cooter

Man ,this is whole lot of info. I am gonna think about some of this.If I was only gonna make a couple, or for just myself, I would love to hand build them. But I am gonna try to build several dozen to sale locally around here and trying to hand forge that much would be a killer I'm sure.I can weld, so thats why I figured if I got the right kind of plate steel and got someone with a CNC to cut them out, I could probably do the heat treating and weld the collar for the pole to the gig, and then it would be ready. I seen one advertised that claimed it was made from T1 Wear Plate, what is that? Thanx, Cooter

I just looked up the definition of forging. Even tho I find that very interesting, and would probably be really neat to do, I think I am to old to start now to learn this, or at least right now in trying to produce these gigs. I've never done anything other than some self taught machine work. I am hoping to learn heat treating first, and use that after cutting the gigs from some sort of flat sheet metal 1/4" thick.The wife would KILL me if I started collecting more equipment right now, other than an oven for heat treating.All of ya'll are artist that can do all this forging,drawing and such,I am a spectator at best. I just need to find the metal type in sheet form that will work for me. Thanx for all your inputs. Cooter

Thanx for the reply. Cooter

I live here in Fl. was born in New Orleans tooooo many years ago. I have a small machine shop here at home.I know nothing at all about blacksmithing or heat treating anything.I am doing small things here for xtra income. I am gonna try to learn some about heat treating,and purchase me a heat oven of some kind. There is alot of knowledge on this forum that I find interesting even if I never try to do any of it. Thanx for having such a great forum, and the time everyone donates to it. Sincerely, Dennis- A.K.A. Cooter

Ok I am on this fish gig thing and would appreciate someother opinions on the type of steel that might hold up. These fish gigs are normally thrown at fish and sometimes miss and end up hitting rocks.So the steel has to be something that does not bend easy or dull the points.Theres an old blacksmith somewhere in Mo. I think that uses old car leaf springs (what are they made of? ) but I am no blacksmith, so I am wanting something that is either already what I need, or something that will work after heat treating it. I will have them cut out with a CNC plasma cutter.Thanx for any and all of ya'lls opinions. Cooter Thought I would post another pic of one.

I am looking into having them cut some place else, I know with my plasma I cannot cut them that clean. But I may still need to temper or heat treat to harden the whole gig, or at least the points. I just am not sure if this AR plate is my best and only choice, and if so if I will still need to heat treat afterwards. Cooter

Your close on the type gig, it has 4-5 prongs. Good idea about the farm stuff. The AR plate is almost the same as armor plating, its pretty hard and I think when I called around for a 5/16 X 4 X 8 it was almost $500.00 . I will try to post a pic of it, I'm not sure if I can or not. Thanx, Cooter

I don't have forge, oven or anything else to do with blacksmithing. I am gonna build or buy what I need. I have a machine shop. I will be cutting the gigs from the type plating I posted above, unless someone steers me different. Folks don't like the round stock ones welded as well. Thanx, Cooter

I have no forge ,oven or anything to do with blacksmithing.I am gonna buy or build what I need. I am gonna use the plating as I discribed above. The ones welded together out of round sock the folks don't like as much as the cut out ones.Cooter

I'm not even sure at what temp I will want. The folks complain about the points dulling to quick if they hit rocks with the cheaper gigs. I don't know what type of steel plating to use yet. I was told to get some AR plate (abrasive resistance). Suppose to be pretty hard and may not even need heat treated, but I don't know. Maybe I would be better off using cheaper plating and then heat treting it. I know the only AR plating I have found is very expensive,$450.00-$550.00 4X8 sheet. Any recommendations on steel would be appreciated also. It will have to be 5/16 to 1/4" thick. Thanx again, Cooter

I am gonna want to heat treat fish gigs and small stuff. I have a sort of metal shop so building something shouldn't be that tough for me. I just thought if I could find a kiln locally it would save me alot of work. I appreciate any and all the help and input. Thanx,Cooter

I tried to use the search box but didn't find anything. I have a couple of questions that I am sure has been ask a thousand times, and I apoligize for asking. Can a ceramic kiln be used for heat treating? Also can you direct me to a site for building a oven? And wheres the best place to buy the bricks ,temp gauge,and elements? Thank you for your time. Maybe I don't know how to run this pc machine that well either. Just an old cajun.Dennis-AKA-Cooter

Heres a couple of pics of the part. Does anybody have any better suggestions as far as type steel to use? Thanx for any help offered, and thanx for past replys. Cooter

Someone has said I could use AR wear plate steel to build my fish gigs out of. They said it is used around rock mines in their chutes and such cause it doesn't wear out. Is anybody familier with this type steel or something close? It needs to be 1/4" thick or close and 5" wide and needs to be tempered so that the points don't roll up easy if a rock is hit with it. I have one here I borrowed and will post pics after I get them loaded. Thanx for ya'lls help. Cooter

This is a 4 tine gig almost like you are talking about with the exception it is about the size of your hand less the thumb and half your palm, and the tines are about 5/16th wide by about 3/16th thick, and about 6" long tines.

Thanx, and thanx for the other reply too. Later

These are some pretty big gigs. Do they use springs say 1/4" thick? Thanx

I have some folks wanting me to build a couple of fish gigs. I beleive the metal is gonna be around 3/16 or 1/4, it should be somewhat tempered or hardened. The ones I've seen are spring type steel I think. What type of steel plate should I start with? And then do I quinch it in oil or water to get it to where I need it? Thanx for any help on this. I do have torches and plasma cutter and other equipment. Later, Cooter

Name is Dennis ( a.k.a. Cooter ) from Louisiana and live in central Fl. I have been and still am involved with wildlife control. I do metal fabrication as a hobby and means of extra $$$$. Hello to all on here and thanx in advance for any help you may offer me. Later, Cooter