ArtMetal

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