Subject: Re: Blacksmithing again

From: [email-masked]
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 1996 17:09:45 -0500

>To all:
>  I don't use a torch.  Why?
>  I can't find the historical connection for torches
>, so I avoid them.

     Dear Mr. Dickie,

        Maybe you could tell yourself that at one time there was a really,
really, really tiny forge made by an OLD MASTER and look at the torch as a
distant relative of that tiny tiny forge. I can't really figure out how the
use of a torch for local spot heat would violate your self imposed RULES.
If anyone ever called you on it (extremly unlikely) you could just tell
them that you hauled the whole gate over to the traditional forge to put
that collar on.
                                                        Lotsa Luck
                                                        Bob Schade

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From: Steve Smith <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 96 17:31:59 MST

Dear Bob,

Does everyone need to enjoy the craft in the same way you do? Maybe
Mr. Dickie doesn't make gates? Maybe his collars don't break?

--
Steve Smith
[email-masked]

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From: Ralph Snel <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 1996 10:11:51 MET

>  I can't find the historical connection for torches
If you would like to use a torch, go ahead, they existed thousands of years
ago. I've seen descriptions and archaeological finds of these torches. The
basic idea is to have a straw with an endpiece that resists heat (like clay)
with a tiny hole in it. Put the straw in a (candle) flame and blow. If you
keep the endpiece at the right place you will get a tiny flame with high
enough temperature to melt gold (according to the description). By changing
pressure/angle you can direct the flame on your work, doing filigran and such.
This technique was known many hundred years before christ (if I recall
correctly). I tried it myself but didn't have a small enough hole. It worked
though, but not at such a high temperature.

Ralph Snel
[email-masked]
Sweden