Creasing and wiring stake

Date1750-1820

MediumIron / steel

DimensionsOH: 10" OL: 15 1/2"

Credit LineGift of Judith and William McMillen

Object number2012-32

DescriptionCreasing stake with 12 graduated grooves and rounded, beveled ends. Square sectioned post with chamfered corners.
Label TextSet into a square hole in either a workbench or a tree stump, this stake was primarily used for a few very specific purposes. Known as a "creasing" or "wiring" stake, it was used to hammer a wire into the edge of a piece of tin using a mallet. Wiring gives strength and rigidity to the thin sheet tin, and is almost always applied to the free edges of pieces, or their handles.

This stake has a dozen grooves of different sizes, allowing many diameters of wire to be set using it. It's rounded, beveled ends could also be useful for a number of different tinsmithing functions. Faced with steel, its top is welded to the post with a plainly visible join.