The Repair of Wrought and Cast Iron Work - Dublin City Council
The Repair of Wrought and Cast Iron Work - Dublin City Council
The Repair of Wrought and Cast Iron Work - Dublin City Council
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IRON THE REPAIR OF WROUGHT AND CAST IRONWORK<br />
5. Planning <strong>Repair</strong>s<br />
<strong>The</strong> aim <strong>of</strong> any repair project should always be to carry<br />
out the minimum level <strong>of</strong> intervention <strong>and</strong> to retain as<br />
much <strong>of</strong> the original material as possible. This section<br />
sets out the steps involved in the repair <strong>and</strong><br />
conservation <strong>of</strong> architectural ironwork. <strong>The</strong>se steps can<br />
generally be applied to both small <strong>and</strong> large-scale<br />
projects:<br />
> Finding the right contractor<br />
> Assessing <strong>and</strong> recording the condition <strong>of</strong> ironwork<br />
> Analysing existing coatings <strong>and</strong> paint layers<br />
> Research<br />
> Deciding whether repairs will be carried out in-situ<br />
or <strong>of</strong>f-site<br />
> Devising a repair methodology<br />
<strong>The</strong> explanation <strong>of</strong> these steps is followed by more<br />
practical <strong>and</strong> specific information concerning cleaning<br />
<strong>and</strong> repair techniques <strong>and</strong> their application to specific<br />
problems. By following these steps, it should be<br />
possible for a building owner or specifier <strong>and</strong> the<br />
contractor to agree on a repair system that is<br />
sympathetic to the original ironwork.<br />
Finding the right contractor<br />
<strong>The</strong> craft skills to carry out competent repairs to historic<br />
ironwork still exist in Irel<strong>and</strong>, although the number <strong>of</strong><br />
skilled practitioners is diminishing year by year. <strong>The</strong>re are<br />
currently no apprenticeships or formal training in<br />
traditional blacksmithing or founding techniques<br />
available in Irel<strong>and</strong>. As experienced craftspeople with<br />
knowledge <strong>of</strong> traditional techniques retire, there are few<br />
entering the industry with the same underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong><br />
traditional techniques to take their place. It is therefore<br />
important to select a craftsperson carefully to ensure<br />
that they have the relevant experience for the project in<br />
h<strong>and</strong>.<br />
BLACKSMITHS<br />
Today, the term ‘fabricator’ is <strong>of</strong>ten confused with that<br />
<strong>of</strong> ‘blacksmith’. While both crafts deal with iron <strong>and</strong><br />
steel, the skills used differ considerably. Traditionally,<br />
blacksmiths served a long apprenticeship <strong>and</strong> were<br />
trained to work iron without the use <strong>of</strong> modern<br />
welding techniques. Fabricators are not trained in<br />
traditional blacksmithing techniques. <strong>The</strong>y generally<br />
work with steel <strong>and</strong> it is unlikely that they will be<br />
equipped with the relevant expertise to carry out<br />
repair work to traditional wrought ironwork.<br />
A blacksmith skilled in traditional techniques should<br />
always be used for the repair <strong>of</strong> traditional ironwork.<br />
Be sure to view an example <strong>of</strong> repair work that they<br />
have done in the past <strong>and</strong>, for larger jobs, always<br />
request test pieces before any work is undertaken to<br />
historic ironwork, particularly where scrollwork or<br />
other fine detailing is to be made or repaired.<br />
IRON FOUNDERS<br />
<strong>The</strong> methods <strong>and</strong> materials used to mould <strong>and</strong> cast<br />
ironwork greatly affect the level <strong>of</strong> detail that can be<br />
achieved. All castings begin with a pattern that is used<br />
to make the mould. A poorly-made pattern will result<br />
in a poor quality casting <strong>and</strong> so it is important to find<br />
a skilled pattern-maker who has experience in<br />
producing patterns for decorative cast ironwork. Sadly,<br />
this is a skill which is in decline.<br />
Modern casting techniques, which use chemicallysetting<br />
s<strong>and</strong>, are unsuited to delicate ornamental cast<br />
ironwork as they result in a poorer quality <strong>of</strong> detail.<br />
<strong>The</strong>refore it is important to insist on the use <strong>of</strong><br />
traditional green s<strong>and</strong> moulds. This method may be<br />
slightly more expensive because it is more timeconsuming,<br />
but produces a far better finish on<br />
decorative castings. Only one foundry remaining in<br />
Irel<strong>and</strong> makes castings in the traditional way, although<br />
a number <strong>of</strong> such foundries exist in the UK.<br />
It is advisable to check patterns before castings are<br />
made. <strong>Cast</strong>ings should also be checked before they are<br />
accepted to make sure that they have been cast <strong>and</strong><br />
finished properly.<br />
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