BH-Shed

Community Craft Workshop in Burgess Hill and Mid Sussex

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Eric

Dennis and the Art of Carving

Dennis saw an African primitive style statuette in our St Peter & St James charity shop and thought: ‘Now there’s a carving challenge!’

From a suitably sized Ash log, Dennis turned, drilled and chiselled the wood to create this intertwined figurine.  He then sanded and stained it to give a rustic effect to complete this intriguing three-month project.

What made it particularly challenging is that it is carved from a single piece of wood, the figures are completely separate and whilst totally interlocked can be opened to provide a handy stand. It’s simply amazing Dennis!

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Eric

Introducing GP Team ‘Shed’

Lee who joined recently, made his first products for the Shed, learning scroll saw, band saw and pyrography skills along the way.  He said: ‘For me making these cars has given so much joy.  While I was making them my thoughts would wonder to hoping they will each find a home where they are able to emit the love and joy that went into their being.’  Well they will certainly make pole for our first events this year.  

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Eric

Vintage Hand Carved Cake Stand

This lovely cake stand has been sympathetically restored to near original condition. The project involved making missing parts, repairing damaged ones and restoring surfaces. In complete working order it has four hand-carved, leaf patterned plate trays which fold down for storage: a great centre piece for any afternoon tea party. Each tray can hold plates up to 8 inches (20cm) . If anyone is interested in this stand or would like something similar, please let us know.

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Eric

Linocut Reduction Technique

This picture is called ‘Jacqueline with Glossy Hair’, by Pablo Picasso and master printer Hidalgo Arnéra (1992) using the reduction linocut technique.  In a series of steps, print areas in the same colour are carved away before a print of the colour is taken.  The process is repeated with another colour printed on top of the previous print, then repeated for every colour until the complete picture emerges.

I created a copy in order to learn the technique after watching a video by Christina Taylor, a Conservator at the Harvard Art Museum (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg6FowI4h8o)

My copy is less clear and the print less even than Picasso’s.  This is because I used a very small size (6 x4 inches) whereas the original is over 7 times this size.  Larger sizes allow finer cuts and accuracy of registration which is important when using the reduction technique.  I used acrylics for speed, … Read more..

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Eric

Flickering Flames

Candles by Don S, Feb 2025

‘Want to make two candle holders with flickering flames? One hour at The Shed. Simples!’

‘So, one year into retirement. What can I do with my time? Do you like woodwork? asked someone. Actually, yes I do. Why not try The Shed, they said. OK, I’ll give it a go. Great tools, great skills, great blokes. I’m hooked.

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Eric

New Home for STEM Bridges

Four different Bridge Building Kits were delivered to Burgess Hill Academy today. The academy wanted these kits to support their bridge Design and Technology sessions. They were originally made by BH-Shed for Sheddingdean Community School’s STEM Fayres prior to the Covid Pandemic. They were also used during our Shed Loads of Fun event last year. The four different kits show the evolution of bridge design and construction from Roman times to the present day, and are a practical way for students to learn about the principles of bridge engineering.

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Jas

Tony’s 1930s Capri Speed Boat kit -12 March 2024

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About me
After a severe illness I found myself at a loose end, I’m feeling well now and getting back into life and doing things. I was told about the BH-Shed as I don’t like to do things on my own in my den. I haven’t sailed but like to kits with my grandchildren.

The Capri is a semi-scale Model Boat with fittings, stickers and plastic windows. It is assembled from plywood inside and natural mahogany outside, the parts are laser cut with spruce strips.

How long: from 6-weeks to 3-months

Instructions
It isn’t as straight forward as it’s led to believe but I found my way through with some help from the Shedders.
Glue pieces together in a certain order with special wood glue, tapes and pins.
Two coats of glue and gloss acrylic.
I painted the other side with Halfords spray paint and gloss in acrylic.
Finish it … Read more..

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Jas

Shedder’s Yacht Wall shelf – 12 September 2024

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A team of Shedders Kevin, Mike & Barry collaborated to make this product, seen online. They say you will need to have moderate knowledge of woodworking and lots of arms to hold all the parts!

What we made:
Yacht shelf in French cleat which is an interior hanging system that holds extraordinary weight on it’s 5 shelves. Simply designed for mounting or hanging items from a wall.
Basically it’s bevelled (cut out), horizontal rail or ‘wall’ cleat. Secondly, a bevelled part, the “object’ cleat slides into its corresponding wall cleat. No nails needed.

Dimensions: height 64cm, width 59cm

How long? 2.5 to 3-hours, with a team of 3 Shedders.

Wood: recycled scraps from the wood store. Equipment: Band saw, Jig saw, plywood and glue.

What we did:
We used lots of eye-muscle coordination.
Draw a draft on paper, cut the corners rounded and smooth.
Band Saw to cut the wood, … Read more..

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Jas

Recycling Tea leaves March 24

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There’s no denying our Shed wouldn’t run quite as efficiently without the humble cuppa! We recycle materials to give them a new purpose including tea bags. I tear the bags open to air dry, used tea leaves are eco-friendly and biodegradable. Leaves contain different elements that influence plants. Tea contains tannic acid to enrich the soil & deter pests, I’ve already noticed fewer slugs in 4 weeks, although slugs play their part in the eco system. Composting them if you don’t have soil, just plant your seeds in the tea leaves. Mulch the leaves to give a loose covering and spread across the soil. Other uses includes, crafting, dyeing materials: Simmer the used leaves in water to give a natural dye for wood stain, paper or fabrics. Simply boil used tea leaves and strain the liquid and use as dye.
Good luck
“Don’t use poisons that cause suffering and contaminate … Read more..

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Members
Jas

Keith’s Bud Vases

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BUILDING MY OWN: Single Stem Bud Vases – (13 March 2024)

My wife told me to! She showed me a picture and said can you make that? I said I know a man who can help me ha!

What I made:
Single Stem Bud Vase holders

How long?
The large 6-inch vase took one and a half days, the smaller 4-inch vase took one morning.

Wood: simple scaffold planks – Equipment: Plastic test tubes (bought online), Band saw, Scroll saw. Electric drill, Bobbin (vertical oscillating spindle) sander.

What I did:
I used lots of eye-muscle coordination.
Band Saw to cut them square,
Bobbin Saw and Scroll saw to cut the hole on the larger vase.
On the 4-inch vase, I used a drill bit to drill the hole right through.
Sanded the wood with the bobbin sander which is handy to sand curved shapes.

Note – I originally made the … Read more..

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Jas

Brian Burford’s Furniture Raisers March 24

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BUILDING MY OWN: Flat bottomed furniture risers (13 March 2024)

I come to the Shed twice a week and I had some guidance from the supervisor on wood turning. We serviced the wood turning lathe before starting.

What I made
Multi-purpose Chair risers raise furniture to a level that makes sitting and standing easier and are easily attached to your favourite piece of furniture. Can be used on a table, bed or sofa.

How long: 1st one took 2.5 hours, the other 4 took 45mins each.

Wood: soft wood (cheap as chips), could use heavyweight oak.

Equipment: Chop saw, wood turning lathe, Pillar drill.

What I did
I used lots of eye-muscle coordination. I drew a template of a prototype, found a piece of timber from the wood store. It started as a block.

Top Tip! – If moving furniture around regularly, it would need a deep recess so the … Read more..

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Eric

Scrap and Sparks!

This month scrap metal from the workshop plus scrap electric cable donated by the electricians, made over £135.   The electricians have now completed their work.  A special thanks to the electricians for their cable donations and for their work to make our workshop an even brighter and safer place for us.

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MembersNewsWillow Weaving
Eric

Willow is Truly Environmentally Friendly!

Willow weaving sessions have been running for over 7 months and during that time the group has grown and skills have improved. There is a lot to learn. For example getting the willow in the best condition has been a challenge. It takes time, nonetheless weavers have created some lovely, unique pieces, sold some and repaired a log basket for one customer. Weaving in the quiet environment on a Friday morning is a great experience and quite a contrast to the bustling, woodworking days. If you would like to see what goes, please come along, or perhaps you would like to bring along another craft that you can do in the same calm atmosphere.

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MembersNews
Eric

Bench Saw Repaired

Frank has completed a tricky repair to the Kity saw. This was needed to replace parts that had been lost. The repair allows the extension table to be used. We intend selling this since it does not have a brake and cannot be used by us. Another shed has already expressed interest in buying the saw and they have some experts that can incorporate a brake. Thanks Frank for the repairs and John for the pics.

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Eric

Spinning a Yarn

The mechanics also needed some work to ensure free movement. Karen and her mother who commissioned the work were very pleased with the result and have asked us to repair another wheel – an Ashford Elizabeth 30″. This will need the involvement of more members to make some missing parts.

We were asked to repair some spinning wheels recently. The first was an Ashford Traveller. Eric did most of the work at home because the surface had been affected by water stains and needed refinishing in a dust free place. The finish is ‘Tru’ oil which was recommended by Frank – he uses it for his instruments and it really looks great doesn’t it.

Both wheels are highly regarded and have a high value in good working order and it is particularly pleasing when we can bring them back to life again.

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