Aging nicely

[wroughtn_harv]

One of the reasons I do what I do the way I do it is for times like today. I got to go back and look at a project that was fun beyond words.

Here's something to look at first (the beginning) Then look at the attachment.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Here's another before and the attachment is an after.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

This job was done in 2000. It involved turning an impassible thicket into a thirty five by a hundred and forty feet of playground, for adults and children. Two pavillions, putting green, driving range, and of course the obligatory arbor with fountain and hidden storage. And of course there is the fence.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

I don't know if this photo will show it but in this beam is a low voltage halogen light.

That was one of the fun things about the job, figuring out just how trick trick can be.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

We started off with rough cut cedar timbers and it went up town from there.

But what is really neat is going back four years later and seeing it look better than it was remembered.

Here's a pavillion. Hidden lighting, mortise tenon joinery with hidden stainless lags and some Gorilla glue for the just in case's.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Here's the other one.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Here's the arbor.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Sometimes a fence isn't just a fence.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

It's actually storage.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

It's weather resistant with aluminum top and back. The hinges and door frames are stainless as are the screws holding the wood to the frame.

This job had so many challenges. Love those challenges. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Of course the locker on the other end of the arbor is for tennis rackets, golf clubs, and of course all the lighting controls etc.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

There once was an existing pavillion on the other side of the tennis court. When we were done with the back area I got to take it down and put up one that looked very similar but was three longer each way, sixteen inches higher in overall height, and had built in appliances.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

It had it's challenges too. One of the them was matching the house's dental tooth trim. No one had it in the dimensions to match so I made our own.

The ceiling is clear heart tongue and groove redwood.....with three coats of white paint. I cried. Such beautiful wood, white. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Every now and then a jewel will come into one's life. Now I'll confess to having some of the best customer's that ever walked gawd's green earth.

This one, whole family, are diamonds in the jewel box. It was the fourth job I did for them and he just turned me almost loose, no one turns me really really loose, to do my doggonedest.

I will be back Saturday to do a repair on the fountain. I'd put in a water source off the sprinkler feed. I'd used a copper toilet float valve and float. It seems the float filled with water and so there's been a water use situation. I'll replace that and give the fountain a good cleaning. Then in three or four years something else might give me an opportunity to return and get the feel goods.

 

[MDNY]

Harv your work is always amazing and just impressive. Too bad you don't live in NY so we could have your tallents here.

 

[pajoube]

Harv,
I can see why they continue to ask you back. Quality like that is very hard to find.
I really enjoyed your photo gallery.
PJ

 

[grandad]

Nice stuff, Harv. If you ever figured you needed a break from Tejas, I expect there would be lots of folks up here in the Carolinas that would keep you busy!

 

[Junkman]

Harv...... I'd give you my wife's Rolls if you came to CT to give me a hand with some projects...... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Grandad if my ship comes in without destroying the port I might be visiting your area. 66-67 I got to spend some quality time with a red headed freckled contankerous cuss from around Raleigh. He should be in his late fifties now but I suspect he still goes by the name of Walter Johnson, in jail or not. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

He plucked a guitar and sang country. Took us back home with "Patches of old shanty town" and "Long black veil". More than once he got me in a tight situation, his smart mouth dug the hole, my wise one always got us out. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'd like to touch base with him, just haven't had any luck. I was barely (two weeks) eighteen when we landed in country and I think he was twenty. There was five of us that rotated in and out together, a rarity.

So if anyone out there knows a Walter Johnson from North Carolina, Jim Holt of Fresno California, or Otis Moran from Los Angeles, I'd sure like a heads up.

Just don't believe a word they tell you about the War. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[grandad]

Speaking of aging nicely... we are about the same age. Didn't move to NC until '83-'84, though.

Looks like there are about 20-25 'Walter Johnsons' in the internet phone listing for Raleigh , including some where the age is about right. Didn't check the criminal records to see which might be in jail at the moment. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif