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The Gate House Workshop, a  labour for experience exchange

18th August 2007 to 2nd September 07, Scotland
 
New Workshop and Mill Pond

We're going to erect the new workshop space at the back of the house, and more or less simultaneously create the small millpond, lade and wheel pit for the breastshot hydro, though the wheel itself will be built and erected later in the year (prob. end Sept/Oct). If time/numbers allow, there is also a small roundwood gazebo/firepit shelter by the burn to complete with a reciprocal roof.
 
The design for the workshop is a basic roundwood post and rail framework with a shallow arched roof formed from 3" polypipe using tensegrity bracing throughout (sounds more complicated than it actually is!). The whole thing is effectively a short, low and wide 8 metre square polytunnel with part-vented sides, one third used as greenhouse and the rest as workshop space to house the benches, lathes, drillstand etc. This will be used to fabricate the wheel later on, but also from next year on to hold small group, very low-cost training courses for absolute beginners/improvers in hand tool use, selection and maintainance, and the essential wood and metalworking techniques and confidence needed to start your own low-impact projects. The millpond/dam is a rock/hydraulic lime construction of a small notched weir about 70cm high and 4 metres long, the lade is buried drainage pipe and the wheel pit is a close fitting housing for a breast shot water wheel about five feet in diameter (i.e. 3 feet deep), effectively a primitive turbine, accurately formed from hydraulic lime. It will also incorporate rock platforms to carry the wheel bearings, and the tail race.
 
Skills and Techniques on offer:

Please note: the only power tool used will be an electric drill, and hand-powered alternatives to this will be used and available. The level of skill/accuracy required is fairly low here so this is a good opportunity to try your hand without pressure! You will have the opportunity to learn/practice the following techniques:

Roundwood:

  • Preparation of raw timber, use of barking spade, use of mallet and gouge to dress knots (branchwood).
  • Design concepts and shaping of strong roundwood joints, use of framesaws, handsaws, brace and bits, gouges, mallet and chisels.
  • Basic construction techniques, lashing, jointing and fixing.
  • Reciprocal roof concepts and limitations
  • Basic introduction to this cheap, lightweight and immensely strong system which mimics nature's cell-wall construction. Using only light poles and rope an integrated series of opposing balances between rigid struts (poles) and tensioned ropes (most commonly found in tents) can create large, strong, self-supporting frameworks which can be used to enclose even large areas. Here I am only using it to create a rigid arched roof to carry the polytunnel plastic, resting on the post and rail walls.
  • Simple techniques for tensioning ropework without fancy fittings

Earthworks:

  • Easy ways to form postholes in rocky ground.
  • Techniques for excavating in rocky soil using only hand tools. (Much easier than you think when done properly!) Use of pinch bar, mattock, sledge and wedges etc. Learn how to tackle even solid granite in small doses.
  • Simple pond and dam construction, principles and considerations in working with a living watercourse. Relive those childhood days on the beach!
  • Identification and collection of suitable sand/gravel in a natural landscape

 
Lime:
  • All work on this particular project is using eminently hydraulic lime (harbourworks lime) which is very fast setting, so the use of retarders (citric acid) is essential. Unlike quicklime, this product is very safe to use.
  • Use of former and templates for accurate render works
  • Possible inclusion of Schauberger/vortex style improvements to water flow if feasible
  • General introduction to all forms of lime and their appropriate uses will be given as part of this course. Other parts of the house have used quicklime, hot lime render and hot limewash, so you can see these materials in use, how they stand the weather etc.

Miscellaneous:

  • Fixing and tensioning polytunnel plastic securely against gales and snow.
  • Simple designs for water collection from large surfaces using readymade guttering or building your own from other materials.
  • Experience the sheer feel of natural breathing buildings with no electro-magnetic interference.
  • Discover your own unsuspected capabilities, stand tall with the knowledge that you can provide your own essentials in life!
 
When, where and how much:

Due to the usual weather issues, what we are doing is holding this workshop over a two week period from 18 August to the 2 September inclusive. Work will proceed as weather allows. I would appreciate some notification of your intention to join in at least a day in advance to make it easier to plan out the work, but otherwise please feel free to come and leave whenever you wish during this period.

Obviously this will be held at the Gatehouse (Scotland). If you need directions, please contact me (see below). There is ample room for camping all around the house, and all the facilities of the house are freely available to you. Warmth, hot water and washing, shower, compost toilet, cooking facilities, comfortable chairs. NO DOGS please as the house is surrounded by loose sheep (not mine).

There is no charge for this workshop or camping, but I cannot this year afford to feed everyone out of my own pocket, so please bring some foodstuff with you. I'd like to have a communal evening meal each day, so bring simple stuff to go in the pot, lentils, tatties, you know the drill. No shoes or meat in the house (my fascism) or the communal pot, so we can all share the same meal.

Contact details:

Way best is to email: steve@envisioneer.net as I can pick these up anytime. Next best is text to +44 (0)773 800 9150.
You can also call the same mobile +44 (0)773 800 9150 (O2 network if you get free UK calls).

Due to patchy signal up here, with consequent high battery consumption, I only turn the phone on to use it, usually every evening, so please don't expect an immediate response. If you need directions, please contact me at least a day beforehand and I can email/text/call you back when I pick up your message.

Bring instruments, stories, joy and hope, midge nets and toilet paper, and everyone'll have a cracking time!

Lots of love, and hope to see some of you there,

Steve