WWA Info Exchange

Hi everyone
My name is Mike Mathieu and this is my first post on this forum. I have been a lurker for some time and have found this site to be quite a bit different from some of the other forums so I thought that I would like to become more active here. I have been woodworking for over 20 years and although my specialty is Intarsia woodworking I also enjoy building custom furniture, furniture repair and restoration and other custom woodworking. So to begin I would like to share with you one of the projects that I recently completed.
Here is a restoration of a circa 1900 Hocking Valley corn sheller that I was commissioned to do.
When I first took on this project I had my doubts whether or not I could get it to work. After doing a bit of research and finding some good photos of the original corn sheller it was obvious to me that this was going to be a fun little project which would test many of my skills. The only thing that my client wanted was for me to make it functional but I did talk him into letting me do the original paint job as I thought would really add a lot to the over-all looks of the project. These are a couple of pics of what I had to work with. Most of the original wood was either rotted away or was missing completely and what was left is full of post beetles, but I did have enough to get most of my measurements.





I began by building the frame out of maple using the same mortise and tenon joinery as the original paying attention to every detail knowing that tolerances were very tight on the original.




Dry fit frame



Because all of the parts for the sides were a full 1”thick I bought a nice piece of 5/4 poplar that I used to get all the pieces to complete the rest of the woodwork



I ordered square headed nuts and bolts like the original and even had to order the flat head slotted wood screws. Between the original pieces that I had and some photos that I found I had enough information to do the paint job. So Here is my version of a restored ” Improved Hocking Valley” corn sheller.










Here is a link to my video on the demonstration on the Hocking Valley Corn sheller that I recently restored. Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bfTHz84RXs

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Mike
www.midlothianwoodworks.com
"why buy it when you can build it"
My Blog
http://midlothianwoodworks.wordpress.com/

Welcome to the Forum.

That is a wonderful job and looking forward to seeing more of your workl

Duan

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Duan Packard
Kerrville, Texas

dum vivimus, vivamus

WDKITS1,

Welcome to the forum. I am glad you decided to stay around here and share with us.

That is a very nice restoration. The work you did on the frame is amazing. I like the paint job also.

Keep on posting and sharing your photos with us.

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C J K
in beautiful -
Oxford GA, USA

WDKITS1:

Welcome!!! And, you passed our first requirement with flying colors--PICTURES!!!

Great, fantastic restoration!!!! The new owner has to be very happy.

Thanks for sharing....and I'd love to see some of your intarsia.

Verna

EDIT: Mike, I was so taken by the photos, I didn't see your website. You do some really great work!!! Thanks for the video and pics--Verna

Beautiful job! Your were right about the paint job. It completes a really great restoration.

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Jess
my gallery
more photos

WDKITS 1: Welcome! Thanks for the pictures in this post. You have an absolutely stunning catalogue of work on your website and the intarsia is gorgeous. The work is truely inspiring.

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Everything was new once.
newtooth 311
Rochester, MN

Bra-VOH! Mike.

It's work like that that that illustrates the level of craftsmanship I can only hope to obtain.

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Nullum Gratuitum Prandium

Cheers - Dennis

A very warm welcome from here.

You done a great job.


Have Fun
Francois

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Its the quality that counts not the quantity.
If you want creative workers give them time to play.

Welcome. Very cool restoration. Really enjoyed the video also. That thing does a great job on the corn. From what you said, the owner plans on putting it to work? Nice to see old equipment being brought back to life and used, instead of just sitting around collecting dust.

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I bring to life, I bring to death:
The spirit does but mean the breath:
I know no more. (Tennyson, In Memoriam)

Nice job and welcome to the greatest family on the web.

Have a great day.

very cool!!

Welcome to the WWA!!

eric

Thank you all for the comments and nice welcome. I hope that I can contribute a little and learn a little from this forum.

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Mike
www.midlothianwoodworks.com
"why buy it when you can build it"
My Blog
http://midlothianwoodworks.wordpress.com/

Mike, WELCOME!! And I mean that more fervently than you might imagine. Our forum is sorely starved for craftsmen such as yourself.
The restoration project describes your dedication and integrity which is truly inspirational .... and then ..... exploration of your site punctuates those values with the addition of many more ... creative genius, artistic expression and tireless devotion ... to name a few.

Please stick around, get to know the fine folks here, and continued to inspire us with your posts!!

Don

Welcome to the Forum. You're among friends.

What a cool restoration. You and the owner should be proud.

Welcome to the best site on the web! Nice work on that restore.

ron

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"To all those who work come moments of beauty unseen by the rest of the world." Norman Maclean

Firstly, welcome!

Secondly, that's one heck of an introduction. Excellent job and great pics- thank you for taking the time to share them with us

Lawrence

good woodworking and even better painting!

Welcome aboard mate. Your work is inspiring and am looking forward to more of your posts

I saw your post and video over on the "scroll saw" site too. You did a fantastic job on that.
I think you have found the right site for the type of thing you are posting here.
We do all types of wood working on this site and you will really enjoy being here I know. I do almost every type of wood working except turning. I scroll and build almost everything including my latest (rocking chair) I dont have the skill you have yet but that doesn't mean that I'm ready to give up yet, I'm only 66 years old after all!!!

Rog

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Dont badmouth no strangers, they just friends you aint met yet.

An ounce of responsibility is worth a pound of State and Federal laws.

I spent most of my money on woodworking
tools and beer, the rest I just wasted.

Truly wonderful.

thanks,

James

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The ancient Greeks and Romans used raw talent and man power I use all the help I can get from Mr. INCRA, Mr. Swissmade, Mr Grizzly and all fellow woodworkers. All fine souls if I say so myself.