How to Make a Pair of Geta (Wooden Sandals)
If you pare it down to the absolute basics, all you need is a saw and a drill, but to do the job right you really need: Hand saw with a fairly fine cross-cut blade., Materials: Wood and something for the thongs., Soles and ha: The soles for the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: If you pare it down to the absolute basics
A tenon saw of back saw is perfect for this.
Use this saw to cut out the major parts.
Coping saw or electric jig or sabre saw.
Use one of these to round the corners of the sole, or if you're short on cash and patient use a wood rasp (a kind of file) or sandpaper.
If you're not very skilled at sawing, you might want to get the rasp, too.
It's great for cleaning up those rough coping saw edges.
A hand or electric drill.
If you buy one, get an electric with a 3/8" chuck.
It probably costs less than a good hand drill and has more uses.
If you go the hand route, be sure to get the right type of bit.
If it's an egg-beater style drill then buy a 1/4" drill or a 3/8" with a 1/4" shank.
If it's a bit brace (big crank style), then buy a 3/8" auger bit.
A twist drill bit has a fairly flat end, while an auger bit has what looks like a wood screw on the end.
Sandpaper and a sanding block or electric sander.
Get a good assortment of grits so that you can have a nice finish.
A good grit to finish with is
220.
A chisel and a hammer (for the single-piece version) -
Step 2: all you need is a saw and a drill
A good hardwood like Red Oak will last longer and should be available at your local Lowes or Home Depot.
Alternatively, try a lumberyard., The ha are the same width, about 1 to 1 1⁄2 inches (2.5 to
3.8 cm) thick and 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to
10.2 cm) 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 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch (1.3 to
1.9 cm) thick wood.
And about a foot of wood 4 or 5 inches (10.2 or
12.7 cm) wide by 1 to 1 1⁄2 inches (2.5 to
3.8 cm) thick., You can make geta for all your friends with the left over wood.
Some places (home depot) will cut the wood to your dimensions, or will let you cut them yourself.
There might be a charge for this
-- an advantage of finding a place that does this is even if you do your own cutting, they will have scraps that are for sale so you may not have to buy 8 feet (2.4 m) after all.
I have made the soles of geta out of plywood.
It really offers no advantage except it's what I had lying around.
A big disadvantage of plywood is it's usually only sold in 4 by 8 foot pieces.
Once again ask about scraps.
Before buying any type of wood, however, make sure it isn't pressure treated.
This type of wood has been treated with potentially harmful chemicals to keep termites at bay, and is usually used for housing/outdoor projects.
Pressure treated wood is usually darker in color, and, unfortunately, most wood sold at Home Depot and Lowe's has been pressure treated.
Try a local lumberyard for wood that hasn't been pressure treated., The thongs in Japanese made geta are made of several layers.
Innermost is some sort of natural fiber rope around 1⁄8 inch (0.3 cm) in diameter.
Perhaps jute or hemp.
Walmart does sell a 100% cotton cord which is a good thickness and is extremely comfortable., This is wrapped with brown paper, then inserted into a tube of black cloth.
The cloth is very thin but has a fuzzy surface like felt.
The best thing I've used so far is decorative piping that I buy at a fabric store.
It's available in several diameters, very soft, and unfortunately only seems to come in white.
I tried dying some black, but it shrunk and lost a lot of its softness.
More experimentation is needed here such as finding a way to "paint" it without soaking it, or using a non-water based dye, or maybe starting with thicker piping.
Perhaps a larger store may have it in other colors.
I think the best diameter is 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) which is very comfortable, and can be pulled (barely) through a 1/4 hole.
The kind I buy is actually marked 16/32".,, This doesn't really have to be soft, but should be the same color as the main thong.
You'll only need about a foot to make a pair of geta., This is packaged like Elmer's and other white glues, but is yellow.
Titebond is a good brand.
It's stronger and more suited for wood.
I've also used hot glue to attach the ha.
It's harder to work with because you don't really have time to fix mistakes.
With a slow drying glue you can always slide the pieces into better position even after several minutes., A good option is genuine glue clamps.
You can buy them at Walmart for a few dollars each.
They're like a giant pair of plastic pliers with a spring that holds them closed.
Mine are black plastic with red jaws and open to 4 inches (10.2 cm).
If you really don't care about cost then buy some metal C-clamps.
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., Around 10 pounds pressure is plenty, Cut two rectangular blocks each matching the combined dimensions above that will encompass the whole of the sandals.
These will become both the soles and ha.
Make a template and draw out the measurements on the blocks of wood until you have a basic idea of how you're going to cut things.
You're going to have two lines that represent the inside edges of the ha, that stop at where the sole will be.
Cut these edges and stop at the sole, and then slowly chisel out the rectangular space between the two ha.
After that, cut the outer edges of the ha and cut the bottom edges of the sole. repeat this with the second piece, sand, and you're done.
You'll most likely have to touch up the bottom of the sole between the two ha., This also brings out the Red Oak's natural color and darkens it a bit.
Oil based polyurethane works the best. -
Step 3: but to do the job right you really need: Hand saw with a fairly fine cross-cut blade.
-
Step 4: Materials: Wood and something for the thongs.
-
Step 5: Soles and ha: The soles for the typical adult geta are about 4 or 5 inches (10.2 or 12.7 cm) wide
-
Step 6: 9 to 11 inches (22.9 to 27.9 cm) long
-
Step 7: and 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch (1.3 to 1.9 cm) thick.
-
Step 8: Most lumber yards (and Lowes) only sell "full" boards
-
Step 9: usually 8 feet (2.4 m) long.
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Step 10: Thongs: I tried using nylon rope from the hardware store for the thongs
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Step 11: but it's not very comfortable.
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Step 12: The next layer which brings the total diameter to nearly 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) is some sort of fuzzy stuff that's like the gray padding you see in some shipping envelopes -- it looks like lint.
-
Step 13: Get about 1 1⁄2 yards (1.4 m) for each pair.
-
Step 14: Miscellaneous: 1⁄8 inch (0.3 cm) nylon cord or rope for the small loop that holds the main thong between the toes.
-
Step 15: Carpenter's glue.
-
Step 16: Start thinking about ways to clamp the pieces in position while the glue dries.
-
Step 17: Another way is to put a couple large rubber bands around the pieces
-
Step 18: tightly wrap masking tape around it
-
Step 19: or to pile books or bricks on the joint.
-
Step 20: For the single piece Geta
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Step 21: it's going to take considerably more effort
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Step 22: but the result is a more authentic (and more durable) alternative to the fake geta.
-
Step 23: Finishing- To protect your wood from water/sweat damage
-
Step 24: I suggest using polyurethane or another kind of wood finish to protect the wood.
Detailed Guide
A tenon saw of back saw is perfect for this.
Use this saw to cut out the major parts.
Coping saw or electric jig or sabre saw.
Use one of these to round the corners of the sole, or if you're short on cash and patient use a wood rasp (a kind of file) or sandpaper.
If you're not very skilled at sawing, you might want to get the rasp, too.
It's great for cleaning up those rough coping saw edges.
A hand or electric drill.
If you buy one, get an electric with a 3/8" chuck.
It probably costs less than a good hand drill and has more uses.
If you go the hand route, be sure to get the right type of bit.
If it's an egg-beater style drill then buy a 1/4" drill or a 3/8" with a 1/4" shank.
If it's a bit brace (big crank style), then buy a 3/8" auger bit.
A twist drill bit has a fairly flat end, while an auger bit has what looks like a wood screw on the end.
Sandpaper and a sanding block or electric sander.
Get a good assortment of grits so that you can have a nice finish.
A good grit to finish with is
220.
A chisel and a hammer (for the single-piece version)
A good hardwood like Red Oak will last longer and should be available at your local Lowes or Home Depot.
Alternatively, try a lumberyard., The ha are the same width, about 1 to 1 1⁄2 inches (2.5 to
3.8 cm) thick and 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to
10.2 cm) 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 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch (1.3 to
1.9 cm) thick wood.
And about a foot of wood 4 or 5 inches (10.2 or
12.7 cm) wide by 1 to 1 1⁄2 inches (2.5 to
3.8 cm) thick., You can make geta for all your friends with the left over wood.
Some places (home depot) will cut the wood to your dimensions, or will let you cut them yourself.
There might be a charge for this
-- an advantage of finding a place that does this is even if you do your own cutting, they will have scraps that are for sale so you may not have to buy 8 feet (2.4 m) after all.
I have made the soles of geta out of plywood.
It really offers no advantage except it's what I had lying around.
A big disadvantage of plywood is it's usually only sold in 4 by 8 foot pieces.
Once again ask about scraps.
Before buying any type of wood, however, make sure it isn't pressure treated.
This type of wood has been treated with potentially harmful chemicals to keep termites at bay, and is usually used for housing/outdoor projects.
Pressure treated wood is usually darker in color, and, unfortunately, most wood sold at Home Depot and Lowe's has been pressure treated.
Try a local lumberyard for wood that hasn't been pressure treated., The thongs in Japanese made geta are made of several layers.
Innermost is some sort of natural fiber rope around 1⁄8 inch (0.3 cm) in diameter.
Perhaps jute or hemp.
Walmart does sell a 100% cotton cord which is a good thickness and is extremely comfortable., This is wrapped with brown paper, then inserted into a tube of black cloth.
The cloth is very thin but has a fuzzy surface like felt.
The best thing I've used so far is decorative piping that I buy at a fabric store.
It's available in several diameters, very soft, and unfortunately only seems to come in white.
I tried dying some black, but it shrunk and lost a lot of its softness.
More experimentation is needed here such as finding a way to "paint" it without soaking it, or using a non-water based dye, or maybe starting with thicker piping.
Perhaps a larger store may have it in other colors.
I think the best diameter is 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) which is very comfortable, and can be pulled (barely) through a 1/4 hole.
The kind I buy is actually marked 16/32".,, This doesn't really have to be soft, but should be the same color as the main thong.
You'll only need about a foot to make a pair of geta., This is packaged like Elmer's and other white glues, but is yellow.
Titebond is a good brand.
It's stronger and more suited for wood.
I've also used hot glue to attach the ha.
It's harder to work with because you don't really have time to fix mistakes.
With a slow drying glue you can always slide the pieces into better position even after several minutes., A good option is genuine glue clamps.
You can buy them at Walmart for a few dollars each.
They're like a giant pair of plastic pliers with a spring that holds them closed.
Mine are black plastic with red jaws and open to 4 inches (10.2 cm).
If you really don't care about cost then buy some metal C-clamps.
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., Around 10 pounds pressure is plenty, Cut two rectangular blocks each matching the combined dimensions above that will encompass the whole of the sandals.
These will become both the soles and ha.
Make a template and draw out the measurements on the blocks of wood until you have a basic idea of how you're going to cut things.
You're going to have two lines that represent the inside edges of the ha, that stop at where the sole will be.
Cut these edges and stop at the sole, and then slowly chisel out the rectangular space between the two ha.
After that, cut the outer edges of the ha and cut the bottom edges of the sole. repeat this with the second piece, sand, and you're done.
You'll most likely have to touch up the bottom of the sole between the two ha., This also brings out the Red Oak's natural color and darkens it a bit.
Oil based polyurethane works the best.
About the Author
Susan Perez
Enthusiastic about teaching organization techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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