chickenman81 Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Made these little guys today. Only been smithing for about a couple months. Decide to try to make some stuff for Christmas presents for family and coworkers. The first one was quite a challenge trying to get the circumference right to fit the jar neck tight. And seeing that for an anvil all I have is a massive 50 lb chunk of I-beam I think they came out pretty well. Still need to clean them up some and apply a finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Very cool! Welcome to the madhouse :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles R. Stevens Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Move up to a more solid piece of steel, but otherwise your other project looks very nice, if not a little to cleanly executed for such a "tustic" peice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Welcome aboard Chickenman, glad to have you. If you'll put your general location in the header you might be surprised how many of the IFI gang live within visiting distance. Pretty nice jar handles, a little polish on the idea and some refinements and I think those would be nicely marketable items. Let's see now, you don't have to have the radius exactly the same as the jar so long as it's a LITTLE smaller so spring action holds the jar securely. A little finial scroll on the ends of the prongs will make them easier to grasp and less poky. If you can get a decent grip on the ends of the prongs they'll be easier to get on and off. A different but similar piece is a tea candle lamp. The iron work forms a handle and connects to the jar in a hair pin bend with the inside end making a spiral with a sharp point to hold a candle or hold a drip pan, etc. Versions of these lights can hang from hooks or a board, maybe a chair back, fence rail or wire, etc. just right for an evening picnic or toddy. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenman81 Posted November 23, 2014 Author Share Posted November 23, 2014 Thanks everyone. It's hard to tell in the pics but I did texture the handle with a ball pein hammer. I was going to try the scrolls on the ends but decided on these to leave them off. Next ones I do will have them. The spring action is actually what I had trouble with at first. One minute it's was to tight to fit on jar, the next it was not enough to hold securely. Def learned a lot. Thanks again for the comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneCoeArtistBlacksmith Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 Down here we call 'em "Shine Steins". I made a jig from an appropriately sized piece of pipe for when I make them. Sometimes I make them similar to yours, sometimes I fold a piece of 1/4" round then twist the handle. There are several different styles of twists. I do taper the ends and scroll them. The length of the arms is slightly longer than half way around the jar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianinsa Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 is that cause you put the tea lights in them :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpankySmith Posted November 23, 2014 Share Posted November 23, 2014 I messed with these the first month I started smithing, could never get one right...gonna have to give this a try again. I think I was over-thinking it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobshagg Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 This is something I've been wanting to try for quite a while, I think I just need to get out there and do it. Great pics by the way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 24, 2014 Share Posted November 24, 2014 If you could make them from forged stainless then they would be dish washer safe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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