This Old House (1979)
S21E08 The Billerica House - 8
Episode Overview
Our skilled master carpenter and general contractor take over Dick's Quonset hut to establish a woodworking shop, compelling Dick to transport his restored 1931 Ford Roadster pickup truck to the new garage. He gives us a tour of the space before we meet James Crowe, the creator of a synthetic slate made from recycled automotive rubber and industrial plastic scraps. Formed in molds, it closely resembles real slate but is lighter, more durable, and a fraction of the price. Roofer Mark Mulloy demonstrates its installation and predicts that if it lasts as long as Crowe asserts—at least 50 years—it could be a major success. Inside the workshop, tool technician Scott Box assists the team in setting up and calibrating the new table saw, shaper, planner, joiner, and chop saw, while Richard Trethewey explains the considerations behind the house's waste pipe layout. The episode wraps up with the guys completing an assembly table, the first creation from their new on-site workshop
