RangerJ03 Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 Hello everyone, My name is Joseph but most call me Joe. Ive been surfing this site off and on since 2009 But really didnt start smithing till march of this year. I like to read up on stuff I'm about to try to make. But this time i can't find anything on how to make a split cross. I've kinda got an idea if the name has any meaning to the construction. Can someone help me out here a little. Even just a nudge in the right direction would help lots. I would like to add that if it wasn't for the recent passing of a friend, i would try to figure this out for myself. But the burial is monday and i would like to place the cross as a temporary marker till the tombstone is carved. Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted T Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 We have some split cross makers here for sure - I am not one of them!.Please give the size you were thinking about making! This may speed up the response! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gator13 Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 Picture 1 Picture 2 Here ya go bud. Welcome to the site. Not too sure on different sizes but I hope that'll get you started Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FieryFurnace Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/21026-split-crosses/page__hl__%2Bmaking+%2Bsplit+%2Bcross Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksnagel Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 Here are some dimensions and cuts that I posted a while back. I have another that I did and will post, but the best tutorial was done by Fieryfurnace. I'll see if I can find it and re-post. Meanwhile, you search the site looking for it. While you are looking you will encounter many different ways and many different opinions. The best way to get a quick answer here is to do a little research on your own. You will learn more and also learn to navigate the site easier.cross.bmp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marksnagel Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 Glad you were lurking nearby Dave. Saved me the search. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerJ03 Posted May 6, 2012 Author Share Posted May 6, 2012 Wow thanks all thats just what i was looking for. And do try to use the search but i type in split cross and it tell me that some of the words i've typed only have 4 letters. So then i try google and was lead to dead ends. so again i say thank you for the help. joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted T Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 I love this site and the great people who respond in such a quick and honorable fashion to assist a fellow craftsman who asks for help! I take my hat off to you all! - On second thought I had better not. I may get my bald head sunburned! - But you get the idea! – Thank You! RangerJ03 aka) Joseph - Just a thought: To get a quick idea of how to cut, fold and forge the cross. I suggest that you obtain some clay (yes, kids play clay will work in a pinch) and then do a few practice cuts and folds to form the cross. It will give you a hands-on idea of what you are going to be doing with hot steel. The best of forging to you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerJ03 Posted May 6, 2012 Author Share Posted May 6, 2012 I love this site and the great people who respond in such a quick and honorable fashion to assist a fellow craftsman who asks for help! I take my hat off to you all! - On second thought I had better not. I may get my bald head sunburned! - But you get the idea! – Thank You! RangerJ03 aka) Joseph - Just a thought: To get a quick idea of how to cut, fold and forge the cross. I suggest that you obtain some clay (yes, kids play clay will work in a pinch) and then do a few practice cuts and folds to form the cross. It will give you a hands-on idea of what you are going to be doing with hot steel. The best of forging to you! Thanks for the tip Ted. You know Ive always thought that working hot meteal was like working clay but with diferent tools. I took a few years of ceramics in high school. Oh and man was i way off base one how they were made i was think a long slit down the center of a bar. open it up and hammer down then draw out the arms of the cross from the slit. I dont know if I made alot sence there but i think im going to go with the tryed and true method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Shears Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 If you go over to www.farwestforge.com and go into the Recent Pictures of the Photo Gallery you'll see a very large version made by the folks in Indiana. Also Ptree (Jeff Reinhart) posted a drawing with cut lengths related to stock sizes. Just adding my gallon to the flood of responses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerJ03 Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 Ok here she is, My first split cross. It's 9" tall and 7" wide. I think tomorrow I'm going to try it with some bigger stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 That is really nice,,keep up the nice work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOblacksmith0530 Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Good job on the cross. If you vary the overlap of the cuts you can get some interesting effects. Sometimes make a longer overlap but don't forge it down as much and it gives a different effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karl EkelundPedersen Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 Hello every one, just a quickie; when you write : 3/8 square, and 1 3/4" ect, what is that in cm/centimeters? kindest regards. Sweden. Karl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubbe Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 Hello every one, just a quickie; when you write : 3/8 square, and 1 3/4" ect, what is that in cm/centimeters? kindest regards. Sweden. Karl Inches my friend....multiply by 2.54. So 3/8" ~ 1cm, 1 3/4" ~ 4,6cm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimsShip Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 The clay idea is very helpful. I use my son's Playdough, but after forming it to resemble my stock piece, I refrigerate it a bit to give it some stiffness. Nice job on the first cross! (and sorry about your friend) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Well done on your first Fredrich's(sp?) cross Joe. I don't know what the real name is but this is another common name. I don't think it's going to take you a lot of practice to make a cross that will grace his resting place. May I add him to my prayer list? Modeling clay works really well, the stiffest or refrigerated works best for me. With a little practice you can develop patterns for pattern welded steel as well as developing forging techniques. It's really handy seeing as iron/steel is a thermal plastic too, you just don't want to touch it when it's soft. Use your smithing tools on the clay, just don't hit it very hard. Eh? Oh, Ted: While tipping your hat may be your intent I think most folk think you're flashing them. <grin> Frosty the Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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