Texturing a small Fredericks Cross

[bsiler]

Have tried a coulpe. Starting with 2 1/2 x 3/8 square.
On larger things I usually have alot of texture ( hammer marks! ).
On something this small that hasn't been forged very much how is the best way to add texture.

Billy

[Glenn]

Use a proportionally smaller hammer.
May want to reshape an old bit from an small hand held air chisel to speed things up.

[Bad Creek Blacksmith]

I use a small ballpein hammer or instead of a texture use chisel and center punch and put some kind of a design on the cross.

[bsiler]

Thanks

[trying-it]

Ever consider adding a wood grain texture? Texturing is an easy process with a little shop made tooling. I force different rust finishes/colors with various acid solutions, then neutralize and seal with paste wax or spray clear enamel. This 1 was made from 1/2" sq, but I have finished all my sizes with similar techniques. (The Praying Mantis just decided to model for the picture as I was grabbing the camera. Who am I to argue with it!)

Have fun and BE safe!

[Junksmith]

I just use a hand-held hot cutter (or anything with a blade I guess - maybe an old hatchet?) and hammer repeated vertical lines. Seems to make a nice woodsy texture. Then I hit it with a brass brush as it's cooling to bring out highlights.

[bsiler]

I like the wood looking texture but wasn't sure how to do it.
Thanks Again

[P. Bedard]

Using a cross pein hammer gives it a very rich look. I use two of them, one with a longer, broader face, and the second (lightly) with a thinner, sharper face.
You'll have people wondering just how you did it and it's very easy.
Good luck!

[divermike]

take an old hammer, and a grinder, and cut grooves into the face of the old hammer, do it randomly, and it will give you much the same look, I use cross peens, power hammer tools, cut up hammers, old hoof rasps, anything to see what looks good. Even tried some all thread, it worked ok as well.