MEMBER'S OWN PROJECTS
HAMMER
This lath hammer/axe is something of a family heirloom having belonged to a member’s grandfather. Originally it would have been used to cut and fix chestnut laths to walls and ceilings prior to plastering, this being in the days before plasterboard of course. Made in the Victorian era, probably by Brades, it had become neglected, the head was very rusty and the non original handle was full of woodworm, so a major refurbishment was needed.
The head had a very large eye and a replacement custom made handle was needed to suit this. The old handle was removed, the head was cleared using a rotary wire brush and a new rectangular section handle was made from well seasoned local oak, the rectangular shape and palm swell at the end allowing the grip to be rapidly moved through 180 degrees to use both functions of the tool effectively. An oak wedge and a cast steel cross wedge were fitted to secure the head and the whole item was then treated with linseed oil to preserve it. Hopefully, at perhaps 130 years old already, it now has a second life.
TABLE LAMP
One of our members swopped some logs for some pieces of an old roof collar beam, the centre part of which had been re-used in an extension on a neighbour's old house. Initially it was hard to see what these pieces could be re-used for, but with their hand cut mortices and tenons and the patina of the centuries they seemed too interesting to go for firewood.
A plan was hatched to turn the offcuts into table lamps. Brass lamp holders were sourced and the two oak timbers cut to the same length, then bored through to take the necessary electrical flex. The timbers were then sanded to remove the worst of the damage done by woodworm centuries ago, then treated, wax polished, wired and fitted with shades. A nice way to make use of timber that had already done hundreds of years of service structurally.