According to Carol Wax’s book Mezzotint (p. 179-180), copyright 1990, published 1996 by Harry N. Abrams Inc., rocking devices date back to the 17th century. Since then, many people have made modifications to the original concepts. Our jigs build upon the ideas of previous contributors with improvements of our own. They are hand crafted and guaranteed by Julie Niskanen and Cary Brief.
The Pole Rocker
These pole rockers work perfectly with mezzotint rockers from E.C. Lyons (http://www.eclyons.com/).
This device for rocking plates is very sturdy and portable (unlike the long pole designs). It helps rocking go much faster and helps to get a nice even pass--while of course being much easier on the hand, arm, and wrist than hand rocking. These pole rockers can be used to rock plates as small as 3 x 3 inches and as large as 18 x 24 inches (or at least that is the largest I have rocked).
The pole rockers are made to specifically fit the size rocker blade that is used (from 3 to 6 inches). The length and width of the pole rockers are constructed to give your rocker the perfect angle and curvature for rocking.
These tools are hand built out of ash (a nice sturdy, hardwood), sanded, stained, and assembled with wooden dowel pins and glue. Rubber is adhered along the bottom of the wood to keep it from sliding around while rocking. This helps the rocking to stay consistent. Padding can be put on the handle to make rocking a bit more comfortable.
Wing nuts are used to make it easy to remove and attach the rocker blade.
It is also a good idea to buy some of the non-skid mat (found with contact paper and drawer/cabinet liner at Wal-mart or a hardware store). I always keep some of the non-skid mat under the back wooden side of the pole rocker to help keep it from sliding around. It is also good to use if you are rocking larger plates, where the back wooden end of the rocker jig will be going on top of the plate. This protects the parts of the plate that have already been rocked from getting damaged.
For images and instructions on how to use the pole rocker, click here
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Mezzotint pole rocker without rocker blade (what you will receive if ordered). |
Mezzotint pole rocker without rocker blade (what you will receive if ordered). | |
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Mezzotint polerocker with rocker blade and weight. |
Mezzotint pole rocker with rocker blade and weight. | |
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Mezzotint pole rocker with rocker blade and weight. |
Mezzotint pole rocker with rocker blade and weight. | |
| Click on the video below to see a demonstration | ||
The Sharpener
The tool for sharpening the rocker blade works for all size rockers (from 1/2 inch to 6 inches). It keeps the rocker blade at the perfect angle and makes sharpening go very fast. With this sharpening device, I can sharpen my rocker so that it is as good as new, even if there are teeth missing.
The top point of the rocker blade fits into the hole in the pole. A threaded metal insert is put in to the end of the pole, and a thumb screw goes is in the end of the pole and can be tightened down so that the rocker blade doesn’t move while sharpening.
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Sharpener with rocker blade in place. |
Sharpener with rocker blade in place. | |
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Sharpener itself (what you will receive if ordered). |
Sharpener itself (what you will receive if ordered). |
If you are interested in purchasing either of these mezzotint jigs, please contact me with the following information:
Your contact information: name, phone number, email address, mailing address, method of payment, size of mezzotint rocker blade, and if you plan to use weights (this allows me to know what size bolts to put with the pole rocker).
Your order will also come with instructions for use.
Price List:
- Mezzotint Pole Rocker (prices vary depending on width of rocker blade):
Jig for 3” rocker blade: $48 plus shipping
Jig for 4” rocker blade: $52 plus shipping
Jig for 5” rocker blade: $56 plus shipping
Jig for 6” rocker blade: $60 plus shipping
- Mezzotint sharpening jig (works for any size rocker): $18 plus shipping
Methods of payment accepted: Paypal, personal check, money order, Visa, Mastercard, Discover
For international orders: international money order (in U.S. dollars), credit card, or Paypal