Tuesday 26 January 2016

Fruit trays

I got given some old fruit crates the other day by a guy who lives near to where I've been working. 
 They're lovely old crates but have seen better days. they have some woodworm that needs treating although I don't think I'll be able to keep apples in them if I do. 
I have started to make some new ones up in the workshop, some for myself and maybe some to sell. I want to make practical things that people will use to aid with food storage and keeping fruit and veg longer is a great thing. 
The old guys who made these in the past knew what they were doing and these were the best way to store certain produce before the invention of refrigeration.

18 comments:

  1. They are lovely.

    I've got a few old wooden trays and boxes and at first I was loathe to use them as I didn't want them to be damaged or fall to bits, but I bit the bullet and started using them, far better to be in use and be enjoyed than stacked on the shelf being admired I thought.

    And do you know what, they are outliving my plastic ones which crack, break and go brittle with the constant temperature changes of the shed and polytunnel.

    Like you Lovely Hubby is going to be making useful, usable things in his workshop once he gives up the 'day job' and crates, trays and boxes will just some of the things I want him to make, after all if I find them useful and more importantly better other folk surely will.

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    1. All I ask of anyone thinking they'll make money in woodworking is to make sure they charge a proper price. Woodworking and woodturning in particular is full of people that "only want to charge enough to cover their costs" but the trouble is that lowers the price for all the people out there who rely on it to earn their living.

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    2. And that's exactly what he will be doing, it will be a small wage earner to supplement the pig breeding NOT a hobby.

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    3. I meant no offence, it's just a real Problem with people starting off on something new. They undervalue their own time, that said I'm just as bad at doing this with my own time! Something I need to improve on!

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  2. In Marlborough there was a man selling a shelving unit with old veg shelves that fitted into a frame. they had names of farms stamped on the side (I think he did this himself). They were over £300, as I remember commenting to my Friend. The man was doing a roaring trade in that and small boxes like these

    https://www.pinterest.com/pin/472526185874824406/

    they were all selling really fast. As you know Marlborough is a richer area, so they were selling to the top brass and to the higher middle class ladies who were shopping the market.

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    Replies
    1. I like the little box! Mine aren't aged in the same way so probably aren't going to appeal to the "show market". for my own I've just done them as stacking trays for ease but I have looked at doing drawer units.

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  3. Think you could have a market for traditional wood fruit and veg storage Kev. I hate plastic apart from water barrels and poly-tunnels.

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, I'm trying to slowly remove plastic form the garden but it is hard!

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  4. They look great and I don't have any fruit to store.

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    Replies
    1. I have none either at the moment but by this time next year I will!

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  5. They're wonderful! So much is made out of plastic these days, which is so inferior. I think you'll have a good market for them. At least I hope so.

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    Replies
    1. I think we need to move back to using wooden products more, At he end of the day when these have had their last day they go on the fire to keep me warm!

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  6. They look like a good thing to make from offcuts. I usually keep any wooden fruit-n-veg boxes for storage, but yours are much more appealing.

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  7. They sell those in a local store here. The crates are new production that has been "distressed" to make it look older. I have a few that I use to keep "ready" ammo in.

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  8. what about smaller ones like this

    http://www.therange.co.uk/kilner-wooden-crate/kilner-&-preserve-jars/the-range/fcp-product/99787

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  9. Hi

    Original reclaimed fruit trays are sold a local Antiques Emporium many have additional graphics on them which are entirely original. Personally I do not think you can go with wooden products at the best of times. There is a useful little site here http://thegraphicsfairy.com/ which may be of use to either you or your good lady wife. There is a club also you can pay into once a month but I only utilise the free site which comes up with the Home page.

    Pattypan

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