February 16, 201511 yr I forged a few top tools last week. One slitting hammer from 1" 4140, one half inch top fuller from 1.4" 4140 and one 5/8" top fuller from 1.4" 4140. I didn't get the cheeks drawn out quite like I wanted but I think they should work quite well. Used my belt grinder to make them a little prettier.
February 16, 201511 yr Greetings Metalathon, The only thing that would make them look better is if they were hanging in my shop.. Great work ! Forge on and make beautiful things Jim
February 16, 201511 yr Agreed Jim they would look better in my shop too;-) I need to get around to making top tools... They do look good as they are, a little more cheek would be nicer, but they look good as they are.
February 16, 201511 yr 4140 is great for fullers; may not be quite as nice for a slitter as a high alloy steel but I use a lot of tools that are not "the nicest" and tend to only re-create the ones I use the most in higher alloy steels---which I then use the most making an using and creating tool loop.
February 16, 201511 yr Those look great, nice wide eyes. My top tools always have small eyes, need to make a larger drift.
February 17, 201511 yr Traditionally a top tool had a smaller eye than a hammer... You were supposed to use a lighter handle, just incase the striker missed, or glanced off and hit the handle or kicked the tool out of your hand. It also left more mass in the area where the force was being transferred through, less likely to deform the eye...
February 17, 201511 yr Very nice work. I've been tinkering with the idea of forging some top tools, but never quite seem to get around to it. There really can be too many irons in the fire! Anyhow, you're work looks great as-is and I wouldn't be too quick to take them to a grinder. Give 'em a wipe down with an oily rag and stick a handle on them, I say.
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