Akad Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Ok, I can make a hawk out of a RR spike, almost no problem. Are there any other recommended materials to make one out of? I was thinking about using the thicker piece of a leaf spring (it was 2 bolted together, the piece I'm thinking about is the thicker of the 2, about a quarter inch thick, maybe a little more) But I'm not sure how I'd put an eye in there. Any other ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blitzsmith288 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 many people use old ball pien hammers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt87 Posted September 20, 2009 Share Posted September 20, 2009 Are these 'hawks intended to be functional? If so, for what purposes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I use old rock drill stem or forge weld farrier's rasps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weldervaughn Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 what kind of steel are the old ball pien hammers ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akad Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 (edited) Are these 'hawks intended to be functional? If so, for what purposes? Yeah, I'd prefer them to be functional. I use them for throwing into logs and stuff. Just having fun with my brothers or whatever. I'm not a competitor or anything. Edited September 21, 2009 by Zanzetuken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akad Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 And where would be the best place to find old ball pien hammers? Yard/Garage sales? I suppose I haven't really looked around my house for any yet, there's bound to be at least one. All the ones we have (that I know of) we use though :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt87 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Yeah, I'd prefer them to be functional. I use them for throwing into logs and stuff. Just having fun with my brothers or whatever. I'm not a competitor or anything. From that I can infer that you want a tough edge that will withstand regular throwing (and perhaps the occasional miss) without breaking, and a hard enough edge to retain enough sharpness to stick -- but you're not looking for 'good' edge retention. Sounds like a job for a medium-to-medium-high carbon steel to me and you'd be well off to avoid 'mild' steels like railroad spikes. JMHO, and remember how much you paid for this advice -- it's worth exactly that! ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I buy mine at yard/barn sales and fleamarkets, whenever I can get a decent sized ballpeen for a dollar I buy it. They are usually cheaper if the handle is trashed and since the first thing we do is to remove the handle anyway... I have a bucket I toss them in so to have a supply when I teach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akad Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 Sounds like a job for a medium-to-medium-high carbon steel to me and you'd be well off to avoid 'mild' steels like railroad spikes. thanks, I'll be sure to remember that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 A leaf spring should work for ya.The end may even have the right size eye already formed depending on the size spring used. To form the eye you fold it over and forge weld it onto itself, or stick weld it. Then round the eye up with a drift the right size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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