Grumbleweed's Woodshop News
Spring 2005
Hello Everyone!
It has been a long winter for many in the North Country and we are
more than ready for spring. With the lack of snow, the economy has
a big blow. We depend largely on traffic from "the outside"
for cash flow. This curtailed scheduled work for for us but when
things are slow we focus on matters we would not otherwise get to.
There is no such thing as being bored here! In fact, when my daughter
was very young there were two things I managed to instill in her
and I believe they have helped her achieve the many things she has:
there is no such thing as being bored and, use your imagination!
Congratulations Jess on making the Dean"s List! I am proud
of you!
With time at hand we have invested in making the shop work better
and be safer. The shop layout is totally changed allowing more projects
to be worked on at one time. A high out put air filtration system
now cleans the shop air at a rate of 2,100 cubic feet a minute!
Our wood shaving collection system now has a new hopper allowing
us to dump it into any truck quickly and safely. Wood shavings are
used as animal bedding at local farms and wood scrap is used as
fuel wood here. We have virtually no waste.
New for 2005:
- We are now using floor finishes on our furniture. This increases
durability and resistance to water damage. Floor finishes require
more work because of the leveling agents in them . Any surface
less than level tends to run if not given proper attention but
the end product is worth the effort.
- In a cooperative effort with Lancaster
Motor Inn, Main Street, Lancaster, N.H., we are opening a
display of some of our furniture items. The motor inn will also
offer other items of interest hopefully including jewelry (the
owner is a jeweler by trade). This display will brighten up the
lobby without a doubt! If you plan to visit, plan on taking the
time for a meal at Glendon's Chowder House housed within the Lancaster
Motor Inn. They offer a great meal at a reasonable price. The
display will open Wednesday, March 23 late in the day.
Included with this news letter are photographs of several farm
house kitchen tables just completed
for the display. The lighter colored one is made of solid ash sporting
a gloss clear coat top with translucent green stained underside
which is also clear coated. A star in our line up! The second table
is the same design yet very different. This is a new table with
a history! In 2001, at our former location in southern Connecticut,
A large oak tree fell leaving us with the opportunity for some exceptional
lumber. The ring count determined the tree was exactly 100 years
old. How that area of Connecticut has changed in that time! Years
ago one could grab a rifle and spend the day doing some fun casual
shooting, today it would lead to an arrest. In its earlier days,
this tree was the recipient of some of the bullets from this type
of shooting as can be seen in the enclosed close up. The bullet
pictured is embedded in the table top! This table is solid red oak
with a gloss clear coat top and a translucent blue underside with
a clear coat. Though more conservative than the ash table, it has
its own exceptional personality.
These tables won't last long so speak up quickly if they are of
interest. The tops are 40 by 66 inches and they are priced at $600.00
US each. Delivery is not included.
On another note: We are now members of CustomMade.com.
This is a site worth checking out!
Finally,
We all have heroes to thank and look up to. In particular those
who defend our rights and country. At this time, let us give them
a salute of respect and welcome those who are lucky enough to make
it home. And, not to undermine what I have just stated, a salute
to two other heroes in our lives. The kitchen table and all the
mothers in the world that have dedicated their lives to raising
quality families. The kitchen table has been the hub of family interaction
for centuries and without the good mothers of the world it wouldn't
have happened. In particular, this salute goes out to my mother
and to my wife for for their excellence in being what it takes to
build good family.
Enjoy the coming spring my friends,
Stuart Hotchkiss
Hotchkiss Construction Services LLC
Grumbleweed@surfglobal.net
603-586-7969
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