How Too's-Sometimes to simple for words.

Hi!

       You know if you've following that in Tools and Techniques, I have been going on about fixing Broken parts. Many would just rather replace them or change them out for Brass parts. the reason I go on and on is I don't want to see the art lost in the quest for speed of assembly. When I did things for Museums and Private Clients, I sometimes did Not have the leisure of carrying a full box of replacements in that box on the floor.

      So, claiming to be a proffessional, what does one do? One creates or repairs with what is there. How? Diligently and as Smoothly and Proffessionally as the Museum or Client expects. I had one Client that brought the Model to me. Whatta mess. She was a sailing ship and had been the victim of an earthquake fall. She fell and the shelf fell on top of the upside down ship! Can you say crunchy?

        I don't usually like to have a client watch. Why? I have resto and building secrets I would rather remain in my head and hands until used. Some are Not pretty to the observer, but won't even be noticed on the finished product. The client was totally blown away by the fact I took two locking Tweezers and was able to bring to shape the tangled mass of rigging, except the broken pieces which, surprisingly were few. I lifted the ship by these and sprayed starch on them.

      I then proceeded to build the masts and spars back up to that shape. He was shocked when I opened a bottle of Black India Ink and dipped all the mast and spar pieces in this stuff. When it dried and was coated with shellac it was the same shade of what was there before! This is part and parcel of what restoration means.You restore it to what was before.To do that you need to know about what would have been used and how to achieve the results you need.

      This Vessel had been Masted and Sparred with Twigs of Larch. I could tell by the powdering of the broken mast parts. I had some Larch I had picked up at a wood supply store(For Wood Artists) and threw them in the box knowing someday I might use them. Larch in that size, aged about eighty YEARS, is as dry as white oak and except for the outer layer of shellac has no structure after drying so long. In such a small amount.I cannot speak of larger pieces because, plain and simple I DO NOT Know!

          I think I have rambled enough. If You would like more, ask. I will answer!   T.B.            P.S.Now you know though, why I work in plastic mostly!