[TheForge] request for help/guidance on project

[Terry L. Ridder]

hello;

i guess the place to start with the basket candlestick project, page 45 of
the blacksmith's cookbook by francis whittaker, is with what we do know.

each basket candlestick is 14" tall.
the top and bottom rings are 1-1/4" wide.
the center ring is 3/4" wide.
the rings account for 3-1/4" of the height.
going by the photograph the legs would appears to be approx. 2" tall.
therefore, the rings and legs together account for 5-1/4" of the height.
therefore, the baskets account for 8-3/4" of the height.

the center ring and the 3/4" flat made in each of the 1/4" round by
11-3/4" is the reference point for each basket candlestick.

each spiral is flattened at each end after forming.
given the photograph and knowing the dimension on the rings i think it
is safe to say that a 1/2" is flattened at each end.

there are 12 spiral pieces, they are spaced every 30 degrees.
the crosses are spaced every 60 degrees.
there is no mention as to what size drill was used to make the crosses.
based on the photograph, i am assuming a 1/4" drill, perhaps 3/16".
there are 36 6/32 machine screws with at least nuts
( perhaps lock washers as well. )
the three legs are 120 degrees apart.

this means:
the bottom basket is formed from 7-3/4" of the 1/4" round.
the    top basket is formed from 3-1/4" of the 1/4" round.

whether  forming the top or bottom basket it is safe to assume that
the forming started at the 3/4" flat all ready made in each spiral.
basically, you need to use that 3/4" flat as the reference point in
creating either the top or bottom spiral.

this still leaves the question as to how francis formed each spiral.

a one off piece he may have used a hardwood form, but with 24 spirals
i tend to doubt he used a hardwood form. from the little i do know of
francis whittaker he does not strike me as a wood patternmaker.

there is also the fact that each pair of basket candlesticks are spiraled
in opposite directions. there is a left-hand spiral and a right-hand spiral.
( clock-wise spiral and counter clock-wise spiral )
this would suggest at least two forms and two templates.

yet another point of confusion is in the description of the parts to
make a single basket candlestick. it lists only 1: 1/8" x 3-1/8" circle, bottom.
i would assume that this would go in the top ring to support the candle.
however, in looking at the photograph it would appear that the circle is
in the bottom ring. that would leave only the ends of the spirals
supporting the candle. i would assume that there are 2: 1/8" x 3-1/8" circle,
bottom pieces. one to support the candle and one to give the legs something
to attach to. the legs attaching to the 1/8" thick wall of the ring does not
seem to make sense even if you assume that the legs are attached to one another
in the center.

-- 
Terry L. Ridder ><>