The couple of days right after the Gatlinburg Craftsman's Fair was designated as 'new ramp' day. The ramp leading to the front door of the shop has been a deteriorating collection of boards since the knifemaker and his dad moved into the old brick building in front of Smokey Mountain Knife Works. This was the time set aside for repairs.
First the rotted boards were taken off and loaded onto the knifemaker's truck. The underlying support beams were still good, so the knifemaker's aunt used a grinder to cut off the nails at the boards' surfaces. The back two corners were re-leveled and lag-bolted into place. By then the sun was directly overhead and the temperatures were soaring. Time to call it a day until evening when it cools off and the load of new lumber can be picked up for tomorrow!
First the rotted boards were taken off and loaded onto the knifemaker's truck. The underlying support beams were still good, so the knifemaker's aunt used a grinder to cut off the nails at the boards' surfaces. The back two corners were re-leveled and lag-bolted into place. By then the sun was directly overhead and the temperatures were soaring. Time to call it a day until evening when it cools off and the load of new lumber can be picked up for tomorrow!
