This wrought iron candlestick is made up of three pieces welded
together.
_Stock:_ Three pieces of 3/8-in. round iron 4 ins. long.
[Illustration]
_Directions:_ The detail drawings show the steps in the making of this
piece of work. Notice that the rod used to make the leg and foot also
forms part of the holder or socket. Take one of the 3/8 × 4 in. rods.
Mark off 3/4 in. from one end. Draw this out as shown by the sketch.
Mark off 1/2 in. from that point. From this 1/2-in. mark draw the
material out 4-1/2 ins. long. This should be made square and tapered
slightly toward the foot. You will then have 3/4 in. for the foot.
_Foot:_ The drawing shows a conventional flower shaped foot. Spread
the 3/4 in. wide enough to shape a foot as shown in the sketch. Shape
it by cutting it out with a chisel and then filing. The embossing is
done in the same way, as has been explained. (See Embossing.)
_Socket:_ The socket is tulip or cup shaped. Flatten out the opposite
end of the 4-in. bar and shape up as shown in sketch. Make the other
two legs to match this one. Weld the three pieces together at A in the
following way: Put the three parts together and bind in place with a
piece of binding wire. Place it in the fire and heat it to a welding
heat. Weld the three pieces close to the socket and for about 1 in.
below. Shape a round neck (see sketch) and at the same time reduce it
to 3/8 in. in diameter. The small iron collar is put on and welded
about 1 in. below the socket. This addition is for ornamental purposes
entirely.
_Shape socket for the candle:_ Heat the top at a low heat and with a
pair of round-nosed pincers shape up as shown.
The legs are now twisted. This can be done the last thing and while the
metal is cold.
_Wrought iron candlestick:_ Take a piece of soft steel or wrought iron
1/4 × 4 × 4 ins. Heat the bar. Emboss the centre by driving it in a
hole in a swage block. The centre should be about 1-1/2 ins. above the
surface of the feet. Cut out the four pieces as shown in the sketch.
File up and finish the base.
[Illustration]
_Post:_ Select a piece of 5/8-in. square iron. Taper the ends to 3/8
in. square by 7-1/2 ins. long. The small end swells out 1/2 in. as
shown in the sketch. Forge a small pin, 1/4 × 1/4 in., on the end of
this post. Now swell the base of the post so that it will measure 7/8
in. square. The length from end to end minus the length of the pin
should measure 8 ins. Forge a 3/8-in. pin 1/2 in. long at the base
end. Heat the centre of the post; place it in the vise and give it a
complete twist to the right. Drill in the centre of the base a hole to
fit the pin on the end of the post. Heat the pin red hot and rivet the
base to the post.
_Candle socket:_ This socket is made in a conventional design. Take a
piece of No. 20 soft sheet steel or iron and cut a disc 2-1/2 ins. in
diameter. Divide this piece equally into six parts and cut out as shown
on the drawing. Bend these leaves up to form a socket. Now cut a piece
of sheet metal 2-1/2 ins. square, and cut out as shown for the little
ornament fastened on the top. Bend the four wings down as shown here.
Drill a small hole through the centre of each to fit to the piece on
the end of the post. Place these pieces in position and rivet in place.
This work is to be done cold. A candlestick of this design is easily
made and very attractive when finished.