Adventures of an Imperfect Man In Search of a Handmade Life
Chief of sanding, varnish, and stain department while we remodel and rejuvenate the vardo. This was tedious and difficult job that needed to be done. During this phase, we took the opportunity to fill holes, plug countersunk screws and rethink the interior furnishings all around. It will be a cozy little palace when we’re finished.
Morning photography from my work blog.
Winter came slowly and late to the Southern High Plains this year but finally hit us with a bang just over a week ago. Many birds were killed in the recent blizzard as were large numbers of cattle. I suspect the large mammals are having a difficult time keeping full on the meager food provided. The grasses, pinyon,and juniper around the yard provides a much needed browse for our live-in deer herd.
Here’s a nearly perfect little essay from Greg Merritt about amateur woodworking that can be applied far beyond our chosen hobby. It’s a great way to start off the New Year on a positive note.
I particularly like this line: “To build furniture you need three basic skills. You must know how to sharpen, layout accurately and then accurately cut the wood to layout. That is it. Period.”
The following is written for those of you, like myself, who are amature/hobbiest woodworkers. We just want to build things with wood and enjoy the process as well as the result.
In days gone by, when the apprentiship system was in full swing, a person knew where they stood in the hierarchy. You entered as an apprentice and worked your way up through the ranks. Crossing milestones allong the way that advanced you to the next level. Eventually working your way up until you were considered a master craftsman, or whatever similar rank, depending upon your chosen proffession. My assumption is, that as these individulas moved up in the system their attitude changed as well. Gaining both confidence and a sense of reponsibility to the profession.
That was then, this is now.
Something I have observed over the years is that amature woodworkers are almost always viewed as perpetual beginners…
View original post 1,000 more words
Excellent work from our Tuscany comrade. I hope to find the magazine and make one myself!
One of my dreams comes true!
Last month I’ve written a tutorial on making a wool bush shirt and this article… has been published in the Autumn issue of “The Bushcraft Magazine“!!!
View original post 114 more words
Here’s another fine read and almost too much reality from Paul Seller’s blog.
First off I didn’t want to edit this letter down because of the individuality it expresses. So it’s long and worth reading. Hi Paul, I just turned eighteen, and for just over a year now…
Source: An Answer for Today
All earthly structures begin with a foundation of some sort, even living wagons. In our case, the trailer frame is the earth, the ledge and subfloor serve as the foundation upon which, all is built. I proposed to attach the new section pretty much the same way and addition is connected to a house, by supplementing the structure at the joining lines and creating “nailers” to provide fastening surfaces for the new wood.
Going back to the day job for the week left me with only limited work times. No real workshop means no light and submitting to the ever-changing weather. This became the perfect time to make lumber from the piles of miscellaneous scrap and recycled boards I have been hoarding the past couple years. This is boring work and requires a lot of noisy time with the table saw and planer but yields a lots of free, well-seasoned lumber for building great things.
It’s satisfying to begin seeing real progress, even if it’s only just a shell going up. Pre-cut tongue-and-groove pine makes for easy work at this stage. The sad old door is being kept in place to help shelter the interior from unforeseen weather. We hope to get the bedroom area cleaned up, repairs made, and some re-varnishing done in the coming weekend.
Corner posts were secured and, unlike the first edition of the build, framed walls were created and await their double layer skin. I took this opportunity to mock-up the arch from plywood and test fitted it against the existing wall. Finally, it feels like real progress.
If you are looking for Part 1 of the rebuild/addition then CLICK HERE.
As usual with internet information, captions and data are suspect at best. However, this is a great image of Romani on the road so let’s just go with it. At first glance, it looks almost like a scene from the American west in the 19th century. It reminds me of early sheep camp images from New Mexico. I like the stove set up.
A desperate man with some ambition and the gumption to not be beaten can make himself a man-powered vardo (I’m thinking of you, Jim). An alternative to homelessness with a minimum of skills and materials.
In 1935 David Weatherhead, an unemployed shipyard worker from Sunderland, toured the county (England) looking for work in this one man caravan which he designed and made himself. From the Telegraph (UK).
Picture: Fred Morley/Fox Photos/Getty Images
“I am much inclined to live from my rucksack, and let my trousers fray as they like.”
from Wandering, Hermann Hesse
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 