Found this thing (sub-station platform?) several years ago at a junk shop, negotiated a price for it, and for over a year it sat and collected dust. Several months ago I decided to finally do something with this hunk-O-wood and began to sand it- as it was a very rough piece of wood. Starting with 80 grit and eventually working down to a 220 (I think), I was able to get a smooth surface with which I felt comfortable enough to do the staining. The sanding process ( on and off ) took about 5 hours. Inspired by the Arts & Crafts movements simple yet sophisticated lines, I decided to try to stain it in 2 different shades in a pattern commonly seen in Bungalows. This worked rather well, and although there was a little leaching of the stain where my tape and the grain of the wood ran perpendicular, I was fairly pleased w/ the resultant. A little character never hurt anyone; or anything for that matter anyhow....Too bad the porcelain insulators that came with it weren't dated Locke pieces!