A time of Mischief Part I
Timestamp: Day 22 of Summer 515 AV
Location: Lucis and Lucis in Lhavit
Based on what she knew about tin and copper, the metalsmith Ornea at Lucis and Lucis also knew that these two useful metals could be mixed to the useful alloy bronze. After several previous research sessions in the technical library of Lucis she had structured her way or working and the way she documented the information she found in the heaps of paper and parchment slips she organized for Edward. By now she had established an effective routine.
She fetched the notes about bronze she was going to work with and put them on the desk. Then she opened the notebook where she was going to write all the important things down in a well ordered way, dipped the tip of a quill in ink, put it to the paper and started to write. She moved the pen as well as she was able, and did all she could to keep her handwriting readable. As a metalsmith she wasn't a scholar, but as metalcrafting often required accuracy and she was used to shaping things with her hands, she managed to write reasonably well.
When she was done, she looked through the notes and checked them, in order to see if she had forgotten anything.
Or so she assumed, until Edward Lucis burst in, full of energy as usual, and told her they were going to the port to visit a ship named The Mischief, which had arrived in Lhavit the previous day. Repairs were needed. The message Edward had recieved hadn't been specific, but obviously metalsmithing would be needed. He told Ornea to take one of the toolboxes Lucis and Lucis had at ready for their occasional metalsmithing work outside of the workshop. This was necessary sometimes, as there was constructions and equipment of metal that would be very impractical, or even impossible, to move to Lucis premises.
They put some more tools in their backpacks. "You can never be too well equipped in our profession" said Edward heartily. "A tool too much is better than the opposite. So! Let's go Ornea, I'm quite exited to see this ship people are speaking about ..."
...Timestamp: Day 22 of Summer 515 AV
Location: Lucis and Lucis in Lhavit
Based on what she knew about tin and copper, the metalsmith Ornea at Lucis and Lucis also knew that these two useful metals could be mixed to the useful alloy bronze. After several previous research sessions in the technical library of Lucis she had structured her way or working and the way she documented the information she found in the heaps of paper and parchment slips she organized for Edward. By now she had established an effective routine.
She fetched the notes about bronze she was going to work with and put them on the desk. Then she opened the notebook where she was going to write all the important things down in a well ordered way, dipped the tip of a quill in ink, put it to the paper and started to write. She moved the pen as well as she was able, and did all she could to keep her handwriting readable. As a metalsmith she wasn't a scholar, but as metalcrafting often required accuracy and she was used to shaping things with her hands, she managed to write reasonably well.
When she was done, she looked through the notes and checked them, in order to see if she had forgotten anything.
- Bronze is actually mostly copper. Nine parts of it use to be copper, and one part use to be tin. There can also be variations, but these are common proportions.
- One interesting thing is that copper is a soft metal, and tin is a soft metal, but the bronze is way harder and it's also easier to cast things of it.
- It's possible to create different kinds of bronze by adding more ingrediets to the alloy. This doesn't need to be metals. If you add antimony you will get a very hard bronze, and you can also make bronze harder by adding a poisonous substance name arsenic. The hard bronzes can be used for items with a cutting edge, like tools and knives.
- A much softer and more malleable kind of bronze will be the result if you mix lead into the alloy. This kind of alloy is best suited for artwork.
A lot of good things can be crafted of bronze. You can make bowls and plates and other utility items, but also musical instruments, jewelry, buckles, or decorative artwork. - Bronze has a slick surface and doesn't corrode, not even in saltwater. This means you can use bronze to make beautiful statues and other artwork to put outdoors. It's also a good material for metal details for ships, and for machinery.
- The melting temperature is a lot lower for bronze than it is for alloys of iron. For this reason it's enough to use charcoal to heat the foundry, a very practical thing to know if there's problems with fuel.
Or so she assumed, until Edward Lucis burst in, full of energy as usual, and told her they were going to the port to visit a ship named The Mischief, which had arrived in Lhavit the previous day. Repairs were needed. The message Edward had recieved hadn't been specific, but obviously metalsmithing would be needed. He told Ornea to take one of the toolboxes Lucis and Lucis had at ready for their occasional metalsmithing work outside of the workshop. This was necessary sometimes, as there was constructions and equipment of metal that would be very impractical, or even impossible, to move to Lucis premises.
They put some more tools in their backpacks. "You can never be too well equipped in our profession" said Edward heartily. "A tool too much is better than the opposite. So! Let's go Ornea, I'm quite exited to see this ship people are speaking about ..."
