What made you happy today?

[Oldman]

Started restoring some old bits n pieces I was given on Friday....

My son responded to a "free furniture" ad. in Thornleigh, (he's just moved into a place in Leichardt and needed "stuff" to furnish their house) , and the fella was giving away house contents after his mum had moved into a nursing home....house has been sold, as Dad had died a few years ago.

Kim scored very well ! All the furniture was hand made, French Polished solid Qld. Maple and comprised a 3 door wardrobe,(all internal drawers dovetailed), a matching 2 door Lowboy a superb matching dresser with attached, ornate and etched circular mirror.....plus a few other small tables and pieces....all solid timber....no veneers.   All made in the early '50's.
All the pieces were very heavy and took ages to get them out of the house and onto a trailer that I'd borrowed....but we got there.
The fella's father was a Joiner and French Polisher and had made these specially for themselves.....just superb craftsmanship.

I asked why he was giving them away and he said he just couldn't be bothered having to haggle with people over prices and just needed the house empty asap. I jokingly asked if he needed to get rid of anything in the garage and he said,
" sure.....take whatever you want....not much left...my brother has been through and taken all the good stuff.....tools etc. "

I ended up with an awesome brass Salter, 200lb Trade scale, a solid brass double-pulley block & tackle, a bucket full of really good rope and some odd blocks, chain and lifting pieces.
So I spent this morning starting to tidy the scale up and pulled the block 'n' tackle apart to replace the axle bolts.

I know, I know.....I'm weird...   but I just love old, solid stuff that will give another 50 years of good use if given a little love.
...and Kim has inherited this trait.....he is over the moon with the pieces he picked up and went to the local and bought the guy a couple of cases of beer to say thanks....he would not accept money and I think it was 'cause he wanted someone else to love his folks' stuff as they had.....and not just flip it for a bit of cash