I'm still working on my new shop. I spent last weekend on old shed electrics and installing a single to 3 phase converter box of tricks (VSD) in the new part of my so I can run my 3 phase Southbend metalwork lathe from a single phase - that's now done and it all works good.
The other thing I have been working on is some bench tops to top off a pair of cupboards I picked up from an old lab at work that was being renovated. The cupboards are made of an Aussie Eucalypt that goes by the name of Mountain Ash (but it's not really an Ash at all).
The bench tops are Western Australian Red Gum. I planted this tree 33 years ago in our pocket handkerchief back yard and 13 years ago it had to come down due to a home renovation. Anyway now part of is now in my shop as bench tops, literally 5 yards away from where it used to stand.
Although they are quite different woods the Red Gum and the Mountain Ash seem to blend together OK. I will also place another redgum slab top on top of the cupboard to the right of the sink so they will be like a matching pair.
I've left the natural edges on and removed the bark using a wire brush on an angle grinder. The ends have been left rough sawn with the original chain saw marks on them. The many cracks are filled with epoxy, less for looks and more to prevent losing small things down the cracks. The plinth at the back covers a half bench length 1.5" wide gap resulting from the natural curve of the trunk at that point.
This stuff is notorious for moving and checking for years after it has dried but I think 13 years under the house should cover it :msp_smile:
I started to work on getting a super smooth finish on this top but after half an hour of sanding I decided to stop as it is after all just a bench top for the shed. This top will be the place to locate a note book and writing implements as well as portable power tool battery chargers. The other bench will be my CS repair bench. Shame really but I have another dozen or so of these short slabs under my house and will just be using the worst cracked ones for the bench tops.
The other thing I have been working on is some bench tops to top off a pair of cupboards I picked up from an old lab at work that was being renovated. The cupboards are made of an Aussie Eucalypt that goes by the name of Mountain Ash (but it's not really an Ash at all).
The bench tops are Western Australian Red Gum. I planted this tree 33 years ago in our pocket handkerchief back yard and 13 years ago it had to come down due to a home renovation. Anyway now part of is now in my shop as bench tops, literally 5 yards away from where it used to stand.
Although they are quite different woods the Red Gum and the Mountain Ash seem to blend together OK. I will also place another redgum slab top on top of the cupboard to the right of the sink so they will be like a matching pair.
I've left the natural edges on and removed the bark using a wire brush on an angle grinder. The ends have been left rough sawn with the original chain saw marks on them. The many cracks are filled with epoxy, less for looks and more to prevent losing small things down the cracks. The plinth at the back covers a half bench length 1.5" wide gap resulting from the natural curve of the trunk at that point.
This stuff is notorious for moving and checking for years after it has dried but I think 13 years under the house should cover it :msp_smile:
I started to work on getting a super smooth finish on this top but after half an hour of sanding I decided to stop as it is after all just a bench top for the shed. This top will be the place to locate a note book and writing implements as well as portable power tool battery chargers. The other bench will be my CS repair bench. Shame really but I have another dozen or so of these short slabs under my house and will just be using the worst cracked ones for the bench tops.
But I've got several acres up in Vermont I planted back in 1978 that are just getting ready 
