825-01-01 - 1874-12-31
Produktionsperiode
Mid-nineteenth century
Objektnavn
Materiale
Eksternt dokument
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\35 series negatives\Scans\35_301.tif - High resolution image
