Small hand made nails

[tombear]

OK heres another poser for you.

I've got my local library to get a copy of John Caspalls excellent "Makling fire and light in the home pre 1820" for their reference section. OK I can't take it out but there is a photocopier handy and I am looking for a copy to buy.

Oddly the match holder thats listed as elm in the Bryant and May spread sheet is down as oak in this book but I digress.

There are good photos of early wooden tinder boxes which I fancy reproducing, with the important dimensions so I'm going to acquire the requisite materials.

One thing I'm a bit stumped by is where to get small (up to a inch I'd guess) hand made nails. Short of making them myself does any one know of a source? I'd only need a few dozen in all .

PS thanks to the chap who told me about the book, it's the dogs!

Cheers


Tom

 

[FGYT]

think Dave Budd can make nails

ATB

Duncan

 

[tombear]

Cheers!

But its just occured to me that I now need to research nails as no doubt they varied from period to period and from area to area.

OK anyone know a good ref' book on nails and nail making, my stuff stops with the Romans?

ATB

Tom

 

[RobertRogers]

You might be able to find these in architectural salvage businesses.

We have one here in NH USA called "AdMac" where you can find just about anything from old windows, bricks, and nails of every description that they take from buildings slated for demolition.

 

[tombear]

An excellent idea!

Herself has just ordered me the book of John Caspalls, the 1999 printing, WHSmiths have them for £26.60 with free P&P.

http://www.whsmith.co.uk/CatalogAndSearch/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=9781851490219

No connection, will be very happy when it arrives as it's £35 elsewhere & the first edition was £65 on Amazon.

ATB
Tom

 

[jdlenton]

cant help on the nails other than making them but that book does look good

 

[tombear]

It is very good indeed. I thought I was going to have no joy finding a copy, and if I did wouldn't be able to afford one.

Theres sections on lanterns, various types of candle stick, European fire pistons (not a large section) a section on American developments and what have you.

Once my copy has arrived the photocopies of the sections on tinderboxes and rush dips will be no use to me if someone wants them?

ATB

Tom

 

[tombear]

Oh you'll like this one that herself has just ordered for me (from a cheeper but less well illustrated site) as the last bit of my birthday prezzie,

http://antiqueeshop.com/THE-RUSHLIG...GIONAL-VIEW-SIGNED-BY-THE-AUTHOR-P641650.aspx

It looks the business!

ATB

Tom

 

[launditch1]

I believe it was me who told you about the book...Good isnt it?!Did you get my pm about the Elm?
Oh, how about this book?http://www.shirebooks.co.uk/store/Nailmaking_9780852636060

 

[Bravo4]

Hi tombear, you may have seen these sites already,
http://www.handforged.co.uk/other-products/nails-and-studs

http://www.fagansforge.com/store/cart.php?target=category&category_id=7

All are longer than one inch, might be worth a look though.

 

[tombear]

I believe it was me who told you about the book...Good isnt it?!Did you get my pm about the Elm?
Oh, how about this book?http://www.shirebooks.co.uk/store/Nailmaking_9780852636060

Yup, you're de man! An excellent book, can't wait until my copy arrives.

I got your PM on about the 4th, I think I must have bodged the reply I thougth I'd sent and I've since cleared out my sent mail so will reply anew.

I love Shire books so will pick up that one the next time I see it.

Cheers

Tom

 

[tombear]

Hi tombear, you may have seen these sites already,
http://www.handforged.co.uk/other-products/nails-and-studs

http://www.fagansforge.com/store/cart.php?target=category&category_id=7

All are longer than one inch, might be worth a look though.

Cheers, now have to find out what the right sort should be.

ATB

Tom

 

[Matt.S]

If they're going into the edge of boards to make boxes, I'd say that they'd be something like panel pins -- that is to say, skinny.

 

[nuggets]

strips of hard wire ??? cut to length a nipped to a point ?? just a thought !!!

 

[Bravo4]

Screws are nice but I can appreciate a good old fashioned nail.
Dead as a doornail,
http://www.appaltree.net/aba/nails.htm

hand made, cut, and wire nail history,
http://www.glasgowsteelnail.com/nailmaking.htm

no affiliation with Glasgow Steel Nail Co Ltd, etc.

 

[jimfbte]

Tremont Nail Company still makes old fashioned cut nails in many sizes

http://www.tremontnail.com/catalog.htm

Lehman's hardware store carries many non-electric items (located in Amish country).


http://www.lehmans.com/store/Tools_Farm___FREE_Complete_Cut_Nails_Price_List___L65?Args=

Here's an Amazon link

http://www.amazon.com/Cut-Nail-Fine-Finish/dp/B000FHBJGM

Of course there's the problem of these being in the states.

Good luck

Jim

 

[tombear]

Thanks for all the links fiolks, plenty of food for thought.

When the book arrives I will have to see if any details come out under a glass as I'd hate to get it wrong.

I suppose the wife would object if I took some pliers to some of her inherited furniture and replaced the nails with some modern ones... ;-{D)

ATB

Tom

The Tremont folks are highly likely to be getting an order from one of my mates State side when I can decide which ones would be most correct, they do a great range of shapes/styles.

 

[tombear]

Oh woe is me! (;-{D)
WHSmiths have just e-mailed us that they can't get Caspalls book now despite avertising it as available. They cancelled the payment quick enough but I'm still gutted.

At least I still have access to the library copy and herself has her grim, I will not be defeated face on so she maybe will be able to get another. I'd be happy with a second hand one.

ATB

Tom

 

[jimfbte]

No guarantees, buth here's two best-known book handlers in the states.

http://www.powells.com/s?header=Search+Form&kw=john+caspalls

http://www.tatteredcover.com/search/apachesolr_search/john+caspalls

Fire and Light for $49USD

Jim

 

[helixpteron]

Oh woe is me! (;-{D)
WHSmiths have just e-mailed us that they can't get Caspalls book now despite avertising it as available. They cancelled the payment quick enough but I'm still gutted.

At least I still have access to the library copy and herself has her grim, I will not be defeated face on so she maybe will be able to get another. I'd be happy with a second hand one.

ATB

Tom

Perhaps try some other booksellers from this list.