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Post by JohnV on Nov 25, 2019 8:31:53 GMT
I understand (from reading about historic wooden structures) that oak was, historically, normally worked green
All the medieval churches etc were built of green oak as when it is seasoned it is too hard to be worked with hand tools. It also then warps after assembly causing all the joints to lock very tightly together, increasing it's structural integrity.
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Post by phil70 on Nov 25, 2019 10:16:15 GMT
The use of green oak gave us Chesterfield spire, as I understand the addition of a lead roof caused the green oak to twist into the shape we all know. I have a memory of a fire in recent years all but destroying the spire, I will Google it Phil
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Post by phil70 on Nov 25, 2019 10:21:43 GMT
Phew, pant, pant Yes there was a fire in Dec 1961 which swept through the north part of the church and threatened the spire. Phil
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Post by naughtyfox on Nov 25, 2019 11:49:46 GMT
What if they were madThe bark and fruits contain bebeerine, an alkaloid formerly used to reduce fever.Greenheart wood, which is both strong and dense, is used chiefly in Europe for underwater applications, such as pilings for wharves and bridges and in ships. Its excessive weight makes it largely unfit for other purposes.e of oak and not greenheart? That is the problem, they are made of cheap oak but its worked green and not allowed to season before the gates are fitted so it rots quickly. They do float to a degree. Ah... I thought you meant 'greenheart' the wood from South America. The Stanley Ferry workshop chap who gave us,a guided tour said they use oak from Wales and 'greenheart' from Sarf 'Merica: "The bark and fruits contain bebeerine, an alkaloid formerly used to reduce fever.Greenheart wood, which is both strong and dense, is used chiefly in Europe for underwater applications, such as pilings for wharves and bridges and in ships. Its excessive weight makes it largely unfit for other purposes."
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Post by naughtyfox on Nov 25, 2019 11:51:28 GMT
Phew, pant, pant Yes there was a fire in Dec 1961 which swept through the north part of the church and threatened the spire. Phil What kind of threats? Anything juicy?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2019 12:15:39 GMT
There was a Guardian winge about BW using Ekki timber from conflict areas in Liberia in about year 2000. On the K&A. I was in the area and had some offcuts for the fire. Amazingly dense wood. One bit I dropped in the cut sank like a brick. www.theguardian.com/world/2002/apr/14/uk.antonybarnettSierra Leone not Liberia. Quite shitty blood soaked balance beams really. Nothing new under the sun though is there !
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Post by thebfg on Nov 25, 2019 16:02:15 GMT
To clarify, it will float with some aid of say, laying on a buoyant float or a raft type boat.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2019 16:04:02 GMT
To clarify, it will float with some aid of say, laying on a buoyant float or a raft type boat. Yes but the problem is they are the bottom gates and there is no way of getting the water level equivalent to the height of a full lock without gates being in position. The groove irons below the lock are at towpath level.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2019 16:05:45 GMT
If they were proper greenheart gates, they wouldn't float. I don't understand why they persist in making lock gates from substandard timbers. The steel ones that they used in the '70s are in the main still serviceable and don't need any upkeep other than paddle gear and closing mitres. I think all steel gates might cause problems for the quoins and the gate anchors when they are slammed because the steel does not absorb any vibration. This could lead to loosening of the anchors and damage to the stonework. Whereas wood would or could and should absorb at least some of the shock.
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Post by thebfg on Nov 25, 2019 16:12:02 GMT
To clarify, it will float with some aid of say, laying on a buoyant float or a raft type boat. Yes but the problem is they are the bottom gates and there is no way of getting the water level equivalent to the height of a full lock without gates being in position. So first choice of using the water to self level it out and It would be easier if it was full but from its lower level it should still work wouldent it if machinery was used sat on the lock to raise it. I'm sure there is equipment that could lift 5 or 6 ton up like a mental harcore version of an engine hoist
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2019 16:13:37 GMT
Yes. Sheerlegs like JohnV suggested The question is whether this is allowed under elfin safety and also does anyone know how to operate these devices.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2019 16:14:59 GMT
Or two cranes maybe ?
Or maybe not !
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Post by thebfg on Nov 25, 2019 16:17:21 GMT
Yes. Sheerlegs like JohnV suggested The question is whether this is allowed under elfin safety and also does anyone know how to operate these devices. Being a southern softee I had no idea what they were.
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Post by metanoia on Nov 25, 2019 18:07:45 GMT
The use of green oak gave us Chesterfield spire, as I understand the addition of a lead roof caused the green oak to twist into the shape we all know. I have a memory of a fire in recent years all but destroying the spire, I will Google it Phil The spire was alive and well when I was living in Chesterfield in the late 80s (even managed to climb up there twice!). The local legend (apart from the devil alighting briefly which made it twist in the first place) is that it will straighten on the day a virgin bride walks down the aisle!! met x
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2019 15:27:24 GMT
Not my photo but as I have a passing and relatively minor interest in the Grand Union canal I feel at liberty to blatantly steel images posted on openly available internet sites and reproduce them in low resolution here. It does look a little bit rude. Possibly not quite as easy a bodge as the other one where the balance beam conveniently fell off. Maybe it would be useful to give the beam a little bit of help. Steel balance beams on wooden gate structure. Yes it looks like a wooden beam but that is just a thin oak capping the actual balance beam is a welded steel box section arrangement. The bolts holding the wood on are a giveaway. I'm pretty sure the early 00s period was bad as far as gate design was concerned. New gates needed here. Towpath is actually on both sides at Denham. So it's the right hand bottom gate going up which is called the "offside" despite both sides being available as towpath with turnover bridges above and below the lock. ETA I wonder if someone is planning to let narrow boats get through with that ratchet strap holding the gate in place. ETA and from the stoppage notice it seems they have had divers in and "The offside bottom timber heel post has a vertical split and is currently unsafe to operate; therefore, the navigation will remain closed for the time being." So it looks like the top part around the collar is nackered and the bottom part around the gate pintle is also split. Double jeopardy. Nackered gates. Badly.
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