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Items tagged with: blacksmith

I decided a plain wire brushed finish would do for the trivet since it will be used inside and not get wet.

#blacksmith #metalwork #kitchenTools
#blacksmith #metalwork #kitchentools

Today’s project, all finished but for the cleaning up (need to wire wheel the forge scale off).

A trivet, mostly for putting the hot pizza peel on instead of on top of the stovetop.

#blacksmith #metalwork #kitchenTools
#blacksmith #metalwork #kitchentools

A quick test install of the finished product with the letterbox placed behind.

The letterbox is awaiting installation from the electrician that destroyed the last one (pending a slab).

#blacksmith #metalwork #decorative
#blacksmith #metalwork #decorative

All the forging is done. Now I just need to paint it and it’ll be ready to install.

I opted to wire-wrap the curly bits on, could have used hot collars, but wire wrap is also ok.

#blacksmith #metalwork #decorative
#blacksmith #metalwork #decorative

Getting closer. This is the main bit of the 2nd one sitting on top of the 1st one. #blacksmith
#blacksmith

The forge welds took!

One scroll down, now to make another nearly identical one.

#blacksmith #metalwork
#blacksmith #metalwork

More progress today. A lot quicker when you have electricity to run the electric blower.

Fixed up the bottom scroll and have done on of the top ones (although I need to attach the branches yet); still need to make a 2nd identical but mirrored top scroll.

#blacksmith #metalwork #decorative
General layout before I adjusted the top scroll
Top scroll post adjustment so I can fit the 2nd one in the frame.
#blacksmith #metalwork #decorative

This scroll isn’t quite finished but it’s nearly there. Had to use the hand cranked blower as we had no power to run the electric one.

#blacksmith #metalwork
#blacksmith #metalwork

Today’s progress. I pulled something in my left shoulder this morning so the forging time was reduced to the point where it started bothering me.

However, I got the 9 done and started on the bottom curly bit.

#blacksmith #metalwork #decorative
#blacksmith #metalwork #decorative

New project started yesterday. This will eventually be a slightly ornate house number panel to put in front of the new letterbox. #blacksmith #metalwork
#blacksmith #metalwork

Carving knife update. Did more filing and sanding yesterday.

Still needs a bit of straightening and a heat treat, then handle scales, etc.

#blacksmith #knife
24cm (blade length) carving knife.
24cm (blade length) carving knife being held lightly in my hand.
#blacksmith #knife

This weekend’s # project was to make a sign for the split in the driveway and thus negate the need to explain in fine detail which house is ours. The number and arrow are forged from old horseshoes.

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Corrugated iron sign mounted on a star picket. The sign contains the number 9 and an arrow, forged from horseshoes.
Corrugated iron sign mounted on a star picket. The sign contains the number 9 and an arrow, forged from horseshoes. In this photo the sign is further away so you can see the driveway split.
#blacksmith #metalwork

Progress on the carving knife I’m making. The rough forging was done last weekend (might have been the one before) and today I ground and filed in bevels and improved the shape a bit.

Bit more to do before heat treating and then more filing/grinding/sanding/polishing.

Ignore the dodgy file guide, it won’t have a cross guard.

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#blacksmith #knifeMaking #knife

It’s cool and windy today (but the ground is wet, so sparks aren’t an issue), so I lit the charcoal forge and started on a classic French style carving knife.

# # # #
#blacksmith #fire #forge #slowmo

Not too bad a cut. Maybe could have been marginally closer to get the back of the cut a bit cleaner, although that was probably just bad technique on my part.

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#blacksmith #Test #cutlass

And of course, you have to do a cut test.

My edge alignment could have been a little better, but this is the first time I've tried swinging the blade at something.

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#video #blacksmith #sword #cutlass

Well it took quite a while, but I'm calling this one done.

Here is my very first # modelled on the Dutch style from around the 1680s.

It is, by no means perfect, but the fit-up is pretty tight, and it is functionally sharp.

(iphone photos, will do some better ones later)

# # #
Late 17th century cutlass with shell guard and S quillions, guard side showing
Closeup of the guard fit tolerances (very tight fit)
Closeup of the guard fit tolerances (very tight fit)
Late 17th century cutlass with shell guard and S quillions and thumb ring, thumb ring side showing
#blacksmith #metalwork #sword #cutlass

I reforged the rails to hold the long forge & they are now quite secure.

There’s a few things I need to do to the forge to improve performance, not the least of which is to seal the ends.

Despite that, I attempted to heat treat the cutlass blade. It wasn’t quite as even as I’d have liked but I think it was close enough for something that will never see combat. Seemed to be around 55HRC when done.

I then finished grinding the blade, & slice both my hands (minor) in the process. #
Long forge and air intake mounted to my regular forge.
Long forge fired up. Flames along the entire length.
Sword blade nestled in the hot coals and flames of the forge
#blacksmith

Hmm, it sort of works. I’m not happy with the mating of the rail to the frame. Might need to think of a more sturdy fitment.

# # # #
#blacksmith #metalwork #forge #fabrication

Worked out a mounting system for the long forge (the bolts pictured, which will sit on two rails from my Regular forge), and welded up the air intake and ash dump.

Currently waiting for the rails to cool as I had to forge in a lip so they’ll attach to the regular forge frame.

All this is so I can heat treat the cutlass blade, but will be a handy long term addition to the workshop.

# # #
#blacksmith #metalwork #fabrication

Well, the first test firing shoes the concept works.
I need to build a stand β€˜cause it is too high when in the regular forge.

However, it does heat right along the length which is what I need.
# #
#blacksmith #forge

Dodgy as hell, but I’ve almost finished constructing the long burner charcoal forge. Assuming it works as planned, I’ll be able to heat treat long blades.
Still to do, add end caps, and construct 90Β° air intake, and some form of stand.
It’s pictured upside down here.
# # #
#blacksmith #forge #fabrication

A while back I made some custom server rack mount brackets for a workmate out of sheet steel. Alas, they didn’t hold up to the task. So here is the first batch of custom hand forged brackets instead.
Personally I think he should have just bought a standard rack mount shelf, but whatever floats his boat.
# #
First prototype. Has a small cold shut on the hook portion but there’s enough material to keep it strong.
Four triangular pieces of steel with a flat hook protruding from one of the short ends at the right angle.
#blacksmith #metalwork

Test fit time!

Actually fits together fairly well, weight distribution is such that the balance point is 5cm in front of the guard, making for a very lively sword. Total weight is 1.2kg or about the same as my rapier (which is considerably longer).

The blade still needs heat treating and then I have all the fiddly bits in the fit up to secure everything.
#sword #cutlass #BeMorePirate #blacksmith
#blacksmith #bemorepirate #sword #cutlass

I’m up to the shellac stage of the grip. It’s had one coat of red oil, three of Tung oil, and three of seedlac (veg based shellac). I’ll probably do a few more coats and let it properly harden before polishing.
#cutlass #sword #blacksmith #woodwork
#blacksmith #woodwork #sword #cutlass

More blade cleanup today. It’s down to 500g now so I can’t take any more off, except for some light sanding and the final sharpen. Still needs heat treating too.

#cutlass #sword #blacksmith #metalwork #BeMorePirate
#blacksmith #metalwork #bemorepirate #sword #cutlass

I’m leaning towards the wire. I’ve twisted some two tone wire which I think looks ok. I could twist it on itself to make it thicker, or fill the groove with clear epoxy once the wire is in place.

#sword #cutlass #blacksmith
#blacksmith #sword #cutlass

Tang burnt through the handle material. A lot of naval cutlasses had cast iron or brass handles as they son’t swell on a ship like wood or bone but this one isn’t going to sea, and I don’t have casting facilities anyway.
Since I also don’t have long thing drill bits, I used the more tradition method of heating the tang and pushing it through the wood.
#sword #cutlass #blacksmith
#blacksmith #sword #cutlass

It rained, so I did some more. Fullered the shell, cut slots in the guard and quillions, rough grind on the blade. #blacksmith #metalwork #sword #cutlass #BeMorePirate
#blacksmith #metalwork #bemorepirate #sword #cutlass

More progress. Forged in the bevels on the tip, straightened and flattened the whole blade. Forged the quillions and dished the shell guard.
Still need to slot the quillions and guard and clean everything up and do a LOT of grinding.
#blacksmith #metalwork #cutlass #sword #BeMorePirate
#blacksmith #metalwork #bemorepirate #sword #cutlass

After some more research, I found my blade length was too long. I had a 30” blade, but typical cutlasses and hangars were only 30” total length including hilt. So I’ve trimmed the tip and re-profiled the shape.
#blacksmith #metalwork #cutless #sword #BeMorePirate
#blacksmith #metalwork #bemorepirate #cutless #sword

I’ve cut out the shell guard and thumb ring sheet from some stainless steel I had lying around. I have a plan to form a tool to help with adding the flutes to the shell. I also have a piece of 100+ year old wrought iron for the quillions.
#blacksmith #metalwork #cutless #sword
#blacksmith #metalwork #cutless #sword

All the rough forging done on this bit. A LOT of cleanup and grinding to do yet.
#blacksmith #metalwork #sword #cutless #BeMorePirate
#blacksmith #metalwork #bemorepirate #cutless #sword

A promising start.
#blacksmith #metalwork
#blacksmith #metalwork

And despite aiming to only do layout today, ooops, we have the forge lit.
#blacksmith #metalwork
#blacksmith #metalwork

What’s this? Another ambitious project? Sure why not?!

I fully expect to make a complete hash of this but let’s see how we go eh?
#blacksmith #metalwork
#blacksmith #metalwork

It’s done!
The leather fitting was quite tricky and the lacing a complete pain, but it works and is functional.
An interesting project overall, with some new techniques and good practice on some I already knew.
Completely off the top of my head, no real plans or drawings.
#blacksmith #hook #BeMorePirate
#blacksmith #hook #bemorepirate

Test fit with the mounting brace. It works!
The whole wood and brace section will be covered in leather or cloth.

#blacksmith #hook #BeMorePirate
#blacksmith #hook #bemorepirate

Today I peened the tenon and permanently attached the hook. Then turned the wooden cup ready for lacing, leather, etc
The nails are just there to line up the holes until I make some short nails for the four outer holes to nail it to the cup.
#blacksmith #hook #BeMorePirate
#blacksmith #hook #bemorepirate

Dishing swage worked a treat. Almost all the blacksmithing is done now (just need to peen the tenon on the hook).
Next will be the wooden cup attachment and then on to the cloth bits. #blacksmith #BeMorePirate
#blacksmith #bemorepirate

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