http://www.claysmithguns.com/index.htm
This is the work of a rifle builder from Virginia. Clay used to work in the Riflesmith Shop at CW but cut backs have put him on the solo. A couple photos of his work below. Transforming sheet brass to an ornament. Most are attracted to the transformation of the bare piece adorned with the edelweiss flower, take a moment to appreciate the hinge on this captured patchbox. The lid has a curve. When you hand fit the knuckles, you have to file each point to allow for the curve– just a bit. Too much with the file and the gaps get you.
If you have a moment check out Clay’s site. Its a nice collection.
Replies
dan,
the pics and workmanship you've posted lately will have us all working metal soon! much too inspiring.
some years ago an artist, here in los angeles, paid me 30 bucks each hour that i made wooden low rider cars for him. yeah, he was (is) one of those famous chicano artists...blah, blah, blah.
anyhow, some of the work involved cutting, shaping and polishing aluminum, all using woodworking cutters and tools. it gave me a taste of what you have taken to high art. very nice.
eef
Two thumbs up !
I always wanted to work with a high end wood worker and just make the brasses and stuff for him/her.
Now I am into wood working. Guess I need to get off my duff and make something.
roc
Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )
R
I don't post the pictures to blow away folks with metal/brass work but to inspire folks to put it in their work.
I have fellow furnituremakers who run around cussing in their shops when they find out Ball and Ball or Horton doesn't make the hinge they need for that special door. A hacksaw and a couple files will get it done and they will have something that's just as good.
I collect brass in my area. It's everywhere you look. If you take a propane torch or some MAP gas to the brass and heat it up and quench it, the brass is sooooo soft you can do anything with it. No high tech skills here. You can bend it , curve it, file it ...
Want to harden it up? Heat it again to cherry red and let it cool slowly on the bench. Hard again.
If you are not in a rush, you can play with it and open up a whole world of options. Its a low investment in dollars and a big learning curve experience. I know most of the woodworkers(like me) who got in some of the metal fabrication with rifle building, found a whole bunch of ideas and applications they could put to use in their cabinet work. Just a thought.
photo: former door kick shaped with some files and engraved with tools made from old files.
Edited 6/7/2009 9:26 pm ET by danmart
Strange, or it is? I opened the protos before reading your post.
take a moment to appreciate the hinge on this captured patchbox... One of the first things I noticed!
Not a gunsmith but have 'tried' to make nice fitting hinges using sheet brass. None of mine came even close to the fit shown.
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