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Adventures of an Imperfect Man In Search of a Handmade Life

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  • THE VARDO PROJECT: Begin here
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    • The Vardo: The great leap into construction
    • The Vardo: Finishing and fitting out.
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Tag: Mechanic's vise

From the Magazine “Work” March 1, 1890

Sunday, August 29, 2021Saturday, February 17, 2024 ~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

When setting up shop it is important to set your tools and surfaces to the optimal working height. Here is some advice for setting up your mechanic’s vise for best use.

Now, get to work…

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Building the Vardo Caravan

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19th century archaeology archery arrows art art car atlatl backpack banjo bicycle bow making bowtop bushcraft camping caravan caravane craft craftsmanship DIY Edwardian gypsy Gypsy Truck gypsy wagon Henry David Thoreau house truck huaraches leather leather work leatherwork low tech minimalism moccasins mountain man music nomad painting paleotool philosophy photography possibles bag primitive skills primitive technology prymitywna technologia przetrwanie roulotte sandals schäferwagen sheepherder sheep wagon shoe making shoes shooting bag sopravvivenza supervivencia survie survival thoreau tiny house tiro al arco tiro con l'arco tir à l'arc tools travel traveller vardo Victorian vintage wilderness survival wohnwagen woodworking łucznictwo вардо выживание караван примитивные технологии

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Good Advice

A Gallery of Some Past Projects

DSC_0075_2
candles01
DSCN1705
DSC_0024 (3)
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Wnter Count 2010 - 36
DSC_0127 (10)
DSC_0249 (5)
DSC_0118 (17)
0570
DSC_0239 (1)
leather3
The small rucksack with the portmanteau attached.
The small rucksack with the portmanteau attached.
DSC_0012 (5)
voila
0006
DSC_0578
0004
1214
DSC_0178
DSC_0131 (4)
DSC_0115 (1)
DSC_0116 (7)
horses02
leather1
0220-2
The little table has many miles on it now and doesn't look this pretty at all. I'm actually in the midst of refinishing it and will post pictures sometime soon.
The little table has many miles on it now and doesn’t look this pretty at all. I’m actually in the midst of refinishing it and will post pictures sometime soon.
DSC_0002 (16)
Bags_6
My traveling bucksaw.
My traveling bucksaw.
DSC_0026 (2)
DSC_0124 (8)
DSC_0001 (9)
awlinhand
laptopcase1
moreleather6
DSC_0257 (1)
A little walnut oil brings out the grain.
A little walnut oil brings out the grain.
Hickory07
ghillie
sandalcommis
DSC_0139 (1)
DSC_0390
DSC_0030
DSCN1702
dsc_0129-4
0656
DSC_0248
The author with his antler-fork walking stick and his dog begging for a walk.
The author with his antler-fork walking stick and his dog begging for a walk.
dsc_0004-6
DSC_0120 (9)
Elk leg sinews dried and ready for processing.
Elk leg sinews dried and ready for processing.
DSC_0586
moreleather8
DSC_0258 (1)
DSC_0626
bois darc 071
DSC_0125 (7)
20170906_101747
DSC_0126 (10)
ShoesHD
DSC_0398
DSC_0119 (7)
Handmade Shoes
Dopp kit and some leather working tools I use to create items like this.
Dopp kit and some leather working tools I use to create items like this.
Or just click the image to get to the gallery.
Or just click the image to get to the gallery.
CoverWintercountV
Treadle lathe turned bowl and plate made by Mick Robins in spaleted alder (I think). The spoon is Osage orange carved by me.
Treadle lathe turned bowl and plate made by Mick Robins in spaleted alder (I think). The spoon is Osage orange carved by me.
DSC_0122 (9)
DSC_0121 (10)
20150204_105116
Tools, clockwise from lower left: large awl, sewing awl, rivercane needle case, bone toothpick, sewing needles in center.
Tools, clockwise from lower left: large awl, sewing awl, rivercane needle case, bone toothpick, sewing needles in center.
0582
bodger09
DSC_0121 (2)
Taking a break.
Taking a break.
Bags_4
Replicated woven sandals from the Southern High Plains and the greater Southwest. Produced from narrow-leaf yucca.
Replicated woven sandals from the Southern High Plains and the greater Southwest. Produced from narrow-leaf yucca.
Flame maple neck, walnut rim.
Flame maple neck, walnut rim.
Bodhrans.
Bodhrans.
DSC_0128 (9)
DSC_0471 (1)
Quiver
dsc_0127-5
The holdfasts in place, holding nothing in particular.
The holdfasts in place, holding nothing in particular.
DSC_0122 (11)
DSC_0117 (14)
And I added a leather thong.
And I added a leather thong.
Version 2 (11)
0001
An overview of traveling gear. I see this format on the web a lot so I'm stealing the style from far batter photographers than I.
An overview of traveling gear. I see this format on the web a lot so I’m stealing the style from far batter photographers than I.
The bench's small size will allow it to pack easily into the truck, even holding items in the tills.
The bench’s small size will allow it to pack easily into the truck, even holding items in the tills.
DSCN4033
Argh! A moment of distraction means the snap of a stone bit!
Argh! A moment of distraction means the snap of a stone bit!
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Bodhrans.
Bodhrans.
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lid80
DSC_0037
DSCN2530
0830
dsc_0117-3
bowyertools
DSC_0003 (8)
DSC_0004
DSC_0256 (1)
0002
DSC_0245
Willow pack basket I made several years ago. The straps were obviously new then.
Willow pack basket I made several years ago. The straps were obviously new then.
My personal favorite (at the moment).
My personal favorite (at the moment).
Paleotool at Rabbitstick, Rexburg, Idaho
Paleotool at Rabbitstick, Rexburg, Idaho
DSCN1704
Hickory02
Low-resolution selfie from a morning hike.
Low-resolution selfie from a morning hike.
DSC_0001
DSC_0256 (2)
moreleather7
0003
dsc_0901
DSC_0117 (8)
20210722_154658 (1)
Arabic, 1762 (BnF Gallica, Paris).
Design was kept as short as possible for transport. The cross bolt where the arm hinges is a salvaged bolt from an old truck spare tire holder.
Design was kept as short as possible for transport. The cross bolt where the arm hinges is a salvaged bolt from an old truck spare tire holder.
dsc_0130-1
Higher, more ergonomic table.
Higher, more ergonomic table.
0568
DSC_0578
dsc_0128-3
My Portmanteau. 18th Century style, it has become my favorite overnight bag.
My Portmanteau. 18th Century style, it has become my favorite overnight bag.
Wnter Count 2010 - 34
DSC_0309_2
DSC_0399
Mountain dulcimer.
Mountain dulcimer.
horses01
DSCN1703
DSC_0249 (1)
DSC_0005
DSC_0127 (9)
dsc_0068
Bark - 2
The sacred connection.
The sacred connection.
20180219_143649_Film4_resized
DSC_0258
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