This, that, and the other

[Chuck K.]

Wow. What I would give to have your talent, or at least have the knowledge to make a decent living doing something I really enjoyed..

I am trying to figure out how to make my ~12' sliding gate bigger..

Look forward to future pictures.

 

[BB_TX]

But I don't know a high school drop out that wouldn't die for the opportunity to whup up on the degree professionals at their own game.

As an engineer, most of the best engineers I have worked with have been those non-degreed ones with lots of common sense who worked their way up from helper to engineer. Many a degreed engineer can't engineer their way out of a cardboard box.
As usual, some incredible work. I too wish I had that kind of talent.

 

[EddieWalker]

Harvey,

You are an inspiration to me!!! I really enjoy your projects and the detail you put into explaining them. Sometimes I get it right away, but then in other cases like this one and the rock stairway, it takes me a bit to understand what you are doing. of couse, the best part is HOW you are doing it, and that's where the pictures make is so much fun.

Thanks again for another fun project!!!

I've been playing with cedar myself lately on a much smaller scale. I have a client that wants his exam room done in a mountain theme, so I'm using cedar for his shelves. Lots and lots of sanding.

Did you clean off the bark with the preasure washer that you were telling me about when you were out here? Did you have to do any sanding at all?

Any pics of the preasure washer in operation and the tip you use?

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[AlanB]

Echoing what Eddie said, always inspirational, and as I sit and squirm and try and visualize the whole thing coming together.

Thanks for taking the time to do the pictures.

Something I saw on a landscape show, that you may already be doing Harv, but it went over big on the show, (and I think it will with some of our customers) is the landscaper gave them a picture book of the work as it progressed as a "thank you" gift to the customer.

 

[rtdiggr]

nice work Harv...


Shane

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Thanks for the complements guys.

Eddie, Craig has discovered that you need a thirty two hundred psi power washer with a swirl tip. If you are careful you don't need to do much more than power wash and then bleach to remove mold. He also uses what he calls an "Osborne Brush" on a polisher, says a grinder goes too fast.

Alan, we like to give cds or dvds. The laborers who helped us on the pond project all got dvds with about thirty six hundred photos on them to send home.

Today was a good day. It got even better when I was able to break away from work work and go over to the staircase project.

They had finished cutting the tenons on the treads and so we got down to carving a runner for the steel skeleton. We used a circular saw, a router, chisels, and finished it off with belt sanders.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

The way it will work is we'll attach the treads to the steel skeleton. Then we'll remove the excess tenon material. Then the runners will be attached.

We countersunk all the screw holes. Some of the holes are for the treads and some are for the runner.

Of course we had to do a trial fit.

 

[weldingisfun]

Nice!
I am looking forward to seeing the finished project.

 

[dbdartman]

Harv,

I've been watching your posted projects for the last couple years with more than a passing interest. Having over 25 years experience in welding & fabrication, including doing a few large & small hand & stair rail jobs, I find your work fascinating & your artistic/engineering vision inspiring. I, too, know the joy of dealing with a "book learned" college boy engineer. Frustrating, isn't it!

I like the way you're marrying the wood & steel. That's always a challenge, eh?

Anyway... I'd love to work for you for a year or two. I'm certain it wouldn't be boring! Too bad you're 1500+ miles away. Heck, I'd enjoy just following you around for a few days & picking your brain!

Keep up the good work, & keep posting the pics! Like Eddie, I may not always understand what you're doing, but the pics always make it clear. Plus it's funny how the finished product seems to be better than I envision it (IE: the stone steps were absolutely stunning).

Thank you, sir, for taking the time to show us your work. I, for one, truly appreciate it!

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Thanks again guys.

Maybe the best way to explain how I come up with these things is to define it as a reaction. In an empty room with no stimulus I'd be as creative as a log. But when something stimulates me I'm along for the ride. I can't take credit for the ideas because I have no control over them. One minute there's nothing and the next there's not only a concept but a good idea about how to make it happen.

These stairs are a classic example of that phenomena. Client/friend asks me for ideas on some stairs. He wants something unique and he hasn't found anything that catches his fancy. Out of clear air I suggest big beam cedar open stairs. What's funny in it's own way was as I was explaining my idea to him I was seeing the finished product. Of course he had questions about the details. I was able to answer his questions and we decided to go ahead as time allowed.

Today was one of those great ones. I got to see in three D touchy feely what we'd discussed initially. What is even more fun or rewarding if you will was the client/friend's reaction.

It started off with us assemblying the parts.