Resurrecting an angel

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doraymefa

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How should I set about bringing this rather wonderful angel or chum back to its former glory? It is inscribed with the words: Chum Frank Gibson Gorgie Edinburgh.
The metal is mostly iron I presume and there is a lead ingot.
I will be able to grind off the old shackles and replace with new but how should I approach refurbishing the main parts?
Thanks, Doraymefa.
 

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Don't waste your time (except for an ornament at home). There is no benefit to.be derived from.weight in the rode. If there was, rope rodes would not work, which quite clearly they do. There is loads of mathematical analysis and real world observation to prove this.
 
Give it a scrub with soap and water and a pressure wash, that should do it.
If you were to have it re-galvanized they would first pickle it in acid which can bring it up almost as new.
The lead biscuits were designed to be added as you will, up to three I think. Yours may have been squashed a bit.
 
I would be very pleased simply to get some advice regarding the steps to follow to restore the metal, I have no wish to start another anchoring thread. Best regards.
 
Dry scrub with a stiff plastic brush and then brush off the dust, or vacuum it off. Rub over with 3:1 or other light oil, maybe WD40. That should give it a vice patina as well as stopping it from drying out and going dusty anytime soon. Wear a dust mask when doing the scrubbing.
 
doraymefa said:
How should I set about bringing this rather wonderful angel or chum back to its former glory? It is inscribed with the words: Chum Frank Gibson Gorgie Edinburgh.
The metal is mostly iron I presume and there is a lead ingot.
I will be able to grind off the old shackles and replace with new but how should I approach refurbishing the main parts?
Thanks, Doraymefa.
Click to expand...

Snap! I have one just like that but without any of the lead weights. I’m rather envious of yours!

I was thinking of getting mine re-galvanised.
 
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vyv_cox said:
Don't waste your time (except for an ornament at home). There is no benefit to.be derived from.weight in the rode. If there was, rope rodes would not work, which quite clearly they do. There is loads of mathematical analysis and real world observation to prove this.
Click to expand...

That'll be why ships don't anchor using chain, I suppose? :rolleyes:
 
vyv_cox said:
Don't waste your time (except for an ornament at home). There is no benefit to.be derived from.weight in the rode. If there was, rope rodes would not work, which quite clearly they do. There is loads of mathematical analysis and real world observation to prove this.
Click to expand...
This is a view often expressed but if, as you say, there is no benefit to be derived from weight in the rode, why is it considered necessary to let out more rope when anchoring than one would chain ?
 
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vyv_cox said:
Don't waste your time (except for an ornament at home). There is no benefit to.be derived from.weight in the rode. If there was, rope rodes would not work, which quite clearly they do. There is loads of mathematical analysis and real world observation to prove this.
Click to expand...

An angel works by lowering the angle of the rode at the section closest to the anchor, thus improving holding. It is a viable alternative to letting out more chain, and is pretty obviously going to work up to the point where the wind strength is sufficient ot extend the chain in a straight line even with the weight of the angel on it.

Very basic physics/trigonometry, why do you claim there is no benefit to be derived?

- W
 
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Modern anchors will work satisfactorily at shorter scope compared to the older designs and have much less need for the rode to be near, or actually at, horizontal. Modern, good anchors (I'd include Rocna, Spade Supreme, Excel, Fortress, exclude Mantus and pass no comment on Boss nor Vulcan as I have insufficient experience with the latter 2), when used in the appropriate seabed and sized correctly and well set are completely buried and also bury some chain. If the anchor is too big (a possible common problem) - having it disappear is less likely. Anchors bury more deeply in softer substrates, that might be considered 'difficult' for hold. As the chain is buried it develops a reverse catenary and the angle of the shackle, not the angle of the rode at the seabed/sea interface determines the angle at which the tension is applied. The tension angle, the shackle angle, is almost independent of the rode angle at the seabed. The tension angle is dependent on depth of burial, size of rode and shackle and shear strength of the seabed. The smaller the chain, shackle, swivel etc the deeper the anchor will bury (and the higher the tension angle). The deeper the anchor buries the higher the shear strength of the seabed, which increases with the square of depth.

There are formulae to determine the shackle angle, used by oil rig anchor companies and anyone laying commercial or Navy ship moorings. If you test anchors and have need to dig them out when the tide recedes you can measure the angle at the time.

Scope and the focus on achieving horizontal tension is much less relevant for a modern anchor. Use of sensible snubbers also reduces the need to worry about the rode being horizontal.

Chum or kellets can be used as a hammerlock as this will reduce yawing and a reduction in yawing will reduce the propensity of anchors to drag. However a second anchor simply hung off the bow, but dragging on the seabed, will achieve the same effect as a kellet. Personally to reduce yawing I favour deployment off a second anchor in a 'V'.

To the OP - The ideal might be grit blasting - but that might have an unattractive cost. I would use a stainless brush on an angle grinder and then acid wash with dilute acid (as mentioned or implied above). This will reveal nice shiny metal (and it might look quite attractive - but it simply will not last (so I'd suggest you would be wasting your time) :( . I might have a word with Geoff at Knox Anchor and ask him if he can re-galvanise for you (as Minn suggested) - it will then look slightly less attractive than newly cleaned metal - but will last longer (and if simply used for a conversation piece - will last for your lifetime). The only way to return lead to 'as new' condition would be to make moulds ands re-cast (you might need to add some new lead as slag will develop when you melt the old lead and you will need to discard the slag, losing some lead). The lead will quickly oxidise, and look very dull, some aluminium spray paint might be an idea (and would work on bare metal if you do not fancy the galvanising option). Melting and casting lead is not difficult, camping stove, blow torch, old saucepan, welding gloves work well, you just need to be very, very careful, plan ahead and keep children and pets well away - it is not a spectator sport!

However if you are keeping outdoors - spray, aluminium, paint will not last.

An interesting artefact - and I think worth the effort (something to keep you busy when winter returns).

Jonathan
 
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Poignard said:
This is a view often expressed but if, as you say, there is no benefit to be derived from weight in the rode, why is it considered necessary to let out more rope when anchoring than one would chain ?
Click to expand...

This seems to be one of those old 'rules' with no discernable scientific basis. I have anchored with anchorplait on a Fortress with 3:1 scope in a full gale and remained in position for three days. The anchor was so well buried that it took considerable hauling to recover it.
 
doraymefa said:
I would be very pleased simply to get some advice regarding the steps to follow to restore the metal, I have no wish to start another anchoring thread. Best regards.
Click to expand...


I wish you well in with the Chum. I have since read that a 50/50 solution of white vinegar can work well on the surface corrosion. I use this stuff a lot, for all sorts of stuff, so may be worth a try.

I fear another anchor thread has already kicked off. God bless us.
 
vyv_cox said:
???
Click to expand...

As if you didn't realise, it was my slightly sarcastic way of pointing out that for some strange reason, ships still anchor using chain. :rolleyes: They, and I, still believe that weight in the rode helps an anchor to set and then hold. You may not believe that, but from eyeball evidence, most people do. Unless of course, your anchoring is restricted to lunchtime stops in idyllic weather conditions, in which case anything will do.
 
NormanS said:
As if you didn't realise, it was my slightly sarcastic way of pointing out that for some strange reason, ships still anchor using chain. :rolleyes: They, and I, still believe that weight in the rode helps an anchor to set and then hold. You may not believe that, but from eyeball evidence, most people do. Unless of course, your anchoring is restricted to lunchtime stops in idyllic weather conditions, in which case anything will do.
Click to expand...

Why then do ships have procedures for motoring ahead when at anchor in strong winds to stop them dragging backwards? Why are some drilling rigs anchored with fibre rope or wire rope which is significantly lighter than chain?
 
doraymefa said:
How should I set about bringing this rather wonderful angel or chum back to its former glory? It is inscribed with the words: Chum Frank Gibson Gorgie Edinburgh.
The metal is mostly iron I presume and there is a lead ingot.
I will be able to grind off the old shackles and replace with new but how should I approach refurbishing the main parts?
Thanks, Doraymefa.
Click to expand...

One way to clean up the rust would be stick in a dustbin full of water with a cup or 3 of phosphoric acid, then come back in a day or so >

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/rust-remover-1-litre/
 
GHA said:
One way to clean up the rust would be stick in a dustbin full of water with a cup or 3 of phosphoric acid, then come back in a day or so >

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/rust-remover-1-litre/
Click to expand...

You must have very small dustbins (or very big cups) - I suspect you would need more than 3 cups given the size of the device (unless those wellington boots are very small :)

Jonathan
 
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