Sam Salvati Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Got these nails figured out, I forge a ball on a stem using a ball spring swage, then just taper the stem and put it in my slowly evolving swage block and head it over. You only need a hole in a block, not a header if your upset head is big enough to give and form a shoulder. Just mild steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pug}{maN Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 what you useing them for ? look good to ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yesteryearforge Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Nice job Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted December 11, 2012 Author Share Posted December 11, 2012 Pug, nothing specific, they do make a GREAT coat hanger. thanks Mike! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordPrefect Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Nice job Sam, I made something similar at Stans hammer-in on his LG 100# power hammer. I kept what I called a pin with a 1/2" round had, made it using ball swage, round tapper, but now you gave me an idea for different application. Unfortunately after all the work I was talking to by brother in law and burnt the pin first in half, forge welded it back together, then burnt the head of it, and that was that. Started a new one since, with a square tapper, I wanted to make a spiral latter holder, also you could easily make a banana holder, cup holder, etc. I will try and finish my new one but not easy with out a ball swage, maybe my friend Stan can make me few ball swadges of various sizes (5/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1"), for that he already said I need to make a trip to IL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bosox Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Very creative! Like the design on its head . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Clavos, decorative nails, are a common feature in Spanish colonial door work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfootnampa Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Well you could as easily make them with a header and I don't see the advantage of a spring swage??? Just start with thick enough stock to give enough mass for the head and then draw down from there. That's how I do it. What is the difference between smashing a cylinder and smashing an orb? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfootnampa Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 That IS a NICE nail though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beth Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 sam i LOVE that nail.! its great! very pleasing :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted December 11, 2012 Author Share Posted December 11, 2012 Well you could as easily make them with a header and I don't see the advantage of a spring swage??? Just start with thick enough stock to give enough mass for the head and then draw down from there. That's how I do it. What is the difference between smashing a cylinder and smashing an orb? BFNampa, I make them from the little lollipops because I use them for alot of different things, nice to have a bunch of pieces sitting around that can be turned into 10 different things from one preform, takes me one heat to make each one. Plus, I like the ball as it makes QUITE a good centered and very round head for my nails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironman50 Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 Neat work! Spotless. http://www.sawblade.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfootnampa Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 BFNampa, I make them from the little lollipops because I use them for alot of different things, nice to have a bunch of pieces sitting around that can be turned into 10 different things from one preform, takes me one heat to make each one. Plus, I like the ball as it makes QUITE a good centered and very round head for my nails. Fair enough. I often prefer a rough or rustic rounded head... but I can see doing it your way too. Thanks for sharing BTW! Your posts are always interesting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneCoeArtistBlacksmith Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 Sam, have you seen the "BIG NAIL" that Danger Dillon and a bunch of blacksmiths in Atlanta made?? It is about 7 foot long and has touchmarks of blacksmiths from all over the country. It was made to honor Tom Clark. I forget where it is mounted now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon Sculpture Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 Thats not a nail, THIS is a nail... :o Ben Bradshaw has it... A side note the man standing directly behind me in this photo name is Mike Shaffer. I just posted a dragon that Dan Boone made that was in Mike's collection, Mike just passed a few months ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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