The wood fired Hot tub and Sauna Shepherd's Hut mk2

 

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Recently we delivered another off grid Hot tub and Sauna Shepherd's hut. 

The lights are run off of a 12v battery charged with a solar panel, while both the hot tub and the sauna are heated by wood fires. 

The roof also incorporates a glass panel above the hot tub. 

The Shepherd's hut is sat on a recently landscaped area which will look wonderful once the ground cover has regrown.

More pictures of this hut

The hot tub used in this shepherd hut was from: Skargards

The strip planked boat continues (A steam launch design)

 February's update:

more pieces of Sapele were added to the sides of the boat to build up what will become the finished gunwale. 

Things have a habit of being put inside the boat when there is 'nowhere else' for them,

Then the decks are fitted with a piece of marine plywood which will form part of the finished deck. 

Strips of cedar will be added to this to make this stronger and add to the finished shape of the boat.

A relatively empty boat which has been sanded and painted inside, 
(a light grey)

A further boat update. (A steam launch design)

 January

All of the ribs were fitted end of November and into December. Then the ribs were cut back to accommodate added strengthening pieces (the inwales) and then the outwales were added too. These and the top piece that is yet to be fitted make up the gunwales. 

Then the decks start to take shape and we are fast approaching the stage where we really need to pick what will power it.

Another strip plank Boat update. (A Steam Launch design)

The boat was turned over sometime between July and November. A lot of things were done and few photos were taken,

before being trimmed to the final shape.

Epoxy and fiberglass matting was used on the inside after a lot of sanding. the edges were trimmed to get the right shape where required and then strips of Sapele were made. 

Then we have November:

Ribs of Sapele being fitted.

The ribs are left to rest before being glued and fixed in.

The other side will done the same way before the next stage of fitting out. Eventually we have to decide what will power the launch as this changes how the later stage of the fit out goes.

Railway Carriage Delivery

The Railway carriage based hut is ready for delivery. 

We had to wait for the ground around where the carriage was going to be prepared and then for it to dry out. 

The Austin attempts to move the railway carriage.

The View.



We enlisted the help of a local tractor to help get it into the final place (no pictures of this) 

light fitting details

The Water Closet

Pedestal Sink. 

Side sliding bed

With the bed away and storage boxes.

The final resting place of the Railway Carriage.

Two sets of steps for the two doors. And the bumper details.

The ground around the site will recover quickly.

Solar panel mounted to the back of the carriage.

 

This Railway Carriage hut is for the customer's own use as a place to spend a couple of nights up in the field. And as just a warm place to go when tending to their horses. 

The first one we did will, hopefully, be available to stay in 2021.

Railway Carriage finished inside.

 The inside is finished, and the Railway Carriage is ready to be loaded for a socially distanced delivery. 

We will be loading this one up in the next day or so and then delivering it to its final view. 
 

The Wash room. 
Shelves for storage.
Rhino Vinyl on the floor and a feature wall. 

The pull out bed / seating area.

Kitchen unit

These Tiles provided by the customer.

Testing the mini boat

A few days ago we took out the Mini Boat to float it. 

Quite a simple plan, put a person in it, if it doesn't sink and they can paddle it about then everything is good. 

So on a late but still sunny evening we floated the boat. A boat that we still haven't named. 

We were able to steer it, keep it reasonably straight when paddling, and didn't fall in. 

These are all great things when paddling a boat. 

Launching

Paddling

After getting used to paddling it, and before it went dark on us, we tried a small electric outboard. 

The battery helped as ballast for the front. 

Motoring

Couple of short videos too:

The next plans are:

•  to try and get it to sail with a simple rig. 
• to make another version of this kit with the changes we made as we went along
• to build the other kit we have cut out in the meantime
• to finish the other boat that has been a long project. 

Railway Carriage inside painting

The partition wall is in, separating an area off for a walk in cupboard which will be fitted with shelves.

We've also put in most of the light fittings and switches. There are still wall lights to fit.

We are playing with the idea to put a sliding door on the partition wall as this should suit the space and the theme better.

The upper parts of the walls and ceiling, all of the Tongue and Grooving, has been painted in Cream, the lower sections of the walls have been scumbled.

The white space is approximately where a multi-fuel stove will be going. 

Window in the cupboard area, still to be framed out. 

The space in the corner will be fitted out with a kitchenette and then a bench-bed (couchette) will be under the nearest window on the left. 

View from the cupboard door. 

Getting close to the flooring stage, we try to avoid this while still painting as the floor comes pre-lacquered and thus pretty much ready to go.

Railway Carriage outside panelling.

More detailing and panelling has been added to the outside of the Railway Carriage.

It seems that the ends are staying cream,

A second layer of relief has been added to the wooden strips. We've also put bolts into the runner to add more detail.

We are waiting on more materials to be able to get on with the outside now. A decorative connecting door will be added to the other end we think. 

We've also confirmed on the paint that will be going on the inside so we will be able to get onto that next week. 

Once the internal walls are painted the rest of the fitting out will speed along, if we have no more delays due to material shortages anyway. 

Mini Boat 11th post

The seat is in.

It still needs a couple of coats of varnish.

We think it is set to the right height, but until it is in the water who knows?

Next is to make the oar locks, a set of oars and to start thinking about a sail...

The original plan that this is now loosely based on can be found here:

http://flo-mo.weebly.com/one-sheet-boats.html

Railway carriage outside painted.

Progress is being made.

The sides are mid Brunswick Green, and for now the ends are cream. 

The reddish wood will have at least another coat and will not be as orange.

We are now waiting on more paint. Another issue that we are coming across again and again due to the social distancing rules and other measures is that many places are not able to produce as much, and those able to supply it are selling out quickly. 

Everyone needs paint. And when the colour bought doesn't match expectation it can get quite frustrating. It will be a simple fix once the wood stain arrives though. 

Yet to panel out the other side. 

Stared to line out the inside. the Plywood lower sections will be done in scumble. The rest of the wood is yet to be decided upon. 

 

Mini Boat - tenth post.

The floors and other pieces are now in. 

Still playing with the idea of being able to sail this boat.

Much of the woodwork has now had several coats. 

 Oar locks and rowing seat are next.

The original plan that this is now loosely based on can be found here:

http://flo-mo.weebly.com/one-sheet-boats.html

Mini boat - Ninth Post

The mini boat is coming along nicely.

After faring the hull, it is now ready for the undercoat primer  

We are planning to pick out some of the Sapele afterwards.

Then after leaving the undercoat to dry for more than a day we are ready for the first coat of green.

The first coat is done and is now being left to harden,

Blue/grey undercoat and the top coat of white.

The inside finished with the sapele ready for a protective coat.

The seats and floors are all cut, waiting to go in after the painting is all done.

The original plan that this is now loosely based on can be found here:

http://flo-mo.weebly.com/one-sheet-boats.html