Gear pattern engraving
M12 insert
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Custom Gear knob for an Aston Martin DBS restoration.
Wren Classics - www.wrenclassics.com is working on a three year full restoration of a 1970's DBS Vantage. Andrew, Wren's chief engineer is looking ahead to the interior. As part of the restoration the car is being extensively upgraded including a new gearbox so the gear pattern was going to be different to the original. So a new gear knob need to be fitted. Wren's client had chosen a shape he liked from another car, but wanted it to match the dashboard when it was restored. He also wanted the gear knob locally made to his exacting standards. The dashboard is going to be remade in African Walnut as used in the original car. As part of the restoration the dashboard is going to be remade by specialist car trimmers - https://www.silvercrest-woodtrim.co.uk/gallery.... Andrew asked if I could create a custom gear knob for the car with the new gear pattern laser engraved in the top. Liaising with Silvercrest we decided on African Walnut for the dash and the gear knob. In the 70's the classic instrument layout was white on black so that was used for the engraving. The level of detail required was such that the grain of the wood against the white gear pattern was even orientated to match the pin striping on the seats and headlining! After a prototype was approved for feel and finish the final gear knob was hand turned and finished with a tough acrylic finished polished to high gloss. The laser engraving was 0.5mm deep filled with a very fine grain white epoxy putty. The gear knob was fitted with an M12 steel insert to match the new gearbox lever. I think the end result will look outstanding in the finished car |
The full set
One of seven beech blanks
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Re-sawn to 4mm ready for laser cutting and engraving
One batch ready for finishing
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Custom woodworking for local restaurant group.
It's not often I get asked for a large volume of custom parts, but a call came from a regular client - The Clockspire restaurant at Milborne Port, Somerset - www.theclockspire.com asking for a promotional gift for the three restaurants in the group. In keeping with their source local ethos they wanted a product that was locally crafted with locally sourced materials. We settled on some custom designed and engraved spatulas. Made in Beech wood locally sourced in Somerset. Designed and created by the Fusion Workshop in Dorset these fitted the bill perfectly. They needed a lot! for the three locations they needed a total of 200. With only 2 weeks before their event deadline it was all go to get them made and delivered. The Beech needed to be re-sawn and sanded to 4mm thick before laser cutting and engraving. The blade edge of the spatulas had to be hand shaped to a sharp edge to make them perfect for any manner of tasks. Nothing like the blunt ended ones you often find! Engraved with the names of the three restaurants and finished with a food safe oil they certain looked the part and were a great hit with the lucky guests who received them. |
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House sign for a special place.
This driveway sign was commissioned recently and need something special to make it stand out on the end of the driveway. I chose to add a handsome border and a laser engraved picture of a Shepherd's hut. Made in Oak and finished with a super heavy duty exterior varnish. The sign is 300mm x 200mm |
Special commission Hut signs
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A special request from a VIP customer of Plankbridge Shepherd huts.
A very recent special commission from Plankbridge Ltd, located in Piddlehinton, in the Piddle valley of Dorset. These plaques were obviously for a client that had a passion for Navy battles! I paid special attention to the design and found a font from the period (1800's) and an image of a ship based cannon also of the period. The plaques were made of locally sourced English Oak and finished with 3 coats of a super durable Yacht varnish. |
Large Makers plaque in Oak
Stove warning sign on Lime
A batch of Maker's plaques during finishing
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Electrical warning sign on Lime
Small key fob in English sycamore
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The Fusion Workshop produces sustainable signage for a local manufacturer.
The Fusion Workshop has partnered with a local maker of bespoke and ecofriendly Shepherd’s Huts, Plankbridge Ltd, located in Piddlehinton, in the Piddle valley of Dorset. (www.plankbridge.com) Richard Lee, Founder and craftsman of Plankbridge Shepherd’s huts is a keen advocate of producing these huts in the most eco friendly way and using sustainable English timber from local suppliers. Richard was using plastic electrical warning plaques for inside the huts and wanted to replace these with wooden laser cut ones, while maintaining the easy readability. Richard was adamant about using a native English timber and after some experimentation with various species we decided on lime. Lime machines easily and with careful setting up, laser engraves with a clean edge and dark burn. Another project for Richard was to replace his current “Makers Plaque” that is mounted on the outside of the hut and needs to withstand the battering of the English weather. To quote Richard “These huts should last a hundred years and so must the plaque!” For these we agreed that hardy English Oak should be used with a deep engraving of 2mm. The chosen finish was 3 coats of super tough yacht varnish. If this finish can stand up to the rigours of a life at sea it should protect these plaques for a hundred years! These items will be maintained by TFW on a “Kanban” system so they are always available when needed. |
The Clockspire restaurent
The finished tray
Bottom inlay
The final computer rendering
Corner splice in Black walnut
Small serving dish
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The Fusion Workshop has joined the restaurant trade.
The Fusion Workshop has partnered with a local restaurant; “The Clockspire” An outstanding contemporary restaurant on the border between Dorset and Somerset in Milborne Port. (www.theclockspire.com). I was contacted via Facebook by the General Manager Massimiliano. with an idea for a project that he wanted to discuss, which fitted The Fusion Workshop exactly. It turned out to be part of a new internal design exercise and he wanted some new serving trays. Nothing simple here! The spec was really complex, involving withstanding temperatures of 65c, water resistant, capable of carrying 4 large plates, stackable and able to withstand the rigors of restaurant life. “Massi” had looked at using carbon fibre, such was the intense specification!! However, that look wasn’t what the restaurant wanted. The Clockspire is in a heritage building, beautifully restored and has a lot of lovely wood around. So, we decided the trays would be wood, coloured to match the décor and be contemporary in style. Of course, they still had to fit the spec! Photo realistic renderings were produced for approval and eventually a truly bespoke design was arrived at that was both practical, met the spec, and was elegant. In the middle of the tray build, Massi and Luke, the head chef visited the workshop with another request. This for a small serving dish for a particular starter. The specification was the same as for the large trays. That was until Luke casually slipped in the fact that it needed to contain stock and Dry Ice!! So that upped the difficulty factor just a little. However, A design was agreed and 20 of these little serving dishes were on their way. The finish I finally decided on after much research was an amazing product from a local British company in Somerset called Polyvine. Read about it here. And keeping it all local the timber came from Yandles in Martock. The nine large trays and the twenty serving dishes were recently delivered and as soon as the lockdown ended they were put into daily use in the restaurant. Look out for them when you dine there! A slideshow for those of you interested in progress pictures..... |
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A contemporary wine rack.
A design unique to the The Fusion Workshop. A contemporary wine rack that sits close to the wall and allows you to see the bottle label without pulling the bottle out. The ones shown take 12 bottles, but can be made shorter if required. They look great in groups of two or three and really are striking with a sleek, modern look. Other colours are available. Made to order at £120 each rack |
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Another great gift for the chef in your life!
These salt boxes were an interesting project. They look great on the counter top and keep the salt dry, but ready to use. The ones shown are in White Oak and Bubinga wood. |
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Painted and ready to hang on the tree. These are available for £3 each. Can be made from an image of your own pet (cats are welcome...)
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Some more of those wonderful Christmas ornaments.
This time finished ready to hang. This images are real pictures of the clients' dogs, image processed ready for laser cutting. Here we see Cocker spaniels, and gold and black Labradors. |
A seam ripper (stitch un-picker) shown in Chrome with Yew wood. £20
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For the sewing crafter
Here's something I haven't made before - A seam ripper - who knew? I was asked to make a seam ripper, or stitch un-picker if you prefer. This was was made with a chrome mechanism and the handle is Yew wood from the local church trees after pollarding. The finish is a hard acrylic and should stay looking good for a very long time. Maybe it will become an heirloom and be passed the generations?? If you are interested in purchasing one of these, they are £20 each and can be personalised with laser engraving. Contact through Facebook, or at the web site www.thefusionworksop.co.uk The photos show it ready to use and with the sharp bit tucked away safely inside the handle. |
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Another great gift for the chef in your life!
These spatulas are made in solid Maple or Ash (other woods can be used to match décor if required). Two different sizes and engraved with the standard message or personalised for you. Each spatula costs £3.00. |
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A selection of hanging ornaments ready for painting. Available for just £2 each
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Christmas is just around the corner and isn't it about time all you crafts people started getting productive!
Here are a few idea for some Christmas ornaments that the more creative of you can purchase from me and then finish as you like and then give as gifts or sell on through your own outlet. The dog in the ornament can be changed to personalise the gift even more although there would be an additional cost for the image processing. The base of the standing tree can be personalised with a custom name or message. The kits come ready to paint and then snap together or you can glue them if you prefer. Each of these will cost £2.00 and are made in solid Maple or Ash wood. If you have ideas for your own design that you would like to have laser cut please let me know. |
* Wooden signs available made to order with any image. Contact us for more details.
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An oak house sign for a local holiday let.
A laser engraved house in Oak The text and the added elliptical outline were added directly in the laser software. The engraving can be very shallow to just mark the surface or up to 2mm deep so it can be painted and sanded afterwards. |
* Bring your project along to be engraved with any image. Contact us for more details.
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A family crest engraved on a maple pool cue case.
This was a project designed and made by the Fusion Workshop for a client as a present for his father. The Client researched the family tree and found that they had family crest and thought it would make a fantastic addition to this gift. The case was made from curly maple, inlaid with Padauk and laser engraved. |
* Custom made pens and other turned gifts available made to order with any image. Contact us for more details.
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Customised pens using the laser rotary engraver
We can engrave or cut cylindrical objects on the rotary attachment for the laser, for example, glasses, mugs, pens, etc. Tapered items are not a problem. If you are looking to extend your craft offering how about personalising wholesale purchased thermal mugs or cups? Tennis balls? Dog toys? The pen was made in the Fusion Workshop to special order with a name and an image of the client's dog. |
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* Woodpecker feeder available made to order with a gift message. Contact us for more details.
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Combine cutting and engraving.
This Woodpecker feeder designed and made by the Fusion Workshop combines engraving an image and cutting an outline. The tab kerf can be adjusted very finely to achieve a looser fit for gluing or a tight fit that needs to be tapped into place and will hold firmly without adhesive. The slot and the mounting holes are all cut on the laser so there is no post process at all. |
If you have a woodworking or wood turning project you would like to discuss, please contact me using the contact form. I would love to hear your ideas and work with you on your project.