[TheForge] How is something like this made?

Jeffrey Polaski jeff.polaski at rgs.uci.edu
Mon Jun 19 15:49:29 EDT 2006 

Damn glassblowing heretics! They're up to no good I tells ya! 

Jeff Polaski
Research and Graduate Studies Webmaster
University of California, Irvine
http://www.rgs.uci.edu/
949.824.6363

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Mike Porter
Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2006 6:29 PM
To: artgawk at thegrid.net; 'Sponsored by ABANA'
Subject: RE: [TheForge] How is something like this made?

Dan Tull and all,
Tell your mommy to put that rolling pin back in the bakery drawer! 'Tis
not
a relinquishing of 'turf' I'm recommending here, but rather an invasion
of
the other fella's home ground; an idea that meets the full approval of
even
the most stringent of good union officials! Later, we may wish to
overrun
the glass blowers >:-)
Mikey 

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Peter Fels And
Phoebe
Palmer
Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 5:45 PM
To: Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] How is something like this made?

Mikey:!
This borders on crass blasphemy!
We are alledgely , blacksmiths, after all.
Let's ,at least, hammer it ito submission if at all possible.
Files and scapers and chisels will do most of the rest.
My mommie won't let me associate with you if you keep talking like
that!...Pete F

Dan Tull wrote:
> theforge
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Porter" 
> <michael.a.porter at comcast.net>
> To: "'Sponsored by ABANA'" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2006 2:59 PM
> Subject: RE: [TheForge] How is something like this made?
> 
> 
>>
>>
>> Jeff,
>> Isn't the question you meant to ask "what is the practical way to 
>> make something like this? After all, it can be fabricated in many 
>> ways; some of which are hilariously inappropriate. Common sense 
>> dictates that you would be looking for the "bottom line" about its 
>> construction.
>>
>> That bottom line is CASTING. After creating a wooden pattern or a wax

>> model (depending on whether you were doing a one-off part or 
>> intending to make many of them), you would proceed to cast it, or 
>> send it to a foundry if you had the $$$$$ to spend. Next, you would 
>> clean up the casting (sanding/filing), and then do the drilling, 
>> threading, mounting a handle, or even chasing, in accordance with 
>> your available tooling. But the bulk of the construction is a matter 
>> of foundry work.
>>
>> Casting; what a scary thought...or perhaps not. The metal for a part 
>> like this can be liquefied in a jewelers furnace (tabletop 
>> equipment), and cast into sand or plaster molds. How much equipment 
>> you need--and how much experience--only depends on how picky you wish

>> to be about the cast part; in other words, it is merely a question of

>> where you wish to expend your energy; in equipment & preparation, or 
>> in extra finish work?
>>
>> Why then is casting such a daunting idea for most of us? Simply 
>> because we build it up in our minds. The IT of which I speak is the 
>> whole commitment; or at least our visualization of such a commitment.

>> In reality, how much of a chore every aspect of foundry work becomes,

>> depends directly on SIZE. The nearly universal mistake is made in 
>> thinking big. What you want to do is think small. No matter how great

>> your ambitions become casting wise, small equipment goes right on 
>> being used. The same cannot be said of large equipment. In fact, 
>> large equipment, like the LARGE mental images of foundry work, is 
>> what usually stops people from getting anywhere with it.
>>
>> Furnace equipment construction was included in Gas Burners with the 
>> idea of blacksmiths casting their own finials, fancy lockbox plates, 
>> handles, escutcheons, and other detail work, to set off the bulk of 
>> their ironwork in bronze and pewter. Of course, casting is one more 
>> learning process, just like all the other learning processes an 
>> artist must face. On the other hand, the benefits can far outweigh 
>> the struggle for any young smith.
>> Visualize a scroll panel (say four to six scrolls forming a basic 
>> design).
>> Mentally connect them by welding; not so hot. How about connecting 
>> them with forged bands; more visual interest here. Finally, set them 
>> together two at a time, within your personally designed mold, and 
>> pour your bronze or pewter connectors. Picture the cast connections 
>> as simple or fancy as you wish, because that is what casting is all 
>> about. Or, how about cast bronze center pieces in twisted pickets, 
>> and one-of-a-kind cast lambs tails? Bronze or pewter handles on 
>> forged fireplace equipment (let alone all the other detailing for a 
>> fancy fireplace screen, etc.) Need I say more? OK, than consider iron

>> furniture with cast bronze connectors instead of the cheap cast iron 
>> used a century ago; suddenly, an old idea is updated into usefulness 
>> with today's blacksmithing projects.
>>
>> Naturally, there is another worry that springs to mind; "what if I 
>> get so involved in this foundry stuff, that I'm sidetracked, 
>> forgetting about my blacksmithing?" That is a legitimate concern, and

>> all I can give you by way of reassurance is that this particular 
>> "sidetrack" is quite lucrative.
>> Just
>> input bronze sculptures on eBay and look at the prices. No, I don't 
>> mean garden sculptures; these are of a size to be poured from a 
>> tabletop furnace.
>> You can hold many of them in one hand.
>> Mikey
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
>> [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jeffrey 
>> Polaski
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 1:24 PM
>> To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: [TheForge] How is something like this made?
>>
>> I was looking around some antique watch sites and came across a link 
>> to this antique medical instrument site... I've been wondering how 
>> something this ornate gets made... especially the brace and saw.
>>
>> Would it be roughly forged and then the flat shapes filed? Or is it a

>> lot of swage work, with male & female dies to match?
>>
>> Has someone made something like this before?
>>
>> I've been really curious about how the more ornate and "fine" stuff 
>> is made, for example, European tools with little sculptures in them. 
>> It's amazing that people can do that at all. I can barely bash out a 
>> little dragon head, let alone a full iron cherub! How do they do 
>> that? I know some things are cast, but how do people make forged
sculptures?
>>
>> Here's some examples:
>>
>> <http://antiquescientifica.com/saw_amputation_c_1750.jpg>
>>
>> <http://antiquescientifica.com/neurosurgery__trepanning_set__Lichtenb
>> erg
>> er_Strasbourg_out.jpg>
>>
>> I can't find a good example of the European tools I was thinking of, 
>> but I think almost everyone has seen pictures of vices or anvils with

>> ornate scenes on the side.
>>
>>
>> Jeff Polaski
>> Research and Graduate Studies Webmaster University of California, 
>> Irvine http://www.rgs.uci.edu/
>> 949.824.6363
>>
>>
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