LJN Blog Posts

Comments

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  pete December 12, 2009 at 7:46pm

  
  
  
  
  Hi Phil – five years ago I was looking for something robust to grow sweet peas on - couldn't find anything – looked at the steel rods in B&Q and if they'd had any long enough then one of these (what are they – obelisks?)… would have cost near £100. But I know a chap – he made the chain for the Titanic (in the film) and he made me three of these basic frames – 1/2” mild steel, and charged me £10 each (old times sake) I suggested to him making some for the gardening trade but he'd got better things to do I think.
  
  I'm not suggesting you should do this Phil, just chatting... I saw just one potato fork in a big landscapers store a while back (9,10,12 prongs?) it was £80+ - I know you can get them cheaper but... and well made old garden lines too can fetch £50 on e-bay, veg gardening is on the increase again (that photo's not the best example)
  

  

  
  
  
  
  And something I'd like to do:- I collect glass steins with 'tin' lids – they can be quite beautiful objects I think, what I'd like to be able to do is get some well made glass tankards and make the lids for them!
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  Fenlandphil December 13, 2009 at 5:58am

  Thanks for the feedback Pete.
  I did make one of those veg lines about 25 years ago for my own use when doing a blacksmithing course but never considered them commercialy as I didn't think they would be profitable, it may be worth another look, if people will pay something like that for one.
  We make a selection of obelisks and gazebos that support climbing plants like sweet peas, looking at your photo and trying to gauge the size I would say it is about 5' diameter, is this about right and would you think that many could be sold at this diameter? If not what would you suggest as an ideal size? .Whilst typing this I remember making a chap a fig tree trainer this is about 3' diameter http://www.seriousgardener.co.uk/page7.htm right at the bottom of the page, would this have other uses?
  I am looking at espalier stakes for a chap at the moment but the powder coaters want more to paint them than I do to make them.
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  pete December 14, 2009 at 10:56pm

  Hello again Phil, I think this doorway is lovely, but with one of your arches it could have been even better.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Some veg lines I've seen (old ones) are not pretty but others - stout, properly functional and with limited frill can be quite desirable objects (to an allotmenteer) Not sure about the one in this picture though.
  
  Our 'obelisks' are actually four foot across and have proved a practical size, you can just get inside comfortably - and I think they look right in this particular garden..... I don't know how much you could make them for - I have put up a couple of the tubular arches folk have bought but the cost of something stronger like ours might be prohibitive to ordinary gardening home owners – but for hands on landscapers.....? To get the best pea flowers you do really need to add a little more muck each year and so we thought to maybe planting vigorous climbing roses in the middle and training them around.
  
  Sorry Phil, nothing there to answer your original question – just chatting again.
  
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  Fenlandphil December 15, 2009 at 5:34am

  Thanks again for the feedback Pete.
  I will hace a look at the sweet pee trainer, it may be something that could be made in a few sections.
  With our arches, we often sell them to people whos' tubular structures have failed and they can then appreciate they need something stronger, we have had individual private customers buy ten at a time off us, others have bought one or two then more over the years.
  Arches for doorways usually need to be individually made to get the height and width right to suit the doorway and often need to attach to the wall.
  I like the line reel it looks well made.
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  pete April 6, 2010 at 12:03am

  This one's on e-bay now for £85 + £10 postage!!! - it's Nettlefold and Sons 1880
  
  
  
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  Fenlandphil April 6, 2010 at 6:35am

  Hi Pete
  Very interesting, thanks for posting.
  Do you think the price reflects its age and antiquity or a reflection of how much someone thinks one of these is worth as atool in its own right?