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Decorative and Sculptural Ironwork
Since the beginning of the twentieth century, references have relegated the blacksmith to a more poetic than productive position, but today ironworkers are rediscovering what generations of smiths knew long ago--that iron has remarkable properties. It is a metal that can be drawn out, formed, machined, cast, laminated, hammered, inlaid, etched, punched, split, rolled, bent, chased, spun, welded, riveted, collared, and more. And now, with the help of this unique new book by Dona Meilach, all the fascinating properties of iron and other metals can be creatively explored by anyone interested in this exciting medium.
Beginning with a short history of ironwork, the author goes on to discuss the ironworking shop, the forge, and the tools, including centrifugal blowers, anvils, vises, hammers, tongs, punches, and machine tools. Here is invaluable information on building, lighting, and maintaining a fire, and safety precautions. Basic forging procedures are explicitly shown: drawing out, flattening, bending, upsetting, twisting, splitting, punching and drifting, hot cutting on a hardy, joining and finishing techniques. Additional working methods are illustrated in each chapter.
Ironworkers can fashion a wide variety of objects by following Dona Meilach's clear directions and step-by-step photographs. There are imposing pieces of sculpture; carved animals; gates, grilles, and railings; locks; blades for knives, choppers, and scissors, along with ideas for toys, clothes racks, weather vanes, tables, buckles, necklaces, even decorative helmets!
As Dona Meilach has said: "There is no doubt that blacksmithing, though an ancient craft, is new, vital, and open to infinite exploration in our contemporary art-craft context."
Beginning with a short history of ironwork, the author goes on to discuss the ironworking shop, the forge, and the tools, including centrifugal blowers, anvils, vises, hammers, tongs, punches, and machine tools. Here is invaluable information on building, lighting, and maintaining a fire, and safety precautions. Basic forging procedures are explicitly shown: drawing out, flattening, bending, upsetting, twisting, splitting, punching and drifting, hot cutting on a hardy, joining and finishing techniques. Additional working methods are illustrated in each chapter.
Ironworkers can fashion a wide variety of objects by following Dona Meilach's clear directions and step-by-step photographs. There are imposing pieces of sculpture; carved animals; gates, grilles, and railings; locks; blades for knives, choppers, and scissors, along with ideas for toys, clothes racks, weather vanes, tables, buckles, necklaces, even decorative helmets!
As Dona Meilach has said: "There is no doubt that blacksmithing, though an ancient craft, is new, vital, and open to infinite exploration in our contemporary art-craft context."
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
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February 28, 2008
This is THE reference for artistically working metal! It has a wealth of photos and explanations how different effects were achieved, the differences in metals, working methods, etc.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review