[TheForge] some year-end ramblings and thoughts for 2004

[Mike Spencer]

> ...nearly choked when i saw the price on metal candle molds. a 2
> inch by 6 inch cylinder mold was $19.54 usd. 

Try here:

    http://www.martinsbyhand.com/new/3mold.jpg
    http://www.martinsbyhand.com/new/

if you think that price is scary.

> ...think pipe nibble and pipe cap you have the geneal idea. i told
> them that if they purchased the tin i would make them candle
> molds. i figure they should be able to purchase a good size piece of
> tin for $20.00 usd. so tinsmithing is something i would like to
> learn about. hints, suggestions, resources are most welcome.

There's a stake tool called a candle mold stake for making taper
candle molds.  More slender than the more common blowhorn stake.  See: 

    http://www.geocities.com/toesheet/TINNERSSTAKES/TINNERSSTAKES.html
    http://www.geocities.com/toesheet/TINNERSSTAKES/CNDL-MOLD-STK.html

For diameters over about 2", lock seam is easy and a better way to
close a cylinder or cone than trying to solder it.  You need a
special, easy to make tool to convert your hammered-shut joint into a
lock seam, i.e. to convert #1 to #2 as shown in the first image at:

      http://www.kimitsu.nsc.co.jp/ccl_eng/09.html

Peggy got a digital camera for Christrmas.  Maybe she can be persuaded
to make me a photo that I can put on the web. A break helps but isn't
neccessary and, for small stuff, can be improvised.

If you can find a couple of old railroad spike hammers, they're nearly
useless as sledges but make great tinner's stakes.  Weld a steel stake
into the eye, polish the ends, possibly after forging to a shape that
suits your purpose.

- Mike

-- 
Michael Spencer                  Nova Scotia, Canada       .~. 
                                                           /V\ 
mspencer@tallships.ca                                     /( )\
http://home.tallships.ca/mspencer/                        ^^-^^

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