Spun Brass Cap
The copper wire soldered inside the aperture provides a strong
base to attach a cap. This is an inexpensive, simple basic way
to prepare the lamp for use as a floor, table or hanging lamp.
Level aperture opening by using a coarse file to remove high
areas of solder. Cover the entire outside surface of the cap
(tin) with a thin coat of solder. Center the vase cap over the
top rim and temporarily hold with two small tacks of solder,
one on each side. Step back and check to see if it is level.
If level, fill in all gaps and build WELL ROUNDED seams around
the vase cap INSIDE and OUTSIDE. Keep in mind that the leading
around the bottom of the vase cap holds all the weight of the
lamp. These seams should be rounded up for extra strength on
the inside and outside.
Tin spun brass vase cap or cast brass heat cap |
 Build
well rounded seams around cap - inside and outside |
Cast Brass Heat Caps
Our one piece cast brass heat caps can give your lamp that
turn of the century Tiffany look at a reasonable cost. Deburred
and smoothed ready to use. Install same as spun brass canopy
vase caps.
HC3 3" Heat Cap |
HC4 4" Heat Cap |
HC5 5" Heat Cap |
Installing Vase Caps and Cast Brass Heat Caps on FullForms™
During FullForm™ lamp construction the cap can be installed
on the form. Wrap a 3/8" thread rod with tape until it fits
snugly in the hole in the form.
To ensure the cap will be level: If using a positioner;
place a tinned cap at the top of the form; secure with a lock
nut.
If not using positioner: place a 4" threaded rod through
the hole in the form; place vase cap at top of the form; put
a second vase cap, check ring or washer inside the form; secure
with locks nuts at both ends of the rod. If necessary, trim the
top of the form to fit the cap in place.
Grind and fit the glass pieces to fit the tinned cap. Check the
first piece to be sure it fits properly before cutting all of
the pieces. Glass pieces should butt up against the bottom edge
of the cap. The tinned cap can be tack soldered to the foil wrapped
glass parts and then removed from the form. Do not attache C16
and CF18 caps until the lamp has been removed from the form and
reattached. (For more information refer to page 16.)
Glass Band and Crown
The term glass band describes a narrow band of glass attached
on top around the aperture opening. The crown is placed on the
top of the band. Most antique lamps have metal bands. We have
illustrated the use of a glass band for added appearance and
the ease of construction: light shining up from below illuminates
the glass band with glowing transmitted light. A bright glass
color matching other glass colors in the lamp is generally used.
Crown assembly attached to lamp
Installing a Glass Band and
Crown
Some of the pattern packets have prepared patterns for a crown.
They can be placed on a glass band or metal band. Cut and foil
wrap the proper number of identical crown pieces. Arrange them
in a semicircle and place pieces of tape inside to temporarily
hold them together. Test for fit. Tack solder each at the top
and bottom. Remove the tape and fill in and build seams.
Glass parts taped together |
Pull ends together |
Assembled glass band |
Glass band and crown assembled and ready to install on lamp |
In the RC22 series the glass band is made of two layers of
glass rectangles, one half being the top half of the dome, the
other half the bottom of the crown. The curved crown is made
up on the form using the top three or four cartoon spaces attached
together, inverted and soldered on the top aperture opening.
Vase cap installed at top of glass band
The P20 series band and crown can be made two ways made
at the same time as the bottom or made separately and attached
after the bottom is completed.
Install the vase cap after the crown and band are completed.
The vase cap is soldered in place at the top of the band, just
below the crown.
Trim the vase cap with tin snips if necessary, so it will fit
inside the leaded joining, just above the band. Fill and solder
it in place securely inside and outside. Reinforce the top of
the crown the same as the bottom of the lamp.
After soldering is all completed, thoroughly scrub with a soft
brush; rinse well. If antiquing is desired, do it immediately
after the final scrub; rinse off the excess, pat dry with a soft
cloth.
Crown with Glass Band
Included in some packets is the pattern for an optional 1"
wide leaded glass band and crown. You can substitute our 1"
(2.5 cm) wide decorative Brass band instead of the glass
band. The vase cap is placed at the top of the glass band so
it will glow when lit; however, if you use the brass band, the
vase cap is placed in the aperture of the lamp shade near the
bottom of the brass band for added strength.
Glass Band with crown
Install vase cap at top of glass band |
Brass Band with crown
Install vase cap at base of glass band |
Brass Band and Crown Kit
Brass band kit is available in 4", 4.5" 5", and
6" sizes. Kit includes brass band, pattern, layout guide,
and instructions.
|