Decorative & Sculptural Ironwork: Tools, Techniques & Inspiration (Schiffer Book for Collectors) [Paperback]

Dona Z. Meilach (Author)

Book Description

Series: Schiffer Book for Collectors | Publication Date: January 1999

With the help of this unique book, all the fascinating properties of iron and other metals can be creatively explored. 52 color plates and 717 b/w photos and drawings present the ideas and examples visually. After a short history of ironwork, the author discusses the ironworking shop, forge and tools, including anvils, vises, hammers, tongs, punches, centrifugal blowers and machine tools. She presents information on building, lighting, and maintaining a fire. Forging procedures are explicitly shown: drawing out, flattening, bending, upsetting, twisting, splitting, punching and drifting, hot cutting on a hardy, and joining and finishing techniques.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dona Z. Meilach has written over three dozen books on art-related topics including metal and stone sculpture, fibers and fabrics, collage, printmaking, design, and computer graphics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Publishing; 2 edition (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764307908
• ISBN-13: 978-0764307904
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #691,698 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book, an instant classic!, May 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Decorative & Sculptural Ironwork: Tools, Techniques & Inspiration (Schiffer Book for Collectors) (Paperback)

The first edition of this book was an instant classic. This, the second edition is a long awaited update and still a classic. A "must have" book for artists, sculptors and metalworkers. It is among a very short list of books I recommend to new artist metalworkers.

The word "inspiration" in the sub-title is an understatement. The contents of this lavishly illustrated book include works by the finest metalworkers past and present. Techniques of metalworking rarely seen are discussed and illustrated step by step. The updated version includes over 50 new color photos, updated suppliers list and Internet information sources.

The book starts with basic tools and techniques. Then discusses the basics of metallurgy and moves on to step by step demonstrations by some of the worlds most renowned metalworkers such as Albert Paley, Daryl Meier and Christopher Ray among others. Each section is illustrated with examples produced using the techniques discussed. There is also a "Gallery of Details" taken from the work of the late Samuel Yellin.

A truely great book that should have never gone out of print.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent example of high-end decorative iron and plenty of how-to's, November 5, 2006

By 

Steven C. Schoeneman (APO, AE United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Decorative & Sculptural Ironwork: Tools, Techniques & Inspiration (Schiffer Book for Collectors) (Paperback)

I saw a recommendation for this book [..] and it sounded like just what I was looking for. My background in decorative iron has been limited to a cut-off saw, wire-feed welder, torch and grinder using cast decorations like finials and rosettes. This book was well worth the money and I not only learned a lot about methods that were shrouded in mystery to me, but also I got lots of great ideas about potential products I could make.

This book starts with an introduction to metal working and the retro movement for blacksmithing. It talks about all the common equipment you'd find in a blacksmith shop and what each piece does. Then it goes into different steels and the useful temperature ranges to work metals. It proceeds with how to make common bends and twists, animal heads and all sorts of other techniques. There is even a section on Damascus metal and how to make it.

The pictures in the book are fantastic and really help drive home some of the howt-to's sections as well as illustrate some very ornate artwork. There are many photographs both in color and black & white.

The only complaint I can think of is that even though it's a revision, some parts seem a bit dated. I would have liked to seen a comparison to help me choose between a gas and coal furnace for instance. But I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in decorative iron from the admirer to experienced builder.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Artist-Blacksmiths' Share Techniques for Sculptural Work, January 28, 2008

By 

Cynthia Roth (Murphysboro, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Decorative & Sculptural Ironwork: Tools, Techniques & Inspiration (Schiffer Book for Collectors) (Paperback)

You will find in this edition work from the 1990's and older work by lots of international artists and American artists Alice James, Jim Wallace, Tom Joyce, John Medwedeff, Stephen Bondi, Jeffrey Funk, Albert Paley, Toby Hickman, and many, many others. The author, Dona Meilach, recently passed away. I hope any new edition of this book includes all of the technical chapters,updates in all categories of making, more work by up-and-coming artists, a sturdier binding (a bit fragile for a reference book) and an expanded color section.Ironwork Today: Inside & Out St. Claire's Organic Sweets, Organic Ginger Snaps (1.5 oz)