Posted 9 years ago
Rattletrap
(887 items)
We were up hunting signs in Idaho at a Collectors house that had promised to sell us a couple of signs & I spotted this old Totem pole in the weeds behind the garage. His dad had bought it at a swap meet many years ago in Northern Idaho. It's the real thing and had rotted off at the base as it's probably white Cedar and very old. It is much heavier than two men can lift, which is surprising. I couldn't even think about the signs till I had a deal on the Totem. Obviously I made my deal and just need to repair the base and stand it up. It's about 12' tall as it is. I've always wanted a real Totem Pole since I was a kid. Hmmm? I still am?
Hi
Rattletrap
You are a lucky guy, you know that, anytime, we can get in touch,,, i am not jocking, i live in canada, i don't care.
Absolutely gorgeous.
Alan
I got it, remove your email, if you want.
Alan
I'm going to be a fireman when I grow up! LUV it!
Exactly! I am of the opinion that old guys don't ever have to grow up. In reality we are reverting in many ways to be just like we were as little kids. Just have a prostate surgery and you'll be back in diapers in a day!
I can't be accused of going into 2nd childhood R/T. Never got out of the 1st!
Just thinkin'.. Would it be wise to put wood preservation (sealer of some type ) on this so the wood would be proteced from further rot?
Anything you use is going to darken the painted areas. Creosote is a good sealer & preservative. Make sure it is thin enough so that it really soaks in deep. If alcohol doesn't affect the paint. use it on a rag to remove any creosote that is on the surface.
We used to do our horse stall with cerosote to prevent wood chewing. But God!! The smell. Might deter anyone from getting too close to your totem.
PCC, that's added protection!
Thanks for the input. Restoring these old items can be tricky & I don't want to make irreversible mistakes. Don't think we can buy creosote in the USA anymore? Environmentalists control our lives.
I have some creative ideas how we will re mount it by cutting a deep square hole in the base & inserting a steel Square tube in the hole with foam sealant to attach it and perhaps a long bolt or two if necessary. We will treat the pole with some nasty stuff that may darken the wood a bit but will revive some of the paint in the process. We hope! We will also treat the inside of the pole where we hollow it for future protection. We shall see how it all works.
I make my own ersatz creosote by soaking some asphalt in turpentine or white spirits. Doesn't smell as bad & that fades with time.
I give? What's PCC?
Bonne chance!
PostCardCollector.