Tourney Season Overhaul

[hrj]

Time to overhaul the camping equipment for the tourney season. I never quite managed various bits of planned overhaul last year, so some of this is overdue. And it helps that Friday is a company holiday, so the fact that I have to figure out how to pack all manner of different equipment isn't too scary. So what's to do?

* All the finishing work on the bench for the PPF is done and I figure I'll give it a test-run at Crown. It's as heavy (uh ... sturdy) as a sonuvabitch and I've figured that the only way to haul it around without going crazy is to make a carrying bag. And I had this length of canvas left over from the tent that I'd never decided what to do with ....

* Re-strung the rope-suspension bed (after having finally gotten around to Varathaning the legs). I've always previously strung it with sisal (closer to authentic, doncha know) but since I always end up storing it in places that get damp during the winter, this has meant restringing it every year. So I capitulated and strung it with polyester rope this time. We'll see how that works. I'm also planning to make a canvas carrying bag for it too.

* Sort out the kitchen equipment into the new modular shelving units. The new system involves two of these units with a work surface set across the top. (Currently I have a mock-up to see how it works out, but I plan to put together a more esthetic and sturdy one.)

I had an amusing experience while stringing the bedframe out on my deck this evening. Two of the over-the-back-fence neighbors were chatting with each other on their respective second story decks and at one point I heard one of them loudly praising my house's paint job (in a manner that made it clear he intended me to hear) so I joined in the neighborly chit-chat about contractors and favorite plantings and whatnot. I don't think I've ever talked to those particular neighbors before -- when we're at ground level, we can't see each other.

Comments

Cool Beanz

[shalmestere.livejournal.com]

The bench looks like something out of Campin's Merode Altarpiece--does the backrest flip?

Re: Cool Beanz

[hrj.livejournal.com]

Yup -- the backrest even flips!

[albionwood.livejournal.com]

Wow, I thought you were making one of those little Gothic benches - had no idea it was actually a settle. That's quite a project. Mortise-and-tenon joints?

[hrj.livejournal.com]

No mortise-and-tenon, alas. Keep in mind that these were designed for breakdown and (relatively) easy transport. Vincent came up with a rather clever (and hidden-from-sight) cheat for the design -- bedframe hardware. The rest of the assembly construction is pure countersunk screw-work. I think it ended up being three all-day work parties to produce ... what was it, 12? 14? of them?

Now, it would be a lot of fun to do a non mass produced one using mortise-and-tenon construction and being more elaborate in the tracery work on the ends. But it would also be a lot harder to haul it around to events (short of buying a trailer).

[aastg.livejournal.com]

That's a GORGEOUS bench.