Project Blog - Historic Sporrans / Brass Cantle Project

[artificer]

So how are the cantles coming along?

One of my greatest frustrations is having to rely on other individuals' schedules in my personal projects. (It's one of the reasons I prefer to work alone ) I'm still waiting on my smith to finish the CAD plans. I'll be harassing him again this evening- but not too much...

Since he's doing this in the shop's 'down time' and not charging me for the drafting time (a trade), I really can't complain too loudly. It IS a great source of vexation, though.

My great hope is that, shortly after the new year, I will have the final plans in hand, verified, and ready to cut masters.

After that, it's just a matter of how many I can afford to cast in the run.

As I mentioned earlier, Harold, I really don't know IF I'll be in a position to sell any of the cantles separately. I've got a fairly long list of interested individuals that want complete sporrans. I want to make sure that I've got cantles for them before I even consider piecing anything out.

On to happier news, I've finalized the plans and "order of operations" for the first two "MacLeay" sporrans (with leather cantles) and am hoping to start cutting the first one over the holiday break.

Once my woodshop in the garage warms to a more civilized temperature (it's currently 4*f outside) I'll start cutting the master for the first pewter "MacLeay" cantle as well. Then it's RTV silicone mould making and pewter pouring.

Edit: speak of the devil! My smith just rang me up. He apologized for being so busy (he was on his way from the foundry to his secondary, part time job). He should have all revisions (both mine and the foundry's) next week for final approval. If they look good to me, the master gets cut and a test run is ordered. If the demo pieces are good, we go to production on the round top* just after the first of the year!

*this depends a bit on the size of the flask that the casters want to use. IF they'd like to go larger or can fit two in a 'single' flask, we may have to wait a bit for the angled top to be mastered- although this is a pretty small adjustment from the first style, so hopefully won't take too much additional time.