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Am currently restoring several doors and windows, all of which require stripping back to bare wood. I have opted to use solvent based finishing rather than water based because solvent based products survive better in the harsh Aussie conditions. Originally, these doors used a Sikkens HLSe base...

Lots of posts, but so many seem trivial. Where are the really interesting and creative projects ? So many posts are seeking help that just a little thought and logic would provide answers. If you have a really creative and inspiring project - please enrich this site

Have missed your restorations, they have been an inspiration. Please keep us posted on your projects, they are a real asset to this site

Unusual for this area, but lost about $ 3,000 of tools from the workshop. We know who did it, but police forensics are still working on DNA testing - so no proof as yet. Now I have to lock everything away each day - not a nice feeling. Insurance claim is a hassle. But now I have a nice piece of...

This is an invitation for all to contribute their experiences with different metals. Having watched this site for several years now, it appears that we all have difficulties with some metals. To me, it's just a case of understanding the "beast" we are dealing with. Woodworkers will understand...

Basically regarded as a pest. There are reports that the resin from the seed pods, can kill our native bees by clogging the entrance to the hive and hives over hearting. The bees are obsessed with these plant seeds. These trees grow HUGE and the wood is VERY brittle. They are limb droppers and...

When I was 11 years old, my older brothers had a boat which was moored in a boatshed in Balmain -Sydney The " old guy " who owned the boatshed was Stan Chapman. There was an old engine in his shed and I REALLY wanted it. Stan said, "if you can get it running, you can have it " I managed to find...

Having sorted out the re-wiring of the manual star - delta start electrics, decided to re-vamp this machine. Italian Sicma DRT 400 Planer / thicknesser This is a solid cast iron machine ( probably around 300 Kg ) Driven by a 4 Kw 3 phase motor. The planer table is 6 feet long It's not a full...

Why do we all do the projects and restorations we do ? I am not quite sure why I do it, so would like to hear from others. This often involves LOTS of time, effort and money - so what is the driving force ? What is the "satisfaction" ghat drives this ?

Have been on this site for a few years now, and hope that I may have helped a few along the way.

30 or 40 years ago, you could not find a decent disc sander. So, I built one. It's been working beautifully ever since - but it's time for a little TLC. If there is any interest, I will post progress.

The next challenge is to build 30 Koji trays. They ( herself - and others ) say Koji is a type of mould. I suggested they went to the local tip - but that didn't go down well ! Groan !! Why do I agree to do this ? They need to be made from Japanese Cedar - not easy to find in Aus. I will...

Have a 400 mm planer thicknesser. Runs from a 5 hp 3 phase motor Has a manual Star / delta starter, running from a DOL starter. After start, takes about 3 seconds and then you switch from star to delta. Has been working fine, until this morning - when the switch appeared to "freeze" Managed to...

About 30 years ago, I came across a Swedish geared head drill press. I re - built it and it has been great. I replaced all bearings and replaced all the wiring. She has worked beautifully ever since. The last place we lived had a serious rust environment, so I ( foolishly ) covered her in grease...

A little background : Many years ago ( too many ) I met a young lady who was busy knitting at a railway station in Hazlemere Surrey. Turns out that she had made her own spinning wheel from English beech and elm. It was a copy of her mother's antique wheel and was quite beautifully built. She had...

Having searched far and wide to find a Wadkin BZL lathe unsuccessfully, was lucky enough to find a Wadkin RS 6 which was up for auction within an hours drive from home in Sydney Australia. The lathe is Pre 1956 and suspect it may be around 1945 - 1950 It was part of the pattern makers shop in a...