WoodcraftBiz
Restored Antique Magic Lantern Projectors and Restoration Services
I have restored and sold many antique magic lantern projectors, clocks, old barometers, inlaid jewelry boxes and other antique wood items/furniture over the years. I worked for several years for one of the UK's leading barometer restorers. I have also worked in the jewellery trade for many years and learned skills that compliment my work with antiques and crafts. I also have a passion for woodcarving.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
Bespoke Woodworking Services
I will happily undertake restoration work and I can make bespoke projects to order: the thermometer on the left is one that a customer commissioned me to make - he saw the thermometer on an antiques site on the Internet but missed out on it and so he asked me to build a close reproduction one. The column ends are guilded. It's 36" tall.
Reproduction Magic
Lantern Projector Parts
Reproduction Antique Magic Lantern Projector Chimneys Made To Order, All Sizes
This is a reproduction chimney for an antique magic lantern projector. Many lanterns I come across have lost their chimneys at some point so I thought I would offer a bespoke replacement service - rather than making do finding a second-hand one that's close in size, you can have one made to order in the size that you require. It's made using 0.5mm thick mild steel and has been constructed using the same methods that the original ones used. The chimney has a rolled lip to rest on top of the lantern tinplate body (the same as the originals did). It's joined at the seam using cold rivets. I use heat-proof matt black for the finish, in case you might be using a limelight burner for illumination. The size I require to make one is the dimensions of the rectangular aperture where the original chimney would have fitted. I need five working days to make this.
To order one of these, please visit the 'Items For Sale' menu.
Reproduction Barometer Parts
The below barometer scroll and architectural pediments are reproduction ones that I make to order. I make scroll or swan neck tops and complete pediments for 8" and 10" dial barometers and broken architectural pediments for Sheraton barometers to your required size. I also make replacement butlers mirror frames in all sizes - these are lathe turned in reclaimed oak, so they won't twist or distort when applying the wood-stain. I also offer these 'ebonised', ready to fit straight into your barometer. Please visit the 'Items For Sale' menu for links to buy these.
Woodcarving - Carved Barometer
The barometer in the two photographs is one that I constructed from scratch; it's hand-carved from lime wood, faithfully reproducing flowers, berries, twisting foliage, architectural columns and scrolls. It consists of a portable mercury cistern tube calibrated from 28 inches to 31 inches with hand-engraved silvered-brass register plates signed “M. Jones, Birmingham”. These have a cog-driven adjustable vernier that moves throughout the range. The thermometer is calibrated in Fahrenheit and is encased in glass with the barometer register plates. The carving is backed by a mirror to elaborate its depth. In the black-and-white photograph, the mirror has been removed for photographic purposes and was replaced with white paper. The main carcase is pine and mahogany, veneered in burr-walnut, and is edge-lined in ebony; the carving has been colour-matched to the walnut. The overall length is 41 inches. It is finished in shellac French-polish and has an antique appearance. A bigger image of this can be found under the 'Woodcarving' menu.
