Tools & Materials

Good question John!

I know this might be controversial: (The Duo Mite is certainly a great tool) but I often prefer to work with a good bench vise (with a few different types of bench jaw inserts), and a series of high quality pliers (parallel jaws, ring bending) and good hammers to form metal. I will let others share their experiences, but I typically find myself not using it as often as I thought I would.

It really is a matter of preference, as the Duo Mite offers consistency and regularity to metal forming. If your mount shop is also expected to mass produce parts from time to time, the Duo Mite may be worth the investment.

From what I have read, budget alternatives to the Duo Mite do not offer the finest results, with bends being out of square, inconsistent, etc...

Sorry I can't suggest a direct alternative, but: numerous vices and some quality hand tools -especially if kept organized and accessible- can be a lot more user friendly.

That's been my experience anyway!

Nick Clemens

Hi Jack,

What a timely question! This coating question (for brass mounts) is a question we've been exploring lately and I love your outside the box thinking here!

If you haven't already, have a look at the April Collaborative Forum the IMF co-hosted with the AIC-MWG to begin exploring this mount coating topic. We didn't speak specifically about your idea, but there might be something else of interest: https://www.mountmakersforum.net/materials/mountmaterialscollaboration

I gave a short talk on easy ways to mix your own acrylic coating that allows us to bypass complex proprietary recipes and long dry times by using already-approved conservation materials: https://youtu.be/kEQcMZczGLs?si=sY_OW9sZKSV1r3um&t=2834

Also, I just got back from AIC, where I asked a few conservators about your idea for using the Renaissance wax. Sorry to say that I didn't find any specific testing info, but it is a common material used in outdoor sculpture. There were questions about the benefits of the wax in this application though. It kind of boils down to asking oneself why we are coating the brass at all. Does the mount even need a coating? If the coating goal is to seal the metal, wax is pretty porous, so wouldn't be the best solid barrier. If the purpose is to create a nice surface to faux paint, wax might resist many water-based paints and padding adhesives. And depending on the material the mount would be contacting (if it is direct contacting), it might be un-advised to have the wax in direct contact for tackiness reasons. If this is purely aesthetic, and you are going for a specific patina, perhaps a chemical patina or washes of acrylic paint or Gamblin colors might work?

But I am not a chemist, conservator or expert in waxes though, so I am basically just passing on more questions:) If any of our conservation colleagues out there want to weigh in with knowledge about testing or practical suggestions regarding using Renaissance wax as a brass mount coating, please let us know!

Hope this helps,

Shelly