My home shop turned into a business, your lighting smith Paul the gaswizard

gaswizard · Nov 26, 2017

A collector told me about the Garage Journal and said I need to post up a few images of my shop so here you go. I am a self taught lighting tech that specializes in gas lighting restoration around the US. I have been doing metal smithing for over 37 years and always enjoy a new challenge when someone says "hey do you think you can make this for me? and the answer is I think so, end result is I can. This spring I am going to add an addition to my shop which will be the foundry and blacksmith shop. Right now I cast up brass, bronze and aluminum at a very small time scale, with the new foundry I will be able to pour up to 100 lbs of molten metal. I spin metal, machine, slump and etch glass, pattern making, wax work, mold making, weld and fabricate, draw in 3D and also print match plates in 3D for casting. I also love old machines and put them to use which are not for show.

Your lighting smith

Paul the gaswizard

FullRaceMerc · Nov 26, 2017

Wow! Incredibly cool. Hopefully you'll show some of your work in the process. Subscribed.

jumpstart · Nov 26, 2017

Great shop. Welcome

gaswizard · Nov 26, 2017

As requested, here are a few images of work I have done around the US.

gaswizard · Nov 26, 2017

Here is a picture of my first love and first truck I ever bought at 14 years old, a 1948 Dodge Power Wagon 1 ton 230 flathead 6. Runs better than a clock. Rebuild all mechanical head to toe but love the old rusty look so I left that alone.

quattro_sinko · Nov 26, 2017

Thanks for posting, love the truck and interested in seeing more work in progress/shop pics. Welcome

lakeroadster · Nov 26, 2017

Welcome.

As for your shop and truck... so much awesomeness... :thumbup:

gaswizard · Nov 26, 2017

I drove that PW through the Rubicon 6 times. It has about 20000 miles on it since I restored all of the mechanical. Drove the truck to Colorado, then drove back to California in 24 hours flat 1100 miles at 45 to 55 mph. Screaming louder than any living thing you ever heard. The sounds of silence do not exist when you drive one of these trucks, all you hear are beautiful sounds that take the flesh off your bones

colt zantop · Nov 26, 2017

Awesome awesome awesome! Can't wait to see more projects!!!

Bogdan M. · Nov 26, 2017

Very cool workshop! Can't wait to see more.
I love vintage stuff.

apollo11 · Nov 26, 2017

Cool

gaswizard · Nov 26, 2017

Here are 2 links showing what I do. The first link is lighting projects that I have worked on:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/140212839@N02/

And the second link is vintage ephemera along with gas fixtures I have restored back to burn gas, VERY FUN LINK OF IMAGES BELOW:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/antiquelighting/

quattro_sinko · Nov 26, 2017

In general, what kind of hoops and hurdles do you face installing gas lamps? Are homes being renovated with specific lighting gas lines installed? Do you install lines in a remodel type setting? Are you tapping into defunct/existing/buried lines and reconnecting? Or do you just restore the fixtures for others to install? What kind of flow/volume do you need for safe illumination, or do the on/off valves eliminate the need for regulators?

Do your clients face steeper homeowner's premiums for having gas lamps?

Thanks for posting, interesting stuff.

gaswizard · Nov 26, 2017

So far to date I have restored over 1100 fixtures back to burn gas. The fixtures are located throughout the US with over 700 in San Francisco alone. Many of the homes are using existing gas lines that have never been cut and have always had gas in the lines since the day the lines had gas in them. I went as far as I could with the SF Building Department about gas fixtures in a home. The city of SF said to me at the time we cannot tell you to remove or turn the gas fixtures off since it was an existing gas line. I only install gas fixtures if the owner puts in earthquake safety device on the gas line from the just past the meter so in the event of an earthquake that gas will turn off. Many homes run new gas lines with a certified plumber to insure all is good with a separate shut off ball valve form the rest of the gas appliances in the home. So far know one has had any issues with the building department, fire chief, building department or home owners insurance with no rise in rates. natural gas operates at 1/4 PSI into a home, high volume and low pressure. The gas valves on the antique fixtures are lapped down with fine valve grinding compound, cleaned and flushed, then followed by a very expensive ball valve grease. I pressure check to 25 lbs and also use an electronic gas sniffer for leaks.

quattro_sinko · Nov 26, 2017

Fascinating stuff. Thank you again. During remodels, I often come across dead gas lines and occasional valves (but no fixtures) buried in walls, long forgotten. I am always happy to see artistic endeavors in the trades. Keep posting!

PS: Do you set up (if so, just nozzle size?) lamps to run off propane?

Todd.Brock · Nov 26, 2017

Man , I don’t even know where to start. Your work looks incredible. I couldn’t image the kind of house that had a huge gas fired chandelier in it! Following along to learn more about your processes.
About the truck. It’s prefect. Even with boggers on it! What size are those? Would love to see any and all pics of the mechanical resto or off roading. My wife can not fathom why I want an old power wagon. I just shake my head

gaswizard · Nov 26, 2017

Yes I do to answer your question. Propane running pressure is at about 7 lbs so what I do is tighten up the gas valve and use very heavy grease. The operator needs to get used to operating gas valves with propane, a little tricky at first but once you get your setting rights is a very simple to use.

gaswizard · Nov 26, 2017

There is a home in SF that has 27 gas fixtures all burning at the same time. When the 1989 earthquake happened he had used his gas lights for 2 straight weeks to light his home since he had no power for his light bulbs.

It was code the install gas pipes for lighting fixtures in the interior of homes in SF up until 1926 which was 20 years after the 1906 quake.

gaswizard · Nov 26, 2017

Here is a gas burner chandelier in SF. I wish all of you could of witnessed 89 year old Arch Wilson lighting this 30 flame gas chandelier in his home while he was standing on his rickety table with his knobby knees shaking. The stories he shared with me is amazing. Rest in peace Arch, you will be missed forever.

gaswizard · Nov 26, 2017

I will post up on this thread a few pictures of my Dodge Power Wagon trucks tomorrow for you.

James-W · Nov 26, 2017

Those light fixtures are really impressive. Only thing is, I wasn't even aware you could use them anymore, I thought they had been outlawed for fire safety reasons. Obviously I was dead wrong.

Earp69 · Nov 26, 2017

Definitely some amazing stuff. The only ones ive seen in person were at the belle meade plantation in Tennessee,but they had been converted to electricity unfortunately. You have a very nice functioning shop from the looks of it. I'm sure it took you quite a while to acquire the older machinery you have in there, definitely a goal for me.

gaswizard · Nov 26, 2017

I gather old equipment when I can afford it. It has take me over 30 years of searching for the right machinery to be in here, it has to have the right look and function before I would even consider using it, rust/patina is a must. I just picked up a Howe 200 lb blacksmith power hammer dated 1888. Now to find a nice 400 lb plus clean Hay Budden anvil for the shop.

oldironfarmer · Nov 26, 2017

Incredible shop and great work!

Love your old tools and Power Wagon, but your skills are most impressive as well. I see two people in your shop in one photo, how many people do you employ?

gaswizard · Nov 26, 2017

When I had 3 to 4 years of scheduled lighting work in the shop I had 5 guys. Now it is 3 of us including me. My son Wes, and Pat McF our CAD guy.

gaswizard · Nov 27, 2017

As promised here are a few images of my 1948 Dodge Power wagon at the Rubicon.

The last image was a garden hose my kids set up for a all night shower over the trucks for an am ice festival, the kids loved it!

gaswizard · Nov 27, 2017

My truck made it to a couple magazines. Peterson's 4-Wheeler, and The Power Wagon Advertiser.

Also here is a link of my truck in the lower field while a couple of my guys were trying to get this massive log up the hill. It my not look steep but it is very steep. It is posted on youtube:

Cheers

Paul

gaswizard · Nov 27, 2017

I have it insured through Hartford for $2,000,000.00 since I carry property of clients.

ambenz · Nov 27, 2017

I am bit of a fan of old antique lamps as I collect oil lamps.
It sure is nice to have during a power outage, no batteries or bulbs required!
https://scontent-atl3-1.**.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18088_486659451357238_708950799_n.jpg?oh=c2cc730ee7d77b4510ae72e50c0f8a77&oe=5A898327

Pretty cool what you are doing, especially "casting" pieces from wax molds!
Wow!
We were doing coffee can size pours with pot metal and making custom emblems for personal use so I know the energy and monetary commitment that takes to do it right.
I am curious if you do a lot of Mantel gas lighting?
I am also wondering why "mantel" sock technology DID NOT revolutionize the open flame gas light industry and overtake open flame...or did it???
Invented by Carl Auer von Welsbach in the 1880s, gas mantle illumination filled the streets and homes of North America and Europe for much of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. As opposed to open flame gas lighting, mantle gas lighting uses an incandescent gas mantle, or Welsbach mantle, to generate bright white light. Gas mantles are roughly pear-shaped and glow with a bright white light when heated by a gas flame, yielding a soft, romantic light.
Thanks for joining the GJ, Welcome!

gaswizard · Nov 27, 2017

What I found with insurance companies is they will pay a claim if you can validate the price paid for that item with receipts or cancelled checks. A key witness or pictures of inventory does not help if you have no receipts or cancelled checks, I know this personally since I was a key witness at a trail that lasted for 2 weeks. I was on the stand for 2 days since I saw all of the inventory before it burned to the ground. The client won the lawsuit for fire damage and the sad thing is he only had proof of $56,000.00 in receipts so that is what the insurance company paid. My testimony did not help him out since he was going for $2.5 million. You need proof of cost paid if you get insurance for that item.

gaswizard · Nov 27, 2017

When I can pour 600 lbs I will make an anvil for myself and the end result will be a 450 lb anvil. no custom pour at this time. All the time I have goes to lighting work here in the shop right now.

gaswizard · Nov 27, 2017

Ambenz, WOW, Someone knows gas lighting. You and I need to chat directly. I can share what I know with you. Lots of good info gonna head you way soon.

Cheers

Paul

gaswizard · Nov 28, 2017

Here are a few pictures of a gas lighting project I did a few years back in NYC. All of the fixtures I designed and built from scratch. Carved the waxes made the molds and the end result is pretty spectacular.

Cheers

Paul

quattro_sinko · Nov 28, 2017

Stunning photos. Nice work.

My home shop turned into a business, your lighting smith Paul the gaswizard

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