A client faced difficulty lifting his boat’s 40HP engine due to the large transom. A cost-effective solution was devised using recycled HDPE and a pulley system, offering a 2:1 lifting advantage. Materials included HDPE plastic, a Ronstan block, stainless steel wire, machine screws, and braided rope, enabling safe operation from the cockpit.
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Classic hollow-core windsurfer conversion
A client purchased a classic hand-built windsurfing board to convert into a garden bench. The board, featuring cork edging and a timber strip, needed GRP repairs and was reinforced with epoxy resin. The frame was made of Kwila, finished with teak oil, and bonded with marine adhesive. The board was polished with six coats of Timbercote varnish.
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Vintage Barometer – family treasure
A barometer, a retirement gift from the 1960s, was damaged but its mechanism remained intact. To restore it, a new brass frame and custom glass with reference pointer fittings were obtained. The glass came from Christchurch and the frame from Timesavers in Scottsdale, successfully reviving the piece’s appearance.
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Folding dolls house
This foldable dolls house is designed for easy storage and space-saving. It features walls made of marine ply, clear acrylic windows with etched frames, a white acrylic facade, stairs from Pohutukawa and marine ply, and leather hinges.
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Custom made cutting boards
I offer custom end grain or face grain cutting boards in various sizes and layouts using native or exotic timbers. Special engravings or patterns are available. Orders take 3-4 weeks. Contact me to discuss your custom board needs. Examples include mixed timber boards and specific woods like Pohutukawa, Kauri, and Rimu.
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Toy Library Xylophone
After the cords of a toy instrument were damaged, the toy was disassembled, and the cords were replaced. New strikers were crafted using old foam paint brush handles and wooden balls. The toy was then returned to the Whakatane Toy Library for continued use. Materials used included 3.2mm shock cord, hot melt glue, and a screw press.
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Coffee maker used grounds tray
The stainless steel coffee grounds tray broke into two parts due to failed spot welds. To repair it, tig welding was necessary, involving tools like a tig welder, abrasives for cleaning, acetone, and a thermal sink plate to manage the thin stainless sheet.
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Copper Gin Still
This gin still, handmade in Portugal, was repaired after being dropped and dishwasher-damaged. Restoration included reshaping bent copper parts, recalibrating the thermometer, and extending the spout by 10cm. The process involved crafting two dollies, checking for age hardening, and using precise force to restore the parts, before reassembly and spout modification.
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Three-legged mahogany table
Apparently this table broke the fall of the owner but unfortunately it sacrificed a leg in the process.
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Davies B1 Piston Pump repair
The flange bolt fracture on an old Davies bore pump was repaired by welding with high nickel rods and reinforcing with a stud. The inner chamber was lined with J-B Weld epoxy to prevent leaks. Despite a messy appearance, the pump is operational again, avoiding a $1200 replacement cost.
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