Hi, it's Jamie.
For my 11th birthday, my Dad gifted me a tool box.
I kept borrowing his tools (usually the big rusty hammer) which he could never find when needed. So he figured I could have "some of my own".
You care more for things that are yours.
Anyways, ever since I got that tool box I've always enjoyed building things, which in retrospect, probably led to this spectacle-making malarkey.
But the past week has been all about building our new workbenches.
A short visual update 👇
Like any young boy I always wanted to make my Dad proud. Especially when it came to making things.
He was an engineer and was good at maths.
I was 11, artistic and hated numbers.
Despite our differences, structural integrity was a mutual language we shared.
Which is why he was forever telling me to "add diagonals" to anything I'd built. To "make it stronger son". More stable.
He was right about that one.
So over the past week, I've been adding diagonal 'trusses' to each of our new workbenches to make them nice and sturdy.
"Solid" as Dad would say, thumping it with a clenched fist.
All I'm missing is the blast of "The Who" with a Café Crème cigar hanging from my mouth. But at least I still have a full head of hair.
Regardless, I think Dad would approve of these workbenches.
Speaking of strength
You like long lasting glasses right?
Well, testament to my upbringing, that's something I take rather seriously.
I received an email earlier this year asking whether triple-rivet hinges were stronger than double-rivet hinges.
The answer is yes. But only just.
Our Mòr series frames use triple-rivet hinges as the temples are so indulgently thick. Whereas our Linea series frames use double-rivet hinges as they're much slimmer in profile.
Three rivets make a triangle formation, distributing the load like a milk maid's stool.
Two rivets are still damn-strong though.
If you missed my last email, you can learn more about riveting here.
Next time
Lucy and I had hoped to be moving our machinery into the new workshop soon.
But after our last shop opening, we're having to make more frames in time for the July 2nd (2025) launch.
So yea, this will be the last ever batch made here at the original shedquarters.
After that, we'll do the "big move" getting everything transported from Banton to the Kodak building which is going to be some heavy lifting.
Several of our machines are very sensitive, so it's gonna be like moving pianos 😬
Thanks for reading,
Jamie, co-founder x
"Rome wasn't built in a day, but they were laying bricks every hour."
