by Spindlewood | Mar 17, 2022 | Wood turning
Our Woodturning Workshop
Spindlewood Wood Turning are woodworkers who specialise in Wood Turning from our specialist woodturning workshop located in somerset. It is from here that Spindlewood supplies high-quality wood tuning for architects, project managers, builders’ furniture restorers, and homeowners all over Europe and the USA.
The Woodworking Workshop
The fully equipped workshop has been adapted to include dry storage to preserve the wood, oversized doors that allow us to produce larger items such as columns and masts. And a range of equipment and machinery that allows us to adapt our skills to a wide variety of requirements.
Our woodturning workshop machinery includes:
- Copy lathes, grinder and buffer
- Barley twist machines
- Rod milling machines
- Routers
- Sanders
- Dowl milling
- Fence Post Rounding Machine
- Cross Cutting
In fact, our lathes are capable of turning columns up to 6 meters in length. Very few wood-turning workshops have the capability to produce large columns of this size.
Workshop Workflow
We have set out the Spindlewood workshop to follow the path a piece of wood may typically follow from reception to despatch. To ensure we are efficient in the component production. Wood is received and held in dry storage before moving to production, finishing, quality control and dispatch.
Tools Layout
Our Tools are laid out as we would generally use them in succession, they are generally close to each other to minimize movement. For example, we have grouped the jointer/planer/table saw as these are often used in the milling process repeatedly and restrict the amount of time needed to move between tools. We store each cutting tool such as chisels, close to the station they are most used at such as the lathes and workbenches.
Natural Light
We place our most used areas closest to natural light, close to the windows as not only does it give us an abundance of light we also enjoy the view.
Flexibility
No matter how much planning we put into the layout of the wood-turning workshop, from time to time we are awarded a commission that simply does not follow our workshop layout and we need to move components to accommodate the design and execution of the pieces. Where possible we have incorporated the ability for our machines to be moved around to accommodate the flexibility required to fulfill our customer’s commissions.
Electrical Outlets, plug sockets are each raised to be around 1.25 meters above the floor, they are above the height of the workbenches and make it easier to plug in small tools as and when required without causing the impact damage if they were located closer to the floor.
Ventilation & Dust
Dust collection is becoming increasingly important throughout the workshop. Dust particles created when the wood is turned, machined, or cut can be a contributing factor in breathing difficulties it is also a fire risk when left to settle. We take precautions to prevent and minimize the risk of harm and fire. We have a strict policy of ensuring our extraction facilities are always working when the wood is being machined, this will remove airborne dust particles from within the workshop, staff are required to wear safety equipment, face coverings to prevent breathing difficulties later in life, protective eyewear, gloves, and ear protection. We have also adopted a strict cleaning regime that ensures a comprehensive daily, weekly and monthly cleaning policy is in place to ensure health and risks are adequately addressed.
In this article, we have attempted to provide you with a broad description of how Spindlewood has laid out and invested in our Woodworkers Wood Turning Workshop. We are mindful that from time to time customers visit our premises and they are interested in how we undertake our work. We recognize that woodturning has progressed from a sector that was previously very highly skilled, and whilst those same skills still have value, much of the precision is now undertaken by our investments in quality machinery. However, this same equipment has to be maintained, programmed and managed whilst still adapting to the workflow of our workshop and the needs of our customers.
We sincerely hope that you have enjoyed this introduction to our Woodworkers Wood Turning Workshop, and we are blessed to be able to work in such a beautiful location with natural quality wood doing a job that both stretches our skills and rewards our efforts every single day.
Need to know more?
Contact Spindlewood Woodturning
Address: The Old Bakery 8 Edward Street, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 5ET
Website: www.spindlewoodturning.co.uk
Email: info@spindlewoodturning.co.uk
Tel: 01278 453665
Opening Times
Monday 8:30am – 530pm
Tuesday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am – 3:00pm
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by Spindlewood | Feb 16, 2022 | Projects, Wood turning
Wooden Staircase Spindles
According to Wikipedia, a Staircase spindle is:
“A spindle, in furniture, is a cylindrically symmetric shaft, usually made of wood. A spindle is usually made of a single piece of wood and typically has decoration (also axially symmetric) fashioned by hand or with a lathe.
Whereas Spindles are the vertical posts that connect the base rail and handrail on a staircase. Their primary purpose is safety, by stopping things falling through the gap between the base rail and the handrail.
Spindles are available in a variety of different styles and materials, usually wood,
What type of spindle to choose
Traditional wooden stair spindles make up the most decorative part of a staircase.
If you are selecting new spindles, you’ll need to ask yourself several questions to ensure you choose the right pieces for the job.
- Is your staircase closed string or cut string?
- Are the spindles all the same size?
- Do you have a specific style (is the staircase new or an extension)
- How sturdy will the spindles need to be
Wooden Staircase Spindles
The most common material for staircase spindles in the home is typically wood. Wooden spindles have become a classic choice for staircases, other materials are available. Wood is usually, aesthetically pleasing, strong and durable and easy to maintain
For wooden spindles, there are a few options to choose from:
- Oak—a solid hardwood that will always make its mark
- Pine—can be easier to maintain and lower cost.
- Ash is a straight grained hardwood, predominantly light brown in colour
- Dark Hardwood, an ideal replacement for mahogany spindles
Wooden Staircase Spindle Styles
SQUARE TURNED SPINDLES
Originally square turned spindles and newels have been around since the late middle ages, however that technique became popular in the Edwardian era. Sadly due to the cost involved in producing these the style declined later in the 1930’s. We have developed a technique that means we can reproduce these styles at a reasonable cost.
CONTEMPORARY RANGE SPINDLES
Turned staircase components such as spindles, newel posts, newel caps and finials are a large part of our business. Our designs are architecturally accurate and cover a wide range of ages and styles. We also offer a matching service where we can reproduce an exact copy of an existing turning from the original or a drawing.
The examples shown below were recently designed by ourselves to accommodate and embelish modern interiors with a simple elegant touch.
FLUTED & TWISTED SPINDLES
The origin of barley twisting and fluted turnings can be traced back to late antiquity as a mean of embellishing a turning. Barley twisting in particular was very popular in the 15th & 16th century and had a revival in the 18th & 19th century. Today we mainly do barley twisting, reeding and fluting on restoration projects and high end stair cases.
We can provide a comprehensive range of turned, barley twist or fluted spindles.Our designs are architecturally accurate and cover a wide range of ages and styles. Many examples are shown here.
We also offer a matching service where we can reproduce an exact copy of an existing turning from the original or a drawing.
Spindle spacing and building regulations
Spindles need to be properly spaced to achieve an even and consistent look and for building regulation purposes. Building regulations state that gaps between the spindles should not exceed 100mm. A domestic property can have a handrail height of 900mm for both stairs and landings. Commercial properties should be a minimum of 900mm on stairs and 1100mm on landings.
Why Spindlewood
Here at Spindlewood Woodturning we produce a huge range of custom furniture spindles, Staircase parts and handles turned parts. We offer a range of styles, woods and finishes professionally finished by time served, accredited and quality focussed professionals.
Need to know more about managing your woodturning restoration project, why not speak with an expert at Spindlewood.
Contact Spindlewood Woodturning
Address: The Old Bakery 8 Edward Street, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 5ET
Website: www.spindlewoodturning.co.uk
Email: info@spindlewoodturning.co.uk
Tel: 01278 453665
Opening Times
Monday 8:30am – 530pm
Tuesday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am – 3:00pm
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by Spindlewood | Jan 19, 2022 | Projects, Wood turning
Here are some top tips for furniture restoration
Hobbyists, as well as professional furniture restorers, have one thing in common: The desire to find a piece of furniture that is damaged and then restore it back to its original and former glory. In this article we discuss furniture restoration.
Giving new life to an old item. A table that had broken legs and an uneven surface may have been the last thing it saw from its former owner. You see the possibility as a furniture restorer increased value, art, and design.
Restoring furniture means restoring an item’s original state. It’s often more than just giving the piece a makeover r a fresh coat of varnish or a distressed painted finish
Getting Started With Your furniture restoration Project
There are several Steps in your furniture restoration project
- Decide for whom you will be doing the work. – You, your family members, friends, or a commercial client.
- Create a design for the item – Do you want the item to be modern or contemporary?
- Decide upon a budget – Set your budget an stick to it, Determine how much and what kind of componants you will spend it on. Be clear about who, what kind of specialist assistance is needed and the specific tools and components that are required
- Decide who or what support you need – Do you need access to specialist skills, equipment of components, are these skills or components available.
- Describe the finish you are looking for – Are you looking for a lacquered or polished finish, distressed modern or contemporary.
Design the Project
Each project starts with a beginning, a middle, then ends.
The beginning – Examine the furniture to determine which parts need attention. Which items will require the most time, and what can be done in-house? Request quotes and negotiate costs. You can purchase any material.
The Middle – Refer to your restoration plan and create drawings with the dimensions of items to be made.
Be sure to make time for the project It’s crucial to keep in mind that even a minor side project could quickly become a tedious chore depending on how skilled you are at restoration and how much time you have available to do the job.
Complex tasks take longer to complete. woodturning new table legs takes skill and precision, tools and a lathe. Make sure that you are able to spare enough time or resources to complete the project on time and within budget so that you can get a return on your investment.
It is not an easy task to redo slats or spindles. You will need to do extensive work to remove the dead or rotten wood. This is something that you must consider before you decide whether to take your table home.
Do your research and inspect
Before you decide to restore your item, do some research. Examine it carefully for any marks or labels which may be indicative of its provenance. Before you do any work, make sure to consult an expert if it is worth something. Photograph any tags or markings for your records. You could lose or reduce the value of a collectible antique by removing its finish.
Don’t be afraid to try your hand at furniture restoration. You can easily spot signs of aging. Feel underneath for dull interior corners. Take a part of a screw off and inspect the threads. The piece may be old if they are uneven in width. Take out a drawer to check for dovetail joints. These are signs that the furniture may be old or well-made. A professional appraiser should value it.
Set up a budget
After you have determined the value of your treasure, decide how much money you are willing to spend on it. You might enjoy the challenges of furniture restoration. However, if it’s not valuable you will need to determine how significant the item is to your life. It is something you can repair relatively easily? Is the cost of this project less expensive than purchasing a brand new item? It is worth the effort? Sometimes it’s simply sentimental or the need to retain the style of the home
You may only need to make a couple of simple repairs that you are able to quickly finish some projects. Some projects may require more work and might end up costing more.
Know what you want it to look like
Every restorer has seen it happen: A wooden table is pulled off the curb thinking that its colour would match well with the other furniture. However, after restoration starts, the pieces are actually made of lighter wood. You can easily determine the grain’s true colour by examining it. You should look for a place that has been kept from daily wear such as the drawer’s back. A peek at an area that has not been used will help you visualize the final product.
Safety First
Even if your furniture is a masterpiece, you still need safety gear. You don’t want a piece of wood getting stuck in your eye, or causing you to breathe in harsh fumes.
To protect your skin against harmful chemicals in varnish and wood strippers, long sleeves are recommended. To protect your eyes, wear safety glasses. To keep strong vapors from escaping, use safety glasses and mask when you are stripping or varnishing. Always follow the health and safety instructions on the materials or equipment you use.
Furniture Repair
Repair or replace damaged parts. It is possible to find a similar knob or leg at an estate sale, antique shop, or do you need a woodturner to replace it. Professionals like Spindlewood have a matching service that may be helpful.
But don’t be discouraged. Most likely, custom-made parts will be required to match the perfect piece. If you are not a skilled craftsman, it may be necessary to hire a professional for more complex repairs, such as leg replacements, or anything related to the structure of the item.
Tightening the screws can fix wobbly chairs and tables. Turn the piece upside down and examine each leg at the junction with the body to find the problem. Check the screws if it moves. If the screws are in good condition, you can tighten them. Remove and replace any that are rusted. You can join small gaps with wood glue and then fill them with similar-colored wood pastey. Make sure to buy stainable wood putty if you intend on using stain for your finish.
The process of refinishing a piece involves removing the previous finish and creating a brand new one. This job is physically challenging, so you will need to put in some effort. Do-it-yourselfers can use both chemical strippers as well as sanding. Be patient even though certain finishes are difficult to get rid of. You could end up with more work if you try to hurry the process.
Find out what type of stain is best for wood. You can paint it if the wood is not worthy of staining. It doesn’t have to be valuable, but it will be no problem once it is painted. To smoothen any imperfections, you should sand them before painting. No matter if your intention is to stain or paint, it’s important to clean up the area after you have finished stripping.
Why Spindlewood
Here at Spindlewood Woodturning, we produce a huge range of custom furniture spindles, Staircase parts and handles turned parts. We offer a range of styles, woods and finishes professionally finished by time served, accredited and quality focussed professionals.
Need to know more about managing your woodturning restoration project, why not speak with an expert at Spindlewood.
Contact Spindlewood Woodturning
Address: The Old Bakery 8 Edward Street, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 5ET
Website: www.spindlewoodturning.co.uk
Email: info@spindlewoodturning.co.uk
Tel: 01278 453665
Opening Times
Monday 8:30am – 530pm
Tuesday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am – 3:00pm
Join Us on Social Media
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by Spindlewood | Dec 14, 2021 | Projects, Wood turning
Woodturning Projects From Spindlewood Turning
In this article, we look at some woodturning projects, for architects, builders, developers and property restoration specialists.
What are your most common woodturning Projects
We are often asked which are our most common woodturning projects, and whilst we accept woodturning projects from a wide range of sources and a wide selection of projects, from antique effect cannons to zoom masts or most common requests are for
- Staircase Parts
- Balusters and Porch Posts
- Furniture Turnings
- Columns & Large Turnings
In addition to these categories, Spindle Woodturning also undertakes specialist projects. We work with the whole spectrum of woods as raw material, including oak, mahogany, elm pine and most people recommend woodturning projects using Maple, Cherry, and Walnut. They are described as very stable and don’t tear out easily. They also give a great finish without a lot of difficulties.
What tools do you use for Woodturning Projects?
Typically, lathes are used mainly in woodturning. Woodturning is the process of shaping wood into a chosen object. This is done so by using a variety of tools to shave, cut and groove the piece into the chosen shape or design. Due to the sheer amount of tools, you can use with your lathe, and the versatility of the tool itself – there are many objects that you can turn and create. We are amongst a handful of companies in the UK that have tools that enable us to turn columns up to 6m in length.
Using the correct tool or attachment for the correct job is vital and often comes with experience. We have all been there – either a chisel or an ordinary knife will slip out of its’ protective case and damage the wood or worse cause injury. Remember in every woodturning project – Safety first.
If you have a woodturning lathe, this isn’t something you’ll have to worry about replacing – as you can easily fix it yourself. It is possible to turn tool handles in a similar manner regardless of the length, with the only variable being the level of personalization you require.
Once you have drilled a hole in your naked tool, you can turn handles relatively easily.
Furniture Woodturning 
The costs of furniture can add up very quickly, especially if you want to keep them for a long time or if you want to pass furniture on down the generations.
Over time, the legs of both chairs and tables can become weak and break, resulting in furniture that breaks.
The good thing is that you can turn legs for both chairs and tables fairly easily and attach them quite easily once finished – but you will need additional hinges and screws (keep in mind the weight of the table and the material used when constructing the legs).
You can also modify existing chair and table legs with the many tool bits included with your lathe, and make them more visually appealing for visitors and family.
Why Spindlewood
Here at Spindlewood Woodturning, we produce a huge range of custom furniture spindles, Staircase parts and handles turned parts. We offer a range of styles, woods and finishes professionally finished by time served, accredited and quality focussed professionals.
Need to know more about managing your woodturning restoration project, why not speak with an expert at Spindlewood.
Contact Spindlewood Woodturning
Address: The Old Bakery 8 Edward Street, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 5ET
Website: www.spindlewoodturning.co.uk
Email: info@spindlewoodturning.co.uk
Tel: 01278 453665
Opening Times
Monday 8:30am – 530pm
Tuesday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am – 3:00pm
Join Us on Social Media
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by Spindlewood | Nov 16, 2021 | Projects, Wood turning
From Spindlewood Woodturning
Spindlewood provides replacement furniture spindles as part of our professional woodturning services. We work with a host of companies to manufacture new furniture spindles and to assist in restoration projects.
Our customers typically include architects, property developers, restoration firms, furniture companies, boat builders, and homeowners extending or renovating the property. (or in some instances people who simply wish to repair broken spindles or other wood-turned items).
We manufacture a range of spindles, not just staircase spindles, we also manufacture furniture woodturnings, including chair spindles, wooden table legs, wooden decorative bed head spindles, posts, and columns, for internal furniture and garden structures.
We manufacture a range of woodturnings for boat builders, including masts, handles, guide rails, steering wheels and handrails.
Often we are provided with samples to restore or architects drawings to work from, we are comfortable using most types of wood. We do not have a minimum order quantity and we do offer a full range of wood turning services which includes manufacturing custom furniture spindles and components, items such as handles chair legs, table legs, stretchers, cupboard handles, cabinet handles, door knobs, turned finials, newels and handrails. We are happy to create furniture woodturning in a range of styles including modern or contemporary.
Chair Legs and Chair Spindles
Two of our most popular replacement furniture woodturnings include chair legs and chair spindles. Often we are provided with unbroken items and asked to reproduce. Unfortunately, not all spindles have been produced as an exact match in the past and there is sometimes a variance in the items we are asked to copy.
We were recently asked to replace several hundred furniture spindles, for a restaurant’s damaged chairs and tables. The restaurant wanted to replace some broken parts whilst maintaining consistency with the items being used in the service. We were given sample tables and chairs and dure to the minor differences we agreed a standard specification for all components. Chair legs, chair spindles, and table legs. Using modern woodturning techniques and experience we are now able to make an exact match for each component. The customer was so pleased with the delivered items that we have been asked to provide similar repairs for other restaurants within the chain.
Furniture Spindles & Furniture Woodturning
It is commonly known that in the main, mass-produced wooden furniture is cheaply available, however spare parts, replacements and components such as legs, spindles and turned wood is not so easily available and more often than not will require the intervention of a custom furniture spindles specialist such as Spindlewood Woodturning. We produce legs, handles, spindles, short legs (for sofas), drawer pulls, finals and any turned wooden item for furniture.
Furniture Spindles for Restoration
The first challenge in furniture restoration is fining a component to match, either a similar item or a drawing. From which we can produce a template. The next issue is knowing which tools to use in which sequence and the third issue is to define the wood, finish, and any attached components such as fixings, boots and protectors. At Spindlewood we are regularly asked to restore furniture and antiques, as well as manufacture components for commissioned furniture items.
Why Spindlewood
Here at Spindlewood Woodturning we produce a huge range of custom furniture spindles, Staircase parts and handles turned parts. We offer a range of styles, woods and finishes professionally finished by time served, accredited and quality focussed professionals.
Need to know more about managing your woodturning restoration project, why not speak with an expert at Spindlewood.
Contact Spindlewood Woodturning
Address: The Old Bakery 8 Edward Street, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 5ET
Website: www.spindlewoodturning.co.uk
Email: info@spindlewoodturning.co.uk
Tel: 01278 453665
Opening Times
Monday 8:30am – 530pm
Tuesday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am – 3:00pm
Join Us on Social Media
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by Spindlewood | Oct 15, 2021 | Wood turning
What are Wooden Spindles and why are they important
Some people refer to Spindles as the Baluster, which is the term mostly used in North America to describe the item in the UK commonly referred to as a
Spindle.
Spindles are the decorative uprights that run between the handrail and the base rail or the tread of the step. They are designed to stop objects and people from falling off the stairs below the handrail. Spindles are not structural support.
They do not hold the handrail up; the structural support for the handrail is provided by the newel posts, the main purpose of the uprights is to prevent harm, by restricting people and objects falling off the stairs.
Transform Your Home with Decorative Spindles
Swapping out your stair parts can transform your staircase, landing, and hallway. Also if you are extending your home to create a new cellar or loft conversion it’s important to have matching staircases throughout the home as your stair case is a key feature.
Here at Spindlewood, much of our work is restoring existing spindles that have become damaged and turning new stair parts to match existing staircases, new structures, extensions, and extended living space.
When restoring, replacing, or creating new stair parts your goal may be to create a design suited to your needs and one that adds value to your home.
Why Spindlewood for Custom Stair Parts
Our staircase components and stair parts are oftern described as the best on the market. All staircases in your home can benefit from Spindlewood staircase parts. Spindles are an integral part of a balustrade, holding the handrail firmly in place to make a stairway safer and easier to use. They are also used to prevent trips and falls when climbing or descending a stair making them a sound choice for every stage of life.
With a variety of custom designs available, these spindles can fit any kind of interior design. Spindlewood creates custom designs, restorations and we turn wood from drawings and items requiring restoration. We create Spindles, in various formats including, classical, traditional, modern and contemporary.
Most of our designs are made of hardwood and many of our customers prefer a stained wood finish to paint.
Stair Parts For the Trade
Spindlewood offers an extensive woodturning service to create custom solutions for the trade, our service lines include stair parts, furniture, restorations and leisure items such as boat masts and steering. Spindlewood offers solutions to the trade, including designers, architects and builders or developers. We manufacture these spindles in the UK and we ship to your premises or site.
Spindles (aka balusters) are the thin supports between the base rail or tread of the step and the handrail. As we have mentioned before, they are not structural and do not hold up the handrail, but will offer a little support and they are to stop people falling through the gap below the handrail.
Spindles are typically wood and they are turned on a lathe to achieve perfectly round cuts on. These can get fairly ornate depending on the style you are trying to achieve and your budget.
Typically our spindles are custom made to your precise specification, design, style, wood type and size. Typically spindles tend to be between 32mm and 41mm wide, but again can be made outside these sizes.
There is an enormous range of styles available when it comes to choosing the right spindles for your stairs. Typically the biggest choice that you will have is the Turn and the material that you are going to use.
Wooden Spindles
As they are so simple to make and efficient, they are usually the most popular. There is an enormous variety of wooden spindles to choose from, as well. For example:
- Type of wood – The most common design choices are Oak and Ash with most people preferring to paint Pine. You can find wood that you like by shopping around, but there are a great many different kinds that are used.
- Design – At the simplest, wooden spindles can be square and upright, but even these can be enhanced with chamfers. When Designing new, restoring existing or replacing broken or damaged spindles, use a design in keeping with the home style, be that Modern, traditional, contemporary or elegant. Spindlewood are happy to discuss your sterling choices. Turned spindles can vary considerably from the delicate Edwardian styles to the heavier traditional styles and the Victorian styles. At the most complex, there are twisted spindles, which are also known as barley twist spindles. Fluting can also be added to the turned spindles. Flutes are grooves that are routed into the spindle for decorative purposes.
- Finish – The spindles can be painted or the wood left exposed. Polishing or varnishing are beautiful options to bring out the wood grain.
In addition to manufacturing and supplying oak spindles, oak handrails, and oak base rails, Spindlewood also manufactures and supplies oak newel posts, caps, and spindles to the trade. The materials utilized in the construction of stair parts are both top quality and affordable. Our oak and other wood-turned staircase parts come in a wide range of designs and materials, so you are able to mix and match to transform your living space.
Need to know more about managing your woodturning restoration project, why not speak with an expert at Spindlewood
Contact Spindlewood
Address: The Old Bakery 8 Edward Street, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 5ET
Website: www.spindlewoodturning.co.uk
Email: info@spindlewoodturning.co.uk
Tel: 01278 453665
Opening Times
Monday 8:30am – 530pm
Tuesday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am – 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am – 3:00pm
Join Us on Social Media
Facebook
Instagram
Google My Business
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