Author Archives: Greg Merritt

Chisel Tray-Part 4-Complete

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Greg Merritt

Two and a half days of 90+deg in the shop is close enough to three days cure time for me.  The instructions on the can say to rub the entire surface with chalk before actually using the chalkboard.  So I … Continue reading →

Posted in Chisel Tray | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Chisel Tray-Part 3

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Greg Merritt

Still plugging away.  Next up on the chisel tray was adding the sliding lid.  This is a simple, but effective design for putting a lid on a box.  There’s no hardware involved either.  Just a few bits of wood and … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Chisel Tray | Tagged | 9 Comments

The Great Kanna Experiment-Part 2

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Greg Merritt

After my Cheerios and coffee this morning I headed out to the shop to try my hand at making dai #2.  This dai will have the blade bedded at 45deg.  My goal is to find the best blade angle for … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Kanna | Tagged , , | 19 Comments

The Great Kanna Experiment-Part 1

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Greg Merritt

I’m not gonna sugar coat it, I have struggled with the Japanese common plane.  Getting it to cut is easy.  Getting it to cut consistently and predictably, that’s a whole other thing all together.  The learning curve is steep and … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Kanna | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Chisel Tray-Part 2 

Posted on August 28, 2016 by Greg Merritt

Dang, it has been hot!  I about half expect to see an elephant or Masai tribesman stroll past the shop window at any moment.  At some point it will be over and I’ll be complaining about the cold.  Of that … Continue reading →

Posted in Chisel Tray | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Tools—

Posted on August 27, 2016 by Greg Merritt

When I started this blog I made a conscious decision to talk about tools as little as possible.  There are enough people, far more knowledgable than I, who are talking about tools.  I’ve always wanted the focus to be on … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Thoughts-Views | 19 Comments

Chisel Tray-Part 1

Posted on August 21, 2016 by Greg Merritt

Well, it’s not quite as hot, but the humidity is still hanging on.  An hour at a stretch is about all I can take.  I know what the next project will be, but I’m struggling with the design.  So I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Chisel Tray | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Incense Burner Stand-Part 2-Complete

Posted on August 7, 2016 by Greg Merritt

Not a whole lot to add to the story here.  I simply added a coat of Tried and True Original to the stand as per the instructions on the can.  That’s about all there is to it.  I’ll add a … Continue reading →

Posted in Incense Burner Stand | Tagged | 8 Comments

Incense Burner Stand-Part 1

Posted on August 6, 2016 by Greg Merritt

Our sense of smell is a powerful thing.  Pleasant smells have the power to alter our mood.  Some smells bring back memories.  I’ve even read that the smell of fresh baked cookies can help to sell a house.  Unpleasant odors … Continue reading →

Posted in Hide Glue Pot, Incense Burner Stand | Tagged | 10 Comments

Seizing Inspiration when it Presents

Posted on August 6, 2016 by Greg Merritt

I make things.   Not to earn a living.  Not because I have to.  I make things because I want to and to satisfy a deep-seated desire to create.  I tend to make things that have a practical use, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Incense Burner Stand | Tagged | 10 Comments