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Howdy ThomasPowers; Well I wish I'd a talked to you before I started this little project. Sounds like you know about it. I don't want anything fancy, more the opposite TBH. The older I get the better I like the ol-timey plain & simple style. When I was a boy (55-65 yrs ago) that was mostly what I saw here in south GA. A lot of the old 'hand-made' style, a family friend had a straight-back chair w/ uncured cow hide seat, hair-on & a fly swatter that was a circle of leather in the end of split dowel by the look of it. Many notched-log barns & sheds w/ split shake roofs back then, the old family tobacco barn hadn't been used since I was little tyke, it's about all fallen down now. Bout like me. I might try copper if the brass don't pan out. Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!

Howdy, George N. M. I appreciate your kind reply, specially the advice & technical info. I updated my profile w/ a pic & location. I've read brass doesn't like being 'forged' or 'worked', only cast or machined. I thought it could be worked a bit but my 1st effort (3/16 rod) is what chipped. I'm gonna' try to finish what I started. I think the rod is not for brazing, which I have some experience w/. I have 8 pcs H59 1/8 rod at 12" each, I want to use for prongs w/ the 2" O.D. rings. The ends (after cutting/opening) need to be flattened to ~1/2 it's 6mm/.236" diameter. Also not intended for brazing, IMO, no flux. Have a GREAT day, Neighbor! Howdy, Frosty; I'll try the charcoal but I don't have forge. I'm just starting w/ this, & it looks like I jumped in the deep end before learning to swim. I have a bernzomatic torch w/ an adapter to a barbecue propane can, I think that'll get hot enough to get to dull red, like George said. (It's been maybe 30 yrs since I did any metal work.) BTW, just how "polished" does the face & hammer need to be? Most of my tools are old, tho I did just buy a new 24oz ball peen at Harbor Freight. Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!

Howdy, all; I just got a small Hay Budden stamped "82". I got it to have something to beat on. I want to make a few brass blanket pins/cloak pins/periannular brooches. Or whatever you call 'em, I want to make a few. I've got a few brass rings, 1-13/16 in to 2-1/2 in dia x 1/4 in cross section & 1/8 in & 3/16 brass rod. I've cut 1 ring & started on the prong but it work-hardened & chipped. So I got a bernzomatic torch, an adapter, & big barbeque-sized can of propane. I can use it w/ a Coleman camp stove for cooking/heating when we lose power. So long story short, anybody got any advice on this? I think if I wrap the prong around the center of the ring & beat the open ends it'll work. I hope. I just wanted a few hand-made blanket pins. Looks like it's turning into a life-long project. Like I said, I'd really appreciate some advice on this. Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!