This unusual gift idea comes from YouTuber Woodspezi. He thought about what to gift people who already have everything. The result is a lantern in Japanese Kumiko technique. Kumiko means "fine lasts" and is a traditional stylistic device for decorating lampscreens and wall bars. In his video tutorial, Woodspezi shows us how to create this delicate muntin work.
Angle
There are countless Kumiko patterns. One of the best known is the so-called asanoha or hemp leaf pattern. It is based on rectangular patterns, the fields of which are further subdivided with geometric shapes. The lasts meet each other at different angles. For this purpose, the mitres are cut or planed at different angles. The most important angles are 45°, 22,5° and 67,5° - with these almost all Kumiko patterns can be made.
Tools
In his tutorial, Woodspezi uses several simple jigs that make it easy for him to make the numerous lasts.
The saw guide used is a simple angle fence that allows you to cut and saw in several lasts at the same time. It consists of a baseplate on which two lasts are fixed at right angles as a lengthwise and crosswise fence. The most important length measurements are sawn exactly once into the longitudinal stop and can then be easily reproduced.
Three angled boards, all built according to the same principle, are used to cut the lasts. To achieve this, cut a slightly deeper groove in a thicker hardwood strip. You can then cut the grooved last to fit the three angled shutters. One end of the angled shutter is cut exactly at the desired angle (22.5°, 45° or 67.5°) and, if necessary, reworked to the exact angle. Woodspezi has also inserted a length stop (multiplex strip with slotted hole) in its angled shutters. This makes it easier to trim the lasts to the final size, but it is not absolutely necessary.
