Wolf's Den Armoury Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I have as my primary hammer, a fairly old cross peen that I picked up for about $2 at a garage sale a few years ago. The peen on this hammer is really, fairly rounded and what I (of limited knowledge) would consider to be quite dull and wide. How thick should the edge of a cross peen be?? What would be the best (and most) way to narrow the thickness (without throwing it in the forge. don't want to ruin it) Thanks. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 I've seen many good smiths with pretty flatish and thick peens. Don't worry about it, just needs to be "soft" as in no sharp corners or edges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt87 Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 David, how well does it work 'as is'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Emig Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 Hi David, For the most part, dull and rounded is what you want. It leaves no sharp marks in the metal which leads to cracking. How about posting a picture of the pein so we can give you a better idea of what to do with it. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 My favorite cross pein has a pein that looks like a 1" rod attached to the hammer. It works so well for moving metal that I would be upset if *anybody* tried to narrow it down. Is your larger than that? Now for using one to do decorative peening like on a flower petals I have a modern one with those too narrow a peen on them to use to move metal without causing cold shuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dablacksmith Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 there is no one pien for all and ive got a few different hammers with different piens on them for different uses ... try iy and see if you dont like it change it... if its a cheap hammer then you dont have to worry about ruining it... or pick up a few used hammers and experement with um ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolf's Den Armoury Posted November 3, 2009 Author Share Posted November 3, 2009 Well mine's not quite *that* bad, Thomas. Although I could probably weld a chunk of round stock to the end of it and make it close. hehehe I'd say it's more like a piece of 1/4" round stock. I think I'm concerned more because I don't really have a clue what I'm doing yet, no one to learn from in person where I am and I'm using you guys (more or less) as my teachers. [grin] David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver Posted November 3, 2009 Share Posted November 3, 2009 A peen does not have to be round in shape, just narrow and "soft" edged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I would consider a 1/4" dia peen to be much too narrow to do a lot of work with. Most modern hammers are sold with too narrow a peen cause they are not making them for smiths! A nice broad peen lets you draw a piece on the anvil horn *fast*! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted November 4, 2009 Share Posted November 4, 2009 I scribed a line at 3/8 width with some calipers on one of my new hammers, then ground, filed, and rounded till it looked like a piece of 1/2 inch round. Seems a lot better now. I now won't be afraid of removing more if I find it leaves too many tool marks. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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