[TheForge] nail header

[Andy Vida]

Dave Brown wrote:
> 
> At 00:44 06/30/04, you wrote:
> 
> >Could someone suggest the simplest way of making a nail header. I assume a
> >tapered square punch should be made to form hole. If I plan on using .250"
> >rd. rod for nails, I assume a .250" hole should be punched .
> 
> NO.  If you punch a .250" hole your stock will fall through before you can
> put a head on it.  The top of the hole MUST be smaller than the parent
> stock you are using.  Forge the nail shank to length and width desired.  Do
> this over the edge of your anvil so you can form a shoulder at the nail
> head.  Cut off so that the stock for the head is about 1.5 times the
> diameter of the stock.  Get it hot, insert in header, wack it with a
> hammer.  Turn the header over and nail should fall out ... may need a slap
> on the edge of the anvil.

	Agree with this, but with one modification, don't cut the nail
	away from the parent stock.  Notch deeply, then insert head
	into header, break off, and finish per your description.  Or
	if you're not that good at making nails (that would be me) and
	need a second heat, reheat notched nail, then place in header
	and break off and finish.

	See:  http://netlabs.net/~osan/Documents/Nail.jpg