Category Archives: 5-Tools

Fid and Marlinspike

Posted on May 5, 2014 by Greg Merritt

The fid and the marlinspike are the knot tyer’s most trusted tool.  I suspect that its been that way since humans first started tying knots and discovered that a sharp stick could make it all the easier.  The distinction between … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Knot Tying | Tagged , , | 11 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 →

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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 →

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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

Build Yourself a Marking Gauge

Posted on April 19, 2014 by Greg Merritt

I know, I know, there are a plethora of marking gauges out there to be had.  You can pick one up second hand for just a few dollars or you can spend some serious money on a fancy new model.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Design, Illustrating, Marking Gauge | 6 Comments

Build Yourself a Polissoir

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Greg Merritt

The polissoir, French for polisher, is a simple tool to make and use.  I was first introduced to this finishing tool thru a Chris Schwarz blog entry.  Chris was introduced to the tool  by Don Williams who was working on … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Finishing, Illustrating, Knot Tying, Polissoir | Tagged , , | 26 Comments