Previous parts
https://steemit.com/life/@handsolo/designer-dining-a-venezuelan-creative-odyssey-part-1
https://steemit.com/life/@handsolo/designer-dining-a-venezuelan-creative-odyssey-part-2
Returning to my workshop a few days later I wasn’t fully recovered but couldn’t afford any more time off. I wanted to take a break from the steel working; using the grinder really aggravates the tendonitis in my elbow and having had this condition before I knew that it was only going to get worse if I didn’t rest completely for at least a couple of weeks but this I couldn’t do.
Setting the steel work aside temporarily I got on with cutting and planing all the wood pieces which make up the seats, backs and table top.
There was nothing to do but finish cutting and find some way to clamp the wood for drying. I dug around in my storeroom and gathered together enough steel to make a drying rack.
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After clamping the wood in the specially made rack I got in touch with my client and had the uncomfortable experience of having to tell him that the delivery date of the 15th of January was not looking likely. Though I still felt that I was letting him down; he assured me that there was no problem as he was also delayed and wouldn’t arrive back at his house until the middle of February.
During the week that followed I finished up the painting of the table and speeded up the wood drying process by placing the clamped timber in the sun for short periods throughout the day. Sure enough at week’s end the wood was nicely dried and had straightened out well enough to use.
The table top would consist of three sections each made up of six slats, the idea being that it resembled the deck of a yacht.
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The actual fitting of the table top was a slow process, taking almost all day to get right, but by the end of the day I had given the completed top its first coat of Marine Varnish. As an aid to good adhesion of the protective varnish the first coat is always mixed 50/50 with thinners. This allows the varnish to be fully absorbed into the wood and greatly increases the durability of the finished product.
The table completed it was time to begin with the chairs.
To be continued......
this looks really beautiful, great job!! I have to say that I have had projects also that just have challenge after challenge. It's hard not to get completely discouraged, but you seemed to do well regardless and your logistical obstacles are FAR greater than mine here in the US so really it's not nearly as tough for me. However, the experience of one wierd random difficulty after another really can be tough. Thankfully I have a way of forgetting the hardship immediately after it's finished! Anyway, nice to read your story and I look forward to more.
You know, it's funny you should say that -
'Thankfully I have a way of forgetting the hardship immediately after it's finished! '
I am exactly the same. Obviously for the purposes of writing I must remember the details but whatever feelings of frustration or excessive challenge there were leave me as soon as I deliver and see the joy and satisfaction on my clients' face. I really enjoy the 'reveal' as it were :D
Whilst the payment is undoubtedly essential, the joy of getting it right far outweighs the joy of payment, and retrospectively I only remember the good bits.
Have a great day
Good morning Sir :)
And a good morning to you Sir :D