Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT London Calling. An ordinary life.

[sawduststeve]

Merry Christmas and an awesome holiday season to you and your whole team.

It’s been a good year watching you make us realise how much work goes into even the smallest tasks.

Thanks Rian.
And a happy Xmas to you.

I’m sure if there was a professional involved things would look easier.

 

[sawduststeve]

Merry Christmas!

Thank you my friend

And a happy Christmas to you and yours.

 

[Bob Heine]

Steve, I'm not late this time because it's Happy Boxing Day. I hope the nobility filled a box of their left over Christmas feast and dropped it off at the cottage.

 

[Grizz1963]

And just like that we are almost done with 2025

What are you up to tomorrow?

 

[sawduststeve]

Steve, I'm not late this time because it's Happy Boxing Day. I hope the nobility filled a box of their left over Christmas feast and dropped it off at the cottage.

I’m late in replying, sorry
Yes of course, the local nobility always drop off the leftovers to the commoners some being more common than others

 

[sawduststeve]

And just like that we are almost done with 2025

What are you up to tomorrow?

We certainly are, it’s been busy at times with some big events.

We’re doing very little, Matron is at work, girl child is revising and I’ve been messing around in the workshop.
The space heater still has your name on it if you want it.

 

[Grizz1963]

We certainly are, it’s been busy at times with some big events.

We’re doing very little, Matron is at work, girl child is revising and I’ve been messing around in the workshop.
The space heater still has your name on it if you want it.

Space heater was on my mind to be on the back seat, yes.
But I was not aware of your reply here.
Hopefully another day.

 

[sawduststeve]

Got my tickets to this evenings event

 

[Vise_Squad]

Here's one you might like Steve.

 

[BigWern766]

Nice splitty. We are full VW family with my wife's daily a slammed 1967 bug.
nate

i drive a 85 vanagon as a daily....when she starts....

 

[sawduststeve]

Here's one you might like Steve.

Mmm nope, not for me thanks. I prefer a little more originality, quite like the Jersey looker rear wheel treatment though.

Happy new year.
Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

i drive a 85 vanagon as a daily....when she starts....

Now here’s a fella who likes a bit of excitement in his life, will I be on time for work or will I be late.

Good work. Thanks for calling in
Happy new year
Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

Left to my own devices during twi
I messed about in the workshop for a bit.

Cut and glued some lengths of oak and walnut


Sanded, cut in the opposite direction then glued again and you need up with an end grain chopping board.

Soak it in mineral oil (baby lotion) fix four rubber feet and call it done.

A relatively easy but well received present

Steve

 

[jon72vega]

That cutting board is really cool!

 

[Zebedeewesty]

Here's one you might like Steve.

I'll roll that as my daily. Just needs some 60's thunderbird tail lights maybe, some air scoops, a couple of porthole windows and some timber bumpers on it like those on the Brubaker box.

 

[sawduststeve]

That cutting board is really cool!

Thanks Jon

It wasn’t to difficult to make, a beginner’s item.
I’ve seen some guys making them online and they have some serious patterns.

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

I'll roll that as my daily. Just needs some 60's thunderbird tail lights maybe, some air scoops, a couple of porthole windows and some timber bumpers on it like those on the Brubaker box.

I like that. Lose the front number and daily it as is.

 

[drivesitfar]

We switched to wood cutting boards a few years ago and I need to sand them or maybe plane them and put a new finish on them now. And maybe make a couple new ones too since I have more than a few good pieces of walnut and cherry in my wood scrap bins.

About how often do you put a new coat of oil or spiff up your wood boards cause I’m guessing you’ve been using them for a while before the new addition? Do you have a favorite wood glue for your projects?

Here’s to a great year and many more above dirt!!

 

[Grizz1963]

After a challenging start to my day…...

I headed into Romford to meet up with @sawduststeve to collect a diesel space heater he had put aside for me. He also gave me about 5kg of 75mm and 100mm wire nails. And finally a beautiful piece of Art that I hope to get to America for a friend.

While I was there, we had a coffee and I got a guided tour of their factory and workshop. After 40 years he is closing down to retire. I felt quite emotional about it all.
Some gorgeous machines, purpose built spaces and tools.

It was a great visit.

.
Thanks Steve.

 

[pima67]

To me the sad part of Steve's retirement is that his skill and knowledge is not being passed on to someone else. A loss for Londoners with older houses.

 

[Grizz1963]

To me the sad part of Steve's retirement is that his skill and knowledge is not being passed on to someone else. A loss for Londoners with older houses.

I agree.

His daughter I met years ago, she will carry the name forward, just in a different tune.

But certainly sad.

When I am with guys like that, and especially Steve, I feel so humbled, yet, not for a single moment does he lord it over me.

He still is passionate and knowledgeable about every step in his creative process.

 

[Old tool guy]

I’m going to miss the project pictures.

 

[captain14]

I’m going to miss the project pictures.

I know I will. I have learned multiple things from Steve’s posts. And he will answer questions about whatever he’s building and sharing with us.

 

[sawduststeve]

We switched to wood cutting boards a few years ago and I need to sand them or maybe plane them and put a new finish on them now. And maybe make a couple new ones too since I have more than a few good pieces of walnut and cherry in my wood scrap bins.

About how often do you put a new coat of oil or spiff up your wood boards cause I’m guessing you’ve been using them for a while before the new addition? Do you have a favorite wood glue for your projects?

Here’s to a great year and many more above dirt!!

Hiya Drives

I used D4 a water proof pva nothing fancy. Your scraps sound nice, there doesn’t have to be a particular pattern. Built not bought
Either oil twice yearly or when it’s looking dry and tired. Your choice.

Happy new year of looking at the daisy’s not pushing ‘em up.

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

After a challenging start to my day…...

I headed into Romford to meet up with @sawduststeve to collect a diesel space heater he had put aside for me. He also gave me about 5kg of 75mm and 100mm wire nails. And finally a beautiful piece of Art that I hope to get to America for a friend.

While I was there, we had a coffee and I got a guided tour of their factory and workshop. After 40 years he is closing down to retire. I felt quite emotional about it all.
Some gorgeous machines, purpose built spaces and tools.

It was a great visit.

.
Thanks Steve.

Always great to catch up with my South African
friend. Shame you don’t drive a pantechicon, I think I might have been able to empty the workshop.

‘till the next time

 

[sawduststeve]

I agree.

His daughter I met years ago, she will carry the name forward, just in a different tune.

But certainly sad.

When I am with guys like that, and especially Steve, I feel so humbled, yet, not for a single moment does he lord it over me.

He still is passionate and knowledgeable about every step in his creative process.

I’m retiring not dying

 

[sawduststeve]

To me the sad part of Steve's retirement is that his skill and knowledge is not being passed on to someone else. A loss for Londoners with older houses.

I’m going to miss the project pictures.

I know I will. I have learned multiple things from Steve’s posts. And he will answer questions about whatever he’s building and sharing with us.

Thanks guys.
Showing Rian around the workshop did hit home a little, but hey, nothing stays the same forever and after 45 years it’s time to slow down.
I won’t miss the work, I’ll miss not having the shop for personal stuff.

 

[sawduststeve]

Just back from Norfolk, a nice sunny weekend about 11*, pleasant enough, certainly better than two weeks ago




Timber shed anybody
The vision is slowly coming together


At least the shingles are off.

Boatshed roof also finished, barge boards up and looking good


Steve

 

[Old tool guy]

I’m retiring not dying

Not to be morbid, but … i was hoping that 20 yrs from now i would see a news headline ”famous London woodshop owner drops dead as he puts the key in the lock to open for the day”.

 

[Grizz1963]

Always great to catch up with my South African
friend. Shame you don’t drive a pantechicon, I think I might have been able to empty the workshop.

‘till the next time

I really struggled to hold back and not load a bunch of the stuff you were offering me.

Sometimes in life…….

 

[sawduststeve]

Not to be morbid, but … i was hoping that 20 yrs from now i would see a news headline ”famous London woodshop owner drops dead as he puts the key in the lock to open for the day”.

Or,
I sell the workshop and spend the money over the next twenty years cruising up and down The Broads. Only to die at the wheel of the boat crash into a fuel tanker and go up in a massive fire ball.
And if you have any sway with her upstairs, could we make it happen in 29 years. Thanks

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

I really struggled to hold back and not load a bunch of the stuff you were offering me.

Sometimes in life…….

Sometimes in life…..not having the space *****.

 

[sawduststeve]

Bit of a strange day today
Been to a funeral of one of my dad’s school mates.
The guy was a through and through petrol head
Working for Ford his whole career in the design department, initially design draftsman then full size modelling.
What a time to be alive, designing autos in the
60’s, real rock and roll stuff.
Here’s the man himself mid 60’s.


Got home for my tea and what was on the tele
Le Mans 66. Watched it as a tribute, no hardship really

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

As much as I moan, I’m gonna miss the space to do things like this
Wifey buys a sink with vanity unit that needs a
little attention.
The bow front is rotten, so after poking my fingers through it, apart it came

A strip of ply later, and I’m in the good books

Just need to decide what to stain it with.

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

Been a bit busy of late, mostly making and fitting box sash frame.

Bought a load of lead bar, 1 3/4” x 1 3/4” x 48”

Weight per bar 26kg. Each bar is cut into three
1x 11kg and 2 x 7.5kg, just what we wanted

That’s one supply only job finished.

Next up was on site here

Four section bay
Out they came two at a time
And in they went
All four in the second day

All new trims and finished


Removing Box sash frames is incredibly dirty.
When these windows were new 120 years ago, coal was the heating of choice, the weight boxes are full of 120 years of soot and dust.

Steve

 

[sawduststeve]

Our penultimate job involved a day out up town
Tower Bridge



Tower of London

Job is here SW London, Balham. 20 miles and two hours later

Home via the Chelsea bridge and the National History Museum



Steve

 

[captain14]

Steve,

Posts 1834 and 1835 show your excellent craftsmanship. I enjoyed your pics from your travels to the big city.

I still think you should have kept a little off hours access to your shop so you can do all your personal projects the wife hands you.

 

[Old tool guy]

What are the lead bars for? Sash weights?

 

[drivesitfar]

I agree you will need some shop space to do these kinds of projects for your canal home or friends.

I’m guessing you’ve seen most varieties of wood rot but wondering which caulk brand or sealer type you like best? Also even with the good stuff and a professional application I’m guessing caulking should be scraped out and re applied every 5 or 10 or how many years.
We took the uber boat (I think that’s what it’s called) up and down the Thames and we should have walked up above the Tower Bridge instead of under London bridge where it was too busy to move.
Are you enjoying your 6 Saturdays and a Sunday week schedule yet or still too busy??

 

[Grizz1963]

I always feel like a tourist when you take us for a ride Steve.