Abney Park Cemetery – home to the London Group Saturday 7^th February 2015

John Flaherty arrived sporting a very handsome pair of clogs from Jeremy Akinson who is giving JoJo Wood tuition as we speak. 

John said they were very comfortable. I must have a pair!

John has 'serial tool buyers syndrome' and found this strange object that even Mike Kimpton did not know recognise – anyone got any id eas?

The lower part is a blade.

This leather knife was an interesting shape, they are normally more hemispherical.

Mike showed us this home-made jig for cutting holes in strips of band-saw blade to make bow saw blades.

An old door hinge has a hole drilled through it the same size as a masonry nail. He marks the position of the hole on the blade with Tipp-ex, inserts the blade in the gap of the closed hinge and lines up the Tipp-ex with the centre of the hole. He then puts in the nail and hits it with a hammer punching the hole through the blade. It worked very well – no drill bit, no drill and have you ever tried to drill a neat hole through very thin metal?

 

Mike also brought along this book on wooden rules. We should all buy as many as possible.

This was the first meeting of 2015 and as usual we all spent most of the day sharpening the impressive collection of tools most of which were given by the WCT. 

This has been a very worthwhile and value for money sponsorship, I have often seen them run out when it get busy!

Thanks to all the Abney crew - Jo and Orlando, Joseph Bloor, Julian, Leslie and all the regular attendees.

Collecting my chainsaw from APT Friday 6^th February.

Living in London has many disadvantages but it does have plenty of local services.

This family business was founded in 1840 and four members of the family still work here.

We all love a bargain and are probably too quick to go to the web as I did last year. Before what I thought was a bargain I double checked with my local shop – this one and they were cheaper!

Be warned, this is a very dangerous place to visit – far too many temptations.

Check them out – apsgardenmachinery.co.uk

Leatherworking in my study London Wanstead 03-02-15

This was a commission to make a hunting knife case for a young man from Mark Cross. It was my first go at this style of case so; time to get the bible of sewing out – ‘The art of making leather cases by Al Stohlman. If you make leather cases this is a must but you need the previous volume as it is referenced all the time. Best value is from J T Batchelors – off Balls Pond Road London, they are also suppliers of tools and leather.

His series of books are packed with hand drawn illustrations of how to do everything; it all follows a logical sequence. Sucessful leatherwork is all about the basics – preparation (reading the book), making card templates (something I learnt very early on from Rob Exton – and then keeping them for future use), working with good tools and quality leather (Batchelor’s) and then finishing, waxing etc.

The most enjoyable aspect of this is to be constantly challenged to do something different, making your brain work on the new application of your old skills. 

The safety strap was riveted inside the belt loop at the back and then onto the front of the case.

Not wet mould in the true sense but moistened on the fold.

I might be tempted to add a fringe on the next one of this type (especially if it’s for a youngster).

Kings Head Passage, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP20 2RW  01296 718812

I called into Aylesbury on the way back having once again  consulted the CAMRA website – this was top of their list. They sold a good range of Chiltern Ales. The food looked great.

THE FARMERS' BAR at The King's Head. Dating from 1455 The Farmers' Bar is an historic hidden gem in the heart of the old market town of Aylesbury.

You had the get the key for the toilet off the bar. The pub was just off the market place so I’m guessing they we fed up with providing free loos!

West Midlands bodgers group ant The Greenwood Centre, Coalbrookdale Ironbridge Gorge Sunday 1^st  Februaury

An Oak seat with a Hazel woven back, one of many fine examples of green woodwork in the timber framed building on site.

Some fine examples of local coracle. Someone has just secured a grant to renovate a workshop near Ironbridge and they are going to start making them again. There are many local variations as with most ‘tools of the trade’

They have a great set-up with a permanent shelter with many lathes and shave horses. No shortage of wood either. They meet monthly on the first Sunday.

Bob was making yet another mallet.

Later on we were discussing suitable knives for  beginners and high tool costs. He mentioned the knife shown a Hultafors Craftsman’s knife HVK £2.90 inc vat! Search on line. He removes the tip before letting a beginner have a go, I always recommend Ken Lukeman’s Little book of whittling  for youngsters – Abney Park who see many beginners have a rule about children: their parent come first to learn the basic skills and then must accompany their children – a very sound policy. Visitors also sign a waiver before they do anything.

Coopers Tavern 43 Cross Street Burton Upon Trent DE14 1EG

I stopped off in Burton Upon Trent on the way to Coalbrookdale. This was top of the CAMRA list for the area.

Most of their beer was straight from the barrel – makes perfect sense, quicker to pour and beer is in a perfect condition. The very, very tricky bit is managing it. They have live music every Sunday 3-6pm

 

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Local hand crafted pork pies and the tables were beer casks.

Their list of innkeepers went back 1823

cooper1970@live.co.uk

Visit to the proposed new Bodgers Ball 2015 venue Saturday 30^th  January

at Walesby Forest Brake Road, Walesby, Newark NG22 9NG

I met up with Alan and Clive from the committee to meet with Andrew Alder and others from the East Midlands group. It was a little chilly but the site was large and I think has great potential.

That was the easy bit, now things have to be organised and at the end of the day it is down to the local group and volunteers.

 I had many other pictures but one snowy scene is much like another. Perhaps a helicopter and a film crew next year. 

For more details of course - visit their website.