truck topper – Preindustrial Craftsmanship

A couple recent inquiries prompt this quick post about a wooden truck topper. The question that came up a few weeks ago was "why would you make a topper instead of just buying one?" Well, I'm not wealthy and making something costs a lot less than buying it. Also, if you are a woodworker, it's …

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A Gallery of Some Past Projects

A little walnut oil brings out the grain.

Mountain dulcimer.

My traveling bucksaw.

Bodhrans.

Or just click the image to get to the gallery.

Argh! A moment of distraction means the snap of a stone bit!

The sacred connection.

Higher, more ergonomic table.

The small rucksack with the portmanteau attached.

Dopp kit and some leather working tools I use to create items like this.

Willow pack basket I made several years ago. The straps were obviously new then.

The author with his antler-fork walking stick and his dog begging for a walk.

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.

Flame maple neck, walnut rim.

My Portmanteau. 18th Century style, it has become my favorite overnight bag.

And I added a leather thong.

The bench’s small size will allow it to pack easily into the truck, even holding items in the tills.

Elk leg sinews dried and ready for processing.

Paleotool at Rabbitstick, Rexburg, Idaho

The holdfasts in place, holding nothing in particular.

Taking a break.

Tools, clockwise from lower left: large awl, sewing awl, rivercane needle case, bone toothpick, sewing needles in center.

Low-resolution selfie from a morning hike.

Bodhrans.

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.

Replicated woven sandals from the Southern High Plains and the greater Southwest. Produced from narrow-leaf yucca.

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.