A right result - First attempt at the bogens

[Suggers]

Finally persuaded local landlord Kev, to let me have pile of stone setts, tucked away in one of his outhouses for the last ten years. Came from the floor of long demolished small stable out the back - now part of car-park - the pub dates back to 17th C, old coaching inn. 3 large trailer loads now back at my gaff - finally gonna have my first go at laying the bogans / flemish fan. A rough guess says 30 sq m. Never done this before....any pointers welcome.
One hellava pic from main site.

[Tony McC]

The easiest method is to use a template to ensure each fan (those are fans in that photie; bogens are a different layout altogether) is the same size. Some contractors will use a 6mm plywood template to get the position and alignment of the outermost setts, but one of the best set-ups I've seen uses a specially-fabricated mild steel 'frame' into which the setts are place before the frame is lifted and re-positioned for subsequent fans.

The method of setting-out is shown on the main site, and is based on nowt more complicated than regular arcs. With such a small area (relatively speaking) it's probably bast to scale the fans to create a whole number across the width, rather than end-up with an odd one-third fan at one edge. If you have a dimensioned sketch/plan of the site, I would be able to work out the optimal setting-out for around 30 quid.

[Suggers]

So sorry for delay in reply - Dad just taken ill - at the Albert Hall - (he's 83) - (his new girlfiend is 39 ) - (the whole family is in turmoil) - he's now out of hospital - he's ok - haven't met her yet - my bruv is more upset than me (8yrs younger)
- I reckon life is very short. Grasp every opportunity when you can.
Tony, I'm gonna take you up on your offer. I reckon these setts will look terrific as a wide define border between the grass & the paving/gravel to the house.
So, a wide rectangle of 30m x 1m.
What are bogens then? I thought I knew.
ps - will post photies tomorrow.

[seanandruby]

fair play to your auld fella. sorry he's ill. had to smile about the girlfriend :;):

[Tony McC]

Bogens and fans explained here

[Suggers]

Maybe I'm trying to be too ambitious -

here's the remaining setts down the side of pub - a public right of way - leading on to the High Street.





Part of the pile back at my place -



I reckon these are pretty much the sizes - one quarter 400mm square - other half 400mm x 800mm - plus one quarter of different !! They are fantastic things.




Perhaps I shouldn't try and do anything fancy, (a relatively small area) - and just lay them as you should.

Just heard Levi Stubbs has died - aawh - The 4 Tops was part of my growing up.

[Pablo]

Suggers they're gonna look great but I reckon the only pattern you could use would be standard stretcher as the sizes are so varied. If you separated them into piles of wides and narrows then you would get a much more uniform joint and the whole thing would be easier to tie in. By wides and narrows I mean the breadth not the length or depth so that each course would have blocks of different lengths but similar widths. If you start now you could be finished for lunchtime.
Next year.

[Tony McC]

I too am a big fan of the Four Tops. I was trying to recall when I last saw them, and I'm not sure if they were part of a Motown-themed show at Preston nearly 20 years ago, along with Jimmy Ruffin (RIP), Jr Walker (RIP), Edwin Starr(RIP) and Martha Reeves.

Anyway: the setts. There's not a cat in hell's chance of creating bogens or fans with those setts without re-dressing 80% of them, so I'm with Pablo. Sort them into similar widths: when working with reclaimed setts, we normally have one of the apprentices sort them into 4s, 5s, 6s and 7s (referring to inches in width) making it easier for the mason to lay them in courses without wasting time scrabbling around looking for a sett of the right width.

[Suggers]

Many thanks to you both for quick replies - will follow your advice - still got a fair bit of ground prep to do.
Will post when I finally get going. Cheers.

Standing In The Shadows Of Lurve.....

[Tony McC]

Bernadette.... my first (ahem) full-relationship girlfriend.

[lutonlagerlout]

400mm square like 16 inches??
thems big setts suggers
LLL

[Dave_L]

I wouldn't wanna be lifting them into place all day long!

[Suggers]

Oooops - brain malfunction - as you guessed, I meant imperial 4",8" etc. Good job I wasn't ordering over the phone....!!