swedgemon Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 I have attached the pic of a basic Claydon Knot votive candle holder, along with pics of 2 table lamps that used Claydon Knots as the starting points. The bases are all 1/2" square formed into a circle with 1/4" holes punched (treadle hammer). The verticals are 1/4" round, formed on a Claydon Knot jig/bender...the verticals on the lamps were made pretty long with a leaf forged on the ends. The lower part of the verticals can be left straight or curved, as desired. After the knots were assembled on the lamps the bottom of each vertical was back-welded at the bottom of the base ring. With the base clamped to the top of my bench a whole lot of rosebud work followed, winding the stems back down through the knot, then winding the leaves in a random pattern (fire, pain and violence !!). The scale was polished out with a small wire wheel on an air die grinder (lots of tiny little wire bits sticking in clothes and skin). A short section of lamp thread is welded in for the lamp base to screw onto and a coat of satin acrylic enamel finishes things. I doubt one can make and sell these profitably with the time/fuel gas needed (I use oxygen/propane for rosebud work), but they do have great "WOW" factor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted July 25, 2016 Share Posted July 25, 2016 Wow, beautiful work. I get dizzy just looking at them. Must have been fun forming all those! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Very nice work. I've no doubt you could sell pieces like that, but you have to reach the customers that have a grand or two to spend on fancy stuff. I did an image search for the clayton knot jig with no luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhutton Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Way Kool! Good looking pieces there! I wanna see those coffee table legs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedgemon Posted July 26, 2016 Author Share Posted July 26, 2016 Arkie, Forming the "vines" isn't too hard if you keep the leaves a bit smaller than the opening in the top of the knot...you could always double them over, form the vines, then open up the leaves...see the next photo. Vaughn, I'll try to dig up my knot jig and send you some photos and dimensions - it's pretty simple. Assembling the knot for the first time is a bit tricky - you have to know the secret to get the last vertical in place. BH, I'll ginn up a separate post for the coffee table... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedgemon Posted July 26, 2016 Author Share Posted July 26, 2016 Vaughn, I found one of my knot jigs...this one is a piece of 1/4" plate, 14" square with two 1/2" pegs, 1 1/4" apart, on centers, welded in the middle and a few pieces of angle welded on the bottom so it can be clamped in a vise. All you are doing is putting a dog-leg in the middle of the 1/4" round verticals. Notice on the vertical that has a leaf on the end that the bottom half has any bow shape you may want in your final piece. The bottom rings have 7, 8 or 9 1/4" holes punched in and back-drilled a bit to facilitate welding the ends of the verticals to the base. As you assemble the verticals you may find that you need to "tweak" the angles a bit to get a proper fit. Once you get the verticals linked together around the piece you will be holding the final vertical, wondering how it will get into place...invert that last piece and "weave" it into place by rotating it in 180 degrees, achieving the final assembly. The next challenge is to hold everything in proper alignment while you backweld around the bottoms of the verticals...I have used a metal funnel sticking up thru the bottom several times - your results, and methods, may vary. Good luck !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 Very awesome lamps. Looks like a time consuming but worth it project. Thanks for sharing the process. And I like your adjustable scrolling wrench haha. I'll have to make me one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will52100 Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Cool, those came out great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausfire Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Wonderful work! I admire your patience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Evans Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Stuart Hill would be proud of you! Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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