Comments on: Hardware Review: Ansaldi & Sons Campaign Hardware

By: Niels

Niels — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:43:44 +0000

Chill, Sounds like Chris is just disclosing the facts and being objective (you know, like a journalist should). I doubt that this hardware selection quite qualifies as Anti-American behavior.

By: Steve_OH

Steve_OH — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:57:39 +0000

I always wondered what differentiated Arkansas from Kentucky.

Now I know.

-Steve

By: russkay42

russkay42 — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:23:56 +0000

I’ve gotten some very nice chest lifts (I use them as handles for my hammered dulcimers!) from Lee Valley (http://www.leevalley.com/US/hardware/page.aspx?p=40881&cat=3,41427,41375). Expensive, but very nicely finished and heavy duty.

By: Christopher Schwarz

Christopher Schwarz — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:45:38 +0000

Nah,

This is Kentucky. I’m expected to do it on the front porch.

By: Christopher Schwarz

Christopher Schwarz — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:43:53 +0000

Larry,

I was unaware where the hardware was made until it arrived and was stamped as such. I will say that some very good hardware is made in Hong Kong — sometimes it’s a case of domestic suppliers not trying to be competitive on quality — just price.

By: Nancy Cogger Andersen

Nancy Cogger Andersen — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:48:03 +0000

Hi Jonathan,
I own Londonderry Brasses, Ltd and I would be happy to share my secret for getting a good color on brass hardware.
I use 28% ammonium hydroxide. I purchase if from Hi-Valley Chemical in Utah. http://www.hvchemical.com It works great but is unpleasant to use.
My method is to take a plastic bucket, mine is 9″ tall with 9 1/2″ diameter and get a piece of glass to cover the top, something strong enough to hold a full gallon of liquid.You also need a metal vegetable steamer, the kind that opens up like a big flower. And you need a good fan. Turn on the fan, hold your breath and pour just enough ammonia in the bucket to cover the bottom, about 1/2 cup, place the open vege steamer inside and arrange your hardware. Dont’ let the hardware overlap. Place the glass on top and put a full gallon of something to keep the glass sealed down tight. Keep an eye on it. Sometimes the hardware will darken up in a few minutes, but other times it can take hours. If you get any of the liquid ammonia on the brass, it will instantly create a shiny spot. When it seems to stop working very quickly, pour off the old and add fresh. Adding fresh to the old does not seem to liven up the old ammonia. If you go too long, it is completely reversible with brass polish. Just try not to inhale the fumes. I am told that the exposure does not cause any cumulative damage, it is just a terrible irritant. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me. 610-593-6239

By: Nancy Cogger Andersen

Nancy Cogger Andersen — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:31:29 +0000

Hi. I own Londonderry Brasses, Ltd. and I have a little bit of campaign hardware which I can special order for customers. I would love to add an entire line of campaign hardware, but what I need are period originals from which to make the molds. Anyone have any great pieces I could borrow? I like to use period hardware for the molds so that the handmade craftsmanship and the years of wear are present to provide that authentic look I like to offer my customers.
My hardware is not made in the US, but is cast in England. I don’t know if that is any better than hardware being made in Hong Kong, since it is still overseas, but I can assure that the hardware I sell is top quality.

By: bkcollins

bkcollins — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:55:29 +0000

Chris,

Give a try to Chester County, Pennsylvania’s Ball & Ball, a family run hardware outfit. See http://www.ballandball-us.com/hh_miscfittings.html at the bottom of the list.

By: rwyoung

rwyoung — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:53:31 +0000

…on a pile of walnut shavings.

By: Mark Hochstein

Mark Hochstein — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:50:03 +0000

Having visited both Horton and Ball & Ball, I can tell you that the majority of the hardware from Ball & Ball exceeds the quality of the stuff from Horton by a significant margin.