Well, it was GOING to be a weenie roaster. 3/8" square, tapered and split tines, had 'em nice and even with nice curved bends.

While deciding what type handle I wanted to make I thought I'd try my first pineapple twist for the middle. Somewhere around the middle of creasing the third side I got it a little too hot. Well, I got it a LOT too hot and only the lower half came out of the fire.

After a short discussion with myself about my intelligence level I decided all was not lost. Referring to the copy of The Iron Menagerie given my a couple of weeks ago by my friend/mentor I decided I had a decent start on a steer head.
It also just happened that this morning's work included making some of the shaped carving chisels and punches for the projects shown in the book.

Anyway, here's how my hot dog fork finally turned out. I'll probably drill mounting holes and drift them square for the nails I've made with my new nail header.

Yance, That was a good save! Now you know the steps to make a fine decorative hook with a carved animal head to boot! I think it looks great.
Dick

Looks Good Yance, Did you make your nail header,, Thanks for sharing with us..

Good RDC, it seems speaking to yourself is becoming a habit a lot of us are picking up, problem is, I think we might not be saying nice things, and we might hurt our feelings, this at least will keep us from being lonely,
Hi, How am I? I'm fine, Thank me!!

To quote a friend of mine "There are no mistakes in forging; just mid project design changes!"

I've always measured skill level as much by how well a person can save a project as by how many s/he gets right the first time. Quick changes of direction is a good skill set.

Good save and redirect.

Well done Yancey.

Frosty

Looks Good Yance, Did you make your nail header,, Thanks for sharing with us..

Wagon Master;

Yep, I made it (crudely) from a piece of about 3/8" thick leaf spring. Drew out the handle then domed the head end with a ball pein over the hole in a piece of lathe drop I found at the scrapyard, driving it with a "softer" hammer. Cheated and drilled an undersize hole, then used my square punch to drift it to size.

I have "refined" the tool since these pics so it doesn't look quite so "crude". Doesn't work any better, but it looks better.:rolleyes:

Been wondering how to get a dome on a nail header!!
Thank You
Billy

good show yance! there is nothing like making your own tools and well done with the save, it came out pretty good for your first one, i'm impressed. not that my opinion matters but well done all the same.

Been wondering how to get a dome on a nail header!!
Thank You
Billy

Thanks to everyone for the nice comments.

Billy;

Here's my "doming tools". The "block" or base had been bored and internally threaded like a big blind nut or cap. The flange is something I found that looked like it would make a good "foot" for my vise since my floor is hard packed earth. The ball pein is a 32 oz so the pein is a good size for the hole in the block.

I've finally gotten to the point where rather than just looking for "specific" materials for projects I have in mind I notice bits and pieces I might could use for tools or to make tools from. My "raw stock" inventory continues to grow and my Wednesday quandry is "If I'm scrappin' I'm not hammerin', and if I'm hammerin', what kind of goodies am I missing at the scrapyard?!" Our local yard is a LOT more fun than WalMart! ;)

Edited July 25, 200916 yr by Yance
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Yance, good recovery. I call it making ice cream out of horse manure and do it more than I want to say.

Thanks to everyone for the nice comments.

Our local yard is a LOT more fun than WalMart!

Any scrap yard is a LOT more fun than Walmart .... My dentist is more fun than China Inc. Shopping at Walmart is unpatriotic and unAmerican.

Any scrap yard is a LOT more fun than Walmart .... My dentist is more fun than China Inc. Shopping at Walmart is unpatriotic and unAmerican.

True, but it's a great freakshow, especially on Friday nights.

Yance is that the result of the computer crash at work. Nice save my friend.
Ken

Yance is that the result of the computer crash at work. Nice save my friend.
Ken

Nahh, "my" computer seems to crash all the time. Sometimes I don't pay enough attention.

Been by the shop a few times but it seems you're always somewhere else. No sign of life around. I'll catch you there before long though.

Sounds like the August Guild meeting may be somewhere besides Falling Creek. Just have to wait and see.

Yance, I just looked on their site where and what have you heard.
Been spending a lot of time on my consulting job. Usually around evenings
and weekend afternoons.
Ken

Thanks for the pics about the nail header.
Billy