Foster-Lambert
Looking for Foster-Lambert in the Internet I found a single article written by Yvon Masse. It is easier for me to read in English than in French. Does anybody there know if the article has been translated? Perhaps there are other articles in English. Thank you - fernando -- Fernando Cabral Padrao iX Sistemas Abertos mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.pix.com.br mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Fone: +55 61 321-2433 Fax: +55 61 225-3082 15º 45' 04.9 S 47º 49' 58.6 W 19º 37' 57.0 S 45º 17' 13.6 W
Re: Stone Carving
I'm glad to hear that slate is so long-lasting. I carved a dial in slate because that was the only thing I could find without an enormous effort that was carvable. I bought a piece of polished slate about 32 square and laid out the lines on it using a paper printout from a computer and scribed them into the slate by making repetitive strokes to deepen the lines using a straightedge and piece of hard steel. I continued the scribing job to deepen the lines and make roman numerals with straightedges and a piece of hard steel. Actually I used a tool sold for scribing and cutting formca for this purpose. The slate dial turned out well. I made the gnomon out of a piece of sheet brass using a hacksaw, drills and files, but had to get somebody to braze a little foot at right angles so I could screw it into the slate. At 10:33 PM 11/24/98 +0100, Jean-Paul Cornec wrote: About a comparison between different sorts of stones for sundial carving, sundials of Brittany in the west part of France are pretty instructive. The region is rich with granite and slate, and hundreds of dials are currently known. The oldest sundials, dating back to the middle of 16th century, are mostly carved on granite and very few on slate. But from the very end of 16th century on, carvers and dialists have totally given up granite for slate.
Re: Carving Stone
Dear Bob: John Carmichael recently subscribed to this group using this address. Unfortunately, the day after he left on a week long trip. He is a sundial maker who works in Coconino Flagstone. (That's in Arizona) The colors vary from a pinkish to an amber to almost a white. He has found that the stone wears well, and the light shades are perfect for shadow casting. He carves the stone by hand using diamond burs (bits) - obtained from almost any lapidary or jewelry makers shop. The key is to make the cut deep enough, and the stone at least a couple of inches thick. When he returns I'll share these e-mails with him, but already I know he is looking forward to sharing questions and ideas. Good Luck - Phil Pappas for John Carmichael
Re: Stone Carving
I am interested in the question of the background colour of a vertical sundial. On the University administration building here, Heslington Hall, we have a very fine clock - sundial pair of 1855, by Thomas Cooke of York, possibly more famous for his telescopes. For some reason clocks (unless they are lit internally) usually have a blue face and the specification for the sundial here demanded a matching blue face for the sundial. Cooke did actually remark that blue was not a very good colour for the sundial shadow to fall against; nevertheless blue it is. I would also be interested to hear of other clock - sundial pairs, especially of this sort of period when sundials enjoyed a brief revival in importance reflecting the increased pressure to set clocks accurately brought about by the railways. Richard Crossley. Dept. of Physics, University of York, York YO10 5DD, England. E
