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Cask end restoration
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JMW
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 5:11 pm    Post subject: Cask end restoration Reply with quote

Hi everyone,

Apologies in advance if this isn't the right board for this question.

Basically, I have two cask ends from an old hogshead and would like to have the wood itself as well as the original paintwork preserved for display.

Is there anyone here that has done anything like this before or knows someone that might be able to offer me some advice? I'm currently awaiting replies from a couple of Cooperage and wood restoration companies to find out if anything can be done.

Thanks in advance for your time and help.

Cheers!
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Keith
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 5:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Forum member JAB may be the man to speak to as i recall he used some old ends off some casks for display but best talk to him for the method he used.
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Keith
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 5:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

here it is http://www.scotchmaltwhisky.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1173
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JAB
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 7:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello, Yes i have done this myself last year.

I was given an old cask end from Bowmore.

When the wood dry's out it tends to shrink, so to preserve the shape and structure of it you will have to do a few things.

1. Drill some holes in the metal band and put screws in to stop it slipping off
2. Get two strips of wood and place on the back of the cask end (1/3 and 2/3 from the bottom) drill small pilot holes in the bits of wood centred to where the staves are and attach them, this helps and stops the wood moving to much when it drys out.
3. I made a stencil of the bowmore logo that was on the cask end.
4. sanded the surface smooth using an orbital sander
5. Applied the stencil i made and engraved the wood using a dremil tool.
6. Painted the engraved letters with black paint
7. varnished the wood with a cheery coloured varnish
8. used emery cloth on the metal band to get rid of the rust and bring a little shine back to it then rubbed it with a little wd40 to stop it rusting again.
9. painted the rim of the cask end black.

But if you would like to preserve the image / stenciling already on the cask end you could just apply a clear varnish over the top to stop it deteriorating.

Any other questions please ask and will do my best to help you

John


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JAB
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Think i will actually dig out the other ones from the shed tomorro and start a new one!

John
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JMW
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Keith and JAB,

Thanks very much for both of your extremely helpful answers.

JAB, the step by step guide you've provided is superb and it clearly works - the Bowmore cask looks brilliant.

At present i'm unsure whether i'll get the cask ends on their own or with the ends of the staves and the steel rim included, although I suspect it will be the former. In that case should I just wait for the wood to dry out and then attached the wood supports as described? How long would you estimate it will take to dry out before I can do this? I should probably mention that the cask has been exposed to the elements for the past four years or so.

As for the paintwork - it's a nicely stencilled black cask end with white writing and i'm keen to preserve what's there and perhaps touch up some of the areas that are damaged. I will definitely try the varnish you mention - is there a particular brand that is most suitable?

Once again, big thanks for your help!

John Very Happy
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JAB
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would say do it sooner rather than later, the wood starts to dry out the second you take it indoors.

Just put a few support straps at the back, and if it still has the end hoop attached then drill and secure this also.

Be carefull if you decide to touch it up as it very hard to match the weathered look, somtimes it adds to the character of the wood, just use any half decent clear varnish applying as many coats as you feel it needs!

Now the question is... what one should i start tomorro!?? lol

John
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JMW
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 9:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ah, so it's best not to let the wood dry? I'll see if I can get it done this weekend in that case - will three screws drilled into each piece of support wood be enough to hold it? If possible i'd greatly appreciate seeing the back of one of your finished casks just to see how it's done.

Apologies for all the questions - i'm just extremely anxious to make sure it gets done right!

Also, I went with the majority and voted Ardbeg for your next project - if only because that nice 'A' would make a fantastic engraving.

Cheers,

John
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JAB
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 9:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If its going to be indoors then defo do it before it starts to shrink!

Just depends how many pieces of wood there are in the cask end!

You need to hold each bit in place so need to put a screw into each one of them, will take a few photos tomorro when i dig the other ones out of the shed

John
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JMW
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 10, 2012 10:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the advice John - appreciate all of your help and look forward to seeing the pictures.

Cheers,

John Very Happy
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JAB
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just putting the Finnishing touches to my Current cask end -



Will post photos of the back along with the new one tomorro night

John
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JMW
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 9:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks John - are you going for the full Ardbeg 'A' with celtic knot design? That will look spectacular - looking forward to seeing it!
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JAB
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PostPosted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 10:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yep the barrle end is Exactly the same as the image above

John
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JAB
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 7:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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JMW
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PostPosted: Mon Jan 16, 2012 8:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow! Looking superb! Love the choice of bottle green paint - really gives it standout. Did you cut the stencil from transparency and use a roller to apply the white?

I hope you're planning to get this up on display in a prominent place...
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