Thursday 27 January 2011







Im usually rather modest about my abilities but this week ive been rather chuffed, firstly with the tiling and now with the flooring in the galley and bathroom.

Im using the same Maple which I made the ceilings from and its a joy to work with as its so close grained and knot free. I first made the border and then infilled. Each mitre cut is 45 deg and its a testement to my laying out of bulkheads to millimitre accuracy that all the mitres are snug and tight, demonstrating how square everything is.

All it needs now is a good sanding and Im going to seal and protect it with teak and linseed oil.

Wednesday 26 January 2011

One small step, but -









One big leap forward.

I simply adore the steps, made from salvaged oak boards and given some love and linseed oil, and this is how they look.

Ive also been tiling and 2 square meters later, ive got it covered.

Sunday 23 January 2011

More galley pix






Just taken a few more pix in the galley. Ive made a few more doors for cupboards and the wall units above the counter.

The chair which has done sterling service over the past 5 months is realy on its last legs so ive turned it out to pasture and replaced it with some gorgeous steps which I made from reclaimed oak boards. The pix dont do them justice but they are realy neat and perform 3 functions. Firstly as steps, secondly they fl=old up to provide access to the shower pump un the bilge below and thirdly, the middle step folds up and the rubbish bin is hidden inside.
The top step finishes at the right level for the wheelhouse Maple floor to continue later on.
Its taken me two days to get this done, I dont know where the time goes but im more than happy with the result.

Wednesday 19 January 2011

Another door










I didnt finish my door making tasks last time and there was one still left to do but as the bulkheads wernt even made, it had to wait.

Anyway, yesterday was the day, I was in the mood and these tricky jobs cant keep waiting forever, so I jumped right in and finished it off.

One problem with the double sided bulkhead is the cavity between, which needs closing off. Easy enough when the door is square but with the arch it needs a curved filler piece.

So I made one, made a couple, one for beedroom and one for bathroom. I laminated two strips of scored MDF, slapped loads of PVA glue on, and bent them round a former made from the offcuts to match the tops of the doors. I hung it up above the stove to dry the glue faster while I got on with making the bathroom door.

A simple frame laminated between two layers and sanded to shape, it fills a hole and looks very rustic. I think the pix say it all.

Tuesday 18 January 2011

Cookin and good lookin










Look whats been cooking in my kitchen (galley). Ive been busy these past 3 weeks sorting out the bathroom and galley but the bathroom is still a work in progress due to the gas pipe which has to run under the basin and I cannot find the right tiles I want for the floor just in front of the shower tray, so im concentrating on the galley.

The galley is such a misch match shape I hadnt a hope of finding ready made units to fit and they arnt that much value for money either so I made my own. Done it all before years ago so its been fun doing it again, the same, but better.

I bought the washing machine and fridge first just to make sure what I planned would fit and work. Good job I did as the wash maching was intended to open into the bathroom but the layout of the waste pipe and cable didnt suit the position and I wanted to make sure it would pull out in case it breaks or needs replacing and that meant leaving even more room which would be a waste of space, so I turned it 180 degrees and it now opens to the galley but will be hidden behind a door.

So, I put in some partitions and set the counter top level above them. Cut a hole for the sink, coupled up the pipes and waste etc.
Opposite is the gas hob in its own alcove (which I call my inglenook) with an extractor fan sucking out via a mushroom vent. Beneath is the wash machine and to the side will be a draws.

The fridge fits in neatly with lots of space above and behind it which will make it more efficient. I still use the old chair in lieu of steps as it gives my thighs and bum a good workout, better than step aerobics but I have to make some proper steps soon. Ive been puzzling where to make space for the garbage can, erm, dustbin.
Ive explored every possible space and where ever I think of putting it will spoil a decent cupboard space and I dont want that. Then I had the brain wave of putting it inside the steps.

I was intending to make 3 draws under the steps but I think its a perfect place for the bin, so watch this space.

Still more to do but now the planning is done, the rest is easy.

Saturday 1 January 2011

Happy New Year

























How to make Hobbity style doors.




The arched doors look great but they arnt as easy to make as square ones. They are three inches thick and are hollow , so making the arched frame at the top is the key part.




To make it a little more interesting, one leaf of the door is an inch larger than the other. This will eliminate a door frame which would emphasise it too much and detract from the simple shape.




The gap between the two door faces is 48mm, So I cut some strips of MDF 48mm wide and cut one to 4' in length. Using the mitre saw, I cut a few hundred slots in it crossways, about half to two thirds the depth. This will allow it to bend gradually.




Next, I marked round the door, half an inch in from the edge and nailed on some blocks. I can use the blocks to help form the arch as I bend the slotted MDF round the door profile.


Add the rest of the strips down the door sides and across near the bottom. Ive kept it up about 1 inch as I will have to take a slice off to allow for the carpet depth at a later date.




Then glue and nail on the other side and go home for a well earned cup of rosey lea. The glue will be dry in the morning and I can sand it all to size.




Ive also been making the wardrobe with two sides to it, both have a door and shelves. In the back of it is the vent which will carry the ducted air to the back of the stove.








No Hobbits were actually involved in the making of Hobbity doors.


Other doors are not available