nankbrown1227 Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 I forged a new tool last night, this is my first flatter, to flatten out work and the sides of chain hooks I was just using a 1/2" piece of plate that I welded a handle on. Since I am doing a little more work at the anvil lately I decided to make a "proper" flatter. This is made from the same cj5 axle that my hotcut is made from, and let me tell you, having a proper hotcut hardy makes all the difference in the world when you are cutting this stuff. I forged the striking end down and upset the flat in the hardy hole on the anvil. I rigged uo my water hose so that it was above my anvil and I could turn it on and keep my anvil cool in between heats. I then added a wrapped handle to it after fullering a ring around the shank. I went with the wrapped handle because I like the way the flatter will be able to float on the work piece. I forgot to mention, I heat treated the flat surface but left the striking end fairly soft, I left plenty of meat on the flat end so it can be dressed in the years to come, I figured if the striking end ever needs more metal on it I can build it up with the MIG a couple minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielC Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Very nice! What are the dimensions of the whole thing? What size hardy hole do you have? Feels great using your own tools, and yours look good. I still have my striking anvil under conatruction and have been thinking about drifting two different holes. One to match my 1.25" hardy and another one maybe 1.5-1.75" for making flatters with a wider main body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nankbrown1227 Posted October 31, 2013 Author Share Posted October 31, 2013 The flat end is 2"x 2", the striking end is dressed down to 1", the overall height from flat to striking end is roughly 3" and the handle is 13" long. I left the flat end 1/4" thick so that I could dress it in later use. I would say that it weighs about 1 1/2#. My hardy hole is 1 1/8". And thank you for your support And Daniel I just picked up some 3" plate at the scrap yard and thought about either making a striking anvil or machining it into a swage block of sorts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielC Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 Sounds like a great flatter. I also am using 3" steel for my striking anvil and even have a thread on it: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nankbrown1227 Posted October 31, 2013 Author Share Posted October 31, 2013 I just checked that out, that will make a dandy anvil! I would love to drift mine but due to lack of a willing helper lol I will end up machining it. So on your flatter in your profile pic, what do you have the handle hole drifted to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfootnampa Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Don't forget to dress the struck end though! round the corners and give it a bit of crown so that you minimize the chance of chips and mushrooming and the crown helps to keep the force of strikes centered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck in Ms Posted November 1, 2013 Share Posted November 1, 2013 Real nice work. I am going to try one of those wrapped handels one of these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.