Belaying pins have been used for centuries on square rigged ships as a means of securing running rigging. To examine the historical development of the belaying pin, we must study the development of the square rigger. Belaying pins are also known as belaying bitt, chess tree, kevel, cleat, riding bitt and belaying cleat.

Belaying pins were likely used in some fashion prior to the 14th century. The word first entered the English language sometime during the sixteenth century.

The period of most intense development of the sailing ship got underway with the use of the perpendicular square sail in the Mediterranean in the mid-14th Century. Until the 15th Century, the square-rigged ships mainly carried one mast with one sail. There had been examples of an additional mast raised above the aft castle as early as the late-14th Century, but not until the 15th Century did these installations become common. It was during the 15th Century that masts and sails were expanded on sailing vessels not just in numbers but also in size. As the rigging developed with more mast and sails, the size of the sailing vessel also increased. As the rigging became more complex it would be safe to assume the fitting elements used to control the sails would also become more widespread.

Cleats started to replace kevels with the advent of steam power in the 19th Century.

As hulls became more expansive however, this development affected the use of rigging and thus their sailing characteristics of the vessel. The towering castles made the ship top-heavy and more prone to topple in strong winds. The large superstructures also caused wind drag as the ship sailed, and could reduce the wind hitting the courses, or lower sails, i.e. the mainsail and foresail. The belaying bitt was an excellent tool that allowed speed and ease with which a line could be deployed, made fast, or released. When the pin is pulled, the line falls to the deck in an untangled flaked-out pattern, ready to run freely.

A belaying pin is a solid wood or metal object used to secure lines of running rigging. They were made of hardwood, usually locust, and sometimes bronze, iron, or brass. Metal pins of the size needed would be massively heavy. Cast metal would not have been able to withstand the stress.

The size of the pin is directly related to the size of the ship as the diameter of a belaying pin was never less than the diameter of the rope which was to be belayed. As only one size of kevel was kept on board, its diameter was that of the thickest rope to be belayed. Pin shapes varied slightly but all had rounded ends (handles), most have shoulders on the upper portions and a slight taper to the shaft. The shaft is 2/3 of the length of the pin and ½ the thickness of the handle.

The shaft is inserted into a hole in various strategically located wooden pin rails (lining the inside of the bulwarks, surrounding the base of masts, or free-standing, called fife rails) up to the base of the handle. Short pin-rails, fastened to the standing rigging are called “pin-racks,” and around the mast on deck, rectangular or u-shaped racks, called “fife-rails,” are used to make fast and store halyards.

Advantages of a belaying pin are the coiling and storing of excess line. Hanging excess lines on these pins prevents moisture entrapment and the resulting dry rot. Another advantage is the speed and ease with which a line that is made fast, can be released. When the pin is pulled, (not really recommended though) the line falls to the deck in an untangled flaked-out pattern, ready to run freely. Belaying pins provide increased friction to control a line. Pirates used these fittings as extra weapons on hand to knock out their victims.

A line is led under and behind the base of the pin then around the top in a Figure-8 pattern until at least four turns are complete. The lines are not tied or knotted, the last ‘turn’ is wedged between the top of the pin rail and the first turn with a firm yank on the ‘tail’ end of the line. The free line is then coiled and secured to the top of the belaying pin by taking the last foot or so of line (actual length depending on size of the coil) between the pin and coil and making a half twist which wraps through the coil and around the top of the pin.

If the line is to be hauled, one or more crew members will pull on the line above the pin. The crewmember providing the ‘tail’ will haul the line through the ‘S’ wrap on the pin and maintain tension. The friction of the ‘S’ wrap prevents the line from pulling back. When the line to be hauled on descends vertically to the pin the first turn can be left in place, so that the line comes down, round the back of the bottom of the pin, and then out across the deck

Lines under tension can be let out in a controlled manner by leaving the first turn on the pin to provide friction. Lines under very heavy load such as topsail halyards are equipped with short stopper lines attached near their pins. These are wound round the hauling line and held, to prevent it moving.

Excess line is coiled and stored neatly by taking a bight from the upper part of the final strand, looping it over and round beneath the coil, then twisting it once or more before slipping the twisted end over the top of the belaying pin to secure the coil in place.

For the model ship builder, belaying pins can be turned out on the most basic of lathes from brass, bronze, or scrap hardwood… or better yet contact Cast Your Anchor at Cast Your Anchor or contact us at Cast Your Anchor 416-686-8529 for all your ship modeling needs.

Although the G scale model only started gaining popularity in the early 1960s, it certainly has a loyal following among hobbyists. G scale model trains, affectionately referred to as garden railroad trains, are widely used in gardens due to their large size. The usual scale size of the original G scale train is 1:22 and is among the largest scale sizes. This railroading model usually runs on large tracks with a standard gauge of 45 mm.

So why do enthusiasts choose the G scale over other model train scales?

First, one can find different versions of the G scale model train such as steam, diesel and electrical prototypes. Since train enthusiasts have different types of G scale models to select from, it becomes easy to find a model train that can match one’s personal taste. In fact, these scale trains are large enough that the owner can even personalize the interior of the train in order to distinguish it from other trains of the same scale.

Another reason to consider this type of train is due to the durability of materials used to build these trains. These model trains are made from strong metal material such as brass which means they are very strong and durable if properly maintained and handled. A train made of brass is also perfect for outdoor use since less maintenance is required. This train will maintain its natural smoothness and glow by simply using a steel wool to brush it and restore its finish.

Other individuals may prefer G scale trains because their large size bears strong resemblance to actual trains. In fact, for some, owning a train this size feels like owning a real, life-size train, especially for children. Speaking of children, this train is perfect for them because it is large enough to be carried outdoors and cannot be easily damaged compared to smaller, more delicate model trains. Moreover, this scale provides the children with a good source of excitement and outdoor entertainment.

In conclusion, a well-organized G scale train display creates a spectacular view for others to admire. The scale is simple to set-up since the tracks of the G scale are big enough and can easily be assembled with waterproof glue. Although there are various reasons why train enthusiasts choose the G scale train, the two most popular reasons influencing their choice are the durability and size of the train.

What attracted you to the saxophone? I’ve been asked that question many times. Well, the sound of course. Next to the human voice it’s the most expressive instrument and the one that closest resembles the human voice. Like our voices the sax, or should I say the saxophonist is capable of producing an extreme range of sounds from sad, haunting dark tones to uplifting screams of laughter.

It came from Belgium.

Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone in 1842 making it one of the newest instruments. I’ve heard some people call it a brass instrument but although it’s made from a certain type of brass mixture, it uses a single reed on the mouthpiece to make the sound which puts it in the woodwind family, like the clarinet. Other woodwinds are the oboe, bassoon, and bagpipes, these use double reeds. The recorder and flute are woodwinds as well but don’t use reeds.

Adolph Sax drew up plans for 14 different types of saxophones.

I don’t know how far he got building them all but I’ve heard of 10 and I’ve actually seen 8. They are; sopranissimo, sopranino, soprano, alto, C melody, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass, and subcontrabass. Some of these come in different shapes like the curved soprano and the straight tenor. The 4 most popular ones are soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone and these are the voices that make up a saxophone quartet

Hard to imagine now but the saxophone didn’t gain instant popularity… quite the opposite. Mr. Sax apparently worked hard to get his new invention to composers and band leaders but the instrumentation of the orchestra had been established for many years and nobody wanted to add a sax section, imagine that… I know a lot of sax fans that wished it would have happened differently, myself included! Sax became the first professor of saxophone at the Paris Conservatory in 1858. Method books were written and a few more composers were writing for the instrument and finally in 1885 the first one was made in the United States.

America’s first sax star; Rudy Wiedoeft.

There was a bit of a sax craze in America in the early 1900’s and a man who was partly responsible for it was the virtuoso Rudy Wiedoeft. Although not widely known today he was very popular in his time. He was an excellent saxophonist with classical training but recorded his own pop style, vaudeville, and novelty songs. Stylistically he was rooted in ragtime and classical, pre-jazz era. His saxes of choice were the alto and the C melody, which has been out of production since the early 1930’s.

Now into the 1930’s the classical saxophone had some well known players; Marcel Mule from France, Sigurd Rascher, German/American, and later the American Eugene Rousseau. These guys were performing, recording and having music composed for them. For most classical saxophonists the alto was by far the most popular choice.

The saxophone didn’t make it into the classical orchestra as a section but that didn’t stop people from writing and arranging for saxophone quartets… from Bach to Bartok to Ellington.

Speaking of Ellington, it’s time for…Part 2… “a new voice speaks” (read the next saxophone article by Johnny Ferreira)

The Greek Empire is one of the most powerful and learned civilizations to ever exist. They had a sophistication of infrastructure and technology that would not be achieved again after them for hundreds or maybe even thousands of years. One of the great scholars of this society that helped achieve this high status for the Greeks was Aristotle. Aristotle was a man that lived between 384 BC and 322 BC. Like his predecessor and teacher, Plato, Aristotle was a man who contributed to a lot of different fields. Compared to his teacher Plato and Plato’s teacher Secretes, Aristotle contributed to more fields than any of these three fathers of academia. Some of the fields he wrote about include politics, government, logic, music, physics and zoology. This wide variety of topics that he covered created the first comprehensive system of Western philosophy. Aristotle was a great man of logic and science, and like many men of logic and science he was very interested in the topic of riddles.

Aristotle’s interest in riddles was primarily created by his view of riddles with respect to rhetoric. He discusses them on two different occasions in two of his works: The Rhetoric and the Poetics. In the Rhetoric he discusses riddles as an effective and good way to create good metaphors. He goes on to say that this is because metaphors imply riddles. This means that riddles use unusual wording to describe something in a veiled way, and this veiled message is made possible through the use of a metaphor. Similarly, in Poetics, Aristotle states that riddles allow us to describe something that would otherwise be impossible to describe with straightforward language. Another way that Aristotle showed his great appreciation for riddles was his systematic collection of them. He spent a lot of time collecting riddles that he would find from various sources, his favorite being the Delphic Oracle and Aesop.

Aristotle spends a lot of time discussing riddles, in theory, throughout his works and how important they are in literature and discussion of complex topics, but it’s somewhat hard to find actual riddles in these works. One riddle that does come from one of his works, Poetics, goes as follow: “I saw a man glue brass on another with fire.” This riddle uses strange wording by using glue rather than weld or another alternative. This makes this riddle fall into the category of barbarisms. The metaphor in the riddle is what makes it a riddle rather than a statement.

Aristotle was a great and inventive man who contributed to essentially every broad field. He will always be remembered as one of the fathers of Western philosophy.

Model Steam Engine kits are on the list of toys and collectables. In these toys, water is heated up in the boiler for producing steam to move the engine. In the market, you can buy different types of model steam engine kits, such as model trains as well as the stationary ones. Let’s know more about these systems.

Stationary Engines

Some collectors are into stationary engines that comprise small engines. Mostly, they are used for educational purposes. Moreover, they are available in various materials like steel or wood. However, brass is the most commonly used for making the boiler. The reason is that brass is cost-effective and can work well in lower temperature and pressure of the little stationary engines.

For bigger models, steel is another popular choice. Some stationary engines have LED lights that show the production of the steam power. Other models are called low temperature models and offer added safety.

Pre-Milled Kits

When buying a stationary model steam engine kit, you should first find out if it is machined or pre-milled kit. In a pre-milled kit, the parts are already threaded, drilled, milled and turned. This means that the user can complete the kits with different tools, such as files, spanners and screwdrivers. These kits are popular and don’t require you to be at a workshop to complete the kit.

Locomotives

As far as the popularity goes, scale model locomotives are on top of the list. These models look quite similar to the original steam powered trains. Moreover, they are available in a lot of sizes, such as small models or large garden railways. Users can ride on these locomotives.

Scale

The sale of a locomotive defines the main features of a model steam engine kit. Therefore, it’s important to consider its scale since the available space will determine the right size for the track and the engine. Given below are some of the most commonly used options:

· scale:

It’s also known as O gauge, which is the smallest scale as far as locomotives powered by steam are concerned. They emphasize fine details. Therefore, collectors and hobbyists like them a lot.

However, O scale is not commonly available unlike other scales. Since this scale is not popular for operation and running of the engine, it’s not so popular.

· OO scale:

In the UK, OO scale is also very popular. These model steam engine kits are cost-effective and durable. Therefore, they are an ideal choice for those wanting to use their locomotives on a regular basis. Moreover, this scale doesn’t focus on realistic appearance and scales.

· G scale:

Lastly, G scale is another great choice as far as model train scales are concerned. Since these are big and durable, people use them outside, especially in garden railways. Since they are produced on a large scale, you can find tons of G scale engines on the market in the here and now.

In short, if you have been looking for a model steam engine kit, we suggest that you re-read this guide before making a final purchase decision.

Stairs are made up of several important components. These are the railings that include the posts and balusters as well as the handrails. Without them, a staircase would not be complete and functional.

Why the need for the stair railings and handrails? It is because they ensure the safety of people using the stairway. All types of people are protected when these fixtures are present. Toddlers learning to walk can make use of the railings as their guide. Teenagers ascending and descending the stairs two steps at a time will also be safer. Those with health conditions such as people suffering from back and knee problems as well those with disabilities and not to forget the old folks can depend on the stair railings for support.

Various types of materials can be used today in creating attractive railings for staircases. One material can be utilized on its own but a combination of two or more is also possible depending on one’s personal style. Examples are a mix of wood and wrought iron, brass and wrought iron or wood and brass. For an indoor staircase such as in your home, it’s best to use wood or wrought iron. The stone and pure metal type is ideal for outdoor use.

If you have small children and old people in the home, always prioritize safety over the aesthetic aspect of your staircase. What’s important is they have the right support while moving up and down the house.

Railings should be installed in the entire length of your stairs. Whether you have one running in one direction, two directions or a spiral type, continue the railing up to the landing portion. You can also extend the handrail a few inches more from the bottom step to provide more support for those descending the stairs. This can either be straight or curved depending on the style of your staircase. Just make sure that the end part is rounded to keep it safe. Another option is to install a post at the end of your handrail to keep it sturdy.

The topmost part of a stair railing should have a handrail. This should at least be 34 inches in height from the floor. It can go higher up to 38 inches. For small children, a lower height is advisable. Other than putting the handrail on the railing, you can freely install another one on the wall at the other side. Remember, however, that it should be at least one and a half inches away from the wall to give your hand enough room to hold on to the rail.

The balusters also known as guards are another vital component of a stair railing. These need to be properly spaced approximately three to four inches so that no small child can get through it. They can be installed right on the treads of the stairs while the uppermost part is attached to a handrail.

So remember these basic steps when you decide to remodel your stairway or create a new one for your home.

Railings are made from different materials, and each has it own characteristics. Among all materials, metals have grown to be the favorite materials, owning to its durability and strength and different metals have their own characteristics, which give them their status among manufacturers.

Advantages Of Metal Railings

Unlike PVC, Glass and wood railings, metal railings have its own advantages. Following are a few advantages of metal railings.

– Metal facilitates construction of small and lightweight sections to suit once purpose.

– Metal railings are durable as they do not splinter and corrode like wood.

– Personalized designs are possible with these.

– They can be made from casting or flat product depending on ones lifestyle and budget.

– Metal is comparatively a better choice over PVC and wood especially in outdoor conditions.

– Powder coating the metal ensures a longer life for the metal railing, and can help to increase its life span up to 25 to 30 years.

– Low cost of maintenance is the biggest advantage; wiping with a wet cloth is all it needs for cleaning.

Here we present the commonly used metals for making Railings. Generally a lot of metals are used to make railings but the most common among them are: –

1. Stainless Steel: it is the most commonly used metal because it is durable and strong, besides being comparatively lighter than other metals. Steel also has the capability to maintain its luster for a longer time and hence maintenance is very low. Workability of stainless steel is very high and its resistance is more when being passed through power press machines. Above all it gives the structure a modern look.

2. Wrought iron: it the next most favorite metal for making railings, as it gives the structure an antique look. It is basically maintenance free; all it is requires is a good coat of paint and regular cleaning to keep it new. The only disadvantage of wrought iron is that it is very heavy and difficult to repair as welding it is difficult, and getting the same design is also very difficult, hence once broken the only option is complete replacement.

3. Aluminum: lightweight and durability are the characteristic that makes aluminum one of the favorite metals. Maintenance cost of aluminum is similar to stainless steel and is best when it comes to making square shapes and straight-line structures. The workability of aluminum is low compared to other metals, especially when it comes to making curved structures and hence is not the most preferred metal for railings.

4. Brass: once the most preferred metal among the rich and the famous in medieval times, brass has lost its status to other metals. Modern day railing manufacturers rarely use brass, except as a covering at some places, as brass requires regular polishing to maintain its luster.

Therefore, it can be concluded that out of the four metals only stainless steel is in vogue and hence the most preferred metal of railing manufacturers.

Extravagant, intriguing and full of surprises, eclectic farmhouse interior imparts a free spirited wily nature that mixes different cultures and design styles. A vagabond mix of color and texture, rustic vintage and cutting edge modern, simple yet extravagant, the design speaks to your unique personality of thinking outside the box. Although it is freedom of the free spirited and conflicting ideas, it is one of the most difficult styles to get right. Clashing tones, mixing colors and textures, yet appealing to the eye, there is an inner method to the eclectic design style.

Using vintage reclaimed barndoors, each uniquely carved and remnants of color seeped into the woods over its lifetime, the soft rustic wood texture is vibrant with life.The eclectic interior design style embodies richness of culture and abundance in unpredictability as you enter each room. The vibes are free flowing and the energy flows from each room to the other similar to a stream of water that runs through mountains and plains, collecting pebbles,flowers,sticks and grass in its journey.

Eclectic design is a celebration of life that is seen in the aristocratic brass doors, carved peacock door armoire and the simply fabulous teal green chakra carved long sideboard. Working a balance with nature, bringing in the elements organically with reclaimed woods and symbols of nature like sunrays and lotus carving cabinets, the style is very personal and cohesive.

A unique and eclectic home take cues from striking vintage furniture that are intriguing in their history. The old brass hope chest works as a wine chest and the coffee table was made from an old Indian door, the land of the Vedas and yoga. The history behind each of these pieces makes them unique and eclectic.

The whimsical, eclectic living room has a custom dining table made from an old barn doors and the white walls acts as a stark backdrop against the grass green, and marigold yellow upholstered chairs that brighten up the wood tones. Mixing farmhouse and eclectic, rustic wood furniture with bright textures, the red hues in the huge cabinet works itself into the design. The mood of the room is lived in and warm, and creates magic with the wall decor of a carved Buddha in natural wood tones.

A big, bold statement carving sculpture of Indian Gods makes the eclectic room vibrate with energy. The wall behind it has water cascading as well as plants placed strategically. Art is an expression of the self, an essential part of eclectic design. Combine oil and water color paintings by local artists, intriguing old world sculptures, antique jewelry and create an aesthetically pleasing arrangement. Your home is who you are, beautiful and free spirited, nature loving and caring, healthy and prosperous, finding joy in every experience.

If you were to drive around any neighborhood while paying close attention to decorative lighting, you would begin to notice a pattern of gorgeous homes with lighting systems that are too small or cheap in appearance. On the other hand, you would begin to see smaller homes where homeowners had installed oversized lighting systems. In other words, while everyone loves the ambience that decorative outdoor lighting provides, and the enhanced safety of illumination, many people simply do not make the right choices. As a result, the home and lighting system are off-balanced, which distracts from the beauty of the property.

The goal when buying decorative outdoor lighting is to have a plan, which would include the size and style of home. From there, you would find it much easier to purchase a lighting system that would enhance and complement the home rather than create an awkward appearance. One of the next steps is to determine the appropriate size of outdoor lighting for your needs. Keep in mind that no hard rules exist as to size, walk outside, and standing at roadside look at the home. Try to focus on any architectural features that stand out such as a lamp post, statue, pillars, etc. Using good visual judgment, determine the size of decorative outdoor lighting that would create balance.

Another important aspect of choosing decorative outdoor lighting has to do with illumination. Typically, you want the exterior to be lit up for security reasons but you also want to avoid harsh glares. Therefore, we recommend you again look for decorative outdoor lighting that provides balance. After all, this type of lighting should be fully functional.

If you plan to place light fixtures along a driveway or up stairs leading to the front door, illumination should be bright enough to make walking safe while at the same time not so bright that illumination is actually distracting. If you need brightness, then it would be better to illuminate a broad area so the light is not so concentrated. Most decorative outdoor lighting systems come with a minimum of 100-watt capacity, whether as a single light or multiple lights. For creating light outside, this is plenty.

In addition to size and illumination, you want to consider the material of the decorative outdoor lighting fixture. Today, the five most popular choices include iron, brass, copper, cast aluminum, and composites. Although there are other options, these are used because they can withstand the elements and remain beautiful and functional. The hardest material to find is cast iron but something hand-forged would be gorgeous. Just be sure the metal parts of the system are zinc coated to eliminate rust from developing.

Brass is a popular choice simply because it has an elegant look. However, decorative options made from brass also ensures a long lasting system that can handle all types of environments. The only exception is that brass does not handle extreme heat but choosing fixtures that have powder coating would eliminate any concern. It would also be worth spending a little more for solid brass. No matter the choice, brass does go through a unique oxidation process whereby the surface color changes but for decorative outdoor lighting, it adds to the charm.

Even if you were on a tight budget but desperately want new outdoor lighting, remember that companies have sales all the time but you could also make your purchase directly from a manufacturer. In addition, we suggest you look at options for decorative outdoor lighting online. Because companies that sell only via the internet do not have the same high overhead as brick and mortar companies, it is possible for them to pass incredible savings on to the customer.

Waterford is one of the leading crystal producing brands in the beautiful world. Primarily originated from Ireland, the company now mainly operates from countries like Germany and Republic of Czech. It is because the place at Ireland where the company first started had been shut down during the early 2009. However, other than Ireland there are various places in the Europe from where the manufacturing part is done.

Unlike Swarovski Crystal, those who manufacture jewelleries and other home decors, made up of pure crystal, they have restrained its limit in mostly manufacturing crystal glassware. However, lately, this Crystal company also do manufactures certain crystal gift items and home décors but their strength lies mainly in the glamorous designs and finishing of the crystal glassware products they are renowned for manufacturing.

Among the various crystals glassware items present in the catalogue, one of the most glorious and beautiful item that you will love to stare at for hours without feeling tired is the Crystal lamp. Amazing! Truly amazing are these crystal lamps produced from such a leading company.

Mainly, there are two types or variety that th Crystal lamp is divided into. These two varieties are:

Floor & Buffet Lamps

Accent & Table Lamps

If you want to position the lamp at the ground then floor & buffet lamps are the ones that you would like to have in possession. Some of the different types of floor & buffet lamps that can be found out at the Waterford’s are as follows:

Lismore Buffet lamp

Hospitality Buffet lamp

Carina Buffet lamp

Thistle Buffet lamp

All the above mentioned varieties are available in the height range of 32″ to 35″. The price range is normally on the higher side that varies in between $450 to $550.

Now, we will focus our attention towards the accent & table lamps manufactured by the Waterford Crystal company. These types of lamps are mainly kept on various types of tables that can be seen in the bedroom, study room, and in the living room.

Some of the types of accent & table lamps that come out from the house of the Waterford’s are as follows:

Versailles Brass Blue Bell

Colleen Antique Nickel Hurricane

Colleen Polished Brass Hurricane

Avery Accent Lamp with Polished Brass

Finn Accent Lamp

Fiona Hurricane Lamp

Sea Table Lamp

Beaumont Table Lamp

Glenn Desk Lamp

Hospitality Table Lamp

Olympia Table Lamp

Lismore Accent Lamp

Thistle Desk Lamp

Ashling Accent Lamp with Polished Chrome

All these accent table lamps come in the height range in between 13″ to 35″. The price ranges are in between $350 to $700 approximately.

No matter what the price is, if pocket permits then definitely try to keep at least one Waterford Crystal lamp at your house and witness the beauty and elegance the item will feature for.