I recently had someone ask me to forge out some seashells for them, and I'm not entirely sure where to start. My thought was to upset some round stock, taper the back of the sea shell, and try to forge the rough shape then grind all the ridges in. I haven't done many projects like this so I was looking for some advice. I should also mention he wants them as display peices, so much larger than an average sea shell.

I haven't been on here very long so sorry if this has been posted before, I looked but couldn't find anything 

What type of seashell do you want to make? A conch shell or a shell gas station shaped shell that I can't think of the name of right this second? 

Pnut

1 minute ago, pnut said:

What type of seashell do you want to make? A conch shell or a shell has station shaped shell? 

Pnut

Sorry, forgot to mention, yeah like the shell gas station shell, I think they're called cockle shells

The shell on the logo for Shell Oil is a stylized scallop shell. The cockle shell is similar, but asymmetrical.

Scallop:

Cockle:

Ahhh, ok, yeah he wants a cockle shell, thanks for clearing up the difference!

Edited January 27, 20206 yr by Mod34
Excessive quoting

Grinding:  make a bottom swage to forge the ridges in by grinding and then churn out a bunch.  Think of it as a variant of a leave veining tool.

Mark Aspery did an article with picture detailing this process in one of the old hammer blows if you are an ABANA member if not I can try to talk you through it. Mr. Aspery made it simple and clear.  I just checked and it is in the free section so anyone should be able to view it.

Hammers Blow - Volume 22, #4 Fall 2014. 

https://abana.org/hammers-blow/#

Hope this help,

W

 

My bad wrong shell type.

I agree with the swage idea. 

Thanks for the link Steven. Though I have a quick correction. It's Darryl Nelson who did the shell tutorial. 

Dylan, another option would be to use a top fuller, radiating from the center of the bottom.  It won't be as fast as the veining tool TP suggested, but it is another path to check for an aesthetic you prefer.

11 hours ago, Dylan Register said:

looked but couldn't find anything 

Have you read this yet?  READ THIS FIRST  It is full of tips on getting the best out of the forum like how to do the best search, editing your profile to show your location, how to stay off the moderators radar and others.

Have done those on the head of a railroad spike before.

When finished forging just cut off to desired length  and drill and tap for drawer pulls.

Thank You; something RR spikes would be good for!