Staked Stand-Part 2-Complete

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Greg Merritt

hb-hobby-final- - 8It is almost physically impossible for me to resist adding some sort of embellishment to the pieces that I make.  Kolrosing, wood burning and then there is my fondness for adding texture.  This little stand is built specifically to hold my hobby tansu.  The tansu has a bit of texture added with a nail set and that texture was highlighted with the help of a wood burning tool.  So I wanted to repeat some of this texture on the stand to make the two pieces seem like more of a cohesive unit. Continue reading →

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Staked Stand-Part 1

Posted on April 24, 2016 by Greg Merritt

I’ve read the book, a couple of times.  Wrote a review.  Read through all of the blog posts.  Purchased a tapered tenon cutter and reamer.  Even took a sip of the Kool-Aid, at least figuratively.  I have to admit that I’m a little more than intrigued by the ideas and methods presented in Christopher Schwarz’ (CS) new book, “The Ancharchist’s Design Book”.  The only thing left for me to do is to jump in and actually put those ideas and methods into practice. Continue reading →

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The Anarchist’s Design Book-First Thoughts

Posted on March 31, 2016 by Greg Merritt

ADB_mockup_lo_1024x1024I have eagerly awaited the arrival of Christopher Schwarz’ latest book, The “Anarchist’s Design Book“, since he first hinted at it with the working title “Furniture of Necessity” way back in 2012.  The term vernacular furniture was bantered about in those early days and really peaked my interest and excitement.  Furniture built by common folk to fulfill their particular needs.  Solid, functional pieces that fit within a commoner’s budget and skill and was meant to be used.  No status symbol pieces or exotic this or that, just functional pieces from basic materials with a folk art effect towards beauty. Continue reading →

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Cam Clamps-Part 2-Complete

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Greg Merritt

After spending about an hour every evening in the shop and a big chunk of Saturday, my Paul Sellers inspired cam clamps are done.  This project was a lot of fun.  From digging in the attic for material (see part 1) to the myriad of operations involved, what is not to like?

Just to recap…the heads are made from mahogany left in the attic from the previous owner of the house, the bars are from steel stock that I purchased from the local Lowes, the pins are made from 16d finish nails, the cams are from a maple board that I salvaged from a pallet at work and finally, the contact points received cork that I had lying around.  Can’t get much more frugal than that. Continue reading →

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Reader Submitted Projects

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Greg Merritt

I started this blog to share what I do.  My hope being that in some way it would encourage others to get out into the shop and make things themselves.  I have basic tools and try to use materials that are accessible to everyone.  I’m just an average guy with average skills, if I can do it, so can you.

Anyway, the point of my blog is to encourage and, dare I say, inspire others to make things and it thrills me to no end when that actually happens.  So I’ve created a page upon which I will post project photos that readers send in to me. Continue reading →

Posted in 9-Reader Submitted Photos, Thoughts-Views | 3 Comments

Owl in the Wild

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Greg Merritt

A few days ago I put up a post that showed my finished owl project.  In the comment section I received a comment from friend and reader David:

“Thanks for posting this one I spent a few enjoyable hours yesterday making one….”

I can’t tell you how much it means to me when someone tells me that they like one of my projects enough to spend the time and effort to make their own version.  Anyway, David sent me a photo of his completed owl and I think it turned out great! Continue reading →

Posted in 9-Reader Submitted Photos, Wooden Owl Wall Hanging | Tagged | 7 Comments

Cam Clamps-Part 1

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Greg Merritt

If you have missed it up until now, Paul Sellers is in the middle of a three-part series on making cam clamps.  Start with the blog post and work your way over to Woodworking Masterclasses.  It is a simple process and he lays it out step-by-step.  So with a few basic materials and tools you can knock together cam clamps until your heart is content.  We can never have enough clamps after all. Continue reading →

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Owl-Part 2-Complete

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Greg Merritt

After a couple of coats of Tried and True Original oil finish, It was time to complete the assembly of the owl.

The perch is just a stick split in half, the edges dressed and I applied a coat of oil just to make it look a little more vibrant.  To attach the perch to the owl I used a couple of screws. Continue reading →

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New Design Resource for Woodworkers

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Greg Merritt

Very excited about this new resource…

walkerg's avatarDesign Matters

IMG_0297I’m excited to announce the launching of a new website, http://www.byhandandeye.com.

Jim Tolpin and I have teamed up again to create an on-line resource for woodworkers to improve their design skills. The new website will be the home of an on-line design workshop series (slated for release in early May 2016) as well as plenty of practical layout and design related articles and video clips about design. We also have plans to use the site as a platform for gathering a woodworking design community and we look forward to rolling that out in coming months.

I’ll continue writing here on this blog, but I am delighted to be working closely with Jim again to create something long overdue. Go check it out at http://www.byhandandeye.com.

George R. Walker

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More Arts and Crafts Fun-Owl-Part 1

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Greg Merritt

While searching the internet for retro art ideas for our house, I came across a requiring theme.  Owls.  All of these owl stirred up vague childhood memories.  I seem to remember just about every house I went to as a child had some form of owl themed decoration.  Waaaay too far back to be sure, but that is how I remember it. Continue reading →

Posted in Wooden Owl Wall Hanging | Tagged , | 10 Comments