"Tim Downie" wrote in message
...
pcb1962 wrote:
On 1 July, 20:45, "Tim Downie" wrote:
I've an idea to create a memorial post for a departed friend which
would consist of a domed metal cap on a 4"x4" post.

I had originally though of making the cap of lead but a quick google
suggest that lead "burning" is well beyond my skills & equipment
levels so I wondered if either I can work the lead "panel beater
style" to cover the top and extend down the sides for a few inches
or whether I should consider a different metal like an aluminium
alloy.

Copper would be fairly easy, as long as you have a suitable wooden
former. Wickes sell round balls for the top of newel posts that would
be ideal, £9 IIRC). You'd need to anneal the copper a few times so a
blowtorch would be handy. Any model engineering supplier can sell you
a suitable piece of copper.

That sounds like a good idea. Ta.

Tim

Long time since school metalwork, but I would think making a ball from sheet
would be v difficult. Think you would need to make two 'bowls' and solder
them together. Also, the vandal and tea-leaf, dimension would mean that the
post has to be away from anywhere it can be seen. Even then, leaving it
hollow is inviting it to be squashed, however careful you try to be.

Using the wooden post top as a pattern, you might be able to cast one from
solid lead if you have a safe spot.

Think we've covered post tops before. I made wooden caps for posts on a
fence I made. Screwed them on with stainless. The local kids just split the
wood off with a screwdriver. Didn't seem worth the bother of trying again.

S