[TheForge] Re: TheForge digest, Vol 4 #742 - 9 msgs

[Thomas A. Troszak]

> From: John Emmerling <gearhartironwerks@direcway.com>
> Subject: [TheForge] goggles f/brazing question
> 
> Hi
> A year or so ago, Dave Brown made a comment thinking  he should be
> brazing more in some instances rather than welding. It made me think
> along similar lines as I make chandeliers and sconces et al, and there
> are times that the cleanliness of brazing supersedes even a tig weld.

Absolutely right, and you can go (at least) one step "cleaner".

I reconstructed the two chandeliers that now hang in the billiard room at
the Biltmore House here in Asheville. During the restoration, I had a good
opportunity to inspect the "craftsmanship of old" in these impressive
pieces.

There were many overlapping decorative/structural elements that appeared to
be "seamlessly" joined, and at first I was truly puzzled and impressed as to
how the work could have been done.

The answer came when the pieces of the chandelier went into the reverse
electrolysis tank. A soon as the paint and rust came off I was rather
shocked to see dozens of silvery-gray lines appear around the joints.

Upon close inspection, it turns out that the elements were forged
individually, then filed to a close fit and soft-soldered together, then the
resulting joints were finish-filed until all evidence of the joint was
invisible under a single coat of paint. Brilliant.

I think "Mr. Whatzamatter Cantuweld?" (he was mentioned in a different
message) needs a few lessons in "appropriate technology", he may be missing
out on some good stuff.

Tom Troszak