Books published by Skipjack Press

The tenet of this book is provide a tool for artists/blacksmiths and metalworkers. It tells how to work metal: heating it, cutting it, upsetting it, drawing it out, twisting it, forge welding it and shaping and assembling it. It tells about metallurgy and tool making, metal finishes and corrosion, sources of information and supplies, charts and guidelines for many tasks. It explains the process of design, how to use the computer in metal design, how to set up a business and how to manage it. Providing an inspiration for all blacksmiths are portfolios of the wrought iron work of Martin Rose and Samuel Yellin, two of America's premier metalworkers of the past. To further inspire and to show the new focus of blacksmithing in the metal arts, six contemporary metalworkers show a series of demonstration pieces of their iron work. This 256 page book is bound with an improved binding system (Otabind) that allows the pages to lay flat.

This book, in it sixth edition, has evolved over the years into a complete guide to the metalcasting of sculpture. Potratz (Ironwain) has taken his years of knowledge gained practicing and teaching his craft and is now sharing it all in this easy-to-use book. Contents include: Introduction to Metal Casting, Recommended Tools and Equipment, Safety, Pattern Making, Sprueing and Venting Wax, Intro to Molding, Melting and Pouring Metal, Chasing, and Patina of Metals. Includes a comprehensive bibliography; an appendix filled with useful conversions, charts, recipes, and cupola/cupolette furnace building specs; detailed index; and much, much, more.