Author Archives: Greg Merritt

Pie Crimper

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Greg Merritt

Here is yet another small project for you lathe enthusiasts, a pie crimper.  A simple little tool used to join the top and bottom dough sections of pie prior to baking.  It also imparts a decorative edge to boot. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Pie Crimper, Spring Pole Lathe | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Clamp-On Pincushion-Scissors Holder

Posted on January 4, 2018 by Greg Merritt

This is just a quick show-and-tell on a little clamp-on pincushion and scissors holder that I made as a Christmas gift.  The body is mahogany from the Magic Attic stash and the threaded shaft is maple.  The pincushion is from … Continue reading →

Posted in Clamp-On Pincushions | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Homemade Music-Part 2

Posted on January 4, 2018 by Greg Merritt

What started out as a simple idea to make a few cigar box guitars, ballooned into a full-blown research and development project. Starting out I had no idea how deep down the rabbit hole I would be taken, but it … Continue reading →

Posted in Cigar Box Guitar | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Homemade Music-Part 1

Posted on November 29, 2017 by Greg Merritt

I don’t remember the first time I saw or heard a cigar box guitar. I’m sure it must have been on YouTube though. Like many of my projects, the seed was planted somewhere along the way and finally broke to … Continue reading →

Posted in Cigar Box Guitar | Tagged | 9 Comments

Fly Swatter Shaker Style

Posted on November 12, 2017 by Greg Merritt

A few weeks ago Paul Sellers had a blog post where he showed a fly swatter with a leather business end.  I liked the idea and immediately began searching the internet for similar designs. Note:  Paul Sellers has since made … Continue reading →

Posted in Fly Swatter-Shaker | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Charpoy-Part 3-Complete

Posted on November 12, 2017 by Greg Merritt

The charpoy is really a simple piece of furniture.  Four legs with four rails mortised into them.  The platform upon wich you sit or lay is woven from cord or cloth webbing (tape).  The charpoy can also be quite elaborate. … Continue reading →

Posted in Charpoy | 22 Comments

Charpoy-Part 2

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Greg Merritt

I spent the last few days completing the remaining tenons on the long rails.  Nothing fancy.  Just a lot of rip and crosscuts.  After a little judicious pairing I had those tenons fitted and the charpoy frame dry-fit together.

Posted in Charpoy | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Charpoy-Part 1

Posted on September 10, 2017 by Greg Merritt

Suppose I told you that there is a form of furniture that, according to some scholars, has been in continuous use for 5,000 years.  Suppose I also told that an estimated 1.5 billion people currently use said furniture form. OK, … Continue reading →

Posted in Charpoy, Design | Tagged , , , , | 17 Comments

Sewing Table-Part 4-Complete

Posted on September 2, 2017 by Greg Merritt

The were only two remaining construction phase elements that needed to be completed.  The trestles needed to be trimmed level and everything needed to be sanded in preparation to receive the milk paint. From the conception I knew that I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Sewing Table | Tagged , , , | 24 Comments

Sewing Table-Part 3

Posted on August 31, 2017 by Greg Merritt

Wow, I’m way behind on updating this blog about the sewing table build.  Apologies, but time has a way of sneaking past a person. My last post left off with the trestles legged up but in need of stretchers.  My … Continue reading →

Posted in Sewing Table | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments