JHCC Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 This is the second hammer I've made, and the first in my home forge. The stock was a 5"-ish length cut from the end of a rail anchor, so probably 5160 or similar. It struck me that the little nub on the end was already about the right shape for a cross-peen, and I've been thinking about doing more cold work anyway (my son really wants a helmet). I had a friend over to try his hand at smithing, so I got him to strike for me for the punching, drifting, and fullering, all of which went quite well. Not shown are the stamped numbers on the underside, which were on the original anchor. I'm going to leave them there to confuse future archaeologists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 Generally around 1050 as I recall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted June 28, 2017 Author Share Posted June 28, 2017 2 hours ago, ThomasPowers said: Generally around 1050 as I recall. Ah, yes; now that I recall, you'd noted elsewhere: "From Matt B on Anvilfire 08/08/2007 12:10:21 EDT "'The current standard for rail anchors is 1040-1060 steel, depending upon manufacturer.'" Normalized, heated to critical, then water quenched about 3/4" of each end alternately and repeatedly until the center was dark red, then ran both faces to blue on retained heat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latticino Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 Nice job. I've got some similar stock kicking around and will have to put one of those on the list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted June 28, 2017 Author Share Posted June 28, 2017 Here's the starting stock (or a piece just like it) and my torsion-bar hammer-eye drift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 Looks good John. I like rail clips excellent medium carbon low alloy steel, great when you need springy or high impact in a tool. I pick them up when I can. Were I a bladesmith guy I'd seriously consider it for things like hawks and san mi or pattern welded type blades. Nice job. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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