The process...

A trip to the sawmill...

It all starts with a trip to the sawmill. I have been working closely with the same mill since 2018 and they have been able to supply me with the consistent high quality green wood needed ever since.

Having a close relationship with the mill is the most important thing because without the quality of wood that does what you ask of it, the rest could not happen.

Next the wood gets cut to size...

Strips of varying lengths and thicknesses are cut depending on what hoop diameter you want to bend after it leaves the steam box.

Into the steam box...

Next its into the steam box. The wood doesn't need that long to steam if you do it as shows in the picture to the right, but nowadays I pack the steam box thick with wood, and leave it for a few hours to allow it to penetrate between the tightly packed strips.

Its time to form the hoop...

When I pull a piece of wood out of the steamer it goes into one of many formers to achieve the desired diameter. I leave it wrapped up in the form for 3-4 minutes whilst it cools. Then the piece of steamed wood is removed from the form and you have your hoop.

Its then clamped like shown in the picture, and then needs to sit for at least 3 days.

Hoop preparation...

Once the 3 days has passed, the hoop has dried out enough to suit what I look for to make it usable.

Next comes the tidy up the hoop on the sander stage, finding the balance between removing the roughness of the sawn wood to make it comfortable to handle but without removing too much material and with it usable life of the finished tool. Thank fully, this is the last time I have to use a machine in the process.

It then gets treated with its first coat on English grown raw linseed oil and hung up to dry for 12-24hrs.

Now its time to tack the hoops together...

Its at this point where the process start to differ between Sieve and Riddle. If I am making a Sieve with a pre woven off the roll mesh I find a decent shape by eye and at around the desired diameter and tack it together. With a Sieve a second smaller bottom hoop is also required which I tack together to fit the top hoop I have just done.

If its a Riddle I set the weaving jig up and size the Riddle hoop according to that, then tacking it together in the same way.

Now its mesh time...

If I am making a sieve, I cut a piece from a roll of mesh, then using the hoop I start to shape a round imprint in the mesh. From there I do several little processes to bend it in a manner which works with the mesh rather than against it and there for making it easier on the hands. This is often a blood loosing exercise, gloves or no gloves. With the stainless mesh the wires that have been offcut from the mesh are well into my hand before I notice as they are so very fine. Gloves are too cumbersome to use at this stage.

Weaving a mesh by hand (Riddle)...

When making the Riddles, with the hoop clamped in the jig and a pattern of the mesh placed inside I proceed to drill the holes that line up with the pattern. Then following that same pattern feed in, cut and tap each wire into the hoop one at a time.

On a 18" diameter, 1/4" mesh Riddle they have roughly 120 individual wires in them. Those wires require 240 holes pre drilled. Then it comes to bending over and tapping in the end of the fine wire again 240 times. You can see where the time goes into it. And they don't all want to go in first time.

Once the Riddle is woven, there is a tightening process I go through and the outcome is a mesh far superior than any machine could ever weave.

Added strength...

Whether its a Sieve or a Riddle all tools 14" and over will have strengthening wires fitted beneath the mesh. This takes the load, and although I wouldn't advise it I have stood in the Riddles with chocks of wood under the outer hoop. It took the weight, a lot of weight!

Makers mark...

And then for the heat stamp, the date and makers initials stamped inside the hoop and of course the makers card and compliments card.

Last checks...

Just before it gets packed I go over it again, check for any exposed sharp wires and tacks, any major roughness in the wooden hoop and a few other little bits to make sure I am happy with it.

Then it gets its second coat of raw linseed oil, and depending on how that dries maybe a third.

Then its ready to go, it may catch some rays in my garden for an hour or two which doubles up as day storage overspill in the summer months as my workshop is quite small.

Its off...

Then its gets packed and off to you. I use custom made bare cardboard boxes with wood wool packing secured with brown paper tape.

Its how I would like to receive it if I was being given it as a gift.

Put it to work...

Now its up to you, its 50 - 80 year (plus) working life can begin.

Look after it, and it will see you out whether you are 8 or 80.

It doesn't end there...

I advertise a 15 year guarantee, but you can call me anytime for advice on maintenance or with any niggles you have with your tool.

You'll know where to find me.