Monthly Archives: June 2014

End Tables Part 12

Posted on June 29, 2014 by Greg Merritt

Heat index of 89F and 68% humidity for the last two days.  So I put on my big boy pants, tied a bandana around my head and went to work in the shop.  In short, it sucked!  But I did … Continue reading →

Posted in Design, End Tables, Finishing | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Hillbilly Tansu Sliding Door Grooves

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Greg Merritt

While researching antique tansu I found several examples that incorporated sliding doors. There is something about sliding doors that gives an item that Japanese feel.  Plus I like them.  Sliding doors just seem to make more sense to me than hinged … Continue reading →

Posted in Hillbilly Tansu Joinery, Illustrating | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Heat + Humidity=NO SHOP TIME

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Greg Merritt

It’s been over a week since I posted anything.  This is a direct result of having almost no shop time.  Maybe I’m getting soft in my old age, but I just can’t handle the heat and humidity anymore.  Within just … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts-Views | 8 Comments

Build Yourself a Sokozarai-Nomi (Bottom Cleaning) Chisel

Posted on June 15, 2014 by Greg Merritt

My Hillbilly Tansu project requires the chopping of several narrow and deep mortises.  6mm(W)x18mm(L)x24mm(D) to be exact.  Clearing the waste from these mortises is difficult to say the least.  There is almost no room to lever out any of the waste … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Design, Hillbilly Tansu Joinery, Illustrating, Sokozarai-Nomi (Bottom Cleaning) Chisel | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

End Tables Part 11

Posted on June 15, 2014 by Greg Merritt

There is nothing like a hot, humid shop and scrub planing oak to remind you of how out of shape you really are.  I started surfacing the oak panels that I had glued up for the tops and shelves of … Continue reading →

Posted in End Tables | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Chisel Lust Follow Up

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Greg Merritt

Let me thank all of you who took the time to post your thoughts on chisels. I haven’t done anything rash yet but I have taken a hard look at chisels, steel and reviews. I am surprised that so many commented … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Tool Lust of the Chisel Persuasion

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Greg Merritt

I do not own any “high-end” tools.  I have quality tools that consist of a mix of old, new and user built.  I have vintage Stanley, vintage Record, a WoodRiver and user built planes.  I have vintage saws, a couple … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

End Tables Part 10

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Greg Merritt

I managed to get two panels edged and glued together.  Which means I promptly ran out of clamps.  So while those are curing I’m on hold until tomorrow for the other two panels.  I’m not sure why, but I do … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Design, End Tables | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Hillbilly Tansu Front Drawer/Door Bearer

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Greg Merritt

Joint #2 in the Hillbilly Tansu Project is for the front drawer/door bearer.  This piece, for me, was the key to developing the rest of elements for the tansu construction.  Once I had this element designed all the rest sort … Continue reading →

Posted in Design, Hillbilly Tansu Joinery | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Hillbilly Tansu Corner Joint

Posted on June 3, 2014 by Greg Merritt

I touched on my affinity for the Japanese tansu in my last post.  I have wanted to build some version of a tansu for quite some time now.  You can explore several samples here.  There is surprisingly little information available … Continue reading →

Posted in Hillbilly Tansu Joinery, Illustrating | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments