Tech question

[JoanFrances]

I found a pattern for a ships anker in an old pattern book.  The pattern shows a great deal of detail for the rope.  I am planning on using twisted came for the rope.  Being that the temp of the soldering iron has be turned down for the lead, and I am foiling this piece, should I do it as an over lay rather than cutting it into the background glass as shown in the pattern.  I don't want to weaken the panel as I did on another one I used lead inserts in.

Doing the rope in glass is out of the question as the pieces are smaller than the end of my little finger nail.  I feel that the lead came will give the detail of the rope sections. 

Because the pattern is copywritted I don't want to post the picture, but have draw a sketch of that section free hand.

Ideas will be appreciated

[Tre V]

Joan, ..not based on any fact or prior experience, but could you use a thick guage copper wire, twist two together..or actually use a long piece,bend it in half, then use a screwgun set on slow to twist it, then tin it and use that? I'm thinking as inlay rather than overlay..
Not having actually ever done this, I have no idea if it would work or not..

[JoanFrances]

Joan, ..not based on any fact or prior experience, but could you use a thick guage copper wire, twist two together..or actually use a long piece,bend it in half, then use a screwgun set on slow to twist it, then tin it and use that? I'm thinking as inlay rather than overlay..
Not having actually ever done this, I have no idea if it would work or not..

Tre, the rope to get it to look right would be way to wide to use twisted wire.  But thanks Friend

[Tre V]

Rats      ..how wide? You could use small copper tubing..? I'm sure you know what I meant but I'll post it anyway, and of course, you'd have to be sure not to lose the rope detail when soldering to the glass next to it..

[JoanFrances]

Tre, I would estimate that it will end up to be abut 3/8" wide, or there abouts. 

[Kev]

Go to Home Depot...you can but heavy multi strand twisted bare copper wire by the foot.

[ct4mom]

Yes Joan Home Depot and the like have all sizes of wire. The thick wire we used for the electric has some nice thick wire and I kept the extras. Some Depot's have clearance areas for small pieces of wire too. I think twisting two of them together would get you a nice size rope.

[Kev]

You can buy it already twisted and looks just like a wire rope. You would have to tin it very sparingly to ensure the detail of the rope was not lost. The idea of the twisted lead or wire overlay I like, as then you can add some bends to it that would offer some dimensions relief from the face of the panel. Try twisting 5 or 6 lengths of wire together with a drill and see what comes of it.

[Graham]

I'd agree that copper wire would make a more believable rope, not to mention being stronger. A triple thickness or 10 gauge wire should be damned close to what you require.

[Audrey]

I, too, agree with the already twisted copper wire looking much more realistic and you can choose your thickness.

[Vic Rothman]

cut the glass in the center of the rope area, foil and solder the glass together. then tack solder the rope to the foil. there is no weakness in the panel. you can even use real rope. solder some copper rings to the panel an slip the rope trough

[JoanFrances]

wow, Vic, now that I like.  The organic appeal of the rope will make it unique.  The Rhode Island State flag has an anker in it, so I think this panel may be a great seller, along with the fact we are called the Ocean State.

 
    

[JoanFrances]

thanks everyone.  Twisted wire sounded good but I really had my heart set on doing something unexpected.  I really love the idea Vic had for using real rope, and using the wire rings for securing it. 

[Graham]

cut the glass in the center or the rope area, foil and solder the glass together. then tack solder the rope to the foil. there is no weakness in the panel. you can even use real rope. solder some copper rings to the panel an slip the rope trough

Right on and amen, Brother Victor!!

[Tre V]

    That's a great idea! 

[ct4mom]

I love that idea, Vic

[PiscesGlass]

Yes, I like Vic's idea also!  I'd go with that.

De

[Audrey]

It is a wonderful solution and definitely will be unexpected with the way the rope contrasts with the glass.

[Kev]

I like that idea as well.

[Alan]

WOW - a lot of very good of suggestions to achieve the same end result. What a great bunch of people we have here.