How to Use a Turning Machine

[@robertbennett5964]

I love your videos! You are truly preserving a dying art. Thank you!

[@housecopper]

Oh you are so kind to say so! I hope it (the craft) does last much longer than me!

[@rawbacon]

Copper is such a nice metal. Either my Grandfather or Great Grandfather, (I'll have to ask my Dad) made a Copper Fuel Funnel on The Farm probably 75-100 years ago and my Dad still uses it today (He's 80). Obviously Copper stands the test of time.

[@housecopper]

That is AWESOME! I love hearing stories like that!!

[@joniangelsrreal6262]

🍳 👁👁 👏👏 🥘🍳 I love your hide-mallet …I picked one up at a flea market Had no idea what it’s purpose …I tune into your channel…. and the answer is clear….❤️

[@housecopper]

Yup, rawhide hammers are awesome!

[@stevenrook7554]

Good video. Looking forward to more.

[@housecopper]

I have a lot of machines to do yet. :)

[@williamdorn406]

Sara, a few tips on the wire edge and turning general if you don.t mind 1 when you are turning the edge for wire, remember you don't want a groove. what you are basically aiming for is a hook like appearence to the edge you create, think of it as a "J" shape So as you turn PULL UP on the end of the cylinder, which will create a rounded hook in which you insert the wire. I thought it odd that you dressed the edge over on the stake. All you have really done is create a larger burr, and as we all have learned a burr any larger than 3/16 is a bear to make. This is one of the reasons you have so much trouble keeping it in round. Pulling up on the end of the cylinder will help keep it round. 2 As to that,, when I was an apprentice, we were taught to do the wire edge on a cylinder by bending the edge in the bar folder, enclose the wire, in the flat, make you groove seam, roll it, finish the groove seam. Alternately, doing it your way, groove it, roll it , put on the bottom complete, Then turn your edge for wire. ( maybe you have noticed the grooves in some sets of rolls? They are there for precisely this reason) I don't know if you are familiar with the book, "Audels Sheet Metal Pattern Layouts" a book with a leatherette cover. In it, on page 361, there is a section that deals with the subject of the proper way to notch the groove seam on a cylinder,top and bottom and reasons why. in this case and watering can, but also some nice other tips as well. Frankly the entire section is most helpful in many ways. Lest you think I am some hyper critical yahoo, I am a retired sheet metal worker, third generaton, and apprentice instructor in SMW Local #49 in Albuquerque New Mexico. And even after more than 40 years at the trade , I still dabble with sheet metal work in my own little shop. I don't mean to seem critical, I offer these hints for information only and in a spirit of co-operation. It is just nice to see a fellow traveler who appreciates the trade and is trying to preserve it.

[@housecopper]

I was taught in my apprenticeship to dress the edge of the burr at times to help it take a much thicker wire - sometimes I inadvertently do not have enough material to make it over the wire. Bob also has some rods we turn the metal over to prep it for the wire if the shape doesn't work for the turning machine. And when we use thicker gauge wires, we do need a bigger burr, though, as you say, they are harder. As always, each project and shape and apprenticeship has its own quirks. :) Yes, sometimes we use the bar folder to prep instead of the turning machine... or wire in the flat, though that doesn't work for cone shapes, and this video was mainly just to show the machine's job. :) hahaha I am not familiar with Audel's, but I'll look for it at the next convergence. I have several other great ones that are a lovely reference once I figure out all the diagrams! Awesome to have you on the channel here offering advice and thoughts - a "sheet metal person" (I was going to say HVAC guys in the video a lot, but then was like - eeeek! what if there are a lot of women?! I can't say "guys"! so I stumble around for appropriate words hahaha) with lots of knowledge is always great and I appreciate all your input and comments very much! We all can't save this information if we keep silent! Cheers!!!!

[@microchoc]

Whats the wire made of?

[@housecopper]

It's a steel wire.

[@markshaw9010]

Can you shed some light on sources for turning machines. And is this actually called a turning machine?

[@housecopper]

Pexto (originally Peck, Stow and Wilcox, which were separate companies until they combined) sells new and combination rotary machines. You can also attend the tinsmith convergence in June and buy original 1800s versions. And yes, it is "actually" called a turning machine. (I'm not 100% sure if you're just confirming this or questioning my knowledge?) It has been called a turning machine since it was patented in the early 1800s. I have seen advertisements dated to 1843 listing out both small and large turning machines, and the patents go back even earlier.

[@markshaw9010]

@@housecopper Thanks so much for your fast reply. Your knowledge is vast compared to mine. I am just getting into this so was asking without know a thing. I was able to find some after i got the correct name for it. Thanks again.

[@housecopper]

@@markshaw9010 lol! Makes sense! I'm glad you asked (and clarified :)) and were able to get the info! I hope you find one!!

[@valentinlishkov9540]

[@valentinlishkov9540]

[@raulfloresa]

You have some beautiful machines I am a live tinmith in South America Chile (tinsmith) Today I have seen and I was impressed when I started I had no idea of ​​them I just imagined them .... I suggest you see my facebook page "tinsmith-chile" .. I think you lack some technique and the treatment with metals like copper you deserve for your dutivity some considering ... I have subscribed I hope to hear from you soon thanks for sharing...

[@raulfloresa]

House Copper & Cookware siento la traduccion no se ingles ,esta se hizo con el traductor Google . Gracias

[@housecopper]

@@raulfloresa Thank you for watching. Gracias. I looked at your page; I do not make many watering cans and have been able to learn my techniques from a master tinsmith here in the USA who makes quite complicated pieces; I'm always happy to hear what people think is different or what you do in Chile that is different from American tinsmiths. If there is something lacking in these videos you'd like to see done or something you see that you'd do differently, please enlighten all of us as we are all here to learn and share knowledge. :) I'm sure if you were to speak to the master here you'd find you have much in common. Cheers!

[@aleckmutiba3666]

Raul, I have looked at your wonderful Facebook page. Can you please make a video on how to make one of those watering cans. It will be helpful