Changing Gears

Ever since Scott Bouchard, a fourth-generation Local 39 International Union of Elevator Constructors member, saw a bronze gear, he’s always wanted to make an end table out of one. He got this gear from an old Otis CT machine in Providence, Rhode Island. His father gave him the bronze Otis symbol, which he had for more than 20 years. It took Bouchard approximately one month to finish the table. He let the gear sit in degreaser for a couple days. A week later, he came across an old barstool that was ripped up and being thrown away. It turned out to be the perfect height for an end table to his couch. He stripped it down and painted it, bought some designer sheetmetal, which he cut and painted, then added some bolts. Town Glass of Smithfield, Rhode Island, provided a piece of glass to fit perfectly inside the rim of the gear. Bouchard set the glass on top and adjusted the stainless-steel bolts to hold the glass so it doesn’t chip on the gear. He says, “The table will be used to hold my ice-cold beverages after a long day of work and act as a stylish piece of work I can show off to family members and friends.”