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Armature

Learn how to create the framework/armature for the wooden chandelier.

From "Freeform Furniture"
episode DFFF-212

Host Amy Devers makes the framework/armature for the wooden chandelier. She puts the wire on the soldering block and uses thumbtacks to secure it into place, and then she paints the area with flux before lighting the torch and fusing the pieces together. Amy works to harden the metal using a ball peen hammer. She cleans up the discoloration from the soldering with a file and some synthetic steel wool, and lastly, she bends the ends of the frame into hooks.

Room: Before

Room: After

Host Amy Devers creates this unique two-tier chandelier with thin strips of wood and ribbon.

Amy creates the framework/armature for the two-tier chandelier.

Materials:

1/8" thick sheet of cedar veneer
push stick
plywood jig with toggle clamp
right angle cauls
standard wood clamps
oil-based polyurethane finish
respirator
vinyl gloves
cup
lint-free cotton rag
30-yard spool of synthetic ribbon
scissors
lighter
white glue
craft paint brush
10-gauge nickel wire
flux
soldering block
thumbtacks
synthetic steel wool
binder clips
chandelier fixture
light bulb

Tools:

table saw
miter gauge
ruler
clamp
drill press
random orbital sander
wire cutter
cordless power drill
soldering torch
solder
ball peen hammer
metal file

Figure A

Figure C

Figure D

Armature

For the framework or the armature, use 10-gauge nickel wire. Cut off 18" lengths for the armature. To get the curl out of the wire, use wire cutters, trim the nickel filament to a more manageable length, then clamp one side down to the table.
Insert the free end into the cordless power drill in the same place where you would normally put the drill bit, tighten the chuck, stretch out the wire, and turn on the drill (figure A).
Take the straight wire, and cut it to size.
Before you begin to solder, mark some guidelines so you will know how the pieces should be together for the armature.
Put the wire in position on the soldering block and use thumbtacks to pin secure them into place (figure B).
Paint the area with flux before you light the torch.
Note: Flux is a substance that helps the fusion process in soldering or welding. Flux is made from glass and it is used to protect the area from any impurities in the dirty flame that could weaken the joint and it is also used to help the solder flow.
Once the flux is on, start to fuse the pieces for the armature together (figure C).
It is always a good idea to bounce the flame off of soldering blocks like this one to protect the work area from the flame.
After it is cool, work harden the metal using a ball peen hammer and firmly tap the solder joints (figure D).
There will be a little discoloration from the soldering so just clean it up with a file and some synthetic steel wool.
Bend the ends of the frame into hooks and bend these smaller pieces into the hooks that will hold the two tiers together.