Box making at the Smiddy

Today I taught a workshop in making a copper box, here in Banff. As the course is only a day long we used copper pipe for the body, to save us the time of making a perfectly square cylinder (yes that does make sense!) but it was still a full on day full of learning new techniques, hints and tips to help with all future making.

It was the first time the group had used the stick feeding soldering technique and everyone did so well - once you get used to it, and hold your nerve against needing to get the metal hotter than you usually do for pallion soldering, you soon start using it for lots of longer joins; so much less prep needed and much less tidying afterwards.

Everyone had a lovely snug bezel ready to solder, tidied their lids and bottoms, sawed the lid off perfectly square and made a really lovely little box.

I even gave them a quick lesson in some stretching as being in the same position over your bench all day can put tension on your neck, back, shoulders arms and wrists so it is good to stop and stretch regularly throughout the day.

I overhead one person say “it is really satisfying when you finally file it so it stands up completely straight” yes it is!

And another said now they have learnt how to stick feed solder they will definitely be practising it and using it a lot more in future.

It was such a joy to teach in this lovely relaxing studio, full of great equipment so everyone has everything to hand at their bench. I cannot wait to teach here more…