[TheForge] Hinges (was: Iron Work at U of Pitt)

[George Dixon]

The manner in which the hinge material is spread is called 'feathering'. 
 The hinge starts
as heavy stock.  The 'bosses', or seemingly raised blocks represent 
original thickness.  The hinge strap is forged down, but left 
structurally thick, to carry the door.  The hinge finial is much thinner 
than the strap.  It is the result of feathering the hinge stock. This 
means that the stock on the end of a hinge bar is forged so that it is 
thicker in the center and gets thinner toward the edge.  feathering 
spreads the stock.   The chisel cut work on the finial of the hinge is 
done in metal forged down to near sheet in thinness.

Here are three shots of  hinges I started in January.  It uses the same 
approach.  The stock was 1/2" x 1 1/2" steel.  the end is feathered, 
just past the block.  The chisel-cut layout has been incised.  The 
perimeter of the feathered material will be chiseled off.
http://www.artist-blacksmith.org/hinge_blank1.jpg
http://www.artist-blacksmith.org/hinge_blank2.jpg
http://www.artist-blacksmith.org/hinge_blank3.jpg

Yellin treated metal like clay.

G Dixon