Fragile?

Every year Dumfries and Galloway hold an selected open studio event “Spring fling” you are required to put a piece of work into Gracefield gallery for a taster exhibition, I never enjoy this much as it takes me away from my commissions schedule, so this year I thought I should make a bit of extra effort and create something new.

“Mr mussel” my 30 ton hydraulic press, that broke in the cold weather is now back up and running again so I was keen to put it through its paces and do some big section forging and punching.

The design is about an interaction between the strong and solid steel and the fragile glass, I wanted to trap the glass without gripping it. All the steel sections are 40mm solid with holes punched through them to show the plasticity of the steel when hot.

Is it spring in the workshop (I dont think so)

I’ve started forging the small flowers for the Lilly of the valley gate.

It’s a long time since I’ve forged tube and I’m really enjoying the experience, they are a very delicate and difficult shape to handle when hot, especially when your bashing them into shape.

I am not using any jigs or dies, just the power hammer and hand hammer on the anvil

Lilly of the valley gate

Just now I am working on the first of a set of four gates, we age going to do one a year with each one based on one of the 4 seasons (not the pop group) this is the first and represents summer.

Based on Lilly of the valley, that grows close to the site were the gate is going to be. I’ve been forging the design in my head for a month or two trying to sort out the construction methods, I’ve done a few sample bits and am keen to get going on the flower bells, they present a bit of a challenge and the first few will be great fun though whether I still feel the same having done them all, well we will see.

Today I finished the railings with a final coat of enamel and cutting back the lead to get a tidy fit. Tomorrow I can really get going on my next job, a gate to a castle in Penrith, they hold potfest in the park there so it’s a great place to put some work

Thats why they told me that!

When I am fitting work the traditional way using hot lead, It looks like this until you pack it down and trim it neatly

I was told always put a drop of oil in the hole as its stops any moisture vaporising when the hot lead is poured into the hole. this is something I always do because I was told.. Well yesterday I missed one of the holes, so when I poured the lead in, POP the hot lead was blasted straight up into the air, it hit the top rail of the railing and went sideways. Ive got a full face mask on and a hat to protect my head. in a nanosecond I couldn't see a thing as my face mask and hat were instantly bright silver and heavy, covered in a layer of lead. YOWZA it made me jump.

melting the lead and setting the bars in place

the railing fitted and ready to finish of with a final coat of paint next week

To cold for Mr Muscle (wimp)

The big freaze has caused its first workshop casualty, My 30 tonn verticle press (mr Muscle) stopped working in the cold weather an electrician has found that the motor is knackered due to condensation getting into it. So a big bill is looming, not happy

Cast iron railings

Finally got on site after the big freeze to fit a set of cast iron railings, (not my normal sort of work but I did it out of interest) these railing were destroyed by several large round hay bales falling on them from a trailer, not a good mix, cast iron and sandstone don't do high impact, so the bales definitely won the contest but have by know been eaten by whatever it is that eats hay, so the railing had the last laugh.
Today we drilled the old railing that had snapped off out of the stone, tomorrow we will start to put it back together. It really is like a big meccano kit, there is a bit of a discrepancy with the brand new sandstone coping and shiny new castings sitting next to the weather beaten surviving parts. still a few months of grime and you will never know.
I really enjoy fixing metal with molten lead, its great when this silvery liquid flows into the hole and seconds later its solid and the metal is fixed in place. Tomorrow I will try and remember my camera,

Abuse has started already

Two friends who spend a lot of time blogging and are a bit good at it have been posting about me. heck I better watch out. both are a bit too talented for there own good. First is Hannah mcAndrew a slipware potter who has broken away from the traditions that hold a lot of potters back and whilst still remaining true to the techniques and traditional skills, has created a real style of her own. The other is Amanda Simmons who's work in kiln formed glass is really exciting and gives a blacksmith who doesn't get a chance to use colour much goosebumps when he sees the results. All our work is related in a way as heat is the primary element to make it possible (that's a bit deep for me) we are lucky enough to have some of both their works at home.