A meander through life and history in, and around, Alford in Lincolnshire. Uncover stories from the past and tales of Alfordians abroad.
Lockdown 2 and beyond …
Since the new machinery shelter was erected between the two containers, we have been able to house the “new” McCormick binder under cover. I have taken the opportunity to further renovate and restore this machine with lots of help from Grant and other volunteers.
The transport wheels have been removed and cleaned of mud grease and rust. They were then primed and painted and are now ready for refitting.The land wheel has been removed from the axle behind it. It is ready to go home for cleaning and painting.Now the wheel is out of the way, the framework behind can be cleaned up and painted. The repainted crop divider(red bit) has been repaired, reassembled and refitted.The wooden decking woodwork as removed. The condition is poor! Numbers have been applied to assist in their use as patterns and eventual reassembly.The rusty metal panel fits above the wooden decking (above) where the sheaves are formed. It was very thin and rusted through in places, so I have made a new one from a new sheet of mild steel. It is fitted to the original metal framework which was sound.The new wooden decking panels ready for refitting when the chassis of the binder has been painted. Grant cut and shaped the panels after DK and I had dismantled the originals and measured them. The originals were mostly badly warped, worm eaten and some were rotten!
There are lots of other bits and pieces that have come home and been cleaned, repaired where necessary and painted. It is quite a therapeutic process for me and a decrepit machine is gradually being returned to something of its former glory!
Beyond the day job, and the garden, I love to delve into local and family history. While pursuing one project other snippets frequently distract me, resulting in the eclectic mix of tales from the past found here.
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One thought on “Lockdown 2 and beyond …”
I don’t gave a clue what the machine is or how it works but I’m in awe of Ashley’s skill, dedication and hard work. The museum must now be among the best of its kind in the country.
About Alford 
I don’t gave a clue what the machine is or how it works but I’m in awe of Ashley’s skill, dedication and hard work. The museum must now be among the best of its kind in the country.