Author: George Crawford

archaeologist, archer, primitive technologist, and wannabee musician ... mostly

Leather Working Tote

~ George Crawford ~ 1 Comment

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I cleaned out my recently revamped tote that holds the my key leather working tools.  It was good to see the bottom of the box again and pull out the non-essential items.  The less used items have their own canvas tote bag of similar proportions.

dsc_0129-4The above photo shows how the handle removes to access the full box when working.  This old English design is seen on boxes like this through the colonial period in the Americas.

Mallets and Other Simple Wooden Implements

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Various hickory mallets and a spoon from Osage orange.

As I sort and cull my tools (and life) I want to share some past projects that may seem too simple to consider.  I am not always on the path to a handmade life but I’m also never far from it.

Rip Cuts and Table Saws

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From “Mountains and molehills; or, Recollections of a burnt journal” 1855, page 355.

Looking through old books online I’m constantly reminded of how easy we have it in the 21st Century.  I still remember seeing my grandfather and great-grandfather ripping the occasional board by hand.  Neither had a table saw and it was often too much trouble for a single cut to replace the blade in the circular saw.  I feel like I have rip-sawed miles of lumber in my life and many projects I have undertaken wouldn’t have occurred without the table saw.  As I have cut down on the large power tools I own I have a difficult time dismissing even the small table saw.

Roubo framesaw ripping thin planks from a log.
Roubo framesaw ripping thin planks from a log.

So, I’ve been putting off resawing a wide mahogany plank intended for an instrument back and, because of the width, it will need to be done by hand.  I have put it off for over a week now as I realize there is some dread about diving in.  It’s a skill that needs practice like any other and isn’t going to kill me.  Time to take a deep breath, clamp it down, and start cutting.

A Quick Update…

~ George Crawford ~ 8 Comments

A beautiful, dark, wintery day spent in the Vardo, getting things in shape and spending some quality time reading led me to thinking about shooting a few photos. The place is a bit unkempt but I think it shows how the space is used in real life.

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The hearth corner with miscellaneous junk piled on the surfaces. This is the view from where my head lies on the bed.
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A lot of wood types were used throughout the build as some was recycled and some was purchased based on availability. We are out beyond the end of the realm so supplies are limited. The small photo over the door is my grandparents who played a major role in my upbringing.
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The samovar corner with sink in place. The wood for this built-in comes mostly from an old (pre-war) desk that had seen better days. They used excellent materials that I really didn’t want to discard so I’ve been hanging onto them for several years now. The mirror is more useful that I would have ever thought and fits the space perfectly. The Samovar is strapped in by a belt connected to the wall and Stacey provided a cute octopus hook for wash cloths and other things. I’m just finishing the windows so they have yet to be varnished.
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Copper sink made from a french mixing bowl (thanks to Mick for the idea).
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A view aft from seated on the bed. I won’t lie, cutting all the cedar was not pleasant to conform to the arc but it ultimately turned out fairly successful. Apparently, I was trained well back in my life as a carpenter.
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My view of the stained glass window from bed with a small candle lantern next to it.
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Cluttered corner. Things are slowly finding their homes.
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The dog, trying to figure out what I’m up to but staying close to the heater. She climbs underneath the master bed when it’s time to sleep for the night.

 

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