Platen

 

I shoveled some more snow yesterday and swapped out the propane tank for the shop heater. The tank is a 100 pounder and it's not easy to roll it around on a bed of oak leaves covered with snow. Fortunately, no damage done to the chest with the snow shoveling or tank swapping.

The job for the day was the cast iron platen. I pulled the stud out of the one end, removed a broken bolt out of one of the threaded holes and then chased all the threads. I sanded and oiled up the platen and drilled the angle iron to bolt it down. The angle on the right side needs some attention, but it'll get cleaned up and then bolted down using the holes I threaded where the studs used to be. Probably get that done today before it gets cold again. 

I need to split a couple of more pieces of the oak log I cut up a while ago. I split a couple the other day by hand - not worth the aggravation of moving the splitter or the wood through the snow and taking a chance on screwing up the chest pulling on the starter rope on the splitter. Plus, it's a good way to start getting my strength back. A little workout with a sledge and wedges will shape up the upper body. The grandson was supposed to come down and help me for a day or two with the lumberjacking and a couple of other chores, but he's been ill. We'll schedule a day when he and the weather are better. 

Stay warm!