Subject And Uses

The footman or tripod illustrated in Fig. 6 is a most useful article for standing on the hearth, as kettles, plates, etc., can thus be kept warm. The top lends itself to a great variety of geometrical designs, and could be cast or pierced.

The Joints

These are riveted joints of three kinds, namely, tenoned and riveted, flush or secret riveting, simple riveting.

The Processes

Make a drawing full size of the stand, from this make separate drawings on strong paper of the side view of leg as shown in Fig. 6, also plan of the top ring A, plan of the supporting ring B, and a tracing of the top. If a number of the same pattern are being made, a quarter templet of thin sheet metal would be advisable. The next step would be to make the legs; only the foot would require to be forged, the bending could be done cold, and the tenon at A cut down between two cutters in the lathe, or cut down with a hack saw and filed. The top ring should now be bent into shape while hot over the beak of the anvil or on a sugar-loaf mandril, then fitted and riveted together as illustrated, then the legs fitted to the top ring but not fixed. The ring B should be bent up cold round a former, fitted and riveted together as shown. The next step would be to drill the holes in the legs and in the ring B. Now rivet the legs to the ring at A, then rivet them to the ring B. The tracing of the top should now be transferred by means of carbon transfer paper to the sheet brass, or the tracing might be gummed on direct. Small holes should be drilled now where necessary for the insertion of the saw blade, and then, holding the fret saw as illustrated in Fig. 7, cut out the design. The ornament should be trimmed up with small files, mark and drill the holes for riveting to ring A and anneal the rivets. The ironwork of the stand should now be cleaned up or painted, and the top plate polished; the top plate can now be riveted to the stand and given a final polish. It should not be lacquered.

Fig. 6.-A footman or tripod with alternate suggestions for the top.

Decoration

This is mainly in the top plate, but a great variation could be made by putting a pierced band where ring B is, or the legs could be shaped, twisted, or even turned, but it all adds to the amount of work. The brass top plate could be without piercing if preferred, and a design could be engraved very strongly or even other metals might be inlaid.

Special Feature

This is the top, as it gives such a fine opportunity for the introduction of an original geometrical design.