tin candle holder

[JohnC]

I had bought one of these tin candle boxes after seeing one at a reeactment fair. I'm pleased with it, and fancied trying making one.

I used an old biscuit tin lid and a nail for the swivel pin and a large paper clip for the hinge wire. I drew out the plan and glued it on the lid for cutting.
The tin lid material was flimsier that the "real thing", but with edges folded over is pretty good.

I'm getting a bit better at soldering, so it's another thing to practice. Family will all get small tin boxes and cups for Christmas this year. Probably.

 

[Kerne]

Nice work!

I had bought one of these tin candle boxes after seeing one at a reeactment fair. I'm pleased with it, and fancied trying making one.

I get loads of ideas from these fairs - great source of inspiration.

 

[Shewie]

That's clever John, I've got a couple of old cigar cases from my grandad which would work really well for this.

Hmmm

 

[Toddy]

Neatly done John I like that.
How about a fold out polished sheet in the lid ? that would give a three sided reflector, widen the light pool........or am I just being a pain

cheers,
M

 

[JohnC]

Thats not a bad idea, it may well make an appearance in Mk 2

 

[jdlenton]

i doo like those i only widh i had the time amongst all the other stuff to m ake one

 

[Native Nathan]

great stuff wonder if a military det tin will work, Its slightly larger than a baccy tin so ill give it a go!!

 

[JFW]

John,

I love that, well done. I like Toddys suggestion of a third side and would also suggest that to make it more wind resistant you could add a clear plastic screen from a drinks bottle. It will be far enough away from the flame not to melt and would not add much to the weight. If you want to be all authentic you could use a piece of thin translucent hide instead of plastic.

Is the candle holder hinged to the side of the box? If so a small chain could be added to suspend the lamp from a ridge line.

Cheers

JFW

 

[JohnC]

Hello, the holder is hinged on a bit of nail, so a chain might work, I'll see how it works..

 

[AliMck]

May daughter taught me a trick with an old fizzy drinks can. Cut open a two door opening in the side and bend back the "doors". Place candle or night-light inside. The light reflects beautifully and the candle stays dry too.

I know it isn't as posh as the travelling case you have but quite a useful way of utilising cans before recycling them.

Alison

 

[tombear]

Now I wish i could do that!

If I could I'd make one of these that I saw in a museum in Lancaster

For scale the sulphur matches are about 2 , 2 and a half inches long if I remember right.

ATB

Tom

 

[Toddy]

These little tins and boxes were originally made by skilled artisans called Whitesmiths.
Not really seen nowadays or much discussed either and when it is, it is usually considered to be soft alloy workers.

I don't even have any links for them, but as a little girl I watched an old man who was a friend of my Grandfather (and he was older than my Grandfather who had been nearly eighty when I was born) use tiny little metal tools to curl metal edges on lids and rims to make the little tin tea and sugar holders that miners carried. He made a set for my father to take camping. He made it look so easy that it was many years before I realised that bending metal smoothly was hard work

Off to have a look for patterns and links

cheers,
Toddy

p.s. all I can find with any patterns are for tinsmiths. I know my Grandpa's friend said it was whitesmith work though.

 

[JohnC]

I think it will be easier using formers and odd pieces of metal to shape the tin round. This first go was with pliers and it shows when you look at it. Next go I plan to take my time.
I likethe look of that sulpher match box, Tombear..

 

[jdlenton]

Mary patterns and links would be very good indead. Ive done some tin work, large sheet metal fabrication where the skills are similar. add that to my training in sliver smithing and i recon i could make some quite nice pieces.

I would love to have a go at one of these.

 

[jdlenton]

I likethe look of that sulpher match box, Tombear..

me too

 

[Toddy]

If you go looking, it's amazing what you can find
I'm a bibliophile but sometimes the internet is really, really good

http://www.archive.org/stream/tinsmithshelperp00vosb#page/88/mode/2up

Interactive readers of old books

Look for
The new metal worker pattern book
The tinsmith's helper and pattern book

http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924032183729


cheers,
Toddy

 

[jdlenton]

toddy your a star :You_Rock_

 

[jojo]

You may find this site on basic tin smithing useful.

 

[Toddy]

See how that site shows hammering over an edge ? My Grandfather's old friend had a wee guide, like one of those military can openers and he just ran it along the edge and it rolled it as neat as sixpence. He kept the tools he used in a tobacco tin, they were all that small.
The nearest thing I have to that shape is the one I use to attach to the presser foot of my sewing machine to make a tiny rolled hem. It's the curve of the groove that's crucial.
I suppose it's like making wire though, if you know how and you know what you're doing, even though it needs skill and strength, it looks easy.

cheers,
Mary

 

[tombear]

Wonderful documents! Thanks for the links.

I have great admiration for tin/white smiths and would love to do some, to that end I am picking up the tools when I can for when i pluck up the moral courage to have a go!

I've some friends in america who are profesionals, supplying the reenactment market so when ever i see interesting bits I try to take some pics, like of this mousetrap in the Nelson Museum at Monmouth

Heres some stuff they made for me, excuse the props as I was having a arty moment. I've since replaced/added proper linen rope to the oil and water bottles (which like the large mug are based on those dug up at Fort Ligioner.

They are just finishing off a pocket tinder box for me to take the Steels Mike made.

ATB

Tom