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Preindustrial Craftsmanship

Adventures of an Imperfect Man In Search of a Handmade Life

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  • THE VARDO PROJECT: Begin here
    • THE VARDO PROJECT: Part 1
    • The Vardo: Part 2, Conception and Planning
    • The Vardo: The great leap into construction
    • The Vardo: Finishing and fitting out.
  • The Caravan in Art
  • Minimalism
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  • Demystifying the Svea 123
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  • Walking, an Essay

Tag: metalwork

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

My Etsy Shop

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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_0026 (2)
DSCN2530
dsc_0004-6
My personal favorite (at the moment).
My personal favorite (at the moment).
DSC_0131 (4)
DSC_0471 (1)
dsc_0129-4
CoverWintercountV
DSC_0247
DSC_0005
DSC_0003 (8)
Paleotool at Rabbitstick, Rexburg, Idaho
Paleotool at Rabbitstick, Rexburg, Idaho
DSC_0239 (1)
0582
0582
0002
Hickory07
DSC_0115 (1)
DSC_0398
DSC_0012 (5)
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.
Bodhrans.
Bodhrans.
Quiver
Mountain dulcimer.
Mountain dulcimer.
Or just click the image to get to the gallery.
Or just click the image to get to the gallery.
My traveling bucksaw.
My traveling bucksaw.
DSC_0248
leather1
DSC_0001 (9)
0570
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.
awlinhand
DSC_0001
0220-2
20150204_105116
horses01
moreleather8
DSC_0126 (10)
bodger09
Arabic, 1762 (BnF Gallica, Paris).
DSC_0578
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.
DSC_0128 (9)
Bags_4
0004
DSC_0249 (5)
DSC_0309_2
ShoesHD
The small rucksack with the portmanteau attached.
The small rucksack with the portmanteau attached.
dsc_0901
My Portmanteau. 18th Century style, it has become my favorite overnight bag.
My Portmanteau. 18th Century style, it has become my favorite overnight bag.
DSC_0399
Wnter Count 2010 - 36
Version 2 (11)
20170906_101747
ghillie
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.
The sacred connection.
The sacred connection.
DSC_0117 (14)
DSC_0122 (9)
dsc_0117-3
Taking a break.
Taking a break.
DSCN4033
DSC_0024 (3)
DSC_0122 (11)
DSCN1705
Elk leg sinews dried and ready for processing.
Elk leg sinews dried and ready for processing.
DSC_0125 (7)
Higher, more ergonomic table.
Higher, more ergonomic table.
Flame maple neck, walnut rim.
Flame maple neck, walnut rim.
20180219_143649_Film4_resized
DSC_0245
leather3
DSC_0127 (10)
20180219_143544_Film4_resized
DSC_0258 (1)
0006
dsc_0128-3
0656
DSC_0249 (1)
Bags_6
Hickory02
DSC_0256 (1)
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_0121 (2)
20210722_154658 (1)
DSC_0037
And I added a leather thong.
And I added a leather thong.
Wnter Count 2010 - 34
DSC_0117 (8)
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.
DSCN1703
DSC_0390
bois darc 071
0568
Handmade Shoes
0830
Low-resolution selfie from a morning hike.
Low-resolution selfie from a morning hike.
0003
DSC_0120 (9)
dsc_0127-5
DSC_0002 (16)
DSC_0139 (1)
DSC_0004
DSC_0586
DSC_0119 (7)
Bodhrans.
Bodhrans.
DSCN1702
moreleather7
candles01
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.
laptopcase1
DSC_0075_2
DSC_0578
dsc_0068
lid80
DSC_0257 (1)
DSC_0030
DSC_0124 (8)
sandalcommis
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.
DSC_0178
dsc_0130-1
DSC_0256 (2)
DSCN1704
Argh! A moment of distraction means the snap of a stone bit!
Argh! A moment of distraction means the snap of a stone bit!
The holdfasts in place, holding nothing in particular.
The holdfasts in place, holding nothing in particular.
Bark - 2
moreleather6
DSC_0626
DSC_0258
bowyertools
DSC_0116 (7)
DSC_0121 (10)
A little walnut oil brings out the grain.
A little walnut oil brings out the grain.
DSC_0118 (17)
1214
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.
DSC_0127 (9)
voila
0001
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.
horses02
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