JimsShip Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 I like them, are you thinning the top of the spike to allow it to grab the cap, or just bending it forward a bit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 Thanks guys. I'm starting to get better at punching holes. And I read about counter sinking holes on here and had a "duh" moment. Frosty, I'm using a mix of beeswax, linseed oil, and turpentine. Applying it while it's about too hot to hold without a glove then wipe the excess off. Usually let things cool down to wire wheel them first then warm them back up on the dying fire when I'm done forging. You can mail your openers to me for proofing Jim, yeah, I have to thin the front lip and fold it around a bit for it to bite the cap. It's too thick to get away with not thinning it out. I'm still trying to find an easier way to do that more cleanly. So far I'm going between the post vice and that little rail anvil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forging Carver Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 really nice idea that I might steal and make for my dad, as long as you don't mind. Seems like a simple forging process, although getting the head at the correct angle seems a bit difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 6, 2015 Share Posted October 6, 2015 really nice idea that I might steal and make for my dad, as long as you don't mind. Seems like a simple forging process, although getting the head at the correct angle seems a bit difficult.wasn't my idea to begin with but I liked it as well. Go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Jim, yeah, I have to thin the front lip and fold it around a bit for it to bite the cap. It's too thick to get away with not thinning it out. I'm still trying to find an easier way to do that more cleanly. So far I'm going between the post vice and that little rail anvil. Das,To maybe give you an idea for thinning the lip, take a look at Gary Huston's youtube video on making a clipping hammer. He shows how a farrier puts a clip on the edge of a horseshoe, hammering and thinning on the anvil edge. Not exactly what you are doing, but maybe the technique will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Arkie that was an interesting watch. all info helps at this point tho it is a bit of a different concept for what i'm doing. but Thanks again and it's more knowledge for me that i didnt know. i got the other two openers folded down a bit more and they are working perfectly. honestly it's just a matter of the shape of the front under part of the rr spike head. i'd like to squish it with minimal damage to the top face. Tho making a hammer like Gary did is now in my head to try to fit to the job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forging Carver Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 Arkie that was an interesting watch. all info helps at this point tho it is a bit of a different concept for what i'm doing. but Thanks again and it's more knowledge for me that i didnt know. i got the other two openers folded down a bit more and they are working perfectly. honestly it's just a matter of the shape of the front under part of the rr spike head. i'd like to squish it with minimal damage to the top face. Tho making a hammer like Gary did is now in my head to try to fit to the job. this a good begginer project? And do you think I can get away with using vise grips or a pair of flat jaws? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 this a good begginer project? And do you think I can get away with using vise grips or a pair of flat jaws?Might be a little tough holding the spike with flat jaws. I have bolt tongs and even them being round give me a little slippage but I've used them with a bunch of spikes so far. Can you hold a spike to work it with what you have? I also used a hold down to hold the spike for initial punching of the holes. The holes could be drilled tho. If you think you can hold the spike with what you have to work with then give it a try. If not make a pair of tongs to hold a spike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forging Carver Posted October 7, 2015 Share Posted October 7, 2015 ok thanks i will give it a go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSW Posted October 8, 2015 Share Posted October 8, 2015 If you can weld, you can always weld on a handle and cut it off later if need be. Someone here a while back also posted up a pair of old slip joint pliers that had the handles lengthened by welding on some rod to use as tongs. They would have a larger opening than Visegrips might. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 If you can weld, you can always weld on a handle and cut it off later if need be. Someone here a while back also posted up a pair of old slip joint pliers that had the handles lengthened by welding on some rod to use as tongs. They would have a larger opening than Visegrips might.Here they are in all their glory!!! UGGHHH...but any port in a storm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forging Carver Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 I was thinking about making a bottle opener for the fire dept that my brother, dad, and eventually hopefully I am at. I was thinking about a wall hanger, and maybe putting co.3 on it or their badge. Any ideas on how to do that? ThanksThis is their badge: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimsShip Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Do they use any small tools you can work into an opener? Or maybe a shield from a helmet can be attached to a piece of iron for a wall mounted opener. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 There are a number of methods. You can chase it into relatively thick steel, say 1/4". You can repoussee and chase it in thinner stock, say 16ga. You can etch or engrave it. Those are just off the top techniques, there are a lot.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 (edited) Do they use any small tools you can work into an opener? Or maybe a shield from a helmet can be attached to a piece of iron for a wall mounted opener. A miniature Halligan bar with a built-in bottle opener would be cool. Edited October 9, 2015 by JHCC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSW Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Looking at the shield I could see doing that with 3 punches. One for the 4 pieces of the outer design, One for the "ring" in the center and a "3" punch from some number set. The 3 would probably set the size of the design. With a bit of work you could probably forge a small fire hydrant out of round stock and then do the opener at the other end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forging Carver Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 love the ideas thanks! haligan bar seems a great idea, as does the fire hydrant. Or maybe a helmet with the badge on it and opener where your head will go (miny helmet). Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forging Carver Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 (edited) A miniature Halligan bar with a built-in bottle opener would be cool.I was thinking about getting a full sized halligan bar and making the poker end into a bottle opener but I am not sure where to get a used one since they last forever. Edited October 9, 2015 by Forging Carver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Look at garage, yard, etc. sales and don't forget to ask the guys at the firehouse if they know where to find an old one. A miniature halligan across a nice station shield would have the guys lining up with orders in short time.A little spacing and a miniature ladder will open beers nicely. I like the fire plug idea too but shouldn't that be a tap on top of a keg?Okay, a miniature ladder truck extended to pop beers and a water cannon for mixers.I'm thinking a fire fighter's bar aren't I? Oh why not the, Fire Plug Pub? Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 <snip>I'm thinking a fire fighter's bar aren't I? Oh why not the, Fire Plug Pub? Frosty The Lucky.How about Kelly Halligan's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 How about Kelly Halligan's?Tanker's bar?Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausfire Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Been doing a lot or ram's head openers. I used to bend the whole head around to face the opener end (like the one on the right) but I've done the last lot with the head looking away. Seems to fit the hand better that way and it's quicker.I use a 400 mm length of 12 mm and forge a head on both ends, then chop it in half to make two openers. It saves using tongs to make the heads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forging Carver Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 Thanks for the great ideas. And nice Rams openers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 (edited) Rams...hmm, gets me thinking of the potential for football mascot-themed bottle openers: Rams, Broncos (horseheads), Eagles, etc.Of course, my local team is the Browns. Anyone making a bottle opener shaped like a pile of dung? Edited October 10, 2015 by JHCC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 (edited) Nice ram heads Ausfire. Of course, my local team is the Browns. Anyone making a bottle opener shaped like a pile of dung?I've made a few but threw them in the scrap pile. Edited October 10, 2015 by Daswulf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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