[TheForge] Project advice

[Bruce Freeman]

SOR = square -> octagonal -> round.
Needed for solid stock to avoid weakening the center.
Not needed for pipe, where there IS no center.

Make the hexagonal tongs first and use them as
combination mandrel and tongs.  I envision a chunk of
hex, flattened on one end into a pivot and either
drawn out beyond that into the rein, or else welded to
a rein.  The other jaw would be as small as possible
so it would stay out of the way while hammering four
of the six sides, or else it would be substantial and
flat so it could be placed against the anvil and
hammered against.  I favor the former.

In my experience, some old black pipe may open up
along the weld, so you might want to test a piece of
what you have before you get too far into this
project.  This probably won't occur, however, because
I think the pipe that did that was VERY old.

Pipe is pretty easy to forge, but it doesn't always go
where you want it to.  The temptation is to hit hard,
like you usually do, especially because it looks like
you're working against a 3/4" bar.  Actually, you're
forging fairly thin metal, and at least some of the
time there's only air backing it up.  Go slow and easy
and you should have no real problem.


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

<snip>
> 
> > 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),
> 
> SOR?
> 
<snip> My prime idea had been that,
> once I swage the
> hex end down, I'll make a special pair of tongs out
> of some of the hex
> stock to handle the finial end with.
> <snip> 
> What do I need to know about working with black
> pipe? Any oddments
> about how it forges that I need to know?
> 
> >
> > --- 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
> 
> -- 
> 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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