[TheForge] forging square tube

[Ralph E Douglass]

gladish wrote:
> 
> Hi George
> Would you care to talk a bit about forging square "pipe" or tube?
> I would like to make some fairly massive corner posts for a bedframe, and
> since all I have is a 25# hammer, I'd better use tubing!
> You mentioned once that you had used fine sand to help hold the shape as
> it's forged- anything to look out for? I'm guessing that the ends of the
> tube should be welded shut- should I be leaving somewhere for the displaced
> sand to go? Any issues with the sand solidifying at forging temps? Maybe I
> shouldn't go too hot...
> I'd be grateful for any tips or advice that you'd care to offer.
> Thanks,
> Andy Gladish

Well Andy, I amnot George nor did I play George in a movie..<G>
But for forging tube would not work it too hot nor too fast. How were
you planning on doing it. I mean were you looking at just working the
ends ( as in finials?) or what.
At the 2000 ABANA conference I watched and then talked with  Lorelei
Sims who was demoing forging tube. She said that you need to work it
fairly warm but not so warm that is collapses. Working it down till the
ends come together ( you are actually upsetting teh tube walls. ONce it
comes together you can forge weld. It actually works pretty well.
Hope that this might have covered a bit of what you were looking for.

Ralph

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