The Planet Project
2002/2003
THE PLANET PROJECT Ed Schempp
Photos by Phil Roach
Inspired by cooperative efforts in ornamental forging, and responding
to a
challenge put forth by Sal Glesser to make sheet Damascus, Bob Kramer,
Matt
Diskin, and myself discussed and developed a project that would require
a
cooperative approach. Bob Kramer suggested a globe, and that idea took
hold.
Damascus Steel or pattern welded steel is made of two or more distinct
alloys, one of which usually has a high nickel content. The material is
fusion bonded at 2000 degrees F. and extruded and or manipulated at high
pressures to develop patterns. When this material is etched with ferric
chloride all the individual pieces can be identified in the resulting
pattern
Being that Bladesmiths and Damascus makers are kinetic by nature and
not
prone to sitting in chairs taking notes, we decided on a more involved
approach to learning. Rather than listening to sequential hours of
instruction we broke the instructors into 5 groups and the participants
had
hands on involvement in the tasks chosen by any group.
Each of the five groups picked a continent or two and proceeded to build
the sheet Damascus and shape and form the continents. Matt Diskin and
his
group focused on the super structure, the two hemispheres, and the hoop,
which holds them together at the poles, a C-shaped frame with three legs
to
hold the hoop, all pieces of pattern welded or Damascus Steel.
This project represents not only the work of 40 some folks but also has
pattern welded steel donated by Damascus Steel makers all over the country.
This CD is of the first stage of this project. Stage Two will be the
assembly of all the parts. Stage Three will be when the globe goes to
the
glassblowers to have a large glass ball blown to fit inside the two
hemispheres of the Planet. Phil Roach of Yakima takes all pictures. The
current plan is to seek underwriting to finance a promotional tour for
educational reasons. We hope that this effort generates a sale to a public
place for all to see.
Proceeds will benefit Partners for the progression of pattern welded
steel,
and will fund like learning projects in the future.
ES
Not enough credit can be given to Ed Schempp for the effort he has put into organizing these events. Not only has he done all the phone calling and e-mailing but he has offered up his fantastic shop to construct the project. You need to understand that most of us have a shop suitable for one or two guys to work in comfortably but this is not the case at Ed's. We had fifty or so participants, three forges going, a killer rolling mill that ED built and a stout 80 ton hydraulic press again designed and built by Ed. I can honestly say this would have not have happened without Ed.
BK
.