dps9999 Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 Hey guys i am trying to come up with a present that i could make for my friend. I want it to be something practical that might have a use to it if not then something a lil different (basicly not something like a basic plain heart unless it is unique in some way as a decoration. I thought of making a flower or a rose so i looked online for any tips or advice on doing that and everything i found like a 7 petal extremely detailed rose is deffinitly above my skill level. I am kinda stumped i thought maybe something she could use at work (she is a waitress) or she has a baby that just turned 1 a few days ago so i thought maybe a decoration or something to help on that front. Still drew a blank.This girl is a very important person, we are not a couple or anything (not that i would mind but both of us got to much going on for that now) I know she would appreciate something i could make more than going and buying something. However as i said my skills are not great i deffinitly qualify as a beginer i have made a couple stock removal knives 1 forged knife i am in the middle of creating a damascus billet for a knife blade. I also have made some custom decrotive brackets to hold some of my sword colection to that wall. I am generally pritty good with my hands but the blacksmithing skill is still very new to me. I would really appreciate any idea you guys might have....i still think a flower or something along those lines would be great but would be VERY helpfull to have a good description or a template of sorts to work from but as i said everything i found seems a lil much for me. If i had a month and alot of steel to have materials and time to make many mistakes i could probilly do it but would be a challenge even if i had alot of time....thanks to any one who many have any ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stan Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 A decorative picture frame comes to mind and a waitress always needs a cork screw or bottle opener Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave51B Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 Show me a woman that doesn't like a Fredrick's Cross necklace, and I 'll show you one cold hearted woman........just sayin' Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 Where are you located? If you put it in your header you might discover experienced smiths close enough to show you a few tricks. You can buy an artificial flower, take it apart and use the parts for patterns. Some flowers are much simpler than others, a Lilly compared to a Rose for instance heavens forbid a Carnation.What kind of waitress? If she serves in a bar then a bottle opener is a good choice but a diner is a tough one, I don't know what I'd make to help a waitress in a diner. A high end restaurant is another matter, again a nice bottle opener or cork screw are possibilities.Does she like to garden? Lots of garden tools can be hand forged at a moderate or beginner's level. Collect plates. cups, etc?Okay, Dave just posted I cast my vote for a Fredrick's cross too or a Star of David or maybe a Crescent, depending.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpankySmith Posted October 31, 2015 Share Posted October 31, 2015 I second the Fredrichs Cross idea. I'm a few days away from a craft show, made a couple dozen very simple napkin rings that got some pre-show "oohs" from some friends...that seems like a good waitress related item? I'll try to scare up a photo to attach, pretty basic hammered with a brass rivet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dps9999 Posted November 1, 2015 Author Share Posted November 1, 2015 Thanks guys really awesome ideas i am going to have to think about this one tonight. First i was reading the pic frame would be good because (Oh by the way i live in NY about a hour north of NY City) anyway me and her took a trip to the intrepid muesem (it is basically a WW2 aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan its cool planes on the flight deck hanger deck has all sorts of military equipment and exhibits and now they have one of the space shuttles that was retired....cool place) But her phone camera broke and i have a picture of her son sitting in the captain's chair on the bridge of the ship. i was supposed to print this pic out but i didnt have ink in the printer and now i think she forgot about it. So that could be a good lil combo gift. Where she works hmmmm well it started as this little strickly spanish place i was actually suprised they hired her she is the only white girl in the place kinda funny. This place has expanded it serves all types of food and also has a active bar. Not the type of bar where you find 500 college kids every night but does have decent clientel as so with the resturaunt. i feel she would like a necklace or frame more than a bottle opener tho. Frosty the idea of taking apart a flower is geious! HA something soo simple never would of crossed my mind. Also as you all said every woman likes a necklace. I think even with the torn apart flower it would still be harder than a frame or cross necklace. maybe ill take apart a flower just to get a idea of what it will take (even if its not in time to give to her it does look like a huge learning experience). I got some thinking to do tonight now guys thanks again. One question tho... ok lets say the frame for example (could apply to anything tho) Say i take some square stock and twist bend to shape to make the frame. I have some brass rods with nothing to do with them. say i flattened out parts of the frame and wanted to attach them should i just use some high strength epoxy or is there a easy enough way to do it with out the epoxy (keep in mind i have never "physically" attached something like that before except forge welding a damascus billet something like that would distort the brass rod to much. Also if i were to grind down the metal at the end to make the surface consistent and no burnt slag residue. this would make the surface shiny and silver right (this is what i did with the brackets i made to hold my swords and i put "meuseam wax" on it so it wont rust same thing i do with carbon steel swords) ok 2 things i have seen pics online of decrotive stuff with a black finish to it now silver how does that happen wouldnt it also turn silver when grinded or sanded but it looks better than straight out of the forge? Lastly if you grind it down and polish so its nice and shiny how can you rust proof it? i wouldnt want to put that wax on a necklace for example cause it would rub off and she would constantly have to reapply the wax and thats no good and i wouldnt want to paint it. Ok thats it LOL i know its alot... answer what ya can when ya can and if ya can it will be appreciated............going to think about these options really guys i was stumped and you all had great idea's! thanks again HMMM spanky i know that they are napkin rings but the pic made me think braclet! Wow you guys are great a lil more than a hour ago i was stumped searching the web for a long time with no good ideas so i asked you guys its a hour later and now i have too many ideas! awsome just goes the prove this is a awsome site with a even better collection of people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Creek Blacksmith Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 For the brass rod why not bend both ends at a 90 degree angle, punch holes in the frame and stick the rod through holes and take a ballpein hammer rivet ends over. On anvilfire.com go to their iforge how-to and they have a rose plan that has the pattern for the rose petals you can print, then all you have to do is enlarge it to the size you want. They have a lot of other ideas also that might be helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rashelle Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 This cold hearted woman, ROFL, has a couple other ideas. On flowers and roses you can get precut blanks that you finish forging out, you can cut preforms out cold or hot as well as forging them out from the get-go. Lilly type candle holders are nice. A rose can be riveted together or a tenon forged and peined. Heart pendants are good. Brian Brazeal or possibly Alec Steele had a you tube video. I don't remember. Hearts take just a little practice. Leaf pendants are also nice though not utilitarian. A tiny rose can be forged out of copper. Make multi layers by cutting out some sheet copper. Lot of things you can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausfire Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 Aaaargh!!!! Disappearing posts! I spent ages on that reply too. Will try again later. Grrrrr! Looks like the picture went up and the rest disappeared!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 (edited) Brackets can be made from copper and brass wire or rod woven together and then flattened on the anvil.Trivets are always useful at home for either decorations or for holding hot pots or pans.Look up the Russian rose. IFI has several discussions on the project. Can be used as either a rose or a hair stick.Take photos and show us what you have crafted as a present. Edited November 1, 2015 by Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dps9999 Posted November 1, 2015 Author Share Posted November 1, 2015 First i had no ideas now too many maybe i shouldn't have asked...LOL Just Kidding. I appreciate every ones input you guys really helped me out on this one and yes glen i will be sure to take and post pics of what i end up doing. Rashelle, thanks good to hear a womans input on this topic.I am going to search for Brian Brazeal or Alec Steele on you tube and see what i can find. Glen i am going to look up russian rose in a few minutes also. Bad creek thanks i have mad a couple pins with these brass rods i have so i should be able to do that. I do have a question tho i have posted to pics (pics taken from a site that sells them but i have the exact same sword) So ya see this brass strip down the middle can any one take a guess on how it is attached. It is on both sides of the blade. Its definitely done by had as you can see VERY small little imperfections. It seams like there might be strategically placed small holes where it is somehow fastened together with the strip on the other side. I only assume this cause there are a couple spots where if you hold it up to the light you can just barely see light where the brass strip has lifted from the blade piece and both strips on either side come back to the blade and each other at the same points. This would be a ideal way to attach the brass rod to a frame or something similar but i think it might be a lil to complicated for me right now. I cant even figure out exactly how it is done. Anyone got any ideas. Also Ausfire.... i cant even see the pic you posted. when you get time try again. THANKS again everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dps9999 Posted November 1, 2015 Author Share Posted November 1, 2015 Also if i were to grind down the metal at the end to make the surface consistent and no burnt slag residue. this would make the surface shiny and silver right (this is what i did with the brackets i made to hold my swords and i put "meuseam wax" on it so it wont rust same thing i do with carbon steel swords) ok 2 things i have seen pics online of decorative stuff with a black finish to it now silver how does that happen wouldnt it also turn silver when grinded or sanded but it looks better than straight out of the forge? Lastly if you grind it down and polish so its nice and shiny how can you rust proof it? i wouldnt want to put that wax on a necklace for example cause it would rub off and she would constantly have to reapply the wax and thats no good and i wouldnt want to paint it.Ok that quote was from a previous post can any one explain this to me looking on the web all the decoration stuff (or most of it anyway) has a black finish to it. Is this paint ot something similar? i would assume after heating and working so much you would have to grind it and clean it but that would make it a silver shiny color right? How do you acomplish this black finish or if you do grind it to silver how to you make it rust proof? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris john Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 Pins from same material peaned from both sides and ground Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsoldat Posted November 1, 2015 Share Posted November 1, 2015 Not sure whether it was on here or another place that had tiny roses made out of flattened heavy gauge copper wire and then coiled to make the flower. may make for fairly simple accents on a picture frame. I attached a picture of a horse shoe heart that I had made as a rose holder, but would work well for a pen holder on her desk or counter at home or work. a leaf bottle opener key fob may be nice as well my wife stole one of my nicer ones and uses it regularily in the kitchen for her canning jars. Roses aren't all that hard though break it down into lots of small steps and they just take a fair bit of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 (edited) Wax of blacksmith "goop" applied hot gives hand forged steel a black finish.As for the brass you can see the rivets in several place in just that picture. Edited November 2, 2015 by ThomasPowers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 There should still be a blacksmith's shop on the Intrepid, a BIG one. See if it's on the exhibit list.Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dps9999 Posted November 2, 2015 Author Share Posted November 2, 2015 i have tried to put up a post with a few questions it wont go up. Am i missing something?...its a lil long ill try again in a little while..lets see if this goes up Ok guys I tried to put this post up twice last night and it didn’t go up. I don’t know what I did and I should have copy and paste but I didn’t so here it goes again….. Dogsoldat… that is a cool little leaf I might try and use that on the frame….I have decide to first make her a picture frame just because as I said before I have a picture of her 1 year old son from when we went to the intrepid museum (WW2 aircraft carrier) it’s a pic of him sitting in the captain’s chair. I was supposed to print this pic but had no ink for the printer at the time and I think she forgot about it now so I think she will be happy to have the picture and the frame. Now I have 2 weeks to do this wich I suspect will be more than enough time so if I have the time I am going to try a rose also. If I have a hard time with it then at the very least it’s a learning experience and I still got the frame to give her. the pics above was part of a question about this "goop" is that what was used to finish them or the pics dogsoldat posted....how are they finished? Ok also I have a question that is off topic I don’t know how you guys do things on this forum should I post here or make a new thread? I will just post it here for now…..So I am in the process of making a Damascus or pattern welded billet (first time doing this). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dps9999 Posted November 2, 2015 Author Share Posted November 2, 2015 posted new topic about the above mention to damascus i tried would let me post it here...lets see if this works Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 In general; if you have a question you should research it on the forum before posting it While you may be special and unique; it is likely your question is not and has been covered before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausfire Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 In general; if you have a question you should research it on the forum before posting it While you may be special and unique; it is likely your question is not and has been covered before.Yep, that's for sure. But you get disheartened when you do that and the pics won't show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsoldat Posted November 3, 2015 Share Posted November 3, 2015 I've been using clear coat from a spray bomb on most things lately. seals it and gives a nice glossy coat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumbojak Posted November 3, 2015 Share Posted November 3, 2015 Whatever sort of waitress she is a good money clip to keep her bank secure would be both thoughtful and utilitarian. Wait staff hold large amounts of cash and it can be tricky to keep the money secure in a pocket. Many use check minders but they can be easily misplaced and stolen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fergy Posted November 3, 2015 Share Posted November 3, 2015 13 hours ago, ausfire said: Yep, that's for sure. But you get disheartened when you do that and the pics won't show. Let's hope with this new update things start reappearing also can you have another go at putting up that pic your stuff is always good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausfire Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 OK. here's another try. I had to uninstall Chrome and reinstall to get a reply box. What a pain. In my original reply to dps999 I was suggesting a simple rose he could make and gave him the detailed method of doing so, along with a picture. Roses might sound complicated but it's really not that hard. Don't overthink it. I'm assuming you have the basic tools required. I will try again: You need to cut three (or four if you like) circles from some light sheet metal. They don't have to be perfect circles. They should be about 100mm down to 50 mm for the smallest. Drill a 6mm hole in the centre of each one. Grab your angle grinder (or chisel in the forge if you like) and make five cuts towards the centre of each disc, leaving about 10mm before you get to the hole. (72 degree angles if you like to be precise). I use a cardboard template. Round of the angular edges of each 'petal'. Now, get a length of 6mm round bar and rough it up a bit to look like a stem. About 12mm or so down from the top weld on a slightly oversize nut (rounded) as a stop. Slip on the discs (large one first), heat and pein over the end of the stem to hold the discs firmly. Now, in the forge to red heat (don't burn the thin metal), start with the smallest disc and bend up each petal and overlap it with its neighbour. Do the same for the others. Then bend the edges of the petals outward. Another heat and pein the centre again to be sure. Forge a couple of leaves and weld them on. Forge a loop in the bottom of the stem if you want it to stand up or leave it as a long stem rose if you like. A bit of a brush with a brass brush to burnish the leaves and Voila! One happy lady. Here's a picture: (I hope!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Cochran Posted November 4, 2015 Share Posted November 4, 2015 Thanks, ausfire, that is a great explanation and picture to go along with it. I might try a few myself. One question though and please forgive me if I missed it. How do you hide the nut you put on the stem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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