Whether you know it or not, those big fat florescent tubes you have in your workshop now will no longer be available in 2012. Here in Vermont, we have quite a progressive program called Efficiency Vermont that helps industry and other smaller users of florescent lighting to replace old fixtures with new updated 4 bulbs. The new ballasts are TINY. According too their calculations, Ill save a ton of electricity and the fixtures will pay for themselves over the next couple of years. A friend with a car repair shop told one of my guys today that his electric bill went down about $100.00 to $125.00
a month after participating in this program ... Not only that, the light is fantastic. Its warmer, brighter, and more even than any florescent lights I have ever experienced. Working with Efficiency Vermont, I will receive a substantial rebate check to help with the installation cost after they come to check on my 53 new fixtures .... This is a great deal and they also have programs for public buildings and homes ... Our firehouse just got all new LED flood lights and will be upgrading their florescent s soon at pretty much zero cost to the taxpayers ...
Out with the old, in with the new ...
upstairs, downstairs, finish building, metalshop ...
We dont dont often take on work like this, but we just did a refinish on this 19th century desk for a friend ... The story was intriguing ... It was supposedly made by the owner or son of the owner of the Estey Organ Company of Brattleboro, Vermont ... An amazing 100 plus year old Veront company that made over 520,000 !! reed organs and over 3200 full size pipe organs before it went out of business in 1960. The desk appears to be from about the right mid to late 19th century time frame judging from the look of it. It had a severely distressed, insulted and alligatory shellac finish that was beyond saving which Jim removed with a little (lot) of alcohol and a white Scotchbrite pad ... After some serious sanding, we put a couple coats of dye stain and our typical gloss/gelstain/satin finish ... It now looks like its ready for another hundred years ... Out the door Friday morning ... Click the photos to enlarge them ...
This is in the sanding stage, ready for the first coat of stain ...
The completed desk with the fall front open ...
Trevor made a quick replacement arch top ... the second from the left ... It had a neat detail. The shapes are cut from 1/4 thick lumber, but the back side of the profile is relieved to 1/8" thick which gives the appearance that the wood is half as thick as it is ... clever ....
