Last Library 2018. Part 4.

Metal Roof Helps Make a Sturdy House.

[Photo: Somewhere in Wortley Village - more books, more trades]

Last Friday I carefully loaded my Civic up to the gunwales with necessary supplies: Shovels, a tarp, power drill, level, pair of heavy gloves, the last Little Free Library for 2018 (and beyond, very likely) and a couple of used books for future fair trade. And off I went to dig a hole.

The week before that day, however, the workshop was a busy place. The metal roof needing edging, as did the front, sides and back, door latches and signage had to be attached, and more boxes had to be checked before I could say 'voila' and grab my trusty spade.

Roof trim and signage to finish before installation

The roof had been the hard part. The rest of the parts flew into place - old pine and western cedar trim, nothing upside-down or backwards!

The two-foot deep hole appeared quickly. The five-foot pole was planted and levelled. The collar/platform was attached in a relative jiff, with help from two eager neighbourhood children.

"Can I use the drill?" said the sister. "Me too," said the younger brother.

"Sure, I'll just start things off for you."

Teamwork completed, I lifted the library onto the platform and secured it with four hidden screws. Had somebody yelled Bingo I would have said Thumbs Up.

"T'umbs Up!" I say.

Next project? 

We shall see what we shall see.

Please link to Last Library 2018. Part 3.

Photos GH

A Little Library - Woodland Avenue, London (Pt. 3).

Safe and Sound, In the Ground.

A Tozer Library, on land once owned by the Tozer Family

Property now home to Chartwell Retirement Residence 

A freshly-painted home for books - new and used, ready for trading - now resides on Woodward Avenue, just off Riverside Drive. Shortly after this photo was taken, a retired librarian filled it with a wide assortment of fiction and non-fiction offerings, hoping to attract fair trades.

It sits opposite a Gothic Revival home (c1887) that was the centre-piece of inspiration for the library's design. The owners of the house even allowed me to borrow the matching paint from their own supply. 

So, if you're out for your evening walk and want a route with a hill or two, travel west on Riverside from Wharncliffe, then turn right on Woodward.

Carry a used book and make a trade!

Please link to A Little Library - Time For Trim (Pt. 2).

Photos GH

Last Library 2018. Part 3.

No Cat on the Cool Tin Roof.

[Photo: Heavy duty tin covers one-inch cedar roof. Indestructible!]

Of course, as soon as I say the cedar and tin roof is 'indestructible', a local squirrel will start calculating - maybe with a few of its buddies - how to take it apart and transport the pieces to the top of a maple tree. Little beggars!!

That being said, shortly after I'd measured and cut the tin (hard chore, with old-time snippers) and sanded the edges to remove burr, I had two pieces snuggly screwed into place. Oh, it's not going anywhere for a long time.

The signage and door need second coats and proper placement, and several pieces of western cedar trim need to be attached before I can say 'fini'.

I say, by sometime next week I'll be digging a hole for the sturdy post and platform.

More photos to follow.

Please link to Last Library 2018. Part 2.

Photos GH

Last Library 2018. Part 2.

Heavy Metal in the Workshop.

[Photo: Cedar roof adds stability, permanent shelter and 20 pounds!]

Once the interior shelf was in place, leaving room underneath for 12 - 13 inch-high books, I added a very substantial cedar roof.

The two sides of the roof are each made up of 4 slats of cedar decking. Three of the four slats overlap with neighbouring slats, thereby preventing rain from dripping between the joints.

Cedar slats ready for overlap.

It's a technique I employ on all libraries, something I learned from an old ship builder who once said:

"I's the b'y that builds the boat.
And I's the b'y that sails her.
I's the b'y that catches the fish.
And brings them home to Lizer."

He was a pretty chatty guy - always singin' - but we got along okay.

 Collar and platform, in yellow and blue. Door in red, and

four red arrows and two yellow strips for signage.

Heavy-duty metal to go atop the cedar roof.

More to follow.

Please link to Last Library 2018. Part 1.

Photos GH

Last Library 2018. Part 1.

Sturdy Barnboard and Metal Roof.

[Photo: Once pieces are cut, the assembly begins]

2018 was a productive year in the workshop, with many birdhouses and 'little free libraries' filling my workbench with stock, dust, paint tins, brushes, etc. - and lots of cedar aroma. I can live with all that.

I am in "hurry up" mode because October is getting cooler and working with frigid tools is not a lot of fun. And since this final library will sport a metal roof I will have a few sharp edges to watch out for, as well.

 Lots of pieces to paint in primary colours

The cedar "under roof" pieces are ready to attach. 

 Here are the sides, back and bottom ready for assembly...

Now, it's taller than I am!

I have not cut or assembled a metal roof before, but with the right tools - and a steady hand - I should make do just fine.

More to follow.

Please link to A Little Library - Time For Trim (Pt. 2).

Photos GH

A Little Library - Time For Trim (Pt. 2).

"99% Finished," I Say. And It's Not Complicated.

[Photo: Outdoor pictures show off the colours in a natural light]

I thought the roof edge trim would take a month, but once I made a wooden stencil of a section of the repeated pattern I was away to the races.

After examining these first outdoor photos I discovered that the fine coat of dust from the workshop made the roof look like a lighter co;our than it actually is. So, subsequent shots will be tidier : )

The side windows were a breeze to paint and attach. 

 Fine dust makes the silicon on top roof edge look visible. It's not.

"Live and learn!"

Signage over door needs to be completed, then I'll say 100%

So, today I do the signage, and work on the roof on my next (and last) library. That's progress.

Please link to A Little Library - Time For Trim (Pt. 1).

Photos GH