trammel hooks

[ausfire]

I had never heard of a trammel hook until recently. Decided to try one today during demos. (I don't usually do untried things at demos, but these seemed easy enough).

Found a piece of 1/4 X 3/4 flat off an old buggy and set to punching the holes. All went well till I got to drawing out the end for the top hook. A coupe of hits and I realised it was wrought iron. (Should have known as it came off a 100 year old buggy frame). It started to split so I cut the rough end off and heated it to sparking before making a broad hook. I would have liked to make the hook more decorative with a return scroll but thought better of it.

It turned out OK, but I learned a few things and will make changes to future ones.

The second one I made from a straightened out horse shoe (nice metal). Used the original nail holes drifted out to size. A bit untidy but you can tell it was a shoe. Made the bottom hook a leaf hook - probably won't do that again but you have to try these things.

Anyway, here they are. First try trammel hooks:

 

 

[Stephen Jones]

Whats it used for?

 

[ausfire]

Yeah, I wondered that when I first saw one. You hang them under your camping tripod so that the height of the pot or billy or whatever can be adjusted over the fire.

[arkie]

Nice trammels, aus.  I like the way you used the holes in the horseshoe and enlarged them.  The leaf on the end is kool.  I made a trammel once for some folks who had a two month long horse camp, but it was just bar stock.  The horseshoe one you made would have been perfect for them.  If they need another, I know where to look for a go-by!

[notownkid]

Yeah, I wondered that when I first saw one. You hang them under your camping tripod so that the height of the pot or billy or whatever can be adjusted over the fire.

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we use them on a crane in our fireplace to hang pots over the fire for a great stew.  like adjusting the heat on a stove.  I made one at the first blacksmith class I took years ago, and still using, no where near as nice as these.  Very nice indeed. 

[KYBOY]

That's a fine job, we make ours just about like that too..Good work.

[HWooldridge]

Good job.  I used to make trammels for the craft trade but never sold too many.  I think most people don't know what they are - most of mine were probably used to hang plants.

Wrought needs to be worked hot, especially in fine details.  I've had points split; I heated to welding and tacked them back together.  Much easier to do on wrought than mild steel (the welding part, that is...).