With much of the United Kingdom covered in a blanket of snow and ice there was not much chance for cracking on with jobs in the vegetable garden this week.
So, at a loose end, I have FINALLY attempted to start the restoration of the Wash Copper from the Victorian Wash House that was hidden amongst trees and undergrowth just metres from the back door of our farmhouse garden in Staffordshire, England.
This room hasn’t been used or accessed properly since the early 90’s.
In the previous video, we cleared out the inside of the wash house and discussed our plans for the renovation of this space
We have so many ideas for this space but needed advice on how best to tackle a refurbishment of the cast iron window and the wash copper above the fireplace. There were lots of comments in the previous video with much advice for us, so thank you. The main suggestion was to use wire wool discs on a drill or angle grinder to clear the rust from the cast iron wash copper.
In this episode I start the process of attempting to bring back this piece of Victorian history to its former glory. Things don’t go according to plan though. Am I left with my vision for this space in tatters?
With Duncan’s help I also create a replica cover for the wash copper, something which ours is missing. This was fun to attempt, as DIY is not our strong point!
This is a truly exciting project that is going to prove to be the central hub of the vegetable garden in due course. I’m hoping to be able to store vegetables in it, such as beetroot, onions etc as well as potentially use it as a potting shed. The wash copper I hope will store compost in spring for seed sowing and potting on and use it over summer/autumn for washing off vegetables.
Most of the tools used in this video are DeWalt, cordless 18v tools. Well used around the farm, always reliable.
What would you do to this space if it was in your garden?
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32 Comments
What use would you have for a functional wash copper in your garden?
Compost storage?
Washing vegetables?
Thanks for watching!
Broken or invented a plug hole?
My mum has made them…. well her partner did
You will need a mangle to make more authentic
I said to bob I couldn't that and bob was like youd cut both your arms off and one leg
You could just put the new wash copper into the old one so it would be always removable. Plus you don’t have to remove the old one, which could be a struggle.
(Depending on how you’re planing to use it. )
I saw the pictures of this you posted on a local fb group, the today it pops up on my YouTube feed. What are the chances
It’s sad but you don‘t broke it, it was the time and luckily you got a new one👍
Sadly the damage was already done with that degree of rust, so don't beat yourself up over it, but I can understand your disappointment, the replacement looks a great option
❤
That hole is absolutely not your fault – Rust build up over that amount of time is going to do that to anything. You did your best.
Well my heart sank – but then how lucky to find another on FB! Could you use the old one as a planter outside the wash house door?
Oh no Clare I’m so sorry! But that’s fantastic that you found a new one. I love your wee washroom – It’s going to look fabulous!
Why didn’t you sand off the wood before making the cover? The original cover would have been nice clean wood, not aged and stained. At least please clean (sand) the underside of the cover.
That was a great start to the restoration Clare, I know it didn't go to plan but at least you found a replacement and if it was that thin anyway maybe it's better you replaced it now. Love the top you and Duncan made, looked like Boudicca's shield. I'd say that was a lovely job Clare 😊❤
As many others said already, you didnt break it, it was already gone beyond repair.
We/you need to give yourself some grace. You are human.
OMG, I am beside myself, I cant beleive you didnt clean that wood off first…🤣🤣🤣
What was you expecting to happen its old and you using POWER TOOLS.
You can hammer a patch or use fire to fix it, or even better create a drain to reuse the water for watering the plants.
So if I might suggest: take this pot with the hole and take it outside to use as a planter. Reduce, reuse, recycle as they say. 🇨🇦🇨🇦
If you haven't done anything else to your cauldron, take it to a traditional blacksmith. They can get it fixed up for you.
You could use a’pot washer’
I can remember my Mum doing the washing in one of those, then she had to heave the wet sheets out to put them through the mangle. The copper has probably got thin through so much washing being done in it, so don't feel bad about the hole.
It looks so cold there at the moment. You did nothing wrong with cleaning the copper bowl it was just too rusted but Facebook marketplace has all these little gems. Tip for your glasses. Wet your finger and wipe the inside of the glasses and it stops them misting up. Good old motorcycle visor tip. Give it a go. Lovely update Cant wait to see how the rest of the restoration goes.
Loved seeing all your animal running around 🥰
Sitting holding my breath while she's grinding like I'm worried I'll breathe in the dust, lol.
What would look nice for that cover, is a shou sugi ban, burnt wood finish then just a clear wax.
That is going to be such a lovely space when you have finished Claire. 👍
This Brit still using imperial measurements like it's 1979! 😆
it is all about 2 kW angle grinder and a thicker wire brush.
How did they wash clothes in that basin?? 😮
A better method would have been using a citric acid solution which cleans off rust amazingly. not sure if citric acid is available to Bongs as you guys seem to have banned everything useful including useful chemicals, firearms, freedom of speech……oi mate have u got loisense for that loisense
Love it🎉