Donniev Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 Well it took a while, but I finally made my first rounding hammer. Also took some time to make the needed tools (cupping tool, drift, eye slitter, top and bottom fullers) I also did a lot of reading this winter to figure out what alloy to use and the heat treatment process, but with some help of others I figured out what to use to harden it. 4340 steel, hickory handle Open to any constructive criticism Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EJRailRoadTrack Posted June 4, 2017 Share Posted June 4, 2017 What did you quench the 4340 in? I would use 4340, but it seems like it would take to much oil the quench it. Looks really good though! I like using square rounding hammers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasent Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 Looks good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 Constructive criticism: If ya put some conditioner on them boots, they will last longer. Nice hammer. Excellent craftsmanship. You will be able to take pride in that for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donniev Posted June 5, 2017 Author Share Posted June 5, 2017 EJ I used 5 gallons of vegetable oil, threw a couple hot RR spikes in it first to get it warm. Honestly quenching it made me pretty nervous, but the oil never even got to the point of smoking, so no problem there. John thanks lol! I've never put anything on my boots other than a few coats of water proofing spray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abby Babby Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 That is, to my eye, beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranchmanben Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 That looks outstanding! I really like the square flat face and round rounding face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.C. Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 Looks good! How did you temper? And what color/temp did you bring the faces to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donniev Posted June 9, 2017 Author Share Posted June 9, 2017 For the temper I ran it to the first, dullest red I could see in the shade. I hardened and tempered each head separately. After I had the one face hardened and tempered I wrapped the finished side with an old cut up t-shirt kept in place with wire. I made sure to keep the shirt wet while bringing it up to and soaking it in heat....it's got a nice bounce off the anvil, so the HT took! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockstar.esq Posted August 10, 2017 Share Posted August 10, 2017 Nice hammer. I particularly like that you can tell someone who doesn't know boo about blacksmithing that you've got a square faced rounding hammer! Its one of those things that sounds wrong but isn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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