Practice with the Uzukuri-Part 2

Posted on May 10, 2015 by Greg Merritt

In Part 1 of this this series David asked a question:

“Knowing what you know now does the purchase of the three Uzukuri look like a good investment or do you think you could have made home made ones?”

When I first learned of these tools and saw the resultant finish, I knew it was a technique that I wanted to explore.  So to that end I began experimenting with materials that I had on hand to try to replicate the function of the actual uzukuri.  I also tried to source the actual materials from which to manufacture my own.  In the end I made my own version using broomcorn from a cheap broom.  Which worked as an acceptable substitute for the “rough” version of the proper tool.  To simulate the “medium’ and “fine” versions I employed varying grades of synthetic scuffing/buffing pads.  Those pads can be rolled, wadded and folded as needed. Continue reading →

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Japanese Toolbox-Progress 3

Posted on May 9, 2015 by Greg Merritt

The next steps in the toolbox build was to prep the bottom board and assemble the basic box.  The bottom board starts as at 3/4″ thick and needs to be thicknessed down to 1/2″.  If you’ve not tackled this operation because you think its “hard”, get over it.  Actually, this would be a perfect project to make your inaugural run at thickenessing.  I , for one, enjoy the process.  I find the initial destructive nature quite cathartic.  Anyway, most sources will tell you that you need to take a very thick shaving.  Several of those sources go further and call out how thick the shaving should be.  While not wrong, I think this kind of instruction leads many to find this operation to be drudgery.  They work really hard trying to produce as thick a shaving as was suggested.  In my humble opinion, the instructions should be to take as heavy a shaving as you can that will also allow you to sustain the operation for an extended period of time.  Thickenessing a board with a hand plane can be Continue reading →

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Practice with the Uzukuri-Part 1

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Greg Merritt

I’m taking the opportunity to practice using the uzukuri while building my Japanese style toolbox.  Well “practice” may be a little misleading.  I don’t really have a clue how these tools are supposed to be used beyond “rub them on the wood”.  I first wrote about the uzukuri here in case you need a little background.

Each of the toolbox parts provides me with a blank canvas for experimentation.  I’m basically starting blind.  I have no information on the use of the uzukuri other than rub it on the wood and to do it with the grain.  So this will be a steep learning curve. Continue reading →

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Japanese Toolbox-Progress 2

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Greg Merritt

There are two home centers in my local area, Lowes and Home Depot.  So I decided to look at both locations for the best deal regarding price and quality of material.

My first stop was Lowes.  They sell the infamous “white wood” as their #2 grade lumber.  I’m not sure what species of wood it actually is, but I do know that it is soft, light, spongy and full of knots.  Still more than serviceable for a toolbox though.  I rooted thru the stacks and verified that there were a couple of boards that could be pressed into service.  I also noted the price and then headed to the Continue reading →

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Japanese Toolbox-Progress 1A

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Greg Merritt

Almost all of the drawings that I post here on my blog are based upon proportions.  I like using proportions because it makes scaling a project far easier.  I did the same with the Japanese Toolbox project.  I approached this knowing that the height, width and length will be variable based upon need and as such would be impractical to constrain with proportions. Instead I concentrated on the peripheral parts of the toolbox.  The proportions are based upon the thickness of the handle.  It’s doubtful that I will ever alter the thickness of the Continue reading →

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Japanese Toolbox-Progress 1

Posted on May 6, 2015 by Greg Merritt

odate-toolboxToshio Odate outlined the construction of a simple toolbox in his book, “Japanese Woodworking Tools:Their Tradition, Spirit and Use“.  It’s a simple affair nailed together with built-in handles at each end and an ingenious sliding lid.  An elegant and inexpensive solution to storing and transporting tools.  The design is very scalable and can be adapted as required.  It’s also quick and easy to build.  Making it an ideal storage solution for both the beginner and experience woodworker.  I’ve done a little research trying to discover when this type of toolbox came into use, but have yet to pinpoint any definitive Continue reading →

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HB Tansu #3-Progress 20-Complete

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Greg Merritt

hb_tansu-002I’m calling it done!

Over the last several days I have been adding the finishing touches to Hillbilly Tansu #3.  Primarily, the actual finish.   I used several coats of Tried & True Original which is a mixture of polymerised linseed oil and beeswax.  I’ll add additional coats over the coarse of the next year or so.  I know that sounds like a lot of work, but I like the way the finish looks as well as the non-toxic nature of the finish in both the raw and the cured state.  How many finishes do you use that you would Continue reading →

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At the Altars of Flat, Smooth and Texture

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Greg Merritt

I’ve been working wood off and on for well over two decades now.  Since day one I’ve worshiped at the altars of flat and smooth.  Everything I read and saw told me that finished surfaces should be just that, flat and smooth.  In the early days I didn’t have a clue about hand planes.  I would buy surfaced lumber from the home center, cut the joinery and sand everything until I had what I thought was an acceptable surface.  I went thru a lot of sandpaper back then.  As I progressed and built skills, I learned to use hand planes and how to sharpen.  My surfaces continued to improve and I used less and less sandpaper.  However, the goal continued to be flat and smooth.  I’m at a point now that I can produce a glass smooth surface on just about any piece of wood.  Long grain or end grain, neither is any problem.  The funny thing is Continue reading →

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HB Tansu #3-Progress 19

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Greg Merritt

Genius, lunacy or somewhere in the middle?  Committed, yes.  Needs committed???

hbt3-117

Part 18 Greg Merritt Part 20

 

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HB Tansu #3-Progress 18

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Greg Merritt

hb_tansu-002Over the past week and this weekend I was able to acquire the needed material and complete the construction of the remaining three drawers.  I was also able to cut, fit and install all of the drawer bottoms.  There is nothing new in any of those process, so I spare you the boredom of the play-by-play.  Instead I’ll bore you with the play-by-play of adding some of the decorative elements.

The first decorative element I added to the drawer fronts was Continue reading →

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