When Michael Dillon starts work, he often wrestles with a weighty problem. Most of his gates and railings weigh hundreds of pounds, and these massive projects all start out with a chalk drawing and a tiny tool called a traveler.
Following his line drawing, the traveler tells him how much steel he will need to make certain sections of his gate. Once that's determined, he turns to his gas forge and his own manpower to pound out the delicate-looking scrolls and other ornamentation.
History Nugget
Throughout history, blacksmiths have crafted items such as nails, axes, candlesticks and armor, but their primary function was as a farrier (one that shoes horses). The farrier was a popular trade, as one might guess by the prevalence of the surname "Smith." The trade began to decline in the 19th century, as machines began to produce items that were formerly made by the blacksmith.
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