| |
 |
|
|
|
RALPH
|
|
Good evening folks. Tonight I will do a short demo on a simple candle holder.
|
|
|
Figure 2 |
Start with 3 round rods. I use either 5/16 or 1/2" by about 10 inches or so (9mm to 13mm round by ~250mm).
I wire them up to forge weld. Or you can tack weld them.
|
|
|
Figure 3 |
Forge weld one end... And draw to a short square point
|
|
|
Figure 4 |
Now flip over and weld the other end about 2-3 inches (50-75mm) from the end.
|
|
|
Figure 5 |
Take a nice even heat for this next part.
Clamp in your vice and twist it.
I usually go one full twist, but use your own judgement as to what looks good.
|
|
|
Figure 6 |
Now draw out the 3 legs to an nice even taper.
It helps to get them all the same length. :)
|
|
RALPH
|
|
I usually draw them out to about the width of my anvil. . .
But if you have a really large anvil then you might want to draw it out till it is about 4 inches.
|
|
|
Figure 7 |
Now curl up the tips and curve the legs into nice looking arcs.
|
|
|
Figure 8 |
Jock suggested a further refinement to this.
It is using a collar or a wrap of wire to 'hide' the weld area. Perhaps a piece of copper wire? Will try it out one day.
(See our previous collaring demo for details).
|
|
|
Figure 9 |
Now I take a piece of sheet and make a disc. About 4 inches across.
I found that if you do not have a plasma cutter, that a hole saw works well. and it even leaves the hole in the middle.
|
|
RALPH
|
|
Then heat it and dish it. I use a ball pein and a section of hardwood.
This can be done cold - guru
|
|
RALPH
|
|
After all this, I take a light heat on the twist and run a wire wheel (actually a wire cup) over it.
Gets rid of the scale and also lets a faint bronze and blue oxide show.
|
|
RALPH
|
|
I also do the same for the disc.
You may use a small belt grinder to shape up the point.
Insure it is thin enough so that you do not break the candle.
|
|
RALPH
|
|
Then braze the catch cup to the holder.
|
|
RALPH
|
|
BTW make sure the legs are equidistance form each other.
|
|
JOCK D.
|
|
For a 120 degree "guage" you can use the sides of a large hex nut.
|
|
RALPH
|
|
Never thought of that... I just eyeball it.... hex nuts... need to get some big ones!
|
|
PF
|
|
Good idea, Jock
|
|
RALPH
|
|
Any questions?
|
|
Jim C.
|
|
Ralph: nice and simple. Thanks.
|
|
Paw Paw
|
|
Ralph, When you do that good a job, you don't leave any room for questions! :)
|
|
Jim C.
|
|
Ralph, Have you tried untwisting the center to make a basket type stem?
|
|
PF
|
|
3 legs, no leveling. . . good job Ralph, thanks!
|
|
RALPH
|
|
I tried once with the basket twist but I still have a ways to go.
|
|
jj2k
|
|
Ralph, Ya did a good job. Thanx! How much do they sell for?
|
|
Sharon
|
|
Ralph, of course there is always adjusting to legs keeping the whole thing straight isn't there, but everybody knows that.
I enjoyed your demo, and even I have made one of these before.
They are always good sellers aren't they?
|
|
RALPH
|
|
Pete, I have to keep it simple.... no leveing is a good thing... :)
|
|
RALPH
|
|
jj I get about $10 or $15 per.
|
|
P-F
|
|
good ralph, I've never been level headed
|
|
RALPH
|
|
Well, looks like that is it on the questions, so I am going to log out and come back into the Pub.
|
|
