Table Trestles-Part 2

Posted on January 28, 2017 by Greg Merritt

I’m not what I used to be.  Desk work at the day job has made me soft and nothing proves it quicker than surfacing and thicknessing rough lumber by hand.  I’m sore, but I’m got the job done.

It’s not an exciting process to write a blog post about, so here is the gist of it.  I have four slabs of poplar to contend with for my trestles.  I have already cut these slabs to rough length and began the process by rigging up a way to hold them on the bench.  Nothing fancy.  I have a center board on my bench that can be raised to create a stop and one end of the slab can butt up against the planing stop of the bench.  To secure the other end of the slab, I simply screwed a block of wood to my bench.  That’s one of the nice things about having a simple bench.  I have no qualms about screwing or nailing stuff to it if the need arrises. Continue reading →

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Table Trestles-Part 1

Posted on January 19, 2017 by Greg Merritt

The List.

If you are a woodworker with a significant other, than you are well aware of the list.  It is that list of things that our significant other wants us to build.  Sometimes we make excuses why we don’t build this or that.  Other times we use the list to score a new tool or two.  Not me of course, but I have heard stories.  Luckily, management’s list is typically short.  Although she reserves the right to make a last-minute addendum (demand) to it.  Anyway, the absolute number one on management’s list is a couple of, easily moved, dining tables.  Oh, and seating for said same.  So nothing too much.  LOL Continue reading →

Posted in Illustrating, Table Trestles | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Saddling My Horse

Posted on January 13, 2017 by Greg Merritt

Through a strange sequence of events and serious risk to my health and wellbeing, I was able to work at my shaving horse for several hours yesterday.  Sounds great and it was, but the back-of-my-front is pretty dang sore today.  I have a good bit of work yet to do at the horse so a remedy for comfort was now top priority. Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Shaving Horse | Tagged , | 7 Comments

Tapered Octagonal Legs with the OCTA-LEG-PRO

Posted on January 7, 2017 by Greg Merritt

I really like the staked furniture method.  I like the design process and the making.  Consequently, I have several staked projects on the “to-do” list.  Since I don’t own or plan to add a lathe to my shop, the tapered, octagonal leg is my leg design of choice.  I also typically design my projects with proportions.  So I am faced with a choice.  Either design new leg proportions for each project or come up with a standardized method for making the legs. Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, OCTA-LEG-PRO Gauge, Tapered Octagonal Legs | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

The Octagonizer Gauge

Posted on January 1, 2017 by Greg Merritt

 

The most recent episode of “The Woodwright’s Shop” has Roy Underhill and Christopher Schwarz discussing staked furniture.  Part of the discussion is how to layout and cut octagonal tapered legs.  Just before CW starts the explanation of how to layout an octagon with a compass, Roy pulls out a gauge that he jokingly refers to as a “Octagonizer”.  Of course my ears perked up with interest.  The gauge seemed to work much like a center marking gauge in that it Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Design, Octagonizer Gauge | Tagged , , , , , | 39 Comments

Hot Hide Glue-New Setup

Posted on December 26, 2016 by Greg Merritt

IMG_2403A few months ago I purchased the Lee Valley small hot hide glue pot.  I really like it.  Yes its small, holds about an ounce of glue, but that is more than enough for most projects.  The thing is extremely well made and will last generations.  When I purchased the pot I also purchased the warming plate.  It does exactly what it is supposed to do, keeps the glue at the proper working temperature.  So I have been happy with this setup, but… Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Hide Glue Brush, Hide Glue Pot | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Build Yourself a Hide Glue Brush

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Greg Merritt

 

Spreading glue is a necessary task in woodworking, no matter your choice of glue.  If you use PVA glue then a disposable brush is probably the best choice.  You may not even use a brush, I have spread a lot of PVA glue with a sliver of wood scrap.  Hide glue is different though.

When hide glue is at its proper working temperature it is much more viscous than PVA.  This viscosity necessitates the use of a Continue reading →

Posted in 5-Tools, Hide Glue Brush | Tagged , | 36 Comments

Finally Found a Lumber Yard

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Greg Merritt

My day job is M-F, 8-5.  I’m thankful that I have such a job.  I’m home every evening and off every weekend.  However, it does make having access to certain things a little difficult.  Dr.’s appointments for instance require planning and scheduling of vacation time.  Blah, blah, blah. Continue reading →

Posted in 8-Miscellaneous | 18 Comments

Equilateral Footstool-Design Drawing

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Greg Merritt

OK, it was driving me crazy.  So for posterity and for those who may be playing along, I worked up a design drawing for the Equilateral Footstool. Continue reading →

Posted in Design, Equilateral Footstool, Illustrating | 7 Comments

Equilateral Footstool-Part 2-Complete

Posted on December 18, 2016 by Greg Merritt

Sunday afternoon I removed the clamps from the lamination and finished shaping the top.  Then I drilled and reamed the holes for installing the legs. Continue reading →

Posted in Equilateral Footstool | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments