Hi Gerald,
I'm sure you'll be an asset to any shop owner that has the wisdom to take you in.I hope lots and lots of young people read your post, and follow your example.To teach is to learn and to learn is to teach.
I'll put my money on someone with your enthusiasm and sincerity any time.Seek and you shall find.The best of luck to you, Gerald, on your journey.
Frank

Gerald, You are wellcome to e-mail me at fire.artist@hotmail.com

Hi Gerald, what a great idea. It sounds like this is going to be a very fulfilling experience and you should learn a lot. Keep us updated on what yo learn.

Jake

First update: I was so concerned to make a good impression, that I was feeling a little pressure. So I marked the outside limits of a needed hole in a railing for the installation and promptly drill right down the center of the mark, instead of to the outside. Not problem, grind out, plug weld and clean up. Next day, I go to redrill the hole. So what do I do? I very carefully mark the bar exactly where the hole is going. Drill it out and then realized that I drilled to the WRONG side :-( Mr. Gavin was not amused. They were however, my only mistakes. I drilled and tapped at least another hundred holes spot on! When the railings are ready for installation, I'll take photos and post (asking first of course)

Gerald Boggs

This last week was pretty tough. Chris has very high and exacting standards of how things are to be done. Which, while a bit stressful, is really good for me, as it has taken me completely out of my comfort zone. I do feel a bit guilty, as almost everything he's had me do, he has first had to show me how. Very little of what I know how to do, has helped me in this high tech, production shop. We're all working a big railing job. I spent the week doing a little of everything, forging, cleaning, cutting pickets to length, drilling, tapping, jig making.

What did I learn this week?

I was introduced to the Hossfeld Bender.

Jig making. I've done very little of this, really nothing more then a couple of simple scroll jigs. All of Monday and half of Tuesday was spent making one fancy jig for this job.

Using a cutting torch tip to remove scale. Man that works well. Turn the torch up high as you can, lightly work the tip over the scale and it flies off! After that, wire brushing is a breeze.

Wax finish. I had heard about using a wax finish, but had never tried it. Chris uses a wax finish* on almost all his work, inside and out.
The way he does it, is descale, wire brush, heat the iron and apply the wax to the hot iron, let sit for a day and apply a second coat cold, lightly buff and you're finished with the finish. After installation, he applies one last coat. I've seen several of his indoor pieces and they look great even after several years.

Mix of butcher brand bowling alley wax, linseed oil, thinner and jap drier.

Gerald Boggs

Jake, I'll have to ask about the proportions, but looking at it, I'd guess a 78/20 ration of paste wax to boiled linseed oil. The thinner is just a little bit to help work everything together and to keep it soft. Remember, I've just learned this, but my understanding is you only hot wax the first time. All other coats are done cold.

Gerald Boggs

Maybe someone else with more experience with wax finishes could jump in and help

Gerald Boggs