Category Archives: Illustrating

Tables and Seating in Hillbilly Proportions

Posted on May 6, 2016 by Greg Merritt

I’m a big fan of designing my projects based upon proportions.  Not that I have an issue with a dimensional approach, I just find proportions give me a framework within to work.  Up to this point my designs have begun with … Continue reading →

Posted in Design, Illustrating | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

Cross Lap with Mitered Corners-Part 1

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Greg Merritt

Well, I might as well start this journey. Cross Lap with Mitered Corners   I have, as yet, been unable to find any written reference to this joint.  I have seen an example of it from two sources.  

Posted in Cross Lap with Mitered Corners, Illustrating | Tagged , , , | 36 Comments

Nightstand Design-Part 4

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Greg Merritt

Well, now I have a completed design for the nightstand.  I’ve been calling it a nightstand because that is my intended use for it.  Obviously its just a little table with a drawer and could be pressed into service for … Continue reading →

Posted in Design, HBD Nightstand, Illustrating | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Embellishment

Posted on September 12, 2015 by Greg Merritt

I still don’t have a shop space up and running yet.  Unpacking from the move seems to be some sort of perverse Aesop’s fable.  No matter how many boxes I empty, the pile seems to grow by two-fold.  I’ll be … Continue reading →

Posted in Design, Illustrating | Tagged | 8 Comments

Knots, Drawings and Journaling

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Greg Merritt

The weather has dropped below freezing and decided to stay there all week.  So no shop time after work this week.  It just takes too long to heat the shop to a reasonable temperature in order to get any work … Continue reading →

Posted in Design, Illustrating, Knot Tying | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

HB Tansu Progress-1

Posted on August 3, 2014 by Greg Merritt

I was able to make a good start on the HB Tansu this weekend.  The weather was tolerable, still a bit on the humid side, and there was no other pressing chores that needed to be done.  I started off … Continue reading →

Posted in Hillbilly Tansu-000, Illustrating | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Hillbilly Tansu-000 and it Begins

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Greg Merritt

Now that I have all of the pertinent joinery worked out and detailed, its time to tackle my first design.  This first iteration of the Hillbilly Tansu will be like most of my other projects, functional, clean lines and simple … Continue reading →

Posted in Design, Hillbilly Tansu-000, Illustrating | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Hillbilly Tansu Handle Rail

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Greg Merritt

Some, not all, but some, of my intended chest designs will require handles for lifting.  I could go the standard route and purchase handles.  Where’s the fun in that?  So I’ll be creating my own, much along the same lines … Continue reading →

Posted in Design, Illustrating, Knot Tying | Tagged , , , , , | 3 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

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