Part of our mission with the Triton blog is to bring you what we see as the best of the web with regard to wood working. This link is to an inspirational video by Ben Proudfoot. Enjoy
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT:
Eric & Viviana Hollenbeck
Blue Ox Mill and School
1 X St.
Eureka, CA 95501
Phone: 707-444-3437
www.blueoxmill.com
eric@blueoxmill.com
FOLLOW twitter.com/breakwatermp // facebook.com/BreakwaterStudios
VISIT www.breakwaterstudios.com // www.blueoxmill.com
WATCH ink&paper - another craftsman doc by Ben Proudfoot - vimeo.com/33359230
Directed by Ben Proudfoot
@bgproudfoot
ben@benproudfoot.com
www.breakwaterstudios.com
Wednesday, 26 February 2014
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
Blackdown Shepherd Huts, Modern Craftsmanship with Classic Design
The Triton team is
always interested in talking to both woodworking enthusiasts and professionals
alike, and the one thing they have in common with us is a passion for
engineered precision.
We recently visited Blackdown Shepherd Huts, a rapidly-growing
artisan business based in South Somerset, England. The original shepherd huts have been around
for hundreds of years, and were built as temporary shelters for shepherds to
use whilst away tending the flock. Made from a variety of materials, local skills
were utilised to build basic shelters and sleeping accommodation.
These basic farmers’ shelters are now being reproduced to
the highest quality standards with modern luxury and comfort. Fitted out with a compact modern bathroom and
kitchen, the huts can be used as a home office, or even a luxury sauna or
holiday let - the options are seemingly endless.
Quality construction starts from the bottom up, with locally-forged
iron wheels and a robust oak frame chassis - hand-finished with Danish oil to
an exceptional standard. All of the
materials are locally sourced, which together with the appropriate sheep’s wool
insulation, help keep the environmental impact of each cabin to a minimum - both
during production and for the years ahead.
The exterior of each hut is clad either in feather-edged oak
or metal sheeting, depending on the client’s request. However it’s the
flexibility of the interior design and choice of quality materials that really
shows off the team’s dedication to quality without compromise.
“We would rather take time to explain to a customer the
performance benefits of the quality materials and finishes than compromise simply
to save costs,” commented George Bannister, one of the driving forces behind
the business. Looking at a sample of the
huts and seeing frame and chassis work in progress in their well-appointed and
expanding workshop, it’s clear they are winning the support of their customers
in this regard.
From a start-up business just two years ago, Blackdown
Shepherd Huts now employs five craftspeople directly, as well as providing regular
support for the local forge that produces the metalwork. Their reputation is spreading across the
globe, with a new manufacturer based in Australia who works with local timbers,
building huts to the original and exacting Blackdown specification and
precision standards. George explained
that a rapidly-growing part of their business is the supply of kits to ‘self builders’,
giving them the opportunity to construct their very own Shepherds Hut using the
quality components supplied.
If you want to know more about Blackdown Shepherd Huts and
the unique living spaces they create, visit their website at www.blackdownshepherdhuts.co.uk
We will be returning to them later in the year to see the ultimate workshop upgrade!
Tags:
#MastersofWood,
craftsmen,
living,
powertools,
Shepherd huts,
Somerset,
Triton,
woodworking,
workshop
Monday, 10 February 2014
UK Men’s Sheds Association Launch
One thing that’s
really clear to us from chatting to woodworkers at shows and events is that
they love to share details of their work, tips for improvements, and generally
natter about their projects and tools.
However it’s often the case that men over the age of 50
spend a good deal of time on their own in the workshop, garden, or home alone.
In particular when gents retire they often lose their primary social contact
with workmates and colleagues, and as a consequence can become isolated and
lonely. And that’s not good for physical or mental health.
This was the issue that the Men’s Sheds movement –
originally conceived in Australia - was set up to counter. Sheds are cropping
up all over the world with the same primary aim: to give men an opportunity to
socialise with a common purpose focused around practical projects and
hobbies. The range of activities they
get up to in their sheds is huge and includes woodwork, metalwork, model making
and photography, but there is really no limit. The key point is that a shed is
set up and run by the members for the members.
There are over a thousand sheds in Australia, and more
than one hundred and fifty in Ireland, and at the beginning of November the UK
joined the party with the launch of the UK Men’s Sheds Association in London. There are forty sheds already set up in the UK
and many more in the pipeline, and the locations are as varied as their members.
Gosport Shed is based in an old Royal Navy fort, whilst others are based in
vacant shop units or community centres.
The activities reflect the skills and interests of those involved as
well as the community around them.
Triton attended the UK Men’s Sheds Association Launch and
chatted to lots of the ‘Shedders’. They are an inspiring bunch and could quite
literally be a life saver for those that get involved. Over the next few months we will be visiting
several groups to give you a peak behind the shed door. If you’re a member of a
Men’s Shed Association from anywhere across the globe and would like to share
what you’re doing with the Triton community, drop us a line - it would be great
to hear from you!
The UK Men’s Sheds Association offers practical advice to
those wanting to set up a shed in the UK. There’s also the chance to link up
with other sheds across the country. They can be contacted via their
website; www.Menssheds.org.uk
Thursday, 6 February 2014
Triton Demonstration Workshops - Southern Africa
With many skills-based
creative pastimes, it can take many years to perfect your techniques and woodworking
is no exception. Choosing the right tools for the job as well as understanding
how to get the most impressive results can take a long time to master.
For many
years Triton Power Tools in South Africa has held annual workshop tours, both
to introduce people to the latest technology from the range and to demonstrate
how to get the best results from each product.
The most
recent round of thirty six project workshops were held at local dealers across South
Africa, where an invited audience were treated to detailed demonstrations on
how to create a wall mounted cabinet with a raised panel door.
Hosted by
Triton guru Greg De Villiers, a typical workshop lasted around 1 ½ hours in
which time the project was completed from start to finish. Numerous tools and
accessories were used including the Series 2000 WorkCentre and extension table.
The Triton
Router Table was a highlight of the workshops, together with some of the
associated accessories such as the Triton Finger Jointer (for the cabinet
construction), Biscuit Jointer (attaching of the gable) and Jigsaw Kit (for roughly
cutting out the gable profile). A number of core routing skills and functions
were demonstrated each evening including template making, flush trim cutting
and edge planning. Many people were amazed at the ease at which the raised
panel door was constructed within the time. The Triton Router and accessories
really make production of seemingly complex projects straightforward. The
project plans for the wall mounted cabinet were made available to all customers
attending so they can practice their new found skills in their own workshops.
The
feedback from the more than 650 woodworkers who attended and the dealerships
who hosted the project workshops was overwhelmingly positive. The series will
continue from February to May in South Africa and then move to Namibia and
Botswana in June.
If you
would like to watch Greg creating the wall cabinet or portable toolbox projects
from the roadshows check out our video archive www.YouTube.com/Tritonwoodwork
Tags:
Demonstration,
South Africa,
Training,
Triton,
woodwork,
Workshop Tour,
Workshops
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