Author Topic: Good day in the shop...  (Read 2506 times)

Offline Ed Wenger

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Good day in the shop...
« on: June 19, 2019, 04:45:00 AM »
It’s really nice when things work out!  Today I cast a trigger guard from a wood pattern I made (didn’t make that today, lol...). 








After that it was on to finishing this carving I had stabbed in yesterday.




Most days aren’t that productive for me!

        Ed
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Offline James Rogers

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #1 on: June 19, 2019, 04:54:56 AM »
Love it!

Offline BOB HILL

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #2 on: June 19, 2019, 05:31:23 AM »
Very nice, Ed.
Bob
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Offline rich pierce

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #3 on: June 19, 2019, 05:55:02 AM »
Kinda shows that it’s not your first rodeo!  Really fun designing your own furniture.
Andover, Vermont

Offline David Rase

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #4 on: June 19, 2019, 07:01:42 AM »
Nice job Ed.  Every once and a while I enjoy doing some sand casting.  Gives you a lot of satisfaction.  Wouldn't want to make a habit of it though.
David

Offline acorn20

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #5 on: June 19, 2019, 07:18:08 AM »
Well that turned out rather well, Ed.  Nice job!
Dan Akers

Offline DAV-AZ

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #6 on: June 19, 2019, 08:06:02 AM »
Congratulations Ed you got it to work.  Looks great!

Dave V

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #7 on: June 19, 2019, 01:38:42 PM »
I would have to agree, you had a very good day in the shop.:-)
Jim Parker

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Offline smart dog

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #8 on: June 19, 2019, 01:44:49 PM »
Hi Ed,
Wonderful!  I am really fascinated to see you managed a full sized trigger guard with Delft clay.  I noted the way you routed the sprue. You must have melted a lot of brass to keep that much heat.  Great carving.  Your designs are some of the best posted on this forum.

dave
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Offline Ed Wenger

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #9 on: June 19, 2019, 02:31:32 PM »
David..., it’s a lot more fun when the cast works!  Like you said, wouldn’t want to make a habit of it though.

Dave..., I use petrobond sand for bigger casts like guards.  It’s almost identical to delft, and cheaper.  Yes, a fair amount of brass needs to be used...   Full disclosure on the carving design..., I shamelessly copied the design from an old F. Harrison plan of the Crockett rifle, so can’t take credit for that.

Best,

        Ed
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Offline Mark Elliott

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #10 on: June 19, 2019, 03:09:18 PM »
Ed,

I love the guard and the carving.  Congratulations!

Offline Dennis Glazener

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #11 on: June 19, 2019, 03:10:36 PM »
Ed,
Love that guard and the carving. I am curious about the wooden pattern you made. What type of wood do you use. Would love to see a photo of it. I have always been intrigued with sand casting but never got around to trying it. Maybe some day I will have time to give it a go.

Is it feasible to use an original guard as a pattern without damaging or defacing it?
Dennis
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Offline Randall Steffy

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #12 on: June 19, 2019, 03:31:16 PM »
Dennis,
It is quite easy to use an original as a master to recreate or cast a double of existing furniture without any damage to the original. I made many patterns for Reaves that very way. Downside is that unless you build up the original with sheet wax or similar, your end product is most too slim to clean-up and have an acceptable thickness and the length is shorter as well in the reproduction. I recommend sheet wax, .031" thick, which is available with an adhesive on one side. Fill defects or pin holes on the original with modelers clay. The molding process will do no damage to the original if reasonable care is taken. What surprised me was how much twist and minor odd bends are in some originals which must be left untouched to return the original as the owner would rightfully expect. If you want to correct these defects (specifically twist which effects draft) you should make a cast of a non shrinking white metal like Cerrosafe, straighten the white metal reproduction, repair any defects and use that part as your master. I hope that is all clearly stated. Go for it!

Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #13 on: June 19, 2019, 04:03:48 PM »
That's a lot of work for one day!
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Offline Pukka Bundook

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #14 on: June 19, 2019, 05:35:30 PM »
Lovely and neat carving Ed!!!  Nice as it comes.

Great casting too!!

R.

Offline J. Talbert

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #15 on: June 19, 2019, 06:14:54 PM »
Definitely a good day's work!

Sweet little carving.  Not that I can actually remember the carving, but I was lucky enough to handle that Crocket rifle just after Houston had finished it many years ago.

Jeff
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Offline D. Taylor Sapergia

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #16 on: June 19, 2019, 06:43:02 PM »
The sand casting is great Ed, but the carving is delightful!
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Offline Tim

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #17 on: June 19, 2019, 06:44:11 PM »
Beautiful workmanship Ed. The carving is beautiful indeed.
May I ask what tools you use to carve the cheek piece?
I’m trying to decide on how to add a bit of simple carving to my
Kibler SMR stock. Something that even a beginning carver could
Pull off with a little practice.
Please keep the photos of this rifle coming as it serves as
Inspiration to us newbies.
Tim

Offline Dennis Glazener

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #18 on: June 19, 2019, 08:51:31 PM »
Dennis,
It is quite easy to use an original as a master to recreate or cast a double of existing furniture without any damage to the original. I made many patterns for Reaves that very way. Downside is that unless you build up the original with sheet wax or similar, your end product is most too slim to clean-up and have an acceptable thickness and the length is shorter as well in the reproduction. I recommend sheet wax, .031" thick, which is available with an adhesive on one side. Fill defects or pin holes on the original with modelers clay. The molding process will do no damage to the original if reasonable care is taken. What surprised me was how much twist and minor odd bends are in some originals which must be left untouched to return the original as the owner would rightfully expect. If you want to correct these defects (specifically twist which effects draft) you should make a cast of a non shrinking white metal like Cerrosafe, straighten the white metal reproduction, repair any defects and use that part as your master. I hope that is all clearly stated. Go for it!

Thanks Randall,
Who sells the sheet wax?
Thanks
Dennis
"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend" - Thomas Jefferson

Offline Craig Wilcox

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #19 on: June 19, 2019, 11:32:34 PM »
Jewelry supply houses have it, as well as all kinds of extruded waxes.  For modifying the waxes, a heated exacto blade does the trick, jut don't get it too hot.

The heated knife blade also helps attach sprues and air holes to the wax creation.  They are lots of fun to model things with.  At the supply houses, you can even get electric tools for wax work, otherwise park them close to, but not "in", a candle or lamp flame.
Craig Wilcox
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Offline Marcruger

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #20 on: June 20, 2019, 12:23:44 AM »
Just gorgeous work as usual on that carving Ed.  CRISP.

Looks like you got that guard worked out just right too.  You must have gotten your vents in the right place. 

Looking forward to seeing the completed rifle.

God Bless,   Marc

Offline jerrywh

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #21 on: June 20, 2019, 02:10:48 AM »
Would you like to invest in a precision casting setup.  The burout furnice cost about $2000.00--- burns aut 23 flasks at a time or more.
Nobody is always correct, Not even me.

Offline Ed Wenger

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #22 on: June 20, 2019, 02:47:23 AM »
Tim..., the cheek piece has a bead formed near the top, done with a beading cutter.  Dembart or similar manufacture.  The groove on the bottom was simply done with a gouge.  Those two elements were then blended together.

Dennis..., what Randall said in regards to using an existing metal guard.  The sheet wax I’ve used was purchased through Freeman Manufacturing & Supply Co., in Avon, Ohio.  (440) 934-1902.  They have a wide selection of adhesive backed sheet wax.
I used maple for the wood patterns.  Here are a couple more photos of the pattern.  This is from the Klette rifle that your friend was so gracious to let me study.  The small pieces of wood are the lugs for the guard.  Another photo of a different  pattern with a mostly cleaned up casting.








Ed Wenger

Offline mountainman

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #23 on: June 20, 2019, 05:23:40 AM »
Nice work, that's quite the accomplishments!

Offline Dennis Glazener

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Re: Good day in the shop...
« Reply #24 on: June 20, 2019, 05:35:48 AM »
Thanks Ed I appreciate it.
Dennis
"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend" - Thomas Jefferson