Fred.Rowe
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
- Joined
- May 2, 2004
- Messages
- 6,848
I don't know if there is any interest in this process, but I thought I would offer it up and let the forum have it's say.
Cutting a 3" piece of 1 1/8" wrought iron with my right angle grinder is the first
step in making this sculpted guard. I weld a 3 ft. handle to this piece and fire up
the gas forge. I find that forging W.I. at about 2000fh. gives the best results.
Using the power hammer, I forge the roundbar into a billet that measures:
6"x1 1/2"x1/4"
I then straighten one side of the billet on the disc grinder followed by
parralelling the other side so it will fit snuggly in the minimill.
Cutting from the blade side of the guard, I mill 1/2 of the way through the
billet, then move the cutter in from both ends and continue the cut through
to the other side. This leaves a smaller slot on the handle side which gives
you more options as to ferrule and handle size.
Fit the guard to the blade. Make sure you are totally satisfied with the fit at
this point in construction. Do not put it off till later.
After this step, I thin the guard to its final thickness. I take this excess from
the handle side of the guard. Mic the thickness making sure it is consistent on
both edges.
I use both files and power grinders to "sculpt" the guard to its final profile.
Now it's time to fire up the O.A. torch. I clamp it in a wood jawed vise with
the tip facing up. This allows both hands free to bend the guard.
I heat the top of the guard first and shape over a radiused form.
After I am satisfied with the top I heat the lower section of the guard and
bend almost 90degrees, quench, then take a look to makesure the
allignment is correct.
Reheat this section and radius to your liking.
The finished guard in hand.
Mount the guard and see if you are satified with your work.
If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Fred
Cutting a 3" piece of 1 1/8" wrought iron with my right angle grinder is the first
step in making this sculpted guard. I weld a 3 ft. handle to this piece and fire up
the gas forge. I find that forging W.I. at about 2000fh. gives the best results.
Using the power hammer, I forge the roundbar into a billet that measures:
6"x1 1/2"x1/4"
I then straighten one side of the billet on the disc grinder followed by
parralelling the other side so it will fit snuggly in the minimill.
Cutting from the blade side of the guard, I mill 1/2 of the way through the
billet, then move the cutter in from both ends and continue the cut through
to the other side. This leaves a smaller slot on the handle side which gives
you more options as to ferrule and handle size.
Fit the guard to the blade. Make sure you are totally satisfied with the fit at
this point in construction. Do not put it off till later.
After this step, I thin the guard to its final thickness. I take this excess from
the handle side of the guard. Mic the thickness making sure it is consistent on
both edges.
I use both files and power grinders to "sculpt" the guard to its final profile.
Now it's time to fire up the O.A. torch. I clamp it in a wood jawed vise with
the tip facing up. This allows both hands free to bend the guard.
I heat the top of the guard first and shape over a radiused form.
After I am satisfied with the top I heat the lower section of the guard and
bend almost 90degrees, quench, then take a look to makesure the
allignment is correct.
Reheat this section and radius to your liking.
The finished guard in hand.
Mount the guard and see if you are satified with your work.
If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Fred
:thumbup:
