DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

At this point we (Suzanne) decided that Iw as spending too much time playing in my shed and to preserve my marital status I took on a small side project - making a dozen raised beds that had been drawn up by the garden designed.

Initially I was going to make these in 2mm steel so of course I had to make an industrial strength metal break(folder)



Then I priced up the steel, and the cost of hot galvanising and all the issues that might cause , and we changed our mind and when for sleepers instead.

Because that was loads easier.

I had to use a chainsaw to cut them and make a jig to make sure the cuts were at the right angles



This gives you an idea o the amount of wood. I was about a quarter of the way through at this stage




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Because it wasn’t just 12 raised beds. Oh no that would be too easy. this is what I was working towards



After weeks and weeks of backbreaking work I ended up with this



I was pleased with it and more to the point I was pleased I could get back onto Das Uber-shed


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Having got the mains wiring sorted I was able to get it connected up and live.

I had a bit of luck here. At one stage (2008 I think) during the global financial crash the previous owners installed a diesel generator in one of the outbuildings. This was set up to let it run the whole house. God only knows what they thought was going to happen. When the world kept on going they had the generator removed, but it left a mahoosive power line running from the House to the Barns.

I wondered if this could be repurposed and used for a fresh supply TO the barns instead of FROM the barns. Ian put me on to a sparky (woody) who came and had look at it and sure enough rewired one end and hey presto I had a decent supply to the barns.

Then it was time to think about the lighting.

I initially wanted to have an industrial strip-lighting look - but with LED lamps - something like this


However since the world and his dog has embraced the ‘industrial’ look stuff like this costs a bomb, and with a large space to fill it would have cost a fortune.

I started trying to think of other ways to achieve a similar look. Suzanne came up with the idea of a metal planter turned upside down and painted.

I bought a fairly cheap one, painted it up, mounted an LED inside and made up some conduit to hold it up, and this was the result



I wasn’t sure. I kept walking out and in again and looking at it over and over again. The problem was, every time I looked at it the little voice in the back of my head said “it’s a f*cking planter”.

Eventually I gave in to the voice and abandoned that idea


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Thanks for updating this thread Mark - it's going to be worth all of the work & aggravation.

It already looks fabulous & will be a great place to spend time - very envious !

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I kept looking for something that looked industrial, but could give a good light and also wouldn’t look out of place at a wedding reception (!) - my middle daughter is getting married next year and the reception is going to be in my workshop

I liked the look of this


And thought - how hard can it be?


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The answer is - not too hard but a massive ball-ache.

I made and installed this one as a proof of concept



I liked the look but it was just too wobbly with the weight of the shade and the length of the swan neck.

I therefore added a turnbuckle connected to the wall - if you look carefully you can see it in this pic



This takes the weight of the shade and swan neck and has the added advantage that the turnbuckle lets you adjust the height really accurately to make them vertical. However it also added to the complexity of making each one.


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I said it was a ball-ache and it certainly was. This was mainly because I wanted to have 21 lights. I had to bend each swan-neck using the pipe-bender but they all had to match

I made a jig



And then, gradually made another 20 of the buggers



You have to make each one longer than you need because the bending isn’t an exact science. And you then have to cut each one to length and cut a thread in each end.

On top of that I had to screw in a mounting bracket for the turnbuckle and also cut the supporting wire to length

After many week-ends I ended up with this



I’m well chuffed with the result. I’ve got BRIGHT LED bulbs in there at the moment and it gives a great light. I really like the look and feel it’s in keeping with the building. And when Eve gets married she can replace all the bulbs with something softer and it will work well.

I also added 6 upward-facing spotlights to highlight the rafters/beams


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As a little side-project during all this, I had a doorway between the big barn and the tannery. There was no door on it which made it all insecure and stopped me opening up the tannery into the big barn



It was also a bit of a mess with that broken concrete at the bottom.

I was able to re-purpose another doorway and add some stone steps



And cut down the door to fit as well as adding a suitable sign




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That just about brings you up to date with progress so far. Last week-end I’ve sealed in the concrete floor. It doesn’t look a whole lot different but it’s wayyy less dusty.

I’ve just had delivered two sets of door automation rams. I’ve installed some of these at our last house.

Once the outer gate is automated and the garage doors are automated I’m going to start parking the cars in there.

I will then start work on the workbenches…..

Thanks for reading this and I’ll update it further when I make more progress

Cheers

Mark


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Brilliant stuff Mark, really chuffed for you: looks like a lot of fun and well deserved.

Blimey Mark. That’s impressive stuff. Once the weddings out the way you can throw a DDK party


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Thanks guys. Although at times it wears you down, I really enjoy the process of making stuff, fixing stuff, and learning new skills


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That is mighty impressive and my wife would love your parterre!

Bit O/T but are the tyres on the 911 Toyo TR1?

Impressive work.

Wow!
That's fantastic Mark. I'm surprised that you've had time for work.
What DustyM said, DDK party after the wedding.

Cheers

Andy