Author Archives: Greg Merritt

Knot Tying Introduction

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Greg Merritt

My love of knot tying began some 25yrs ago while I was in the Navy.  Contrary to what you might think, the Navy doesn’t teach knot tying then or now.  Maybe if you become a bosun’s mate, but generally it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Knot Tying | 3 Comments

Geometric Construction-Line Segments

Posted on May 3, 2014 by Greg Merritt

The Line Segment constructions allow you to quickly and accurately dived a line into equal parts or a desired ratio.  The equal segment construction may look familiar to those of you have used the ruler trick to divide a board … Continue reading →

Posted in Design, Geometric Constructions | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Geometric Construction-Perpendiculars

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Greg Merritt

The Perpendicular Bisector construction is one that you will use over and over once you add it to your tool kit.  On it’s own, it will allow you to establish a working center line from a baseline.  Which is one … Continue reading →

Posted in Design, Geometric Constructions | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Why All the Geometry?

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Greg Merritt

I am about to embark on a series of posts concerning geometric constructions.  I feel that it is important for every craftsperson to be able to translate their ideas into a layout drawing.  Geometry is the tool that will best enable this … Continue reading →

Posted in Design, Geometric Constructions | Tagged | 3 Comments

The Compass

Posted on April 30, 2014 by Greg Merritt

One more tool needs to be discussed before I launch into the actual geometric constructions.  The compass.  The compass is a certain type of divider where one leg of the divider is replaced with a drawing instrument, typically a pencil. Like with … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Design | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Experience, Tools and Materials

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Greg Merritt

Just so we are all on the same page…. Experience: I’m not an expert in woodworking.  I’m not an expert on tools.  I’m not an expert in any craft that I do.  I’m like most of you, learning as much … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts-Views | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Your Most Handy Measuring Tools

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Greg Merritt

Most everyone who uses hand tools knows that you size your mortises to match your available chisels.  There are exceptions, of course, but generally this is how it’s done.  Why then do we not use our chisels to establish other … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Design | Tagged | 1 Comment

Build Yourself Trammel Points

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Greg Merritt

When you start drawing full-scale layouts on a regular basis there will soon come a time when you exceed the reach of your dividers. That is where trammel points come into play. Essentially they are just a set of movable … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Design, Illustrating, Trammel Points | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Dividers and a Straight Edge Are For

Posted on April 26, 2014 by Greg Merritt

In an earlier post I discussed dividers and hinted at what they could be used for.  Let me expand on that thought and give you a list. swinging an arc transferering a distance That’s it. Also, in an earlier post, … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Design | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Build Yourself a Straight Edge

Posted on April 25, 2014 by Greg Merritt

Dividers let you lay down the important points in your design.  The straight edge connects the dots to give your layout form.  I know it seems a little obvious that you need a straight edge for drawing straight lines, but … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Design, Illustrating, Straight edge | Tagged , , | 4 Comments