The Forgotten Tool

[DanTheCanadian]

I've always wanted to try making my own. My neighbour has a forge and he said I can have at it.

 

[northmanlogging]

hardest part is drifting and punching the hole, can't take your time on it, just pound it through or the drift/punch gets stuck and you start over, without a drift/punch. The rest is just whacking steel with a hammer and knowing what shape you want to end up with. That and being patient enough to wait for the steel to be hot enough.

 

[2dogs]

I was a big fan of my old 4# Plumb until 2Dogs clued me in to the magic that is a 5# Council. You wouldn't think that a single pound would make that much of a difference but it really does. (Thanks again, by the way)

Truper. And your welcome again.

 

[DanTheCanadian]

hardest part is drifting and punching the hole, can't take your time on it, just pound it through or the drift/punch gets stuck and you start over, without a drift/punch. The rest is just whacking steel with a hammer and knowing what shape you want to end up with. That and being patient enough to wait for the steel to be hot enough.

I've actually forged horseshoes before and it's that easy but it can be tricky. The general shape is easy, to size match is the hardest part. Also, like you mentioned, the best way to keep your punch is to swing like you don't know what your doing. If the steel cools and contracts you've had it lol.

 

[northmanlogging]

Yep, three hits and through or knock the punch out and back in the fire.

The real skill with forging is knowing which steps to do first. I've only cheated on the axe heads, and did a wrap back, rather then a punched hole, I have an old Cat wrist pin laying around that would make a dandy axe though... Forging has been one of my many hobbies for nearly 30 years, I still suck at it though.

Just don't have much time anymore, keep thinking when this job is finished I'll make X, but it never fails, 2 weeks before the current job ends, I get 20 calls looking for a logger. Not complaining at this rate I'll be full time soon.

 

[madhatte]

Truper. And your welcome again.

Truper, of course, my bad.

 

[DanTheCanadian]

Was talking to some local loggers here and one guy uses a dead blow hammer. Says it hits hard, saves wedges, and is really light and small. Kind of a good idea actually.