| Some Rail Coxcombing and a wheel |
| Last updated 2009-09-30 |
| Click on any picture to bring up a larger verzion! |
Sometime in June 2009 I got a call from a Naval Air Station requesting that I give them a quote on doing the proposed "Quarterdeck"
stairwells in some sort of coxcombing to carry on the traditions of the past.
I admit that at first I was a bit nonplussed that they'd have to ask a broken-down old boatswain's mate to do this, assuming that there HAD
to be someone available still IN the Navy who could do it.... However, I was rapidly and gently disabused of this supposition.
So, as soon as I could manage it, I made up some sample coxcombing on a piece of PVC and took it down to see the extent of the job.
Nothing enormous: three flights of stairs, top rails to be flemished out and ended with turksheads. I've done that much in the past with no
effort at all, so I figured about 60 hours (7 days) and quoted them accordingly.
They chose a coxcomb and we set a date.
Now, Oh Brethern and Cistern, Hear ye me, for I did most Grievously annoy the Sea Gods
with mine Hubris and over-confidence!
Yea verily, I say unto thee: I (CENSORED) UP!
The job took nearly 170 hours of work because I forgot some essential things:
The interest of others was gratifying, but I soon started working at night as much as possible to eliminate the myriad questions from the
"casual" passers-by, many of which had specifically come to see the work in progress.
I was tempted to put up a sign, "Please Do Not Feed The Retiree".
IF you have any intent on doing this sort of thing, let this and the subsequent pages guide you:
P L A N A H E A D.
Little things like that will allow you NOT to look a complete berk.
I'll be modifying these pictures and adding more as time permits... you can always EMAIL me for questions, comments or.... ???
AH, yes: the wheel....
Click on the picture and it'll take you to
the page for wheels.
stairwells in some sort of coxcombing to carry on the traditions of the past.
I admit that at first I was a bit nonplussed that they'd have to ask a broken-down old boatswain's mate to do this, assuming that there HAD
to be someone available still IN the Navy who could do it.... However, I was rapidly and gently disabused of this supposition.
So, as soon as I could manage it, I made up some sample coxcombing on a piece of PVC and took it down to see the extent of the job.
Nothing enormous: three flights of stairs, top rails to be flemished out and ended with turksheads. I've done that much in the past with no
effort at all, so I figured about 60 hours (7 days) and quoted them accordingly.
They chose a coxcomb and we set a date.
Now, Oh Brethern and Cistern, Hear ye me, for I did most Grievously annoy the Sea Gods
with mine Hubris and over-confidence!
Yea verily, I say unto thee: I (CENSORED) UP!
The job took nearly 170 hours of work because I forgot some essential things:
- I'm not 22 years old any more,
- It helps when your rails are either freshly painted or stripped completely: dirty and chipped rails do NOT contribute to speed!
- It helps when you DO NOT have a new person coming by every ten minutes asking what you're doing....
- It helps when you think things thru in the first place
- As I am no longer 22, neither are my legs, eyes, feet or hands, all of which suffered a good deal of insult and strain.
The interest of others was gratifying, but I soon started working at night as much as possible to eliminate the myriad questions from the
"casual" passers-by, many of which had specifically come to see the work in progress.
I was tempted to put up a sign, "Please Do Not Feed The Retiree".
IF you have any intent on doing this sort of thing, let this and the subsequent pages guide you:
P L A N A H E A D.
 | Take stock of your abilities, strength and stamina and divide by at LEAST five! |
| Wear shoes you can stand in for ten hours a day!!! |
| Be sure you have adequate lighting! |
| Keep the tourist quotient to a minimum! |
| Either do the prep work yourself or be sure it has been done before you show up to start work! |
Little things like that will allow you NOT to look a complete berk.
I'll be modifying these pictures and adding more as time permits... you can always EMAIL me for questions, comments or.... ???
AH, yes: the wheel....
Click on the picture and it'll take you to
the page for wheels.
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