Chippies Woodstore takes shape
Chippies Woodstore takes shape
by: Steve P.
With the machine shop almost complete apart from the sliding door, for which the parts are on order, attention turned to the chippies woodstore and a general clean up to allow the containers to be moved. Big John and his team laid the foundations for the woodstore which will be built of pallet racking uprights and cross beams with a sheet metal roof all from materials recovered from the Stroud Metals site.
Before work could start on this, we had to clear some space in the yard – the floats from Augustus Gloop had been left on a trailer in front of the fabrication shop, but Chris and the forklift soon had this sorted, and Martin with the tractor rearranged trailers, bowsers etc to create a (temporarily!) clear working area. Chris then parked the forklift next to the partially painted new green container, so it got painted green as well!
A wet day saw the final one of the three foundations cast while Leonie, Peter and Steve worked at clearing up, with Leonie discovering the pressure washer, and coming out happy but rather wet and covered in old paint and grime!
Completion of the foundations meant that a start could be made on building the woodstore, and Vince and Steve were joined by some volunteers from William Morris who learnt how to build pallet racking with the judicious use of a large hammer. This was a learning experience for all as we discovered that the uprights only work one way up, requiring more angle grinder type adjustment!
Last week saw the uprights in position with wooden roof joists added, but these could not be bolted into position until Leonie had finished red oxide painting the long container; a compromise was reached and the frames positioned and secured as well as the container being painted.
Final task for the day was to start on the roof and by close of play 2 sheets had been cut and fitted so that you can now start to see the overall shape and size (big!) of the woodstore. Even the logging team were impressed as they came to inspect the work!
Next week should see the roof completed and end cladding fitted so that the chippies can then start to move the timber from their current store which needs to be dismantled before work can be started on extending and upgrading their workshop.
