Eco Relics

by Eddy Cotton heirloom noun /ˈeər·lum/ a valuable object that has been given by an older member of a family to a younger member of the same family, esp. one given several times in this way.

The holidays have come and gone, the new year is off and running. Let me tell you about a project I completed (with help from the Eco Relics Wood Shop and Terry Fore. )

About three years ago a customer…

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Grinding Wheel A grinding wheel is used to sharpen knives, axes, and other implements. Grindstones date back to the middle ages. The wheel is typically made from sandstone. The operator of the grinding wheel sits on the seat while pushing the pedals with their feet to turn the wheel, and holds the knife or implement blade up to the wheel to sharpen it. This item would not only be interesting décor but is also still functional and relevant despite being approximately one hundred years old.

Maytag Washing Machine This is the second washing machine from the farmhouse merchandise; the first one was the ABC Oscillator featured in the first installment of this series. The Maytag Company started in 1983 as manufacturers of farm equipment. For a short time in the early 1900s, Maytag even produced cars and tractors. In 1907, Maytag introduced its first washing machine as a side project to the farm equipment. This vintage Maytag is electric, and most likely a model 90, although it replaced model 80, which was very similar. Maytag produced the 80s models from 1922 to 1927, and the 90s models from 1927 to 1930. This vintage Maytag washer could be restored to make a great piece for the collector. A creative approach would be to utilize the frame to make a unique table with storage or a cabinet. Cole MFG Co. Seed Planter Seed planters were invented in the 1820s. The earliest types were hand pushed by the operator as it made a groove in the soil and would automatically place the seeds at equal locations apart, which replaced having to sow each seed by hand. The distance apart, and the kind of seed, is set by placing specific plates at the bottom of the seed hopper. As time went on, animals pulled the planters, and today large farmers use multiple row planters pulled by a tractor. However, these single row planters are still used for smaller areas. There are also planters that have additional hoppers on their planters to distribute fertilizer. Four brothers from Charlotte, North Carolina, established the Cole Manufacturing Company in 1900. By estimation, Cole Planters planted seventy-five percent of the cotton, corn, and peanuts in the South during the 1940s. Covington now manufactures Cole Planters in Albany, Georgia. The seed hopper on this Cole Planter is in great condition, making it a prime candidate for restoration. Repurposing it as décor or yard art is also a great option.

Antique Band Saw The early versions of the band saw have been around since 1809. This band saw almost has a steampunk look to it. It is missing a few pieces and there is no brand name to be found. However, with its sturdy cast-iron base, it has the potential to be repurposed into a one of a kind project. Incorporating a light fixture onto the frame to create a lamp would be an easy project, wooden shelves could be added to create a tiered shelving unit, or both concepts could be combined. There is quite a lot of creative opportunity with this piece.

The Custom Wood Shop Can Build Your Ideas for You If there is a piece of merchandise in the store that you have a vision to repurpose, but don’t have the experience to execute the project, the artisans in the Custom Wood Shop can help. A common example is substituting traditional table legs for antique sewing machine bases. Stop in and speak with an artisan about your ideas to see what they can do for you. In the past, they have incorporated columns, doors, and even an airplane nose into their custom projects. While experimental ideas typically require a larger budget, the end result will be one-of-a-kind.

Much More to Come The final installment of the Farmhouse Merchandise will include an assortment of primitive tools, antique blow torches, a glass front cooker, and a Keystone 8mm projector. All the items featured are available for purchase at Eco Relics, at 106 W. Stockton St. in Jacksonville, FL. Sources: Antique Bandsaw- https://sawsreviewed.com/band-saws/guide/; Cole Planter http://www.coleplanter.com/history.htm, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82CtYand-Vs, http://www.leonisadobemuseum.org/facts-seedplanter.asp; Maytag Washing Machine- http://www.maytagclub.com/page-16.htm, https://www.gasenginemagazine.com/farm-life/a-brief-history-of-maytag; Grinding Wheel-https://www.gwbhs.org/grinding-wheel/

Farmhouse Finds – Part 2

Eco Relicshas a wide variety of antiques, a treasure trove of history awaiting a new chapter in its life. Here is the opportunity to find out a little more about how these antique pieces were used, learn the history behind a few of these items, and to offer ideas for the use of these pieces. Some may be perfectly appreciated as they are, others can be restored to their former glory, and others…

Last month, Michael Murphy, one of the owners of Eco Relics, went to the <a href="http://estate sale in a farmhouselocated on twenty-five acres off of Cedar Point Rd. in North Jacksonville. The farmhouse was built with bricks and beams from deconstructed southern churches, according to the auction company. The sale itself offered a wide array of antique farm equipment. Michael acquired a lot of…

New at the Custom Woodshop: Engraving

The Custom Wood shop at Eco Relicshas recently introduced engraving into their impressive portfolio. Intricate cuts and etchings are now easily accomplished with a high tech, handheld *CNC router, which opens up a whole new range of possibilities for custom projects in the wood shop. With the new tool, they have access to a countless number of fonts, as well as the capability to recreate photos…

Father’s Day Gift Ideas from Eco Relics

Father’s Day Gift Ideas from Eco Relics

With Father’s Day quickly approaching, time is running out to find that perfect gift. If you have yet to find a something for Dad, Eco Relics is here to help. Below is a variety of gifts and gift ideas that are suitable for any Dad in your life.

Quick and Easy DIY Project Gifts for Dad

A gift for Dad that you made yourself is not only unique and personal…

DIY Maple Mantle Clock

The DIY Customer Creations page on Facebook is the place to go to show off your projects and get inspiration for your next one. We absolutely love to see our customers’ finished creations. With over fourteen hundred members, the page is full of beautiful projects that have been created with materials from Eco Relics. This month, we had the pleasure of speaking with Customer Creations group…

DIY Epoxy River Table

Beautiful finished DIY epoxy river table!

Richard Bilyard’s Epoxy River Table

Each item that comes into Eco Relics has a story. Every piece of lumber was once a tree. Once materials leave the store, they embark on another journey, a new chapter to its story. The Eco Relics DIY Customer Creations Facebook pageis full of wonderful creations and this month we spoke with Richard Bilyard II about his…

Cowford Chophouse; Revitalizing The Old Bostwick Building

The Bostwick building, at the corner of Ocean and Bay, is one of downtown Jacksonville, Florida’s most visible historic buildings. It was constructed in 1902, one of the first permitted structures built after the Great Fire.

“On the warm morning of May 3rd, 1901, a tragic event was about to change Jacksonville. Around noon, a spark from a small wood-burning cook stove set ablaze some of the…

Custom Built Conference Tables By Eco Relics

Custom Conference tables can be made any shape you want. Choose your own materials, finish and color. Live Edge lumber, reclaimed barn wood or any other material as well as wooden legs or custom made metal bases. No job is too extreme for the crew in the Eco Relics Custom Wood Shop!

The sanding and smoothing process is long and tedious. Table section with first coat of finish. Two ten foot…

Parker Builds A Beautiful Twelve Foot Conference Table

It takes a creative mind to tackle the various projects that come through our shop, working from a rotating stock of unique salvaged material where you never get the same thing twice. Each finished piece is truly one-of-a-kind, just like the folks that make them, and Parker Burrer is one of those guys!

While Parker makes some of the most inspiring tables, chairs, and doors you are likely to lay…

Meet The Crew: The Woodworking Gentlemen

Since repurposing and upcycling salvaged materials have become a growing trend, our Custom Wood Shop has seen a number of growth phases. Currently, our team of craftsmen, known as “The Woodworking Gentlemen” consists of four very talented artisans. They are Billy Leeka, Parker Burrer, Chris Lawson and our newest member Robert Carter.

Billy Leeka is our Wood Shop Manager and senior member of the…

E. G. Barnhill Hand painted Photographs and Postcards-A Blast from Florida’s Past

E. G. Barnhill was a Florida based Photographer, Adventurer and Entrepreneur who, among his many talents, hand painted photographs and postcards which he sold primarily to Florida tourists. We recently acquired a huge collection of his earlier works.

Vibrant colors and lush tropical flora and fauna from an unspecified Florida lagoon

Esmond Gerrard Barnhill(1894-1987) was an interesting man who…

Lost Treasure -1841 Census Book

Officially known as the “1840 Census: Compendium of the Enumeration of the Inhabitants and Statistics of the United States”

This 1841 Census book is truly a lost treasure! We found it in an old box from an estate sale and it contains some fascinating data.

Official cover page from the United States Census Bureau

“The economic data include aggregate value, quantity produced, capital invested, and…

Beautiful Custom Barn Door set made from Antique Egyptian Doors

When building Barn Doors, simple design is more authentic to the farmhouse style. However with a little imagination, a modern or industrial look is also achievable with the help of angle iron or other metal building materials. Billy Leeka started this project with a pair of 100 year old Antique Egyptian doors and the end product was nothing less than stunning!

Billy began this project with a pair…

Discovered Treasure – Pinup Calendar by Iconic Artist Earl Moran

It never ceases to amaze us at Eco Relics the kinds of things we find. From tattered old photo albums to cherished family heirlooms, but one of our latest finds was truly a blast from the past. We recently came into possession of a vintage pinup calendar that just blew our socks off!

The heyday of the pinup was the 1940s and 50s, but pinup art became famous when Earl Moran signed an exclusive…

Nathan Yewell, aka ‘Red Beard’ aka Nate, is a veteran member of the Eco Relics team. He serves as one of our warehouse managers and is one of the first persons you see when you enter the warehouse. He always greets our customers with a courteous welcome and a great big smile. If there was one person who didn’t need to wear a name tag at Eco Relics, it would be Nate. He embodies our tightly woven…