Dear Roger As you say, it is unfortunate that I should air this "dirty laundry" in public. I do feel, however, that this is a close-knit group of kindred spirits more than a general public. Plus, I am feeling somewhat desperate having spent many hours and some of my own money ineffectually, it seems. Mr. Morrison has handled this situation terribly and has left Laurel Browning feeling badly burned. She told me that she feels he does not take her seriously.
I am happy to say that I own a Schmoyer sundial which I am still working with. I was able to get one of Mr. Schmoyer's last available casting sets before illness overtook him. It is an awesome piece. I am an amateur foundryman and I am sure that I could reproduce every part of the sundial using the parts I have as patterns... that is every part EXCEPT the gnomon. Even at that, producing sand castings one at a time would not come close to making them available to the many people who I know would love to have them. This requires patterns which fit into a modern automated foundry. I thank you for your suggestion and for your offer but what is needed is someone who can help, with Harris Morrison's cooperation, to get this pattern back into Laurel's hands. Dave Gagnon At 09:19 PM 5/10/99 -0600, you wrote: >Dear David Gagnon, > >It is unfortunate that you chose such a public forum for your complaint but >perhaps I can help. I am familiar with the Schmoyer dial, having coveted >one since reading the article in the 1960 Book of Projects for the Amateur >Scientist by Scientific American. The design has sparked a life long >interest in sundials. Years ago, an acquaintance of mine purchased a set of >Schmoyer castings but, to my knowledge, he has not completed the project >(machining or assembly). Would these be useful as patterns to reproduce the >missing pieces? Let me know if this is worth follow up. > >Roger Bailey >Walking Shadow Designs >N 51 W 115 > >
