bobasaurus Posted May 8, 2016 Share Posted May 8, 2016 Newbie aspiring tool maker here. I made this touchmark and drift as a start, both from O1 drill rod. The touchmark logo was electrolysis etched, then I carved away the excess and refined the shape a bit with burrs on a flex shaft grinder. I forged most of the drift's shape... there are a few wayward hammer blows I couldn't fully grind out, but overall it's pretty smooth. I hardened both in the forge at 1450-1500 F (hard to control with just the regulator), soaking for about 10 minutes then quenching in slightly preheated canola oil. Tempered at about 460 deg F for 2 hours in my kitchen oven. I might temper the drift softer, as it'll see higher temps in use. I'll also soften the striking ends tomorrow. I love making tools to make more tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhutton Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 Cool...Nice jjob! Be sure to show us the touch mark the next time you fire the forge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 Nice touchmark Bobasaurus. I love fossil hunting in the Sundance sea formations. Shouldn't a carnosaur jaw hinge at the back of the jaw? Naw, don't change a thing because I make an amateur paeleophile comment. I love it and am really looking forward to seeing the mark it makes. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobasaurus Posted May 9, 2016 Author Share Posted May 9, 2016 No idea, I kind of based it off a t rex skull picture I had. The upper jaw did get a little clipped in the etch, though. I tried using it today but I think the piece wasn't hot enough... barely left a dent. I'll try again another day. Might need to make an outline instead of depressing the entire skull shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 Is it a Rex? It looks kind of like an Alosaurus to me, shorter muzzle and deep a Rex looked a little longer and more square. I'd have to crack a book to be sure though. Your touchmark punch has a lot of flat surface so the piece will need to be darned hot and you'll need a heavy hammer. It's better to use a heavy hammer and a dead blow than try and hit it HARD. I've given thought to incorporating a raptor toe claw in a touchmark but can't figure out how, a snowman doesn't have toes. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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