Reclaimed Hemlock planks and planing beam mock-up.
These reclaimed planks of Hemlock were once part of the Queens Wharf here in Toronto, Ontario.
The original structure was built in 1833 and cost then, the town of York about £ 4600. Incredible.
Named for Queen Victoria, it stood for generations until quite literally, the city landscape grew up and out of the shore line itself, leaching out into the shallows of Lake Ontario until the wharf all but disappeared through time.
In 2006 while digging a massive sub-structure development, a graveyard of these precious beams were unearthed, dismantled and eventually salvaged. Perfectly ‘pickled’ due to the minerals found in the shore line soil.
Grey and green hues with wonderful old growth rings and grains. What an honor and privilege to work with this truly unique material. Over the past four days I’ve managed to finally make some shavings and wanted to fill you in on my progress.
This new design will be my attempt to reflect the story of this Southern Ontario shore line while capturing the modern, urban silhouette that only can be Toronto. A truly unique opportunity to create a truly unique piece of furniture.
The cabinet once complete will be displayed here in down town Toronto and will be available for sale. Details to follow.
Here are some quick pics from the week.
Cheers!
Straightening the grain.
panels glued
side panel
between the lines
coopered door
Two by two they're glued...
5 Comments
very nice!
Looks great Tom. What a great thing to work with wood with history. Good stuff.
You are sooo lucky! That is such an honour to be able to work with timber with such a unique history. I’m sure you’ll do it justice.
Just the most wonderfully rich range of subtle colours in that grain , just love it, you lucky dog.
Two things to ask….lurking behind those upright boards i think i spy with my little eye something beginning with B….could that be the next stage of your new bench?
Also what kind of angle have you used to cooper those 2×2′s together with, do you settle for the same kind of pitch each time you carry out your own coopering, or in other words is there an exacting approach to the way this is carried out and what might be the issues if any?
All fascinating stuff.
Good luck
Steve
thanks for the comments-; )
the hemlock is a great find but the good news is they have more !
Canadian Salvaged Timber – follow the links…
Steve, my coopering process is very straightforward. check my next post and yeah, that is the next stage of the work beam..?!; o
cheers!