Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The small 'Trannel' is possibly also to be used as a bench-mounted trammel
with a sharp point, set to the desired radius, to help make the cutting marks
for curved work on plan (Fig. 82). Trammels would, where necessary, be fitted
with a metal-edged reverse-moulded, or negative, templet to serve as a running
mould. This facilitates scribing mouldings and checking end 'drafts' as they
are gradually worked, as well as for rotating along the length of the axed brick
profile to abrade the final few millimetres from the surface and test the accur-
acy of the finish. A variation of a plasterer's 'horse-mould', it was vital for the
degree of accuracy gauged work with 1mm (
1
⁄
32
inch) joints demands.
Figure 82
The trammel with
reverse profile being
used to set-out and
finish a cut-moulded
brick for a necking
course to a niche in the
author's workshop.
This technique has been used by the author and tested by invited craftsmen
and it is one that works well. Furthermore, not only was it seen and viewed as
a logical practice by stonemasons Peter Hill and Piers Conway, but also mas-
ter plasterers Jeff Orton and Arthur Watkins (former Head of Plastering at
Luton College). Both have huge experience of
in situ
and bench-run plaster
mouldings, and agreed that historically crafts communicated and shared their
techniques in a manner unheard of today. The technique also accords with
Moxon's remarks in the first part of point 8 below.
8. Some use a Float Stone, with which they rub the moulding of the Brick, after
they have cut it with the Ax, pretty near to the Pattern defcribed on the Brick, by
the Trannel from the Wainscot, or Paftboard Mould, that fo they may make the
Brick exactly to anfwer to the Pattern or Mould. Others ufe no Stone at all, but
cut the Brick exactly to the Pattern with their Brick-Ax, leaving the Ax ftroaks to
be feen on the Brick, which, if they be ftreight and parallel one to another, look
