Just not fair

Tommegow

Tommegow

Joined
Dec 16, 2004
Messages
678
I was so excited yesterday! I fired up my new forge heated up my bar 5/8 bar of O-1 and started smashing hot steel. Dang the cheap/used set of tongs I bought off E-Bay are a PITA to work with! The 3lb hammer I found in my Dad's shop hardly moved metal!! My arm gave out before the rod turned magically into a knife blank. All I came away with was a shopping list!!!
I guess I need a cross-pein hammer ,or fullers to move/flatten the rod,maybe a 6lb hammer?Hire an illegal alien to swing a sledgehammer.That's after I get some tongs I can use without dropping the metal.I will need several types also. Maybe I need some mechanical devise to help my old arms.This is a bottemless pit, a dark hole!
I hear laughing and smirking all across this forum.A metal junkie? Suppliers are lining up, cruising hardware stores and junkyards all hours of the day, night and weekends. Will I squander my children inheritance? I may need counseling
 
Try a lighter hammer, and a can of Red Bull.

What color are you striking at? At a good heat, O1 will yield with any hammer.

If it were easy, everybody would be doing it.
 
Buy some W2 or 5160 round bar. That O1 is a bear to move..:eek:
 
i think i use a 2.5 lb hammer (deker may know more)
w1 moves what i would call well least i thought so i was pounding a 1 inch round flat while deker was gettign a power hammer running and welding up a few layers of 1084
cant say it was easy but as said if it was everyone would be doing it
may just have to build up your hammer time
 
Reminds me of the first time I attempted to forge a large, round piece of Champalloy L6. I pounded on it for what seemed like forever, only to not move the steel very much at all. It never did end up looking anything at all like a knife, and my arm literally gave out. No kidding; my wrist and forearm swelled up and I had to stop.
 
Anyone wanting to forge steel into any shape would do good to get a copy of "The edge of the anvil" and read it. Also a basic blacksmith class will knock years off the bladesmithing learning curve.
 
I'm sure you have seen this post: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=437625 Looks to me like Robert is using a 2lb hammer (could be 3) and he started his blade out of flat stock. Finding a pair of tongs that will work for you may take sometime but for starting out forging I would suggest going with flat stock or even an old file. Round bar of any type is tuff to forge expecially when your just starting out.
 
Butch's "big hammer" is well more than 2.5lbs. I'd say at least 3lbs. I use a 2.2lb hammer for most of my work and can really move some metal with it.

O-1 Can be a bit of a bear, but it really sounds like you're not working it hot enough. Shoot for a high orange, almost yellow color and I'm sure you'll see a difference. When you feel the steel start to fight you, get it hot again. Just make sure you don't burn it... :)

Welcome to the fun!

-d
 
The time you spend forging by hand is time well spent. Even though frustrating and humbling, you learn were to hit the steel and how hard to hit it to make it do what you want it to.
We have all had the experience of the nonfunctional arm and the grip that gives out.

I don't know any maker that started with a power hammer or press. Personally, I forged by hand for two years before I got a power hammer.

If you can watch someone with experience, forge by hand it will help a great deal.

If you are using round bar stock, get a section that is long enough to hold onto without the use of tongs. You will find it much easier to control.

If you have the massive striking power of men like Don H or Raymond R I would forgo the power hammer, even if someone offers you one for free.:D

Fred
 
Like any new exercise you need to work up to it but it sounds like you are holding on to the hammer too tight and the tongs need to be replaced or at least modify them to hold the steel solid.

The heat in a piece that small only lasts for a short time and you will feel when its cooled off.

Ed Caffrey is making some forging hammers now and gives great advice how to use them.
 
Tom, a few things I would add:

Don't wear a heavy glove on your hammer hand; light leather or nothing. Loose gloves make you grip harder, tiring out your hand much quicker.

Don't be afraid to reshape your tongs some to fit the workpiece. Heat the handles and bend 'em wider or narrower, too. Make 'em work for ya, not against ya.

You might have to adjust your anvil height slightly, too. A couple inches can have a heckuva effect on how your arm holds up. I made my stand out of stacked 2x12's connected by decking screws so I could take layers on and off and experiment.

Good luck. It's a "body-education" process, to be sure. It'll become a lot easier with time, too, cuz you'll say to heck with the hard way and get a hammer and a press because you can. ;)
 
I'm north of you, feel free to contact me direct if I can be of any help. By the way, I have a powerhammer....let me know if you plan on coming this way, we could reduce the round stock to more hammer friendly material.
 
Good info above, work your steel hotter but reduce heat as you finish, no need for a giant hammer unless it's a Little Giant :D

W1, W2 & 1084 will move a little easier under the hammer than 01. W2 can be worked hotter, the vanadium in W2 retards grain growth. Aldo Bruno has 5/8'' W2 and 1084 listed in the supplies for sale area, I have larger sizes of W2 available also.
 
Guys this was a poor attempt at humor.
I appreciate the advice and will use it!It was just funny to me everytime I do anything in this path I see I need more toys, practice and patience. Heck I may do alittle Blacksmithing as well :)
I see newbs being "warned" about the addictive nature and I agree.
I will I expect, never stop learning and my best stuff I bet will be the next project.
This forum and you guys have been very informative, inpirational,and encouraging.
Sorry if I sounded like I was whining
 
Tommegow said:
......
Sorry if I sounded like I was whining
Click to expand...

Didn't sound like whining, Tom!

I'm sure there were a lot of people remembering their arm hanging there useless for a couple days, too! :)

It's supposed to cost a lot of money, Tom. ;) Sooner or later, fun always does, doesn't it? You'll get no sympathy there! :D

Glad to hear you enjoyed it so much! :eek: :thumbup:
 
I remember calling Mace Vitale on my cell phone while beating the bejeezus out of myself trying to make things and complaining that the steel seemed to be doing fine, but everything on me was about to fall apart... over the phone he fixed a few of my problems, and the belittling comments about being a sissy helped fuel the anger to keep going! Frging is a conundrum for me, but I feel so good afterwards I doubt I'll ever quit. Maybe I'll even get good at it....

....naaah.

I caught all of your sarcasm, Tommegow. Mainly because it was easy for me to relate! It's nice to have people share your sickness, isn't it?
 
fitzo said:
Didn't sound like whining, Tom!

I'm sure there were a lot of people remembering their arm hanging there useless for a couple days, too! :)

It's supposed to cost a lot of money, Tom. ;) Sooner or later, fun always does, doesn't it? You'll get no sympathy there! :D

Glad to hear you enjoyed it so much! :eek: :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I agree, did'nt sound like wining to me either. But there is a certain amount of pain to be indured in knifemaking, wheather it comes in the form of a useless arm or, your crotch splattered with firy flux; I've set myself, aflame more thimes that I want to admit. All the people, on here, who have hammers, presses and the like, surely can relate to your virgin use of arm power.
So suck it up, and keep pounding, Fred :D

And :eek:JTDC, is it expensive:eek: But, I have never had more fun spending money than in the knife shop. A haven for knew toys.

Enjoy yourself, Tom
 
Tom,
Send me your Address I will send you a piece of 0-1, 3/16x1.5 x 12" long. It is Milled 1 side Sawed the other. The price is Great $0.00 including shipping and handling In the US only.
Why:confused: Bladesmith was kind enough to send out his materials he purchaced from the Moran Estate and I feel he sets a good example.:D

As for what to do with the steel learn from the experts, and re read this post.From Raymond:cool:
Raymond Richard ...I'm sure you have seen this post: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=437625 Looks to me like Robert is using a 2lb hammer (could be 3) and he started his blade out of flat stock. Finding a pair of tongs that will work for you may take sometime but for starting out forging I would suggest going with flat stock or even an old file. Round bar of any type is tuff to forge expecially when your just starting out.
 
hey dek i didnt think the hammer was that big but o well smashing is fun and if it dosnt kill my arm i ll use the big dam hammer till you make me switch to one of those little guys you have :D
 
One thing that may help is a good anvil, a beater anvil shaped object is next to worthless and waste a lot of the hammer's energy where a good one will durn near hit back. With a good anvil all you realy need to do is controll the hammer, the hammer and anvil will do most of the work.

I definalty know where your coming from though, many a time my arm felt like falling off. That's why I built a press and am in the process of building a power hammer. The first big damascus bowie I forged by hand, made two or three smaller billest and folded a few times and then added together and folded a few more. After three days I was ready to start drawing the billet out, but had to wait a few more days for my arm to recover. Doing the hard way first is time well spend, and realy makes you apreciate your toys all the more when you upgrade.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top