Shop Notes

The Large Vase is the tallest form I spin. With an overall height of 8", most firms would use a CNC (automated machine) to create this difficult to spin piece. I like doing it the old fashioned way, by hand. I'm using a heavy gauge disc so it takes a lot of force to move the metal. In the end, the critical element is keeping the wall thickness uniform from bottom to top. When I'm done forming, I incise 3 decorative lines, one at the base, and two on the upper, flared lip. Enjoy!

The Apple Bowl is one of my Dad's earliest designs, and is a perennial best seller. Hand metal spinning takes a certain amount of finesse and a certain amount of force. This piece requires a great deal of both because the 10" disc is .070" thick!

I'm working out in the barn shop on my big Pryibil Lathe with overhead countershaft because the steel chuck (the form around which the pewter is shaped) weighs 25 lbs! You can see the 3" leather belt moving, and towards the end, I loosen...

The original silver cups, with later commemorative inscriptions, were part of General George Washington’s camp equipment during the Revolutionary War. The original set of 12 cups, used to serve wine to aides and guests at the General’s table, were made in the shop of Philadelphia silversmith Edmund Milne in August 1777. The Museum of the American Revolution owns 10 of the original set. My faithful adaptation of the Washington Camp Cup is hand spun, lead free pewter, and is table safe.

I'm hand spinning a 7" x .064" pewter disc around an 11 pc. steel sectional chuck.

The Centerpiece Vase is one of our oldest and most popular designs. Fresh flowers and dried flower arrangements both look great in this wide mouth vessel.