[TheForge] Re: forging square tube

[Thomas A. Troszak]

> Message: 8
> Date: Mon, 13 Oct 2003 13:07:38 -0400
> From: Chris Worsley <worsley@verizon.net>
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] forging square tube
> 
> Andy -
> What size are you thinking of?
> DO NOT weld the ends shut, you'll just be making a bomb. Heat up a
> sealed steel item and where do you think the expanding internal
> atmosphere will go?   It will blow out where ever it finds the weakest
> point, and that may be in the fire, blowing it all over the place, or in
> your hand, blowing it all over the place....or just a hole through it.

I have twisted and forged many square tubes filled with sand (with welded
ends), I just drilled a tiny hole in one end cap for a vent. No problemo.
The sand needs to be jiggled in very fully, tap the tube till no more sand
will fit, then weld the cap on. Try to handle the sealed tube so not too
much sand leaks out the vent. I used a gas forge for a long, even heat.
Point the vent end away from yer gut while hammering cuz some sand poofs out
while you forge. Granted, its a lot more work than forging solid stock, but
the finished piece ends up light as a feather.

Even large tubes will twist beautifully when (tight) full of sand. By the
way, thin wall tube has pretty sharp corners and can end up looking pretty
crisp and solid after a little bashing, and will still twist OK.

I'm sure others have different techniques for forging tube, this worked for
me.

Tom Troszak