[TheForge] (no subject)

[Andrew Vida]

peter fels wrote:
> Use the cross bar as a drift...waist mid bar..goes in the freezer while spear head heats?

	I would do the opposite - use the tang as a drift.  Keeps the integrity 
of the spear better IMO.  But better still, I would weld them up real 
good and solid if two piece construction is to be the order.  While more 
work, one piece construction is probably best from the standpoint of 
strength and reliability.  A pissed off boar is nothing with which to 
take unnecessary risks, especially in the quality of your implements. 
You will be likely be carrying only one, so it should be the best 
possible article, IMO.

	Another possibility for two piece fare is to upset the tang into the 
cross like a rivet:


                               |    |
                               |    |<--cross piece punched& drifted
     __________________________|    |   to proper diameter
    |                          |___/ \__________________
    |                                                   |
    |     blade                                         |<-- tang upset
    |                           ___  ___________________|    into cross
    |__________________________|   \/
                               |    |
                               |    |

I would leave the blade and tang ends unforged until cross piece is
successfully installed, then forge each end as needed.  The cross piece
should be forged to near completion beforehand.