antigoth24 Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 hey guys i just joined and im fairly new to blacksmithing, about 5 months, but ive learned a lot recently and wanted to try my first hatchet head and i wanted to make it out of pipe so i could just fold it around, i dont feel im ready for driving a punch through to make the eye yet. but my question is should i forge weld the whole pipe to make a solid bar? and if so when im forge welding the pipe should i powder the top or inside? and will i have any problems with trapped air when i flatten the pipe? thanks for the help guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new guy Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 umm as a fellow new guy i would go for punching and drifting. pipe does not have enough carbon for an edge, and forge welding is a challenge. good luck but just punch and drift a hefty bar of medium or high carbon steel. make hooks and tong racks (they come in handy and are easy to make). good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donnie Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Slitting and drifting are a whole lot easier than forge welding. Why pipe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted May 22, 2009 Share Posted May 22, 2009 Welcome aboard, glad to have ya. Use bar. Do NOT use pipe, way, WAY more hassle than it's worth. Slitting and drifting is harder than forge welding for some folk and visa versa. Try practicing both till you decide which method you want to use. Forming hammers are good practice projects and will come in handy. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antigoth24 Posted May 23, 2009 Author Share Posted May 23, 2009 thanks guys im only using pipe though because i have it and im used to forge welding and punching for small things but im worried about the big punch so thanks for the advice guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 If you've done smaller stuff work your way up with a couple practice pieces. Outside of the size of the hammer and how hard you have to swing it isn't any different. Of course bigger hammer and harder swing means it takes better control but having to do better this time than last is what it's all about. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Budd Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 if you are comfortable forge welding but not punching a large bar, why not just make a wrap around type of socket? get your bar of steel, say a large rasp for example, thin a length and bring it around on itself. Then weld up anything that isn't going to have a handle through it. You could do teh same with a length of mild and sandwich a tool steel piece in for the cutting edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatamax Posted May 23, 2009 Share Posted May 23, 2009 I seem to remember seeing hatchets made from old ball pein hammers, you wouldn't need to punch it, plus it should be decent steel and cheap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antigoth24 Posted May 25, 2009 Author Share Posted May 25, 2009 thanks for the advice ill try the wrap around with the rasp and let you know how it goes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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