In the world of woodworking projects, geta are as simple as you can get.They are three pieces of wood.Geta are made from a single piece of wood.If you don't mind sacrificing authenticity for simplicity, stick with the three piece project shown here.The more daring craftsmen can use a more advanced method to make the traditional single-piece sandal.
Step 1: To do the job right, you really need a saw and a drill, not the absolute basics.
A fine cross-cut blade is what the hand saw has.This can be accomplished with a tenon saw of back saw.The major parts can be cut out with this saw.There are either electric jig or sabre saws.If you're short on cash, you can use a wood rasp or sandpaper to round the corners of the sole.You might want to get the rasp if you're not very skilled at sawing.It's great to clean up those rough saw edges.The drill is a hand or electric drill.You should get an electric with a 3/8" chuck if you buy one.It costs less than a good drill and has more uses.The hand route requires you to get the right type of bit.If it's an egg-beater style drill, you should buy a 1/4" drill or a 3/8" drill.If it's a bit brace, you should buy a small auger bit.A twist drill bit has a flat end, while an auger one has something on the end.Sandpaper and a sanding block.You can have a nice finish with a good assortment of grits.A good finish with 220.There is a chisel and a hammer.
Step 2: The materials:
There is something for the thongs.Red Oak should be found at your local Home Depot or Lowes store.You can try a lumberyard.
Step 3: Soles and ha
The typical adult geta has soles that are 4 to 5 inches wide, 9 to 11 inches long, and 2 to 4 inch thick.The ha are the same width as well as thick and high.The total wood requirements are about 2 feet (0.6 m) of 4 or 5 inch (10.2 or 12.7 cm) wide by 2 to 4 inch (1 to 1.9 cm), thick wood.A foot of wood is 4 to 5 inches wide by 1 to 2 inches thick.
Step 4: Most lumber yards only sell full boards, which are usually 8 feet long.
If you have left over wood, you can make geta for your friends.Home depot will cut the wood to your dimensions, or you can cut it yourself.An advantage of finding a place that does this is that they will have scraps for sale so you don't have to buy 8 feet (2.4 m) if you do your own cutting.The soles of geta can be made from plywood.Most of the time plywood is only sold in 4 by 8 foot pieces.Ask about the scraps again.If you want to buy any type of wood, make sure it isn't pressure treated.This type of wood has been treated with potentially harmful chemicals to keep pests at bay, and is used for housing and outdoor projects.Most wood sold at Home Depot and Lowe's has been pressure treated, and it is usually darker in color.You can find wood that hasn't been pressure treated at a local lumberyard.
Step 5: You should have the materials for twinning.
The nylon rope from the hardware store is not very comfortable.There are many layers to the Japanese made geta.There is a rope around 8 inch in diameter.Maybe it's jute or hemp.Walmart sells a 100% cotton cord that is very comfortable.
Step 6: It looks like lint when you see the gray padding in some shipping envelopes, so add the next layer which brings the total diameter to nearly 2 inch.
The brown paper is wrapped around a tube of black cloth.The cloth is very thin and fuzzy.You can buy decorative piping at a fabric store.It's available in several sizes, but only in white.It may shrink and lose a lot of its softness if you try dying some black.More experimentation is needed such as finding a way to "paint" it without soaking it, using a non-water based dye, or starting with thicker piping.Maybe a bigger store has it in other colors.The best diameter is 2 inch, which is very comfortable and can be pulled through a small hole.Try to buy stuff that is marked 16/32.
Step 7: For each pair, get about 1 2 yards.
Step 8: Be aware of this fact.
There is a small loop of nylon cord or rope that holds the main thong between the toes.This doesn't have to be soft, but should be the same color as the main one.You don't need much to make a pair of geta.
Step 9: Have the glue.
This is packaged in the same way as other white glues.A good brand is Titebond.It is more suited for wood.Attach the ha with hot glue.You don't have time to fix mistakes so it's harder to work with.You can always slide the pieces into better position with a slow drying glue.
Step 10: While the glue is drying, start thinking about ways to tighten the pieces.
A good option is genuine glue.Walmart sells them for a few dollars each.They're like a pair of pliers with a spring that holds them closed.You might want to get a black plastic with red jaws.You can buy metal C-clamps if you don't care about cost.These ensure a tight bond, but don't tighten too hard, or all the glue will squeeze out and leave a dry, loose fitting joint.
Step 11: Put a couple large rubber bands around the pieces, tightly wrap masking tape around it, or pile books or bricks on the joint.
It's around 10 pounds of pressure.
Step 12: The result of the single piece Geta is a more authentic and durable alternative to the fake one.
The whole of the sandals can be covered by cutting two rectangular blocks each matching the combined dimensions above.They will become the soles and ha.If you don't know how you're going to cut things, draw out the blocks of wood and make a template.The inside edges of the ha are represented by two lines that stop at where the sole will be.Slowly chisel out the rectangular space between the two ha after cutting the edges and stopping at the sole.The bottom of the sole should be cut after that.You're done if you repeat this with the second piece of sand.The bottom of the sole is between the two ha.
Step 13: If you want to protect your wood from water/sweat damage, you should use a wood finish.
The Red Oak's natural color is brought out by this.It works best with oil.