ausfire Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 I have searched this but didn't find any references, so would welcome your suggestions/ideas.Rose leaves have a fine serrated edge and I would like to achieve that on the very thin leaves of my roses. My method at the moment consists of clamping the hot leaf in the vice and chiseling in the small indentations, one side at a time. Works OK, but perhaps you guys have a way of making the serrations a little sharper, neater and more regular.Another method I tried was forging the leaves from 10mm threaded rod, pushing the metal so that the threads made the serrations. Some success but not really what I'm looking for.I thought of trying to make a special tool using the curved jaw from some pliers.All suggestions gratefully received. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 Do you have any files? A knife file would likely work best for very sharp thin serrations. Otherwise a triangular file would be your next best bet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausfire Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 I have not heard of a knife file, but I do have triangular files. I'll give that a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arftist Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 A knife file has the profile of a knife; you can cut a very acute angle with it. http://www.technologystudent.com/equip1/hfile2.htm Mods, not sure on the present policy on posting hot-links. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheftjcook Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 The threaded rod when forged will leave a more desireable parttern for leaves, A course file when forged leaves a fantastic snake or fish scale like pattern. Both look great just different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausfire Posted February 9, 2014 Author Share Posted February 9, 2014 Threaded rod does create a different effect, but I've never been able to make it as neat and as even as a rose leaf's serrations. And I find it hard to get threaded rod that's not galvanised. I'm not putting that gal rod in the forge, it's deadly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Threaded rod does create a different effect, but I've never been able to make it as neat and as even as a rose leaf's serrations. And I find it hard to get threaded rod that's not galvanised. I'm not putting that gal rod in the forge, it's deadly. Doesn't go all the way round the leaf's edge either when finished profile is formed Triangular file, or half round files are useful for edging leaf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianbrazealblacksmith Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 Ausfire, I'd stick with the vice and chisel method. I've posted a few roses and grape leaves on this site before, but something happened to the pictures. I do the chiseling before I have taken the leaf too thin, and for the grape leaf, I chisel a lot farther, so I'll chisel straight in with one hit then diagonal with one hit then the other diagonal with one hit, until I get to the depth I choose. The main thing about chiseling is to only hit once and remove, and then replace or move and hit again. Do not use a chisel like a plow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
territorialmillworks Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 A dremel tool with a cut off wheel ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 large old bolt held in the vise, leaf edge driven down with a small wooden mallet. Reheat and cool the already serrated edge before trying the other side. file or a chisel is probably more consistant. This method seems to work about half the time, the other half the leaf bends before it gets much edge detail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basher Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 I'd go for in a vice with a chisel, and profile the chisel edge sharper than normal for hot work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caladin Posted April 1, 2014 Share Posted April 1, 2014 If you want to try threaded rod, soaking it in vinegar will eat off the galvanization..... I'd recommended against tasting the vinegar though :) Cal- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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