jlpservicesinc Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 This past week I spent some time at Fair demo's.. I foolishly suggested that with some help from a fellow smith (Joe L.) that I'd like to make a wrought iron hammer from some wrought iron he gave me from the Longfellow bridge in Boston when they did the refit.. He smiled and said " Sure".. Anyhow, it was 1.125 and we upset about 12" of it to get to the desired size.. I then welded on a 5160 face and a 5160 peen as it was the only material I had handy for the job.. There were some legistist problems like not having the right tongs, and not having a fuller, then making a fuller and thinking it was made from mild steel but it was made from W1 and broke when quenched in water.. Making due with 1/2 the fuller.. Few more pics of progress.. This is the hammer filed and ready for hardening.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anvil Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 Nice job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevomiller Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 Thanks for sharing, really nice job especially given the limitations in tooling, stock sizes, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted August 19, 2018 Author Share Posted August 19, 2018 Thnks Anvil.. it's a take away from the information we talked sbout.. Stevomiller it was pretty tough go at some points using only the tools stocked in the trailer... The fuller snapping and having a striker that was unskilled (first time) made for a very interesting demo to say the least... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 Jennifer, that hammer is awesome! Neat that you could still see the grain in the WI in the rough stage before grinding and polishing. Beautiful job. Is it a wall hanger or do you plan to use it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevomiller Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 Sounds rough! I started my smithing as a striker at a demo. The smith was remaking an axle for a horse drawn rail car, and he was working by himself (he did have a treadle hammer but was mostly using about a 6lb hammer one handed). I asked can I help? He said “are you a smith?” I said NO but I’ve read a book if tha helps (not much), I’m strong and can follow directions. We became friends and after many following weekends striking for him he gave me usage of his tools at his demo place and his full shop on his ranch. He was a good teacher. Fond memories of a sore back and arms...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted August 19, 2018 Author Share Posted August 19, 2018 Arkie, Thanks, now if it will stay together for hardening, I will be super stoked.. it is cool how the grain showed up even filed.. It will look really nice when hardened and acid etched.. I'm doing a bunch of items I have wanted to forge for myself and my own use.. This as well as a larger 1 and a smaller 1 were tops on the list.. So for all intensive purposes it is a "User".. I really admire the old time smiths that really produced great work.. Few modern guys also.. Figured it was time to step up the game.. I love making quality tools and such and I simply like making quality items.. In fact now that I am coming out of retirement I have really upped my end game and have started to go further than I would have back when I was full time taking the time to file and finish it to the 9's.. Stuff like this hammer I really like to make.. Sadly, I still don't like making stuff for people/money.. there is a part of me that is still burnt out from 13years ago.. i do like a challenge now with forging and find I pick stuff that push my sensibilities.. Stevomiller, it was kinda.. There is nothing like being tooled up and ready for a project, and knowing one has the right tools back at the homestead but still to do without can be fustrating.. but then when the skill set is fully challenged and it all comes together it is sure worth it.. And these days I have a tendency to pick things that are not average.... Everything has to be just a little bit more challenging than the norm.. Sound like you were able to find a smith to learn from and establish a good relationship.. these kinds of things are priceless.. Congrat's.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 Reading the old books I came across a mention of a preference for the body of a hammer to be made from a "jellyroll" weld up of real wrought iron with the faces steeled on the ends . I can see where that could help possible splitting issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted August 20, 2018 Author Share Posted August 20, 2018 Thomas, Years ago I must have read the same book.. I started with an old wagon tire and rolled it up as i welded it together.. When I was done I punched the eye and it started splitting the other way.. LOL.. Back in the late 80's early 90's I actually started to look at ways around the splitting thing and the simplest way is just to work it correctly.. I also developed a kind of eye punch that would cut as it created the eye.. This really worked very, very well.. Only problem is you end up with a little more loss of material.. The forging of this hammer really was a shot in the dark as I really didn't have any tools for doing a good job in the trailer.. Again it's a demo trailer so to take on a project of this magnitude with very few tools just makes one push their skill set to the max.. In the shop with the right tongs and such splitting really isn't much of a problem.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio Posted August 20, 2018 Share Posted August 20, 2018 On 8/19/2018 at 1:59 PM, jlpservicesinc said: Sadly, I still don't like making stuff for people/money.. And out of the kindness of my heart, I will assist you with this problem---how's about you make the stuff and I take the money? Problem solved. I really like the look of this hammer both pre- and post-shininess. Thank you for showing it. And you're photos are great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted August 20, 2018 Author Share Posted August 20, 2018 Ok, so the hammer is finished.. Pictures are of stages.. Cleaned after hardening, tempered, broken fuller, 1st acid bath, handled.. I usually harden in water but since this was 5160 I dragged out the trans oil.. Not wanting to take the risk.. I did do a hardness test with a sliver I cut off the 5160 and it hardened in water at a very low temp and was perfect.. While it took a slightly higher temp in oil to get the hardness to set in.. It took 2 attempts at hardening.. second time was a charm.. The handle is hickory from Indiana.. It was sent to me by a great guy from another forum I am on.. He sent me 2 slabs he cut out of a tree.. This hammer is truly hand made with no electric or modern tools used.. I did use some epoxy for the eye and wedges.. but even the steel and wood wedge was made in house. I weighed it and get 2.75lbs and 3lbs with handle.. It was radius tempered.. @Ohio, I quit blacksmithing 14 years ago because of getting burnt out in the blacksmtihing business.. Sadly I still have a thing,, (bad thing) about working for money with blacksmithing.. I do take on jobs that pay but I just charge what ever I want which is usually a lot as I really don't want any paying jobs so will say something ridiculous.. My main part of the craft now is to teach and demo.. Getting paid for either of these is perfect.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1forgeur Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 Very nice !! Sits on the anvil nicely too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou L Posted August 21, 2018 Share Posted August 21, 2018 I love the whole design of this hammer and desire one about the same weight. I now need a way to process that huge 4140 bar I have...and someone to guide me...<hint hint> Seriously, if I bring a chunk of the 4140 to the green coal at the Fall meet will you be there to help me get a rough start on a hammer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted August 21, 2018 Author Share Posted August 21, 2018 Lou, I would be happy to help you out at green coal.. Just bring enough materials for 2 hammers.. If you have 1 longer bar it would make it all the easier.. Maybe hr or 2 depending on tooling.. What size is the bar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 JLP, I get it re: chasing money. I was just joshing ya. And like Lou L., I just like this hammer---how it looks (like it wants to be swung about with purpose), I like how it was made, the story you tell of making it...the whole shebang. And I'm inspired to be less sucky at the craft and aim toward making something similar, so thanks for that, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted August 22, 2018 Author Share Posted August 22, 2018 Ohio, sorry if I sounded snippy.. Not good at social ques on joking via written word on forums.. I agree.. it does look like it wants to be swung.. If I am not totally exhausted when I get back today from the road. 11 horse to do today.. I'll be firing up the forge and giving it some more workout. If you like this type of presentation, you might enjoy the videos I have produced on "How to" ? smithing ?.. on you tube.. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8WRbArfgi8kSaDek7kh_1Q I'm glad I inspired.. It's the exact goal of doing these kinds of things.. Quality work is quality work and I try to incorporate older ideals of workmanship into the pieces I make.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Hammer Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 I like how you managed to forge a very nice hammer without all the proper tooling. That showcases the fact that the tools do not make the smith, but it's the skills and knowledge of years of forging that makes the most difference. Though the proper tooling makes the job easier, you proved it's not necessarily needed. You did a fine job and anyone here would be honored to have that hammer in their rack of hammers. With my flintknapping, I have a couple of decades of experience with it and one day just decided to try it left handed. Though my muscle memory was not there with the left hand, my skills and knowledge still allowed me more success than I thought I would have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio Posted August 22, 2018 Share Posted August 22, 2018 No worries, JLP, and thanks for the link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted August 23, 2018 Author Share Posted August 23, 2018 Ohio, you bet.. and your welcome.. Today I ran the hammer through it's paces for about 3hrs and change.. Few things.. the face is a little softer than I'd like.. most would consider it perfect but I like a hard hammer face.. it's hard and a file will skate it, but it still shows some wear.. Other change would be just a slightly larger radius in the faces edges the face is to flat for working uneven items like when working a latch of this type.. Otherwise it's pretty sweet with no hot spots in the hand after the 3+ hrs of heavy use.. In other words I'm a happy camper.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1forgeur Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Pics of the face? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranchmanben Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 You’re a wizard! That hammer turned out gorgeous from head to handle. Thanks again for all the tips you gave me for my own try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted August 23, 2018 Author Share Posted August 23, 2018 5 hours ago, 1forgeur said: Pics of the face? Here you go.. it's hard to tell from these pictures the radius.. Really it's nearly flat with maybe only 1 or 2 degrees radius with the very center of the hammer being flat about 3/4" sq.. thanks Ben, Your welcome. I'm just glad I could help.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1forgeur Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 Thanks JLP, the top pic shows it pretty well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted August 24, 2018 Author Share Posted August 24, 2018 And today I finished the latch and the hammer worked very well.. Because of the face geomentry it won't tolerate sloppiness with face angle.. It swings really nicely and forging with it is really very nice.. here is the finished latch made with the hammer.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted August 26, 2018 Share Posted August 26, 2018 Good job, Jen. I can't wait for your coffee table book on making New England hardware! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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