This month's item is a tenon cutter, often referred to simply as a dowel cutter, which is somewhat of a misnomer. A tenon cutter is meant to taper the end of a piece of wood to fit into a mortise, unlike a dowel cutter, which is capable of producing full-length dowel rods. The wood is placed in a hole (based on the desired size) and secured. An adjustable depth gauge allows you to cut to the desired length. The other end of the tool is then attached to a bit brace. As the brace is turned, the blade trims the wood to a smooth, round tenon. (See below.)

Even though our cutter bears no markings, we believe it was manufactured by E.C. Stearns & Company, which formed in 1877 and dissolved soon after the turn of the century. The company named the tool a "hollow auger," patented in 1903.

To enlarge the pic shown above, click here — or here to see it from another angle. To enlarge the pic on the right, click here.