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Rob Dempster
'Allo 'Allo Gardens! (AAG) Howick (uMngeni) AAG Blog The long and the short of the fork A Dusty Story 24 April 2025 |
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For the purpose of what follows, the parts of a fork will be refered to as the handle, shaft and blade (or tines).
I cannot remember when I first purchased a Ladies Fork and/or Spade. Nor can I remember breaking them. Either way, on both occasions, I was afforded the opportunity to fix them. In both instances I was keen to do so, as I wanted to lengthen their shafts, and in the case of the fork, strengthen/repair the steel prongs (also known as tines).
Given that I am fairly tall, it was useful to have a fork and a spade, both with long shafts. The elongated spade was particularly useful when we had to dig deep holes to accomodate the creosated poles that would become the uprights of the numerous swings that we built/erected.
Recently the pipe (steel tube from a vacum cleaner) that I used to lengthen the handle of the fork failed. As a replacement I used a segment from a wooden hoe handle. To fit the hoe handle into the respective ends of what now remained of the now severed shaft, I had to reduce the diameter of hoe handle at both ends. To do this I could either use a rasp and muscle power, or my electric belt sander and much less muscle power.
I then doned my dust coat and elected to go with the belt sander. Within a minute or two of starting the sanding, I had to stop because the amount of saw dust in the air was becoming a problem. After doning a breathing mask and googles, I re-entered the dust cloud. By the time I had finished, I resembled the log the shaft had been cut from. As for the work bench and its surrounds, everything was coated with dust.
After I had completed the reconstruction of the fork, it was time to clean up. I started by taking the belt sander outside in order to clean it up. It was then that I noticed that I had not attached the dust trap / dust collector to the belt sander. OOPS!!!! Fortunately I have been stupid before, and so after recomposing myself, I set about cleaning the belt sander, and returning to the garage to clean it up.
After sweeping the coated garage floor, and air blasting the garage floor, walls, shelves etc. in the general direction of the garage door and beyond, I was not done. I then had to beat my DUST COAT against a lamp post and the use it to beat myself.
As for the dust, it was heading down the road, hopping and skipping as it traveled on a light breeze.
As for me, I went inside for lunch, hoping that I would not spill the wine!
Old Age is not a condition. Nor is it a curse. It is a place you travel to if you are fortunate enough to reach it, and like mature wine, it sould be savoured!
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Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy a bicycle.
Some Links
- Parts of a Shovel/Fork
- Who said it? Old Age - please let me know. Thanks!
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