Now for something a bit different...

**Blackbird** · 31st October 2008, 09:23

Originally Posted by vifferman

+1
However, I'd imagine that "scroty old macrocarpa" seat will outlast the elegant imported hardwood one that's sitting on our front deck. It has a beautiful smell too (although it looks like that might be sealed in by varnish on Geoff's one - or is it oiled?)
BTW - the new deck looks very nice!

Cheers Ian. Yeah, we already have hardwood table and chairs but these days, I'm a bit more sensitive about imported hardwoods as I've been working on an environmental certification project for CHH! It's been oiled with something called Haarlem Oil which soaks in and hardens. You're right about the smell, it's outstanding. Thanks too about the deck comments, we can seriously party on it now with a cast of hundreds

. It's around 370 sq metres in area. Just got to get the ballustrading on the stairs and the carpentry work is all done.

Perhaps I can get back to riding now

**Bass** · 31st October 2008, 11:25

Originally Posted by Ixion

Weld it? I'd settle for being able to tap a decent thread in the darn stuff.

I can help you there - used to do it quite a bit when I was racing model aircraft.

Drill your pilot hole of the appropriate size for the desired thread and then run copious amounts of thin cyanoacrylate into the hole. Allow to harden and tap away.
When complete, add more cyano and when hard, tap again.
Obviously coarse threads work best but you can get a surprisingly fine one that is still useful.

As for welding, I think people like Bostick and 3M make rods. They are about 50 mm in diameter as I recall and quite expensive. The welder however, does not require mains power and is completely portable. The weld can be very slow to cool. It can take up to a day.

**ManDownUnder** · 31st October 2008, 11:32

Originally Posted by Blackbird

If anyone likes solid wood furniture, look no further than Greg Taylor. For cash in hand, his prices are very sharp indeed

He has a website: http://www.branchcreek.co.nz/ although the photos simply don't show the quality of his work. Nice to see craftsmanship is still alive.

Now that's all done and Mrs B is happy, I can get back to riding

Like it - and they'd good on my lawn me thinks. Might need regular TLC to stop them splitting though - or is there some way around that?

Originally Posted by Motu

Got to give credit to people who can work with wood - I've tried to weld it,but there must be a special rod to do it,or maybe a special flux.If I can find some good wood welding sticks,I'll give it a go sometime....

Found some for ya. Stick and MIG options

**SPman** · 31st October 2008, 14:28

Originally Posted by Timber020

I have some 50cm X 50cm X 1500cm pohutakawa slabs that have been drying in my garage for 3 years now.

Should be ready to use in 6 or 7 years time........

**quallman1234** · 31st October 2008, 15:05

Wood welding.

"The technique is now called “mechanically-induced wood flow welding”, and it produces high-strength bonds in seconds without the use of adhesive. To “weld” wood, pieces of lumber are pressed together (at 60 – 330 psi) and rubbed back and forth at high speed for a few (3-5) seconds. After a few more seconds of clamp time, the bonding process is complete. Examination of the bondline suggests that the friction between the pieces heats and melts components of the wood (mainly lignin) and loosens fibers on the surface. These fibers intertwine in a matrix with the molten lignin and solidify to form a bond that is strong enough for structural applications. The bonds are not water-resistant, thus the technology is most promising for interior joinery and furniture."

**Skunk** · 31st October 2008, 15:16

Originally Posted by Blackbird

Now that's all done and Mrs B is happy, I can get back to riding

Before you go riding you should paint that last weatherboard...

Nice seat and deck too.

**Blackbird** · 31st October 2008, 15:41

Originally Posted by Skunk

Before you go riding you should paint that last weatherboard...

Nice seat and deck too.

No way - the whole exterior is due for a repaint now we live here full time and that's not going to happen this summer...

**Swoop** · 31st October 2008, 18:25

Originally Posted by Ixion

Weld it? I'd settle for being able to tap a decent thread in the darn stuff.

Quite easy really. You just have to have the right tool for the job.

**Swoop** · 31st October 2008, 18:27

Now this is real outdoor furniture!!!

**Hitcher** · 31st October 2008, 18:31

Oh how the tables have turned.

**Ocean1** · 8th November 2008, 08:45

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Oh how the tables have turned.

Started life as a pool table.

**Madness** · 8th November 2008, 08:48

Who put the bloody chewing gum there?

**Fatt Max** · 8th November 2008, 16:22

Nice one. There is a guy who used to make great wooden furniture just past the Kpou Taven as you turned into the ranges heading towards Tairua. Dont think he is there anymore but he made chice stuff.