I just posted a “how to” for bamboo arrows on Instructables. It is impossible to teach a complete class in this way but I’ve done what I can.
If you have an interest in arrowsmithing, have a look by clicking the arrows above.
Disclaimer
Something to keep in mind when learning a new skill.
A Primitive Technology Disclaimer.
I firmly believe that in Preindustrial Societies, the onus of learning was on the pupil. Anyone who wants to succeed will find a way to learn.
Real learning is an active endeavor. We learn best by carefully observing and doing. There will be failures. There will be frustration and tears. Not everything will be obvious nor will the reason for every step be readily apparent. It is not the duty of the teacher to drag every unwilling pupil along nor argue every point to their satisfaction every step of the way. Failure is not something to fear but is something to learn from. If you don’t like the teacher or the methods, either suck it up or find another teacher.
GT Crawford
Instructables
Just a note to those wishing to replicate some of the projects here…
I am working up some projects for the Instructables library and hope to continue this. I find it to be a wonderful site and you can really find almost anything there. I encourage Makers to post their stuff there as well as it is a great way to pass on knowledge.
My recent Instructables are an 18th Century Possibles or Shooting Bag:
Possibles Bag Layout.
Finished Possibles Bag.
and an overview of the rucksack with the layout sketches included:
From this…
To this…
Visit Instructables to learn more about making, fixing, hacking, or deconstructing just about anything you can imagine:
Revisiting the Enchanted Bike Wagon
I have mentioned this unique little wagon before but it is worth revisiting as a near perfect mini traveller’s wagon. Günther Lorenz, a maker from Bayern designed and built this bike-towed caravan without a plan or significant financial outlay.
It makes me happy to know that this was built, fueled by beer and a dream, in three weeks worth of evenings. It weighs in at 55 kilograms empty (120 pounds) so it isn’t exactly light-weight but provides the comforts of a dry bedroom while on the road.
The body is 2 meters long by 1.04 meters wide (79 by 41 inches). The frame is constructed from 20 mm square steel tubing welded together and the 5 bows are made from 8 mm tubing covered with garden hose. The whole thing runs on 28″ wheels.
If you’re looking to build something like this, head over to Günther’s web page for a more complete photo-set. They’re thumbnailed on his page but can be downloaded and viewed at higher resolution.
Kashmir
Music from my youth. Just because.
Whoops – wrong bowls
Sunday is the first day of bowl-turning class with Robin Wood – but I have been hewing bowls lately.
I have only ever made these one-at-a-time, and then usually years between versions. Right now, I am working on a batch of about 6 or 8 of them. One thing I miss is having room to really photograph some of the process, and a store of scrap wood to shim, wedge & otherwise cobble stuff in place. Had to use a carved rail to shim the underside of this bowl while I shaved the end grain.
Some of them are the “upside-down” orientation. I have most of these ready for drying, so I plan on finishing them later in June. But by then, my head will be filled with the possibilities of turned bowls and wh0-knows-what-else from my trip to the North House Folk School.
Exciting times.
I have known…
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The Lure Of The Mad Men – Part 14
If there is one thing the mad men knows works every time, it is telling people that you can get slim and fit without doing a damned thing. People will buy and gulp down absolutely anything based on that promise. Anyone knows deep down inside that Prof. F. J. Kellogg’s crappy “scientific” product is just as useless as the drugs and patent medicines he is warning against. But instead of considering actually slimming, now as back then people get hooked in case this particular product just might work.
But as we all know it doesn’t work of course. Not the ones back when the add above was made or the similar crap they’re pushing today. Had it worked there wouldn’t have been one lazy fat slob left in the overfed self indulging western world – Ted 😉
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Rucksack
I had a friend shoot a few pictures of the rucksack in action. My only regret is that it could be slightly bigger. But then again, I’d just fill it with more stuff.
It should last a lifetime and beyond.
Not exactly dressed up here. I’m wearing the old caulking and painting shorts.
If I remember correctly, the combined volume is about 2375 cubic inches (about 39 litres).
How to Talk to an Archaeologist
Where To Get Stuff Done: ADX
How do I get a job here?
ADX in Portland is a makers’ dream. It’s a 12,000 square foot facility filled with tools, space to work, and other like-minded folks. There’s a wood shop, metal shop, factory floor, and design lab; all equipped for pretty much anything you can dream up. All you have to do is get a membership, much like you would at the gym. That membership gives you access to the space, help from the staff, and the chance to sign up for on site classes. And when you need to a break or a caffeine fix, head on over the the cafe for a pick me up.
Meet Yelena Prusakova. She’s an artist and member at ADX. Take a look as she puts together a frame for a poster in the wood shop. With her background in Industrial and Interaction Design and access to whatever she needs at ADX, Yelena can bring her…
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Preindustrial Craftsmanship 