Replies

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Apr 17, 2004 06:14am | #1

   Clay,

   I agree with your opinion.  Perhaps Paddy should post this under "what I did with my winter" and give that rabbit trap some competition.  Course, I too know nothing about coppersmithing....

   Steve
2. 
   RickL | Apr 17, 2004 04:25pm | #2

   I've done a fair amount of metalsmithing and have seen much better coppersmithing. That kind of hype and being on e-bay to sell the work is a sign of it's quality. Bogus!

3. 
   DP | Apr 17, 2004 04:35pm | #3

   Don't know anything about coppersmithing nor about the outfit that's peddling the bowl on e-bay.  But I thought some might be interested in this website about Paddy MacCormack--http://www.westcorkcraft.org/pm/.  It would appear that the e-bay seller has some basis for his claim--assuming that this outfit is legitimate of course.

1. 
   RickL | Apr 18, 2004 03:54pm | #7

   I checked the site you posted and I'd have to say the bowl is not Paddy's best work. Probably a project he tossed out and someone picked it out of the dumpster perhaps. Ebay is not the place to sell artwork. Perhaps it was stolen from Paddy's workshop. I find it hard to believe it was a prize winning piece. I think this copper bar I worked on with some other folks is a pretty nice piece. No prize or award though.

   
1. 
   mitch | Apr 18, 2004 07:17pm | #8

   as i like to say, "i wouldn't have that up my a$$ if i had room for the empire state building!"

   m

2. 
   Miami | Apr 18, 2004 10:46pm | #9

   That bar might win an award if I was handing them out, definitely it's prevail over any of Paddy's stuff that I saw, even at his own site. 

   Below, a panel at the top of a bookcase, that I really like a lot.  I like the sentiment, and I like the lettering too.  I assume this is high-level coppersmithing?  (First, I assume this is copper!)

   (I.e., I assume I'd have a hard time finding someone to make a copper panel like this for me, if I were inspired to incorporate it into a bookcase?) 

   Anyone know of someone - or where or from whom one might commission such a thing?

   TIA

   Clay

   
1. 
   RickL | Apr 19, 2004 12:16am | #10

   I couldn't make out any copper on the piece you posted. Hammered copper is not that easy. A sheet gets all wavy then it needs to be annealed and hammered back flat with a deadblow mallet. There is a compamy called Chem-metal that makes decorative metal laminate you work with regular wood tools. I think they make a hammered copper sheet now. Can't seem to find the website, I have been on it. Actually they are at the other end of towm from me.

1. 
   Miami | Apr 19, 2004 12:44am | #11

   I think the inscribed panel "The Sweet Serenity of Books" across the top is copper - you think it's carved wood? 

   I've got a pretty good monitor here ... but I could be wrong.  It's happened before.  OK, today.  OK, since lunch.

   Clay

2. 
   RickL | Apr 19, 2004 01:12am | #13

   I opened the image up in another window. I'm not sure what it is. Your monitor is probably better than mine.

   http://www.chmetal.com/index.html

3. 
   adamb | Apr 20, 2004 04:19pm | #14

   for good coppersmithing, look here, that bowl looks like stuff I'd turn out.  And I know nothing about smithing.

   Adam

2. 
   MichaelPB | Apr 19, 2004 12:56am | #12

   Clay,

   Make it yourself, copper is easy to work with and a piece like that that has no need for strength can be made from very thin copper.

   Make a board out of oak and route in the letters.  Then starting on one end or the other beat the copper down into the depressions with a rounded oak dowel.  The copper will become work hardened and you can anneal it with a torch.  However, since your not going to be going over the same area too often, it shouldn't be the problem it would be on a bowl.

   Get some thin sheet and experiment.  Clamp a cawl on both sides of where your working on a letter and pound away.  Since you want it looking a bit rough and home made for an Arts & Crafts peice anyway, it is worth playing with.

   Wood Magazine or one of those had a pretty good article on making your own Craftsman hardware that covered this in more detail.

   Michael

4. 
   Bonka | Apr 17, 2004 06:57pm | #4

   We all know the history of the Irish having a pint or two now and then.  I would say that this fellow was a bit over the limit.  Perhaps he will sell to someone who is one pint over the line and it will look good to him.  I can rememer some ladies.........

1. 
   Miami | Apr 17, 2004 07:16pm | #5

   "Limit," you say ...

   I've heard ugly rumors of such a beast ...

   Clay

5. 
   RANGERP75R | Apr 18, 2004 02:46am | #6

   miami

      I "seem" to remember seeing that thing hovering over the river several nights ago when we were "cat-fishing" and having a "few" beers!  he.. he...

   sarge..jt

   Proud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)