Sharon, I haven’t been teaching this process very much but all this talk
has made me want to do so. About fifteen years ago, I was in a workshop
and we made metal serpentine stakes using drift pins which we bought at a
local hardware store. A drift pin, we were told. was a tapered steel rod
of varing sizes used by masons to check the alignment of cement blocks
etc. We bent the rods using oxy-acty and ground, filed, sanded etc. until
we were satisfied with the finish.For single person studios, hardwood
stakes are more than adaquate.However, in a classroom situation, metal is
far more durable and so yesterday, I set out to buy drift pins. The two
hardware chain stores that I asked at knew what drift pins were but
thought that they only came in two or three inch lenghts. That would
really be fun to hammer on wouldn’t it? I know that if I were like certain
people on this group, I would simply make the whole thing. Well, guess
that I’ll check my local phone book for a machine shop or something.The
art center I teach at, built a wonderful new building but there is little
money to be had for new equipment which is why I thought I would just whip
some of these stakes out and give my students a treat.It’s a simple
process to create hollow forms that can be curved, cut apart, added to,
and used in hundreds of ways. I hope that you give it a try. Marilyn
Marilyn.
I picked up a dift pin at the ACE Hardware across the street
acouple days ago. 3/8ths to 5/8ths taper, approx 9" overall length. That
was the largest they had.
Dick
Well, guess that I’ll check my local phone book for a machine shop or
something.
“MSC” is a machine shop supply company that carriers just about every
tool and accessory used in a machine shop. They will send you a catalog
free of charge. It also makes a very good reference book. 800-645-7270 or
www. industry.net/mrop/msc
Steve D.
Marilyn,
Thanks for the encouragement. I just spoke with a local brick & stone
supplier and he called them line pins and the ones he had were 4" long.
Still a little short for working with. I seem to remember the stake I saw
was about 8" long after being formed. There is a machine shop I have
dealt with, but I wouldn’t want to guess what they would charge for
something like this. A ‘scrap metal recycling facility’ (i.e. junk yard)
might have something useable. If I find a source I’ll let you know.
Sharon