Monday 24 August 2009

Fathomer and firechecker

I always wanted to work in an 'open air studio'. Now 'health and safety' issues make it possible.
One of the best joiners in town built a wonderful device to prepare the bobbins that will be unwound in Midsummer Place: Colin's fathomer looks like a giant loom which allows to wind 18 reels simultaneously onto one rod. At the same time the ribbons are 'firechecked': metre by metre is sprayed with a flame retardant fluid, then dried and wound up; a slow process.