[TheForge] Branding Irons?

[Washington, Aubrey O.]

I have some original (c. 1845) branding irons from my family.  I don't have them in front of me, so this is approximate.  They are made from flat stock about 2" wide that tapers from about 3/8" to about 1/4".  The narrow edge is the one that contacts the cow.  This design allows the iron to hold heat in the thicker part while transmitting it to the edge.
 
These originals are made from wrought iron, but I'm sure mild steel will work just fine.  Here are a couple of design considerations:  Watch out for joints or intersections where the metal might be thicker and therefore hotter.  For example, I have a letter "P" which is formed from a single piece in such a way that the curved part comes close but does not actually touch the center of the upright leg.  Also, avoid sharp corners, dots (like on an "i"), and other hot points.  The handle is forge welded to the thicker (upper) edge of the design.
 
Aubrey

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From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net on behalf of Jonathan Barnhart
Sent: Wed 5/2/2007 1:49 PM
To: The Forge
Subject: [TheForge] Branding Irons?



Anyone have experience in making these?  I've had
several people locally ask me if I could make them
some.  Some want something decorative to hang up in
their home(one guy wanted me to make some with his
initials that could be used as a curtain rod).  I
figured those might not be too hard to make.  But,
there are several people who ask me for functioning
irons they could put in a fire.  I just wondered if
anyone here had experience in making them and could
give me some pointers on materials, construction
methods, informative books I could look at, etc. etc.
etc......

Anyone? Anyone?  Bueller? Bueller?

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