Category Archives: 7-Methods

End Tables Part 1

Posted on May 8, 2014 by Greg Merritt

The current Woodworking Masterclasses series is a sofa table.  The high narrow type that is most typically found placed behind the sofa.  The series is a primer on building tables and is presented in Paul Sellers usual thorough manner.  If … Continue reading →

Posted in Design, End Tables, Illustrating | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Build Yourself a Fid

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Greg Merritt

The fid is a simple shaping project that will yield a very useful tool if you are going to undertake knot tying.  In my layout 1/4D=6mm chisel.  You can use 1/4″-3/8″ or 6mm-10mm chisel to set the width of 1/4D.  Then … Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Fid, Illustrating, Knot Tying | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

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

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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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