John....I am still very keen to visit Sarah's site, but as I said before transportation of the goods may be a problem. Can you tell me please, what size the benches are (those with the Record vice attached) and do they knock down? I realise that Sarah has said she would sell a vice without the bench but I feel to do that is slightly unfair.
Free hard wood
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9fingers
Established Member
I got some yesterday.
The tops are possibly a bit thin on their own but with stiffening ribs , possibly made from the legs, underneath they should not warp too much.
The surfaces will need a fair amount of preparation - just the job for Norms wide belt sander!!
Bob
The tops are possibly a bit thin on their own but with stiffening ribs , possibly made from the legs, underneath they should not warp too much.
The surfaces will need a fair amount of preparation - just the job for Norms wide belt sander!!
Bob
johnjin
Established Member
Hi Bob
Sorry for the late reply.
The benches are basically in two sizes, About 1200 m/m square with four vices attached these are record 52s quick release and some of them are nearly brand new. The other benches are about 1400 by 800 but this is a guess from memory. these have mostly two record 53e vices. The benches seem to be mortice and tenon joints and are doweled through the tenon, and so I would suggest drilling out the dowel and then knocking them apart. However there are many vices that have already been removed both 52s and 53s so there is no question of being unfair.
The separate science bench tops are I believe Iroko and are 1200 by 600 with about a 50 m/m radius on each corner and about 27 m/m thick made out of three boards tongue and grooved together. These are £2.50 each and the beech bases for these are also £2.50. The woodwork benches look to be all beech with about a 50 to 60 m/m top on them with a well. Some of these have cupboards in them as well. A complete woodworking bench including vices is £30. The benches and most of the other wood gear that is not sold will end up being made into wood pellets for heating. In fact there is a woodwork company next door who buy the wood from them for this purpose if I understood correctly. The whole idea is to avoid landfill wherever possible. Make no mistake Sarah will be very pleased to sell you any thing you want. They ship as much of the stuff as possible to South Africa but will not ship the wood. Storing the stuff is a major problem for Sarah as it comes in faster than it goes out hence the huge quantity that is there. Sarah's organization is payed to clear a school and then they ship what they can to the poor in South Africa as well as to the Red Cross for Disaster Relief. Obviously this all costs a lot of money and so whatever she can raise by selling to the likes of us will help her no end.
I hope this will be of some help to you and anyone else that is interested
Best wishes
John
Sorry for the late reply.
The benches are basically in two sizes, About 1200 m/m square with four vices attached these are record 52s quick release and some of them are nearly brand new. The other benches are about 1400 by 800 but this is a guess from memory. these have mostly two record 53e vices. The benches seem to be mortice and tenon joints and are doweled through the tenon, and so I would suggest drilling out the dowel and then knocking them apart. However there are many vices that have already been removed both 52s and 53s so there is no question of being unfair.
The separate science bench tops are I believe Iroko and are 1200 by 600 with about a 50 m/m radius on each corner and about 27 m/m thick made out of three boards tongue and grooved together. These are £2.50 each and the beech bases for these are also £2.50. The woodwork benches look to be all beech with about a 50 to 60 m/m top on them with a well. Some of these have cupboards in them as well. A complete woodworking bench including vices is £30. The benches and most of the other wood gear that is not sold will end up being made into wood pellets for heating. In fact there is a woodwork company next door who buy the wood from them for this purpose if I understood correctly. The whole idea is to avoid landfill wherever possible. Make no mistake Sarah will be very pleased to sell you any thing you want. They ship as much of the stuff as possible to South Africa but will not ship the wood. Storing the stuff is a major problem for Sarah as it comes in faster than it goes out hence the huge quantity that is there. Sarah's organization is payed to clear a school and then they ship what they can to the poor in South Africa as well as to the Red Cross for Disaster Relief. Obviously this all costs a lot of money and so whatever she can raise by selling to the likes of us will help her no end.
I hope this will be of some help to you and anyone else that is interested
Best wishes
John
LocalOak
Established Member
I am looking to go and pick up some benches in the near future. I'm planning to go and knock some science benches down and put them in the back of the car.
However, is there anyone in the herefordshire/monmouthshire/gloucestershire area who is interested in sharing a van? I'd get a workbench as well if that happened
Anyone up for it?
Toby
However, is there anyone in the herefordshire/monmouthshire/gloucestershire area who is interested in sharing a van? I'd get a workbench as well if that happened
Anyone up for it?
Toby
To save me pestering Sarah with this (unles you're listening, Sarah?) does anybody know if the warehouse is "open for business" on Saturdays? I'm seriously considering hiring a Transit for a (possibly joint?)trip up there. What I want won't fit in even my voluminous Volvo and I can't do a mid-week trip till half term.
Sarah Hill
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Actually I am here, just not been around for a while as it's been a bit hectic the last week or so.
We are a Monday to Friday operation, although I can get the place opened up on a weekend if we're given notice - most staff live fairly close by.
Regards,
Sarah
We are a Monday to Friday operation, although I can get the place opened up on a weekend if we're given notice - most staff live fairly close by.
Regards,
Sarah
Hi Sarah, thanks for that. Just looking at my options at the mo' as I have a meeting next week about a new job which might just interfere with my original half-term plans. I'll let you know well in advance if it absolutely has to be on a Sat.
White House Workshop
Established Member
cadders75":ov77cuii said:
I plan to use a number of them for that purpose. They are certainly sturdy enough - but will definitely take a fair amount of work to clean up. Anyone got any chewing gum remover?
digitalbot
Established Member
Hello
Regarding those Iroko desks. Providing I can find about three that are relatively unscarred, would it be safe to use them as kitchen worktops?
Regarding those Iroko desks. Providing I can find about three that are relatively unscarred, would it be safe to use them as kitchen worktops?
9fingers
Established Member
In what respect might they not be safe??
Bob
Bob
TheTiddles
Established Member
It probably refers to the prevalence of xanthan gum based bio-hazards adhered to the undersides! However ten minutes with a sharp chisel in the cold night air had removed my 6 tops of the aforementioned abominations before tomorrow's machining.
It appears that most of it has become embrittled by the prolonged exposure to atmospheric condition, perhaps coupled with the temperature reduction at this time of night... what a disgusting topic.
I walked into the kitchen to prepare a fortifying beverage and heard my foot sticking to the floor, with immense trepidation I examined the underside of my shoe and was relieved to see that I had actually trodden in horse poo instead.
If anyone is planning a return trip I am on holiday the week after next and would be interested in paying a visit
Aidan
It appears that most of it has become embrittled by the prolonged exposure to atmospheric condition, perhaps coupled with the temperature reduction at this time of night... what a disgusting topic.
I walked into the kitchen to prepare a fortifying beverage and heard my foot sticking to the floor, with immense trepidation I examined the underside of my shoe and was relieved to see that I had actually trodden in horse poo instead.
If anyone is planning a return trip I am on holiday the week after next and would be interested in paying a visit
Aidan
White House Workshop
Established Member
First one cleaned up and put in place to see if it'll work - SWMBO loves it! {Heaves big sigh of relief!} Now I have my marching orders as she wants the kitchen completely redone by the end of February.
FWIW I used a very sharp #4 plane to gradually skim off all the finish and 'grunge' so as to not raise clouds of dust. High 'white spots' got the chisel treatment first! Hard work, but it paid off and all that's needed is a final sanding before several coats of danish oil...
FWIW I used a very sharp #4 plane to gradually skim off all the finish and 'grunge' so as to not raise clouds of dust. High 'white spots' got the chisel treatment first! Hard work, but it paid off and all that's needed is a final sanding before several coats of danish oil...
digitalbot
Established Member
My other question was to have been what do I seal these kitchen tops with?
Andy Pullen
Established Member
digitalbot":hcrrtv5r said:
Places like Howden Timber sell oils for their own woodblock worktops that you apply with a rag, I would go with one of these. Much as I like Danish oil these appeared much thicker and would maybe offer a bit more protection to such a vulnerable surface.
YMMV! :shock:
rjrl101
Established Member
Thought that you might like to see what one of the science bench tops looks like after it's been de-gummed, scraped and sanded. Nearly all the gum removed was hard and could be struck off off very easily. There were some choice gooey bits though, with pink bubblegum being particularly difficult to remove. Virtually all the graffiti and damage was shallow enough to be sanded away on this particular top. There are only a few small coloured dimples that remain. (maybe biro stab marks?) and the top edges had to be run around with a router fitted with a roundover bit to remove damage. The top's about to be taken inside to be oiled.
Just realised that the wood should have had a good wipe before the photos were taken! Larger versions of the grain pics are here and
here.
Just realised that the wood should have had a good wipe before the photos were taken! Larger versions of the grain pics are here and
here.
We've had lots of info about these now, those pictures really show the potential of these benches once cleaned up, but I don't think anyone's mentioned the working height of the tops when they're on the stands. Any chance you could stick a tape on for me RJ?
