Sunday, July 10, 2016

Historic Preservation Training Center HPTC - Trade Rodeo - National Park Service / June 2016

- Key Points of Repointing

I had a great time at the Historic Preservation Training Center HPTC. Which hosted there first ever Trade Rodeo for the National Park Service NPS this month. HPTC could best described as the Navy Seals of the NPS. When a repair, updates, replacements, new items needs to be created the HPTC comes to the rescue. Armed with many craftsman and women along with architects... the list just keeps going. I'm so honored that the HPTC is located in Frederick Maryland which is only 1 hour away. Right in my backyard. The Dry Stone Conservancy DSC had worked hand in had the NPS in the past with a great deal of training and repairs of Dry Laid Stone Constructions all over the USA. I'm looking forward to future projects within the surrounding states both new builds along with repairs of old structures. 

The Rodeo was a 2 day event which covered many basics as seen below in a few of the photos. The topics covered:

- Get the Lead Out
- Log Hewing: Carving a Timber the Pioneer Way
- What's Mud Got To Do With It: Adobe
- The Nitty Gritty of Mortar Analysis
- Getting Keen on Sharpening (wood tools)
- Documenting Historic Structures
- Roof Installation: Keeping Your Structure Dry
- Getting To Know Terrazzo
- Something Old, Something New, Something Dutchmanned, Something Glued
- Key Points of Repointing
- Stay in Your Lane
- Look - Don't Touch: Blood-borne and Airborne Pathogens

I was invited  to the rodeo since I will be working along side HPTC staff at the Hopewell Furnace State Park in PA July 2016.  With the initiative to train youth in the trades to help bring awarness to the endless need for services of historic landmarks all over the USA. We will be working on repairing sections of wall with removal of mortar and fixing failed dry laid stone retaining wall sections. As a Certified Dry Stone Instructor with the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain DSWA UK. I'm honored to be the lead instructor. 

I had an amazing time meeting the talented team of tradesman/women at HPTC. I'm look forward to a life long relationship.  Now I have my government Dun and Bradstreet number this will allow me to bid on Government contracts and work with the NPS directly if chosen. How cool is that? Helping to preserve history while teaching others what you love?!

Life is amazon, how our paths are chosen when we choose to follow them. 

- Key Points of Repointing

- Something Old, Something New, Something Dutchmanned, Something Glued

- Getting To Know Terrazzo

- Getting To Know Terrazzo
- Getting To Know Terrazzo
- Getting To Know Terrazzo

- Getting To Know Terrazzo

Now what is really cool in this photos is the red vacuum looking machine in the back round. What you might not notice but the demonstrator is using a grinding wheel with no dust mask. Because he is hooked up to the Pullmer Ermator S26 HEPA Dust Extractor. If you don't know OSHA https://www.osha.gov/silica has come out with a new list of requirements to protect workers from Air Born Silica. This device has adaptors to fit to any of your tools as you cut, grid.... just about anything that generates dust. Extremely cool. Pricy if your a one man show - but what is your life worth? Safety first!!!


- Getting To Know Terrazzo

- What's Mud Got To Do With It: Adobe

Water test of Clay to sand ratio in jar which if you really look or click on this photo you will see this is a 50/50 ratio. This is a test which was do in order to know if anything needed to be added to help produce the Adobe blocks. 

- Log Hewing: Carving a Timber the Pioneer Way

- Wood working shop

- Getting Keen on Sharpening (wood tools)

The Mission of the HPTC: The Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) is dedicated to the safe preservation and maintenance of national parks or partner facilities by demonstrating outstanding leadership, delivering quality preservation services, and developing educational courses that fulfill the competency requirements of Service employees in the career fields of Historic Preservation Skills, Risk Management, Maintenance, and Planning, Design, and Construction.

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Nick Aitken - Scotland @ The Stone Trust VT USA - Feidin & Galloway Dyke Workshop


WWW.THESTONETRUST.ORG First Every 2 Day Workshop to be taught in the USA.  May 14th-15th, 2016 Dummerston Center Vermont. 

Lead Instructors Nick Aitken - Scotland (as seen in video) and Dean McLellan - Canada  both DSWA Master / Examiner / Instructor.

Scottish And Irish Wall Workshop, Dry laid stone construction. (Dry Stack)