When realms combine… We’ve recently completed a set of thrones for both king and queen. Designed in reclaimed spruce and finished in extra layers of Prairiebench Storybook, these are regal accents for a newly weds in their new castle.
Hers: a double-headed eagle crest and Rococo styled crown with seven Cabernet coloured jewels;
His: a double lion crest with crown of seven silver jewels.
These were built on sunny days, outdoors, beneath birds and willow boughs on our farm. To add precision to the design, we asked our friends at Sawitall.net to plot the design onto each backboard.
Royal Couple Wedding Thrones
Size: 5’6″x22″x24″
Finished in Prairiebench Storybook and polyurethane
#04-12-16 AK 1 & 2(2/2)
Prairiebench.com teams with Sawitall.net to create a blend of old and new world decor. We’ve combined a medieval shield with a computer carving; the Bear Shield.
After a few tests we were surprised at the outcome. We’ve done three using old planks for defensive equipment then adding some plotted whittling. After, we glue the slats together and finish with PrairieBench Storybook finish. We’re going to add one more special feature with some glow-in-the-dark paint. Check back for more photos… once the dust settles.
32″ x 22″ glued spruce
Finished in Prairiebench Storybook and polyurethane
Iron handle with sisal wrap
#02-28-16-Bear2
(2/3)
This medieval style crest was created on spruce planks molded and sanded to size. The client uses a stallion image over a castle and their initials. Ideally suited for over a hearth or threshold to indicate the household.
Each plank was carved individually by our friends’ at Sawitall.net for custom signs and 3D cnc work, then we assembled, glued, and pressed the pieces together. Then the shield was cut out and reinforced with struts. After sanding and shaping, it’s finished in polyurethane and Prairie Bench Storybook. Approx size 32″ x 24″
An ancient (over two hundred years old) river bourne cedar scrying bowl set upon Rowan branches.
This is a one-of-a-kind, very unique showpiece and an original Prairie Bench design. The hand ground Cedar Burl Scrying Bowl has been displayed in local studios and used by fortune tellers who look into future events.
The rich burgundy tones pop on the polished surface which holds approx. 1 liter of water. The legs are twisting and interlocking English Mountain Ash known as Rowan (used for wands) and harvested on site, then joined without metal to create a stunning tripod that cradles the bowl.
The burl is large with an oval shape 40″ long and 24″ across. It’s approximately 12″ thick and set on the stand, the surface is 30″ tall.
‘River bourne’ means this burl came from a tree which fell naturally, swept into a river and later harvested by a licensed tug operator. On the ocean, we call it beachcombing. The source tree fell of it’s own accord or came down naturally. The only cut was to separate the burl from the timber.
The cedar burl has deep burn marks attributed to a lightning strike. You can see in the cross section where a bolt traveled into the wood. This is a unique feature showing burns directly next to untouched wood.
Scrying is a custom used by sages and fortune tellers to ‘peer’ into the future through a medium such as water in a bowl. The practice is most commonly associated with Nostradamus.
The Cedar Burl Scrying Bowl is precious and one of a kind so packaging will be extra heavy duty. The burl will need to be set carefully onto the legs once you have chosen its perfect position.
This unique showpiece is the original created by Prairie Bench Poco Canada, our small woodworkers studio that locates interesting examples of wood and uses them in designs. We use natural and safe synthetic materials to preserve and enhance features left by nature. See our moonlight test of the Cedar Scrying Bowl… click here.
How to send your love 300 meters in three seconds: the Prairie Bench Trebuchet. (more pics and video below)
Siege engines, such as ballistas, catapults and trebuchets are medieval devices for throwing stuff. Originally developed somewhere in France? the trebuchet became famous during the reign of King Edward Longshanks when he employed the use of one to storm the walls at Sterling Castle. Since, trebuchets have mystified and terrified audiences with their immense power and rudimentary use of physics. We’ll be using this device to send tennis balls and water balloons, maybe a small pumpkin.
ready to launch
The trebuchet is really just an unbalanced see-saw with a counter weight on one end of a long boom or mast, and a sling on the other. The counter weight can be anything heavy enough to lift the long wooden mast and whip a sling holding the ammunition. When the sling moves overhead, centrifugal force causes one looped end of the sling to slip over an open prong at the tip of the mast. The latent energy to fling the ammo is held by raising the counter weight and then releasing it. Gravity does the rest. There are many strange terms and phrases used for trebuchets available online, however this post uses our own novice phrases.
The trick to designing a trebuchet involves three main variables: the size of the ammunition, the mass of the counter-weight, and the angle of the prong to release the sling. By adjusting these variables, consistent and powerful shots can be made quite easily. It’s also important that the entire frame is free to rock back and forth, allowing for a ‘whip action’ used in traditional hand slings.
Enter the Prairie Bench Trebuchet—sort of a wild west variation:
-V8 350 flywheel counterweight
-60″ mast
-steel axle bearings with grease reservoirs
-100 kgs of latent energy (optional 400 kg spring upgrades)
– fold down portable
-adjustable chain stays
-adjustable launch center board by degrees
-wooden wheels and rocker
-easy load magnetic trigger set
-variable thrust dial including mayhem, havoc, and doom
-adjustable prong
-hand woven sling
-hand carved ‘loosing’ handle
-front and rear triggers
-safety lock
-hand crank draw winch
-barrow transport handles, optional
The trebuchet stands 7 feet tall with a three foot sling. Less than 30″ wide, our siege engine can easily fit through any castle door.
Our design uses a solid fir mast hand planed to a taper with steel flat bar reinforcing, laminated spruce pillars, fir frame, and chain stays. The trigger mechanism is used from the rear or the front using 1/4″ steel push rods and a safety lock. The sling is hand woven from sisal fiber.
In golf yell, “Fore!” With a cannon yell, “Fire!” With a trebuchet yell, “Loose!”
