BEL Post #8
Hello Permies! I hope your Monday was as productive as ours here at WL. Today we started our meeting this morning by reinforcing our priorities for efforts here at WL -- at the top of the list was Allerton Abbey. Given this priority, Esteban and I were tasked with identifying an adequate slab for the fix of the Abbey floor. To remind everyone, the earthen floor to the right of the front door as you enter the "bedroom" space had cracked and fallen in just above a deadman that has experienced settling since the time the floor was finished. The solution, instead of just filling in the space with cob and refinishing the floor, was to fill the space with a plank of wood that would allow for continued observation of any further settling in the future and also provide a beautiful aesthetic. After considering larger slabs in the scrap pile, we decided to use a hickory slab that is part of several previously donated by a visiting Permie, because the slab was thick enough, flat enough, and big enough for our needs. In order to process this slab to our final required size, we had to first mark and cut a straight edge (as both sides were a live edge, this cut is one of the trickiest - it also happens to be when you have the heaviest slab). After making this first cut, we then cut the slab down to the appropriate length on the miter saw, followed by removing the other live edge, keeping the width still wider than what we needed (this is intentional, so that once planed and sanded, we could pick how to trim to size with the best looking final plank). Next, we planed the plank to the required thickness (this was done first one one side, then to the other, working it to the final thickness incrementally so that we could get the flattest final shape). In order to expose all of the grains below the "patina" that was on the surface of the wood, we also used a orbital sander to clean the surface up. I then cut the plank to final dimensions, making Stephen some veneer strips as I cut down the width. After a layer of linseed oil, that closed out my morning.
In the afternoon, we collected tool and went up to the Labs. Esteban and I went to the Abbey for the floor repair. Esteban worked on removing some more cob on the floor to facilitate the fix, and I used a contour gauge on the logs on each end so that I could scribe the profile, cut with a jigsaw, and then hand rasp a draft and the final adjustments for a tight fit. Another layer of linseed oil, and the plank looks beautiful in place. Next, we will be working to "fasten" the plank in place (without fasteners) and will need to finish the repair by reconstituting and reapplying the cob on the floor. More to come, but huge progress today!
A few other things this afternoon included: removing the sharp edge on the new front door jamb at the Abbey, and then applying linseed oil; planting hot pepper seeds in the WOFATI greenhouse and watering them; Completing more work laying down cover crop seeds on the Abbey hugels; Propagating dock seeds around the Abbey; Maybe some more clothes repairs tonight
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While the weather was wild today -- clouds, snow, then flurries in sunshine, then just sunshine, we completed quite a bit as a team today. I look forward to what else we can accomplish throughout the week.
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