[TheForge] (no subject)

Tue Oct 2 13:52:30 EDT 2007

The problem with a V block made from angle, and the Vs in most swage blocks it that they are the wrong angle for a triangular shape.  Angle iron is 90 degrees and you want 60 degrees.  For small pieces, say 1/4" or 3/8" (maybe up to 1/2"), you could make your own 60 degree swage by filing with a triangular file.  If I were going to do it, I would probably rough it out with a grinder and then do the final shaping with a file.  You could taper it any way you want.

Aubrey
Oldish, but not necessarily wise.

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From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net [theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Albin Drzewianowski [dski1045 at qis.net]
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 12:09 PM
To: Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] (no subject)

To start things off, you're not going to get very far calling us old.  It
may be true be we don't need to be reminded.   8^)

The only way I know to do this is in a V block.  The real trick will be to
get the taper to a point.

Trying to do it free hand by turning 1/3 will not work.

If I were to try this, i would first make a 3 sided piece using the V block
and then see if by driving it (at a very high heat) deeper into the V with a
cross pien will give some taper.   I am betting to get a sharp point, you
will have to file or grind.

For short 3 sided tapers, say 3-4" I have seen blocks that had a tapered V
groove and the steel would be driven into that.  But the ones I saw, were
for a very small cross section, on the order of 1/4".   How long do your  3
sided pieces need to be???

Come to think if it,  I think I have seen some fairly long tapered V shaped
grooves in some swedge blocks, but I think they got too wide too soon for
your purposes.   Sounds like you need a pretty gradual taper.

Only way to know is to give it a try.   In any case, a V block is a standard
tool, so it will be useful to make and have one in the shop.  I have made V
blocks by welding a piece of angle iron into an appropriately sized  piece
of channel.

regards,
D-ski
Westminster, MD

----- Original Message -----
From: "Widham, Mitchell P." <widha8d3 at erau.edu>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2007 10:30 AM
Subject: [TheForge] (no subject)

Help old wise Smiths.

I am fairly new at blacksmithing and have a question on a forging
technique. I have never seen anyone or read anything about forging three
sided objects. I have a couple of projects that I would like to use
triangle shaped stock, out of 1/2 inch round or square stock. One being
a spike for Tomahawks and the other being spikes for a set of tree
climbers. I don't have a V shaped swage block only half round, could I
make one out of heavy angle iron, or do you just hammer it, turning 1/3
each hit? These spikes would be tapered from 1/2 inch to a sharp point
and maybe curved.

Mitch Widham
Operations Supervisor
Campus Safety Department
v: 7580
f: 4932
mitchell.widham at erau.edu

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