Well my latest project is almost done and as usual I got all excited and didn't take a Before Picture so the sellers picture will have to do.
It's not the best but it's better than nothing.
Attachment 227869
The casting on the top piece says:
Re Issued
OCT 15 72
The top comes off so that another base that was on the wood stove heating could be used, then the first one went back on the stove and the cycle began again. Also there were different sizes of Sad Irons so whoever was ironing could change sizes. And yes they are also called Flat Irons however Sad Iron is what I've always heard them called.
Here's the top pieces after I'd gotten them cleaned up. The wooden handle had 'some' wood showing but it was basically covered in grime so I used some solvents and got it back to bare wood. However the solvents removed any stain or oil that might have been there. Here you'll see where I was experimenting with darkening the wood.
Attachment 227870
Here's how it goes together/Less the Handle (You pull up on the wooden nob to release the top piece). I was really surprised to find a brass tensioner, I'd really thought that it would be steel.
Attachment 227871
Well I liked the result of my experiment on the handle so I did the entire thing with a light coat of 'peanut oil' then rubbed it in let it air dry and rubbed it with a clean cloth. I've handled old wooden handles and this looks and feel like well worn wood from days gone by.
Attachment 227872
I'm not going to tackle the base here at the Boars Nest, that's going to a friends automotive machine shop for a ride in their heated acid bath dishwasher. Honest! That's basically what the thing is!
I'll post the finished results when I get it done.
This will be on display at the museum back home. Now if I can get with my buddy Ski and finish up the razor and strop display for them that I've been wanting to finish up for a couple + years. Yes Tom it will be your strop! I'm sorry it's taking so long. :banghead:
Well the machine shop said that their solution wouldn't remove the rust so they allowed me use of their blast chamber N/C so here's the finished Sad Iron ready for delivery and display.
Attachment 227875
And Assembled;
Attachment 227876