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

[Demon Buddha]

On Mon, 10 Nov 2003 11:06:18 -0500, Thomas A. Troszak <tom@tomtroszak.com> 
wrote:

> 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.

	Fully agree.  For one thing, the time it would take to clean up
	welds on an item such as your chadelier would be immense, especially
	in tight angles.  For most decorative work, I find undressed electrical
	weld beads to be a painful eyesore.  When done right, a brazed joint
	requires little to no finishing.  For example, on the chndelier you cite,
	the solder can be applied from the "rear" end of the joing (invisible
	side, if there is one) and either china white or yellow ochre applied
	to the visible side in a manner that will precent the flow of solder into
	visible areas.  back in my serious jeweler days I could braze two pieces
	together such that a line of solder no broader than perhaps 0.002" would
	be visible from the visible side.

	Taking the time and effort on an item such as that chandelier may well
	prove well worth it because often the time required to clean up weld
	beads proves to be a whole lot more.  Also, consider that the design
	aesthetics of a given piece may call for very short joint radii and
	sharp, crisp definition of the form's geometry.  Once you've buggered
	up a piece with welding rod, you could spend the remainder of your
	youth on cleaning up the welds and still not produce a satisfactory
	result.

	Not sure why anyone would bad mouth a technique.  It's just another tool,
	and a damned good one when appropriate.