More Equipment

A recent donation of a Planar/Thicknesser and a Table Saw means that we are starting to build up our equipment list. These bits of equipment require some work to bring them up to current safety standards, also suitable extraction machinery needs to be sourced and installed.

Further electrical sockets have been installed near the new workbench, these new sockets mean it is not necessary to run a long extension lead through the main working area when working on the workbench.

After the rain...

It rained early in the morning but had cleared up by the start of work so outdoor activities were not interrupted. After a brief chat a plan was formulated for the day. 

The new yole Lagertha was moved into the compound  for a little weather exposure.

The new workbench is now finished and was manoeuvred into its working position in the workshop area.

 

We now need a metal working bench...

Nice weather

The last week has brought some very pleasant weather to the islands. The good weather continued on Friday so the team was able to undertake some outdoor activities. One of the fire exits which had got very green from years of neglect has been cleaned up proper.

Another team disposed of some unwanted materials

Work continued on the new workbench with shelving being added. The bench is now almost finished, just a couple more things to add then it will be ready for installation.

OHBS is grateful to VAO for a grant to purchase a new engineering vice which has arrived and will be installed shortly.

Back home

The away party returned to Orkney on 30 March having driven up from Dorset the previous day & night in heavy rain. The return trip was delayed by a couple of days due to a failed wheel bearing which had to be replaced. Despite being covered the yole filled with some 20 buckets of water all of which had to be removed manually after arrival. The weather was far worse in the south with thick fog being added to the mix. The motorways though, were relatively free of both traffic and fog so good progress was made.

The drivers with Ian Richardson after arrival in Orkney

Away party

A small team of one has gone south to tow a yole back to Orkney. More information about the yole will forthcoming in the future. In the meantime other volunteers are continuing with work at the Old Herring Factory. 

Open Day

Alongside the Orkney Men's Shed, OHBS organised an Open Day at the Old Herring Factory in Stromness today. The south isles yole Waterwitch was placed outside as the 100 year old attraction. Other boats and exhibits were displayed inside out of the wind and rain. A good turn out was achieved in the morning.

Prep, prep & more prep

Prep day for Open Day tomorrow. Lots of moving, cleaning & reorganising. We put up numerous displays and pulled out a number of the boats currently in the store (all small ones because we are still waiting for the new boat door to be installed). Some time was spent fitting a vice to the new workbench, there is still a little more work to do on the bench before we can declare it ready for us.