Polishing Book

Although it might look like a shoe-shine box... in reality it is a polish of another quality that this toolkit is all about.

Phillip is a qualified french polisher and this kit holds just about everything he need to finish off any piece of furniture. You will see from many of the blog entries here that he has had a hand in the completion of many jobs that that needed that finishishing touch.

Phillip is showing the original handbook of french polishing from which he learned his craft in the Technical College system of the time. Just to show its authentically ancient, the price for the book is a grand total of 9 shillings and 6 pence.

Phillip admits that techniques and skills have changed much over time. However, this book remains precious as the basis of all that he leared to base his skill and the adaptations that made it possible for him to work successfully in the profession over so many years.

Pianola piece

Phillip has helped to finish off this excellent piece of furniture.

Well it sure looks excellent now that it has been restored and ready for its it primary purpose. These photos snapped while waiting for the "pianola piece" to be carefully loaded into a vehicle for transport home.

Phil has repaired and replaced the door, painted the black exterior and done up the inner shelves with a fine hand.

The chest is for the storage of piano-rolls. It sure is an excellent piece of furniture now !!!

Rigging the Lily

Don and Les Verity were discussing how to restore wonderful old model ship, the "Lily".

Apart from restoring the fine old hull to its former glory with a good clean, there a whole lot of rigging to renew and a whole set of sails to fit.

A fair bit of work involved but when its finished, it feel even better to have it in the renovated condition that such a proud model deserves.

Les and Wally are never far away when there is something nautical in the shed.

Traps

This might look Jim has finally trapped the worst of the curmudgeons in the Kincumber Men's shed. However, it was just a demonstration of the Mynah bird traps that he has used successfully in his back yard.

The prototypes were taken off the work line and used for demonstration at the shed. There was majority agreement to build at least two traps for use by the shed members. This has allowed purchase of materials for commencement of the project.

Rattan Rocker finished

The Rattan Rocker that has featured on this blog in recent times has been completed. You can see Phillip proudly showing off the end product. Quite a few members have contributed considerable time to stripping the chair down, repairing the frame and preparing this fine old rocker to its former glory.

Jim was quick to offer his services as a quality tester and jumped in for a go.

Ultimately, the chair was destined for Micks abode and has since been transported to its new home. Mick has tested the rocker in-situ and declared that its not only a fine old chair but brilliant restoration project by the Kincumber Mens Shed.

The walnut finish matches well with the existing furniture in Micks living room.

Well done lads, mission accomplished !!

San Remo DA advertised

The Development Application (DA) for the San Remo Community Neighbourhood Centre was adverstised in the Central Coast Express Advocate today.

Rattan rocker

Phil was putting a walnut finish on the ratan rocker this morning. Phil has decades of experience in the furniture industry and skills as a french polisher, just the man to put the finishing touches on this fine old rocker.

Phil has set the rattan seat and back as well. As he explained, the rattan cane must first be thoroughly wet before inserting and gluing into the frames. The cane is then made taut by pressing a rim down into the rattan, setting this also with glue. The final tension is then obtained by placing the frames, with the rattan trimmed, out into the sun for drying.