I acquired a couple of these six foot sections a few years ago, with the intent of making a table, shelf or something similar. It was part of the dismantling of O'Connor Bowl, torn down to make room for (as this is Toronto) yet another uninspired new condo building.
A bowling lane has the first section made in hard maple to withstand the force of bowling balls bouncing onto the surface, that section has the desirable inlaid aiming marks. Ten or twelve feet down the lane, the material changes to pine for cost reasons. Both woods are good and stable. The whole lane is built in place, suspended on pedestals to keep the lane flat and straight. Traditionally there is a special finishing material for the lane surface called Fabulon, an tough oil-based high gloss coat. The bottom surface is coated in tar to seal the wood in on all sides.
I realise I probably won't get around to making a great heavy dining room table so it's on the market in Toronto, $250
I understand why you grabbed these pieces. I often thought such, or maybe a vintage school gym floor, would make an excellent table or bench.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. Something with a long history. I've seen them for sale, sellers proudly advertising that the surface has been stripped. VANDALISM!, I say!
ReplyDeleteCirca 1961, my gifted uncle hauled away a lot of good stuff from a defunct bowling alley. He made a modernistically swoopy kitchen countertop from one of the ball return sides.
ReplyDeleteThat’s a sad story.
ReplyDelete