Spent the weekend after Thanksgiving making up a batch of mini-straightedges (16-in. long) for using at the drawing board. I’m using old-growth, perfectly vertical grain Douglas fir from the Olympic Peninsula, seasoned in my shop for several years. I’m doing all the work with hand tools and signing and dating each one.. Shape is an ellipse, drawn using the technique we described in By Hand and Eye (requires only a compass and straightedge).
Finish is several coats of tung oil followed by several coats of shellac, hand rubbed. Notice the little chamfer at apex of ellipse–this allows for finger tips to slide under to lift it from flat board. If you’d like to purchase one directly from Jim, the cost will be $85 including shipping. Shoot an email to jim.tolpin@gmail.com for purchase details.
