Taking Steps

[British Red]

I'm posting this one for Tombear really (and other lovers of old tools)

Was having a maintenance day today and teak oiling stuff that gets left outside (benches, tables, chairs etc.)

I also do our older wooden ladders since BB bought them all and loves to grow sweet peas up them in the Summer (they are functional the rest of the year). I thought you might enjoy a look at our steps - not a patch on your file collection - but fun


Wooden Steps by British Red, on Flickr

I love the wear and uneven nature of the treads - like an accelerated view of Castle staircases


Steps Tread by British Red, on Flickr

The back has a lot of old plates and screws holding it together - but that's okay


Steps back by British Red, on Flickr

Probably not worth the few quid we gave for them - but I like using them - its fun feeling the foot shaped wear in the treads

 

[tombear]

That is a thing of beauty and full of character. All we have is a soulless piece of aluminium crud. Cheers for sharing.

I'm stealing myself to stock take the chisels and gouges next, see whats missing so I don't get any more repeats. Mind I should finish the half restored ones, a bunch of I Sorby goose necked incanal gouges. It's taken 7 years so far, oops...

atb

tom

 

[sandbender]

I know what you mean. I have my fathers old wooden steps, they are spattered with paint that I might one day sand away, however amongst the spatters I can see the blue that he painted the drawers of an old unit for my first bedroom of my own (I was four).

 

[British Red]

If you find any files you don't need, I'll dicker with you for them - that should free up funds for the "missing links"

Mind you I would convince myself they wear out and should not be parted with in your place!

 

[British Red]

I can see the blue that he painted the drawers of an old unit for my first bedroom of my own (I was four).

How very cool is that? Family history at its most real!

 

[xylaria]

My mum got a wooden ladder I was keeping in the shed to be burnt later. Looking at your post I am going to restore it instead. The wood it sound, the rope and hinge need replacing to make it safe.

 

[ozzy1977]

I have an old set out in the shed, made of oak, cast iron hinges dated 18**, if I remember I will post pics tomorrow

 

[British Red]

My mum got a wooden ladder I was keeping in the shed to be burnt later. Looking at your post I am going to restore it instead. The wood it sound, the rope and hinge need replacing to make it safe.

Sounds sensible - a quids worth of rope and maybe four for hinges - say a fiver all up. Cheaper and, somehow more satisfying than aluminium.

I really want to find a set of the old fruit pickers ladders one day

 

[Ivan...]

They are really lovely, the wear on the treads could tell a tale or two and the accumulative hours of help they have seen is unimaginable.

My neighbour came round and asked if i had a step ladder? I said yeah, my real ladder left when i was a child!

Coat time!

Ivan...

 

[HHazeldean]

Wow what a lovely old bit of kit, I alwyas love tools that have a history behind them or a bit of character.. Infinitely better than the mass-produced soul-less pieces of kit brought out today imo..

 

[Harvestman]

Beautiful steps Red. I too think wooden steps are so much nicer than clattery metal ones. Love those steps of yours.

 

[Macaroon]

I built my bed about five feet in the air and built a wardrobe-cum-store underneath, and every evening I climb an old steps like yours to get into it. They're Elm, and I spent a lot of time cleaning them and oiling them up, and the feel of them on my bare feet every night as I climb up to my rest is always one of the highlights of the day - I just can't help but think of all those countless feet that wore them down to those wonderful curves!

Now I've written that I can't wait to have a wee tot and "up the wooden hill!"

 

[British Red]

That's a great story mac, thank you

I love this forum - when I post moments of insanity (like loving an old set of steps), there are always people who say "me too"

 

[Bluffer]

My neighbour came round and asked if i had a step ladder? I said yeah, my real ladder left when i was a child!

Coat time!

Ivan...

Yep. Taxi for Ivan!

 

[Clouston98]

Lovely steps, they have true character and I bet they don't make them like that any more!