Hi SS,
I didn't think of those, although I know the connection. I think the reason is that when you find knitting dollies in the UK they tend to be very tacky plastic, and a lucet looks graceful and has character and history. My oldest daughter (now 21) did make a knitting rake, about 18-20 inches working edge when she was at High School. We still have that, but it's a bit unwieldy.
Thank you for those videos, Struktor. I didn't find anything of that "simple lucet": I had a strong feeling that I could have been watching one of JD's ancestors at work

The instructions for making a foot operated saw were fascinating. MacGyver couldn't have done better

I shall have to remember what I did with the bed slats from early this year (my 8 year old's bed), and put off my plans to sugar-soap and teak oil the dining table until afterwards.
Hi Firebright, yes: I'm in soggy England. Although last week we had fine weather every day they predicted rain, and rain when they predicted fine. We live in Bury, in the Irwell valley, which is a river that feeds out into the Mersey River via the Manchester Ship Canal. Wikipedia has articles both on the Irwell, which is about 50 feet behind my back garden, and about Burrs Country Park, which is at the end of our approach road.
Don't worry about postage costs: I have a penfriend in Peewee Valley, Kentucky, and I know how much it costs me to send her a Christmas bumper envelope

I also know it will be worth it; the wood sounds beautiful. I know poplar, though I've not seen much of it, but I've never heard of Purpleheart. Thank you for the picture. I'll send you a PM to talk about the details

Regards
Glenys