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Revised: Sunday, September 4, 2011

RESTORATION AND REPAIRS OF COPPER WEATHERVANES & COPPER LAMPS

Return to Cntact Info Al Ferris, Coppersmith
CONTACT INFO

NEW MILFORD COPPER ARTISAN, Al Ferris, Jr.

WEATHERVANE REPAIRS & BALANCING
STRUCTURAL MOUNTINGS
COPPER LAMP REPAIRS

VENT/COPPER GRILL WORK
COPPER LANTERN REPAIRS
ANTIQUE VANE & LAMP RESTORATIONS

I am willing to attempt any repairs, and have rebuilt many vanes and lamps over the years. I have repaired vanes that fell off the barn, and twice rebuilt lamps that were run over by a bulldozer. If you pick up a vane at the flea market, I can make a stand and directionals for you. I learn valuable tricks when repairing the work of others. I have wondered how some lamps were strong enough to support themselves, only to discover hidden iron rods in the copper legs.

I have reinforced imported vanes that were never soldered properly, or designed with enough support to hold themselves up. Vanes must be balanced in two ways. They must have enough surface to turn in a slight breeze, and they have to stand erect to prevent long term friction. Not enough surface properly placed can cause a vane to 'Helicopter' or spin in the wind.

An unbalanced vane will wear itself out prematurely, and won't move in a slight breeze.

Antique Copper Lantern Restoration Antigue Lantern Frame Restored Antique Copper Lamp

Most repairs start out as an adventure, just like an original piece. Truth is, I often begin repairs wondering "How am I gonna do this?" because they just don't make clamps for this kind of work. Rewiring? Soldering? Polishing? New guilding?

Restorations are a great learning experience for me. I learn from the the methods of those that precede me. Sometimes that can include important - almost forgotten - traditional elements of construction. Other times it can include a variety of "things to avoid" when working on a piece.

It all reinforces my personal intent. Working on an 80 year old weathervane or lamp pushes me to improve my technique so my pieces never need work at that age.

If you have a broken vane or lantern
just send a picture by e-mail, and I'll
give you my thoughts and an estimate.

Most repairs only take an hour or two,
- unless your lamp was hit by a bulldozer!
I can rewire your sockets, replace your
glass, resolder loose joints, and
refabricate missing or damaged pieces.

I welcome your questions regarding copper repair and restoration work.

Feel invited to call 860.354.0783, visit the Copper Shop or simply contact me by email.

VINTAGE GOLDEN ROOSTER

This recent project involved a gold encrusted rooster which had split all along its back, broken off at its legs, and the arrowhead split.

I made a new frame out of tubing, peened the entire outer edge, and resoldered.

I think I was the fourth person to repair it, and my intent was a permanent repair.

Split Rooster Weathervane Gold Weathervane
Clamped Weathervane Mounting
Gold Weathervane sm

"Gold rooster may have been the oldest vane that I have ever handled. It had been repaired many times before I was asked to have a try. The legs had separated, and had begun to deteriorate. This was a handmade piece, made by someone with considerable talent. I was asked to merely join the pieces back together so it could be displayed indoors, but it was returned ready to fly outdoors. The two piece body had come completly apart, and I was able to hammer a new edge to fold over the entire body to join them without solder." - Al

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CUSTOM & HAND-CRAFTED COPPER | THE SECRET COPPER SHOP | NEW MILFORD CT USA | 860.354.0783 | COPPERWORKS BY AL FERRIS JR

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