MarkC Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 anyone ever forge a pair of spurs? any idea if there is a blueprint somewhere of the process? want to make a pair for my father in law this week... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 Some fellows here have made them so I suggest that you do a "search" of past posts for the information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Browne Posted October 21, 2009 Share Posted October 21, 2009 (edited) Do a search on rasp spurs. Unfortunately the threads are missing their images but the discussions are still there. Cheers Edited October 22, 2009 by rmcpb Search URL did not work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
country boy Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 There is two threads that talk about spours made from a rasp. They are pretty cool looking but the pictures are not there right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 An out of print book by Robert M. Hall is "How to Make Bits and Spurs." I used DealOz.com Official Site | Buy Textbooks | Sell Textbooks | Used College Textbooks | New College Textbooks | Textbook Price Comparison | Cheap Textbooks | Cheapest Textbooks | Compare Textbook Prices | Textbook Buyback | Textbook Price Bot | New and just now and 3 copies showed up. Alibris has one for $27.00+. It is an excellent book and shows much of the California style including some silver work.http://www.turleyforge.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevaccaro Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 MarkC -- Here is a picture of the rasp spurs from a previous thread. These are made by cutting the rasp in half, splitting lengthwise about 4 1/2 inches, folding it over, shaping the shank, shaping the heal band. I weld the open side of the shank and split it with a cut off saw for the rowel.I also forge one piece spurs in historical patterns. Hope this helps John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkC Posted October 22, 2009 Author Share Posted October 22, 2009 John, those are beauties! absolute beauties. A historical pattern is what I would like to make him, about as late 1800s authentic as I could get. Would it be asking too much if i was to pick your brain on how to go about it?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevaccaro Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 (edited) If I can get another picture to go I'll show a one piece spur. It is an historical pattern, forged from 3/4 x 12 inch piece of sucker rod.This is the 4th try at this picture. It better go this time. John Edited October 22, 2009 by jevaccaro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevaccaro Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 MarkC -- I'll get something written up, with pictures, in the next few days. Bruce Chaney has some good videos on spur making. He lists some of his things on e-bay. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkC Posted October 22, 2009 Author Share Posted October 22, 2009 John, i sure do not want to put you out of your way... just the same i know a lot of smiths would sure appreciate that very, very much. you forge amazing spurs, that's for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Francis Trez Cole Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 Billy Klapper has a video here is an artical about him and spur makingCowboy Turned Bit And Spur Maker Because It Paid Better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobinbama Posted October 22, 2009 Share Posted October 22, 2009 MarkC -- splitting lengthwise about 4 1/2 inches, folding it over, shaping the shank, shaping the heal band. I weld the open side of the shank and split it with a cut off saw for the rowel. So the shank and the heal band are one piece? Or is the shank welded on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted October 23, 2009 Share Posted October 23, 2009 In the late 1800's, there were beginning to be made "one piece spurs," but prior to that, the heel band had a rectangular hole in it to receive a tenon, the tenon being on the end of the rowel shank. After insertion, the tenon is peened into the hole's countersink inside the heel band. It was filed smooth and burnished. When inspecting old Mexican and California spurs, the burnished part is almost invisible. You can sometimes see what we call a "ghost of a rivet," a faint outline.Turley Forge and Blacksmithing School : The Granddaddy of Blacksmithing Schools Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevaccaro Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 So the shank and the heal band are one piece? Or is the shank welded on? bobinbama -- They are one piece. Cut the rasp in half cross wise. Split about 4 1/2 - 5 inches for the heel band, and fold it length wise. The split part makes the heel band, the solid folded part becomes the shank. I weld the open side of the shank as well as the center inside of the heel band. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevaccaro Posted October 24, 2009 Share Posted October 24, 2009 (edited) MarkC -- Thank You for the compliment. I'm better at the forge than writing, which is not saying much either way. Here goes. Forging one piece spurs: Here is one way. 1.use large enough stock ! 5/8 square is a good size. 2.Split about 5 inches for the heal band. I used to use a cutoff saw, now I have a metal cutting band saw. 3.Heat and spread the heal bands. Forge the center till the cut cannot be seen. Some bend the heal bands at this point, I prefer to wait as it makes the rest of the work easier. 4.At this point I bend up the ends of the heel bands if they are going to be bent. Straight heel bands with a fixed button require heel chains to keep them in place. Spurs with raised ends or with swinging button hangers don't use heel chains. 5.Cut the chap guard with a chisel or hack saw. I start the guard with a hack saw then raise it on the edge of the anvil. Get a good heat. Put the cut on the edge of the anvil and drive it down by hitting the inside of the heel band in the center. Doe's this make sense? I don't have a picture of this operation. That is the way I got the flat faced chap guard. 6.Now shape and bend the shank. Much grinding and filing will come latter. 7. Bend the heel band. I made a plate with a Edited October 24, 2009 by jevaccaro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John P. Lavelle Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Mike visit There is quite a bit of info there as well. John P. Lavelle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkC Posted October 29, 2009 Author Share Posted October 29, 2009 john lavelle, thanks for that. john (jevaccaro), cant possibly thank you enough for all that. i'm going to print the whole thing and follow step by step. thanks again, mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobinbama Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Very Nice! I'm looking for an old rasp now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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