Benches, Tables Made From Old Grain Drill
James Smith has found a niche market for his “livestock furniture” made from antique grain drills. The Abbotsford, Wis. resident collected the cast iron pieces for 25 years before he retired and started turning them into benches. Later he added wooden shapes (designed by an artist) to make cattle and pig-shaped end tables.
Different drill models are suited to different animals, Smith says. For example, he uses Massey-Harris grain drill ends for his pigs. He sandblasts and paints the ends with automotive paint to showcase their intricate designs. An artist paints the eagles on his Case grain drill ends.
Beautiful grains in hickory and butternut wood enhanced with a hard acrylic finish accent the cast iron. Smith bolts padded wooden blocks to the legs to protect the floor.
“Coming up with something unique is the biggest challenge,” he says. The calf end tables are his favorite, but he also made a cow in a stanchion and another drinking from a drinking cup.
One customer purchased 3 of Smith’s pieces for his agriculture-themed party room. Other pieces were purchased to hold cards at a wedding and as a storage bench near a sewing machine. Some customers buy the pieces because they collect John Deere, Case or other brands of equipment.
Smith displays his creations at Northern Lakes Vet Supply in Abbotsford, where he works part-time.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, James Smith, 304 S. 4th St., Abbotsford, Wis. 54405 (ph 715 223-3317; smithja9@frontier.com).
Click here to download page story appeared in.
Click here to read entire issue
Benches Tables Made From Old Grain Drill AG WORLD James Smith has found a niche market for his “livestock furniture” made from antique grain drills The Abbotsford Wis resident collected the cast iron pieces for 25 years before he retired and started turning them into benches Later he added wooden shapes designed by an artist to make cattle and pig-shaped end tables Different drill models are suited to different animals Smith says For example he uses Massey-Harris grain drill ends for his pigs He sandblasts and paints the ends with automotive paint to showcase their intricate designs An artist paints the eagles on his Case grain drill ends Beautiful grains in hickory and butternut wood enhanced with a hard acrylic finish accent the cast iron Smith bolts padded wooden blocks to the legs to protect the floor “Coming up with something unique is the biggest challenge ” he says The calf end tables are his favorite but he also made a cow in a stanchion and another drinking from a drinking cup One customer purchased 3 of Smith’s pieces for his agriculture-themed party room Other pieces were purchased to hold cards at a wedding and as a storage bench near a sewing machine Some customers buy the pieces because they collect John Deere Case or other brands of equipment Smith displays his creations at Northern Lakes Vet Supply in Abbotsford where he works part-time Contact: FARM SHOW Followup James Smith 304 S 4th St Abbotsford Wis 54405 ph 715 223-3317; smithja9@frontier com
To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click
here to register with your account number.
