jimi43
Established Member
I recently acquired a few Victorian "Sheffield" pad braces...some in pretty poor condition and some just downright broken!
I have wanted one of these for ages so sitting pondering what to do about them...I suddenly glanced over and saw a lump of English walnut Douglas Coates gave me a while back and there..in the grain...it was shouting BRACE BRACE BRACE!
I should have realised then this would be a bumpy landing but I listened to the wood and decided to make a new brace using it...refurbishing the castings from one or more of the basketcases I had.
Well..it turned out to be an amazing journey...a real insight into the deviousness and genius of Victorian craftsmen who did things the most complicated way possible JUST for the fun of it...or so it seems! :mrgreen:
Anyway...the whole story can be found at THIS LINK...on WKFINE TOOLS MAGAZINE now together in one article! (edit)
I honestly thought it would be a simple job...I was so very wrong!
Anyway...here are a couple of shots of the finished brace...I'm quite pleased how it turned out...I would like to say the next one will be better but that ain't gonna happen anytime soon! :mrgreen:
ALFIE enjoyed watching as usual! 8)
Cheers
Jimi and ALFIE!
I have wanted one of these for ages so sitting pondering what to do about them...I suddenly glanced over and saw a lump of English walnut Douglas Coates gave me a while back and there..in the grain...it was shouting BRACE BRACE BRACE!
I should have realised then this would be a bumpy landing but I listened to the wood and decided to make a new brace using it...refurbishing the castings from one or more of the basketcases I had.
Well..it turned out to be an amazing journey...a real insight into the deviousness and genius of Victorian craftsmen who did things the most complicated way possible JUST for the fun of it...or so it seems! :mrgreen:
Anyway...the whole story can be found at THIS LINK...on WKFINE TOOLS MAGAZINE now together in one article! (edit)
I honestly thought it would be a simple job...I was so very wrong!
Anyway...here are a couple of shots of the finished brace...I'm quite pleased how it turned out...I would like to say the next one will be better but that ain't gonna happen anytime soon! :mrgreen:
ALFIE enjoyed watching as usual! 8)
Cheers
Jimi and ALFIE!