Michael Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Long post, mostly for the old tools list, alot of this will be old hat to the smiths on this forum. Figuring everyone has had enough of my S-hooks, J-hooks and leaf keyrings, I began my second attempt at a bottle opener. First attempt is not worth discussing. Carefully hot cut a square end on some half inch bar stock from a prior keyring, tossing the scrap into the slack bucket and marked a half inch from the end on both sides with a center punch. Getting a good orange heat, I drove a tapered square punch (made from a tire iron) from both sides on my center punch marks. Cooling the punch in a little can of water and remembering to wipe the water off on my pant leg so as not to cool the hot bar too much, took about 3 heats to get through, and between punching heats I was carefully flattening the section I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Jim Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Kudos. I tried a similar piece the last time I was forging. Couldn't get the open end to the right size / shape. I started making a drift to get just the shape I wanted. Yours looks nice. Glad it worked out :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Nice looking bottle opener, the business end looks very well made, clean, smooth and even. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Bly Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Now to just put it to use on a case of suds to make sure it works 24 out of 24 times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junksmith Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 It's a great feeling isn't it? To produce a finished and functional tool? I know I love it. Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRobb Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Congrats! It looks great! I just finished another also. You do have to remember to test them thoroughly to make sure everything is juuuuust right. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fe-Wood Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Better test that opener again and again, make adjustments and test again! Nice job! Now all you need is a wood handle or a hook as you said. next one- but that will involve more tests:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brasilikilt Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Ha ha I so totally in the same place as you smithing wise. We've been making this exact same stuff in class (including fire pokers) I know it feels good......and to use it for beer, even better! You might want to keep your eyes open for an broken handle off of a hammer or something to use on the end. Anyways......good luck in your smithing Iain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted April 14, 2009 Author Share Posted April 14, 2009 Thanks for all the support, I Knew an opener was a good idea. Got a couple orders from friends who want them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bsiler Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Such a good idea! I tried it yesterday, but, I think part of my problem was that the refrige was a little to stocked. Oh Well had fun and learned alot. I'm going to give it a try again today! Thanks for the Idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Mrs. ChrisB is never pleased with bottle openers....Or it might be the testing phase she dislikes... That is a very nice one, congrats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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