The Woolshed is in need of some serious maintenance over the next year or so. I have to replace an outside wall that is slowly coming apart from age. It was constructed out of rough cut timber that was probably milled on site at least a hundred years ago.  There are old shearer’s autographs on the walls that go back to the 1920s – reminders that at one stage this was a working woolshed.

But…the outside wall was not the object of my attention this week. Son and I lined a wall with scrap pallet wood to continue the rustic look of the interior.  It looks quite good, if not a little rough – which is kind of the look I was going for. Mind you, if I had been going for smooth clean lines it still would have come out rough because I am not one of life’s great carpenters. Other improvements on the long term plans are a septic tank so I can install an inside dunny (there is a longdrop outside), a kitchen and perhaps a shower.  This Woolshed is a work in progress but will be New Zealand’s best Man Cave before I retire!

Today I decided that I needed a workbench. It was raining so mowing the lawns did not appeal at all.  I didn’t want to spend any money on this workbench, so used scrap wood that was in the wood pile in the old stock yards (the same source as the pallet wood). I didn’t have any decent timber for the bench top so what I have done is temporary until I can source some more 2″(50mm) thick timber at a good rate – which for me means free.  Oh yeah – I didn’t have any actual plans – it probably shows.

I need a workbench for a number of projects that I want to get underway this year. I rationalised it to Mrs Woolshedwargmer as a place that I can repair the mower. However, I really want to have a decent work bench to start making some terrain tiles – something I have wanted to do for years and finally decided that 2016 is going to be the Year of the Wargame Table.  I also want a space where I can restore an old motorcycle that we may come into possession of in the not too distant future – an old James Captain from the 1950s.

The only problem is that now that I demonstrated my ability to make a workbench that didn’t wobble, SWMBO has ordered some garden furniture – that she want me to make tomorrow. What about “Terrain Tiles” doesn’t she understand?

The vertical studs were not true, which meant every few layes of boards had to be remeasured.

The Hounds wanting some of my morning tea.

SWMBO made muffins. We love muffins.

Almost done.

Finsihed wall.

I think I measured the timber wrong.

Finished bench.

It can support a coffee cup – a good omen.

I couldn’t find my square so made one.