Richard T
Established Member
We've just had a very nice day out indeed.
We went to Mac Timbers open day to get some posh wood for plane infills. Never did I dream that so many would be there considering the time of year and that it was blowing a gale but it was pretty much at capacity.
I had taken along my coffin smoother shell and the new bench plane I'm working on as well as two handles I've made from Elm to do offering up measurements. I didn't think people would be much interested - I was wrong. :shock:
First stall along in the Village Hall was stuffed with beautiful chisels and gouges, turning tools, three Carter mitres and the latest Bill Carter Jointer. The one with the Yew handle that had the knot where the finger hole is...
And behind that sat Brian Jackson who's stall it was, and another Original Carter - well it was Bill Carter.
Deep as he was in speaks with lots of people as you can imagine, I moved down to a stall run by one Richard Arnold. Covered in Norrises it was, including this one ...
... that Bill had copied the handle from for the one above.
By this time Emma had decided that people probably would be interested in my plane making fumblings and turned up with the shells and what not. There were Oooos and Ahhhs a plenty and lots and lots of questions. Eventually someone wrestled Bill from the clutches of someone else to come and look and I'm very relieved to say he was very complimentary. We had several long talks throughout the afternoon and I've learnt a lot. Probably taught Bill a lesson too ... don't talk to that eejit etc..
I thought it was about time we looked at some wood, so we took the bits up to the loft to do some measuring and every one up there kind of noticed the planes. It took quite a long time.
I finished up with £69 worth of English Wallnut. I've put it straight out in the garage tonight to be in a similar environment as that from wence it came but I'll try to get some photos tomorrow.
We went to have a demo of the saw mills and on the way got a scale purposes photo of me sitting on a bit of Wallnut.
And another bit sat on the band mill
This is the other saw they have for edging.
And this is me being encouraged to fondle a sublime Norris by a sublime Bill Carter. (I'm very excited here btw)
It's a wonderful place and crammed with the nicest people. For those who might not know it, it's well worth going; not just on an open day but any time.
Photos of my Wallnut stash soon ...
What am I thinking ... I forgot to say I also met Ian from Chalco stamps and like the magical Mr. Olivander in Harry Potter he remembered who I was and what he put on my wand, er, stamp from over a year ago.
We went to Mac Timbers open day to get some posh wood for plane infills. Never did I dream that so many would be there considering the time of year and that it was blowing a gale but it was pretty much at capacity.
I had taken along my coffin smoother shell and the new bench plane I'm working on as well as two handles I've made from Elm to do offering up measurements. I didn't think people would be much interested - I was wrong. :shock:
First stall along in the Village Hall was stuffed with beautiful chisels and gouges, turning tools, three Carter mitres and the latest Bill Carter Jointer. The one with the Yew handle that had the knot where the finger hole is...
And behind that sat Brian Jackson who's stall it was, and another Original Carter - well it was Bill Carter.
Deep as he was in speaks with lots of people as you can imagine, I moved down to a stall run by one Richard Arnold. Covered in Norrises it was, including this one ...
... that Bill had copied the handle from for the one above.
By this time Emma had decided that people probably would be interested in my plane making fumblings and turned up with the shells and what not. There were Oooos and Ahhhs a plenty and lots and lots of questions. Eventually someone wrestled Bill from the clutches of someone else to come and look and I'm very relieved to say he was very complimentary.
We had several long talks throughout the afternoon and I've learnt a lot. Probably taught Bill a lesson too ... don't talk to that eejit etc..I thought it was about time we looked at some wood, so we took the bits up to the loft to do some measuring and every one up there kind of noticed the planes. It took quite a long time.
I finished up with £69 worth of English Wallnut. I've put it straight out in the garage tonight to be in a similar environment as that from wence it came but I'll try to get some photos tomorrow.
We went to have a demo of the saw mills and on the way got a scale purposes photo of me sitting on a bit of Wallnut.
And another bit sat on the band mill
This is the other saw they have for edging.
And this is me being encouraged to fondle a sublime Norris by a sublime Bill Carter. (I'm very excited here btw)
It's a wonderful place and crammed with the nicest people. For those who might not know it, it's well worth going; not just on an open day but any time.
Photos of my Wallnut stash soon ...
What am I thinking ... I forgot to say I also met Ian from Chalco stamps and like the magical Mr. Olivander in Harry Potter he remembered who I was and what he put on my wand, er, stamp from over a year ago.
