[TheForge] Project advice

[Bruce Freeman]

Phlip,
Maybe I'm caffeine deprived this morning, but I had to
read that twice before I started to understand.

I take it the problem is how to swage down one end of
the pipe over the hex mandrel without excessively
bunging up the other end, which is to be the finial
ornament.

I take it that you have no problem about what to do
about the finial ornament.  However, without knowing
what you plan to do with it, it can be a little hard
to give advice.

For example, if you planned to swage the pipe down in
the round to some sort of point (noting that 'SOR'
does NOT apply to pipe), then it might make sense to
do that first, because the result would be a pretty
strong finial ornament, and easy to grab with tongs.

On the other hand, if you were going to turn the
finial end into something elaborate or otherwise not
suitable for doing first, then I could see your
working the hex end first.

As to swaging down to a hex, the main problem is the
three-handed problem:  Heat the pipe and use one hand
to place over mandrel.  Hold pipe with one hand, 
mandrel with second hand and hammer with third hand,
and hammer pipe to hex.  You see the problem.

It may help to begin the hex without the mandrel.  You
can hammer round steel to hex just like you hammer it
to square, but with 60-d instead of 90-d turns.  So
you give it a hint of hexagonality, reheat, and slip
in the mandrel, and hammer ... with your third hand.

A treadle hammer or striker would be useful.

Was any of this useful, or did I miss your point
entirely?

Bruce
NJ

--- Saint Phlip <phlip at 99main.com> wrote:

> I want to turn some black pipe into some finials for
> my new, medieval
> style smithing shelter. The pipe is 3/4", to slip
> over nuts/couplings
> appropriate for 3/8" all thread, which means I'll
> have to neck the
> pipe down a bit. I got a piece of hexagonal bar
> stock that just
> happens to be the right size to use as a mandrel,
> but I'm looking for
> advice and suggestions as to how to do this most
> efficiently, so I
> have a decent piece of black pipe at the other end
> to turn into a
> finial.
> 
> Let the suggestions begin ;-)
> 
> -- 
> Saint Phlip
> 
> Heat it up
> Hit it hard
> Repent as necessary.
> 
> Priorities:
> 
> It's the smith who makes the tools, not the tools
> which make the smith.
> 
> Blessed be the self-righteous, for they shall
> inherit themselves.
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