Church Noticeboard

[NickM]

I've been asked whether I can make a new external noticeboard for a local church. I think it could be a fun project. I've been asked for a 'quote'. I've already said I won't charge for my time. That's partly because I'm happy to donate my time but also because I'm going to be very clear that it will be made when I can and not to any set timetable. However, I do want to cover the materials cost and therefore need to come up with a design.

This is the current one:







I don't think I need to exactly replicate the current one (except perhaps for the rough dimensions).

Has anyone made something like this before?

I fancy perhaps carving the church and village name so would quite like a top which facilitates that. Something a bit like this perhaps (although I plan to mount the noticeboard on separate upright supports as I expect they will rot at ground level in time and it would be easier to replace them if they aren't an integral part of the board):



I can't find any details of the joinery online and I'm not clear on what this would look like from behind and how rain would be dealt with on the top. Trying to keep it as weather proof as possible is an important factor.

I'm also wondering about what I should make the back panel of. It's very visible and ply usually looks bad and eventually delaminates. I'm thinking of doing it with a veneered ply back.

I'm also thinking of making it from oak rather than some kind of tropical hardwood.

Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[AJB Temple]

I am pretty sure there has been a thread here on this before. Maybe three years ago. Someone better at searching than me will find it.

Lead capping is great for keeping rain off tricky areas.

As for the inside back, it depends how notices are pinned. Cork is durable and takes pins well. Don't use veneered ply - water WILL get in and you will regret it. Better to use hardwood T&G in vertical alignment perhaps. Or the kind of very durable material used for horsebox floors. It might be a clever idea to do a design that can also display notices at the back, as people are walking out of church.

 

[Lons]

That's an atractive design and a nice touch if you carve it.

I made one for the parish council donkeys years ago and it's still standing despite being neglected. Similar to your original, but narrower and a single door which I glazed with 6mm acrylic.. Nothing special about the plans though I might have the sketch on file somewhere.
What I used for the supports were a couple of lengths of alloy scaffold pole which will last indefinitely.

The pinboard was a piece of Sundealer board, 9 or 10mm from memory, which isn't cheap but the proper stuff. I had this left over from another job making large pinboards for the local school. Like you these jobs were at no charge for time and labour just giving back a litttle to the local comunity.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Church noticeboards. Ye gods.
I have made 3 in my time. I used to go to church, now I won't be seen dead in one. Literally. Humanist funeral for me.

You have two enemies. The weather and the Church itself. The weather will get in every nook and cranny. You don't need a lid on it, you need a proper roof. Really.

As to the Church, it will plead poverty, whilst being the biggest landowner in the country (possibly second to the Monarchy, I'd have to look it up), You can can spout 1 Timothy 5:18 “The worker deserves his wages.” It won't wash.. They will expect you to hand over 10% of your income every month but won't help you to earn it. Do I sound bitter and disillusioned,? You bet I am.
Been there, done that.

There are some lovely Church Noticeboards out there, but don't sell yourself cheap, it will come back to bite you on the bum.
I know what I'm taking about.

The last Church project I made was a portable lectern. It was in elm, adjustable in both height and tilt It had a bit f style to it. I charged the Church 600 quid. I did a fine job.

A friend of mine, who was on the parish council, asked me how long it took me to make. I explained the process. Designing it, getting approval, going to the timber yard for materials, making it, finishing, delivering it and making sure it was fit for purpose. It was a mega bargain and some people thought I was ripping them off. Because they have zero understanding of the value of craftsmanship.

On another occasion, a neighbour of mine who was a Padre in the army and a parish priest, asked me to design a glass-topped table for a book of remembrance. I did so and quoted. I heard nothing back.

I few weeks later I went round to see him to find him in his garage in front of a table that was EXACTLY the same as I had designed. I asked him why he had not commissioned me to make it. It was because the other guy was cheaper. Well of course he was, he didn't have to spend a day drawing it up. I wish I'd simply smashed it up there and then.

A different church wanted an altar table. Very similar story, I do the design work for free, they get someone else to make it. It is just theft of intellectual property.

On another occasion, when I was a magician, I discovered they that they had booked someone else for the kids' Christmas party. I asked why. "Well, we’ve already seen yours". For free, of course.

Yes, I have a long and bitter relationship with the Church.

Just walk away.

S

 

[Blackswanwood]

There are fixings for pergola posts that keep the timber out of the ground which may be suitable. They are called Simpson Strongtie (other brands may be available!) and I’m pretty sure @Mike G had something similar made for a project but I cannot find the thread?

My guess is the St Peter’s church one has a Tricoya (or similar) back. Not sure how long it lasts but it’s certainly measured in decades.

FWIW I think Oak is the more attractive option and am sure your generosity in donating your labour will be appreciated.

Cheers

 

[AndyP]

The only one I can find around here is this

C

Post in thread 'On this day.......'

May 27, 2024

2019. I had just installed ( with help) a Church notice board I had made for them in Oak. Real slates on the "roof" bonded on with CT1. Steel backboard and magnets to hold the notices on. My first attempt at hand carved letters.
Ian

• Cabinetman

• 

Ian might have more details

 

[NickM]

Church noticeboards. Ye gods.
I have made 3 in my time. I used to go to church, now I won't be seen dead in one. Literally. Humanist funeral for me.

You have two enemies. The weather and the Church itself. The weather will get in every nook and cranny. You don't need a lid on it, you need a proper roof. Really.

As to the Church, it will plead poverty, whilst being the biggest landowner in the country (possibly second to the Monarchy, I'd have to look it up), You can can spout 1 Timothy 5:18 “The worker deserves his wages.” It won't wash.. They will expect you to hand over 10% of your income every month but won't help you to earn it. Do I sound bitter and disillusioned,? You bet I am.
Been there, done that.

There are some lovely Church Noticeboards out there, but don't sell yourself cheap, it will come back to bite you on the bum.
I know what I'm taking about.

The last Church project I made was a portable lectern. It was in elm, adjustable in both height and tilt It had a bit f style to it. I charged the Church 600 quid. I did a fine job.

A friend of mine, who was one the parish council, asked me how long it took me to make. I explained the process. Designing it, getting approval, going to the timber yard for materials, making it, finishing, delivering it and making sure it was fit for purpose. It was a mega bargain and some people thought I was ripping them off. Because they have zero understanding of the value of craftsmanship.

On another occasion, a neighbour of mine who was a Padre in the army and a parish priest, asked me to design a glass-topped table for a book of remembrance. I did so and quoted. I heard nothing back.

I few weeks later I went round to see him to find him in his garage in front of a table that was EXACTLY the same as I had designed. I asked him why he had not commissioned me to make it. It was because the other guy was cheaper. Well of course he was, he didn't have to spend a day drawing it up. I wish I'd simply smashed it up there and then.

A different church wanted an altar table. Very similar story, I do the design work for free, they get someone else to make it. It is just theft of intellectual property.

On another occasion, when I was a magician, I discovered they that they had booked someone else for the kids' Christmas party. I asked why. "Well, we’ve already seen yours". For free, of course.

Yes, I have a long and bitter relationship with the Church.

Just walk away.

S

Those are all very unfortunate experiences Steve.

I’m only looking to cover the materials. I’m happy to support the churches in our local villages.

 

[NickM]

I am pretty sure there has been a thread here on this before. Maybe three years ago. Someone better at searching than me will find it.

Lead capping is great for keeping rain off tricky areas.

As for the inside back, it depends how notices are pinned. Cork is durable and takes pins well. Don't use veneered ply - water WILL get in and you will regret it. Better to use hardwood T&G in vertical alignment perhaps. Or the kind of very durable material used for horsebox floors. It might be a clever idea to do a design that can also display notices at the back, as people are walking out of church.

I’ve got a roll of lead left over from some roof work we had done. I was thinking that might be useful.

 

[NickM]

I am pretty sure there has been a thread here on this before. Maybe three years ago. Someone better at searching than me will find it.

Lead capping is great for keeping rain off tricky areas.

As for the inside back, it depends how notices are pinned. Cork is durable and takes pins well. Don't use veneered ply - water WILL get in and you will regret it. Better to use hardwood T&G in vertical alignment perhaps. Or the kind of very durable material used for horsebox floors. It might be a clever idea to do a design that can also display notices at the back, as people are walking out of church.

Tongue and groove would look really good.

 

[Cabinetman]

The only one I can around here is this

C

Post in thread 'On this day.......'

May 27, 2024

2019. I had just installed ( with help) a Church notice board I had made for them in Oak. Real slates on the "roof" bonded on with CT1. Steel backboard and magnets to hold the notices on. My first attempt at hand carved letters.
Ian

• Cabinetman

• 

Ian might have more details

Thank you for resurrecting (unintended pun) that for me, crikey 7 years ago, it’s as it says really, the back is as @NickM just suggested TandG oak flooring that I had left over with a steel sheet painted green on the inside.
The slates held on with and the ridge made from CT1 has worked well up to now.
That was my first attempt at carving, not too bad even if I do say so.
From memory the bottom name board and the secondary roof just above the box for the notices were mortised into the legs and the box made up as a box, dovetails? I don’t recall, sorry. Anyway the box then slid between the post and was probably screwed into place.
The finish was Cuprinol? Should have used Gold leaf for the lettering as the gold paint hasn’t fared too well over the years.
Ian
Ps, just remembered that I included top and bottom gaps to prevent it steaming up, and weather strips around the door.

 

[Cabinetman]

A few more pics.

 

[Jonathan]

Oak would look nice but wouldn’t last like Iroko…..or if you want guarantees here or in heaven use Accoya, A 50 year ‘Above Ground’ / 25 year ‘In Ground’ Warranty.
As others have suggested definitely use a lead roof in the design.
Steve’s story of the church is similar to mine, I spent my youth building churches, its not a lucrative job unless your at the top

 

[fuse]

Lead is not a long term solution in these parts
Transit pickups come over the border thrice daily and remove any metal.
Unload at local yards
Stop at Tesco before setting back to load up with unrestricted alcohol bulk purchase.

Churches,like smartphones and guns are not a problem- its the idiots that use them.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Those are all very unfortunate experiences Steve.

Oh, there are a lot more where they came from, I can assure you.
S

 

[Blackswanwood]

It’s a bit out of character for this forum to have someone who is doing a good deed being told to not bother as churches are made up of unreasonable people and attended by idiots. Perhaps the hot weather is making people grumpy? Just saying.

 

[AndyP]

Let’s not go any further down the religion/churches route please. We do have an no religion rule don’t forget.

If you do take this job on Nick it would be an interesting one to share as it is not only churches who require noticeboards like that.

 

[Steve Maskery]

I apologise. Good luck with your project, Nick.
S

 

[NickM]

No need for any apologies!

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

I'm going to have a go at drawing something up and will no doubt be back for advice...

 

[Cabinetman]

Let’s not go any further down the religion/churches route please. We do have an no religion rule don’t forget.

If you do take this job on Nick it would be an interesting one to share as it is not only churches who require noticeboards like that.

That is true, after this one for a local Church I was asked to do a wall mounted one for a Town Hall.

 

[NickM]

Here's the first design:










Hopefully the pictures make the proposed joinery fairly clear. I wondered about dovetailing the carcass, but have tried to reduce the amount of end grain on show for weather reasons.

The back is t&g and I'll endeavour to leave enough space for expansion, and long enough tongues to hide any gaps if it shrinks.

I might increase the height of the top so there's a bit more space for the lettering. It might depend on how wide a board I can find (the peak is 200mm at the moment; 250 might be better).

Proposal is to cover the 'roof' in lead.

There will of course be doors and some details to accommodate them (a rebate on the central upright for example).

Do I need any fixtures to help with water? For example: some of the examples I've seen have a bar running along above the doors and at the bottom of the doors. Should those have drip grooves? Does the roof overhang need a drip groove?

 

[Pete Maddex]

Do the back boards have a groove or do they overlap the bottom? A groove will hold water and rot just like garden benches.

Pete

 

[NickM]

Do the back boards have a groove or do they overlap the bottom? A groove will hold water and rot just like garden benches.

Pete

Thanks.

I've got the t&g in a groove in the bottom, but you're right it would be better to run them all the way down.

That raises two questions:

1. How would the t&g be held in place? Presumably with a single pin (brass) in each board?

2. Should I also run the t&g all the way to the top as well? I think the answer to that is yes.

 

[Lons]

If you change your mind about slate a good option is the man made type which come on 600 x 300mm and are easily cut. Usually sold in packs but you can get the individually.

 

[Pete Maddex]

Thanks.

I've got the t&g in a groove in the bottom, but you're right it would be better to run them all the way down.

That raises two questions:

1. How would the t&g be held in place? Presumably with a single pin (brass) in each board?

2. Should I also run the t&g all the way to the top as well? I think the answer to that is yes.

The tong and grove should be covered at the top to stop water getting in.
A brass screw or stainless steel nail, a brass screw would be my first choice in the middle of the board.

Pete