HB Hobby Tansu #1-Part 15-Complete

Posted on July 3, 2015 by Greg Merritt

Over the course of this past week I applied three coats of Tried & True Original oil finish to the Hillbilly Hobby Tansu.  I also used the evenings this week to tie and ready the “hardware”.  All of the pulls are simple grommets hardened with CA glue.  They are attached to the drawers with a loop created by tying a lanyard knot.  The loose ends are fed through the hole in the drawer front and secured with an overhand knot and a drop a CA glue.

Right from the start I knew that I wanted Continue reading →

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HB Hobby Tansu #1-Part 14

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Greg Merritt

I took advantage of the cool temps this morning and got out in the shop early.  I started off with trimming and flushing up the removable panel.  When it was just a piece of 1/2″ pine, it felt a little flimsy and delicate.  I was a little worried about how well it would hold up.  Now that it is completed with the addition of the decorative scroll panel and the top rail it feels very solid.  The center portion of the scroll panel creates a perfect Continue reading →

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HB Hobby Tansu #1-Part 13

Posted on June 27, 2015 by Greg Merritt

Close…but no cigar.

The goal for today was to complete the construction of the hobby tansu.  Leaving just the decorative elements, hardware and finishing.  I almost made it.  The only construction element left will be to trim and finish plane the top rail of the removable panel.

Continue reading →

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HB Hobby Tansu #1-Part 12

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Greg Merritt

hb_hobby_tansu-000-sht1of2It took a week longer than planned, but…all of the drawers are finally built and fitted.  Heck I’ve even started adding the decorative details to them.  First and foremost is the bead detail.  I can easily create a nice sharp corner on pine, but I learned long ago that expecting that sharp corner to survive was pure folly.  The bead detail prevents chipping and also does a good job of hiding the inevitable dents and dings.  Plus, I think it looks pretty snazzy. Continue reading →

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HB Hobby Tansu #1-Part 11

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Greg Merritt

Well…some progress is better than no progress.

The weather here continues to be brutal.  Hot and very humid.  I’m starting to adjust to it though and have been able to work in the shop after work a couple of evenings over the past week.  This allowed me to complete the construction of two drawers, glue them together and finally fit them.

Nothing new as far as the construction.  Pegged lapped dovetails at the front and a pegged finger joint at the rear.  The 6mm birch ply bottom is installed in grooves that run down the sides and across the front.  It is then pegged to the rear of the drawer. Continue reading →

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HB Hobby Tansu #1-Part 10

Posted on June 14, 2015 by Greg Merritt

Most of use who work wood as a hobby struggle to find time in the shop.  Day jobs and family come first of course.  The remaining time is typically restricted by the noise generated and the weather.  Some are working in apartments, have close neighbors or are working in attached garages or basements and noise becomes an issue.  Then there is the weather.  Many struggle in the winter months with Continue reading →

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HB Hobby Tansu #1-Part 9

Posted on June 7, 2015 by Greg Merritt

I braved the heat and humidity and spent most of the day in the shop.  The plan for the day was to clean up the case that I assembled yesterday.  So I sharpened my plane irons and went to work flushing all of the outer surfaces.  The only tricky bit for this is trying to figure out how to hold the thing.  Part of the work was done with the case on the bench and secured with a clamp that, in turn, was secured in the vice.  The other holding method I employed was to prop the case up on my trestles and brace the case against the front of the bench.  I worked methodically around the case until I was done. Continue reading →

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HB Hobby Tansu #1-Part 8

Posted on June 6, 2015 by Greg Merritt

The week came and went with almost no time in the shop.  One evening I did manage to sneak in about 45min.  Just long enough to cut and fit the front skirt board.  I also had to make a cross-town trip to pick up a new bottle of glue.  So today I was itching to get out in the shop and start the case assembly.

All of the joints in this project are designed to be Continue reading →

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Gouges that I Own

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Greg Merritt

In Part 7 of the HB Hobby Tansu I used a gouge to cut-in the radius corners of the inset handles.  A couple of people asked about gouges and which ones I use.  I own a grand total of two full-size carving gouges and they are the only ones I’ve ever used.  So this is by no means any type of comparative review on gouges, just my impressions with what I have.

Both of these are made by Continue reading →

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HB Hobby Tansu #1-Part 7

Posted on May 31, 2015 by Greg Merritt

The forecast called for hot and humid today (They weren’t wrong).  So I completed my grass mowing duties as early as possible. This left me the remainder of the day to work in the shop.

This is what I opened the door to, but soldiered on. Continue reading →

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