[TheForge] Forging blackberries?

Mon Jul 7 20:27:00 2003

If this were me, Id take a 2x2x1 chunk of steel heat it up to an even 
yellow and sink a hole in it with a largish oval or egg shaped punch. Then 
using a smaller round punch, punch in the dimples. lastly forge a piece of 
1/4" round into the block running from one end of the hole to the outer 
edge, dress it up, radius the sharp edges, weld on a handle and viola'.... 
an open face die that will make a few hundred blackberries before you need 
to make a new die.

This is very similar to the open face dies that Allan Kress and Clay 
Spencer are making and selling. And Im sure for a fee either one will make 
a die for you....

mike

At 01:07 PM 7/7/2003 +0930, you wrote:

> > Shannell Sugrue wrote:
> > >
> > > A customer want some blackberries like these
> > > http://www.homepages.ihug.com.au/~sjs/berries.jpg
> > > in a railing, the picture is taken from page 88 of the  book "the
> > > contemorary blacksmith" by Dona Meilach, Im sure many of you will know
>it, i
> > > the nota says it was made with a clam shell die. Im looking for tips on
> > > making these, I can do balls with a clapper die but I can only think of
>how
> > > to make these blackcurrents in 2 halves and mabey join them together ie:
>by
> > > sinking a half blackcurrent depression into a block of steel and then
> > > hitting a hot blank into that with a flat top die on the P.hammer. even
>then
> > > I think the part of the berry closest to the top of the depression would
> > > have little detail because it isnt being hit into the die, more being
> > > squeezed sideways into it, and thats only if the blank is the right
>size. I
> > > cant see any way you could rotate a ball in a "clamshell" die to get an
>even
> > > effect. Anyone done these before???
> >
> > First,  you first say blackberries, and then refer to blackcurrants.
> > They are two very different looking berries.  WHich is it?  Black
> > berries look like raspberries, currants are similar to cherries only
> > much smaller.
> >
> > If blackberries, how about a three piece die?  The two bottom halves
> > swage the basic shape from the end of the berry to about 2/3 or 3/4
> > of the way to the stem end of the berry.  You then lock those dies
> > together, set them on their edge so that the unfinished end faces
> > up.  The third die then swings into position and a couple of well
> > placed blows finishes the stem-end of the berry including the
> > depression where the stem attaches.  You can even leave the beginnings
> > of the stem for later reworking.  At that point the berry itself is
> > done and you can add leaves and stems.  This is just one way to do it.
> > If you try it, be aware that the dies have to be accurately build so
> > everything aligns well, requiring the fewest number of blows, which is
> > in turn desireable because the heat will be transferred away from the
> > work rapidly.  You would have to place it in the lower dies, smack it
> > two or three times, flip up, place the third die, two or three whacks,
> > and that's all folks.
> >
> > I can see doing currants the same way.  The hardest part for each
> > is getting a good dimple at the stem-end, something the third die
> > should do nicely.
> > _______________________________________________
> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> > theforge mail list group photo site is
> > http://www.photoaccess.com
> > Login:  [email protected]
> > password:  anvil
> > ___________
> >
> >
> >
>
>_______________________________________________
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
>theforge mail list group photo site is
>http://www.photoaccess.com
>Login:  [email protected]
>password:  anvil
>___________

            Mike Linn
      Artist Blacksmith
          McCalla, AL
        AFC Webmaster
http://afc.abana-chapter.net

"The universal aptitude for ineptitude
make any human accomplishment
an incredible miracle"
                 Col. John P. Stapp