Justin Topp Posted March 29, 2020 Author Share Posted March 29, 2020 It worked! Gotta our the fuller closer to the eye next time but I like it nonetheless. Little baby 1.75 lb. as forged. I’ll finish it Tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasent Posted March 29, 2020 Share Posted March 29, 2020 Awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 29, 2020 Author Share Posted March 29, 2020 Thanks Jasent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 Small 1.75 lb rounding hammer on a 14” charred hickory handle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris C Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 I like it.......................just send it to me. I'll be extra thankful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 I think I’ll hang onto this one very springy little hammer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris C Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 DRAT!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 Another hammer in the works. 2” square 4140 rounding hammer I’m working on. Fullering right now. Aiming for a 3.5 lb hammer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 Update. ITs going well so far and I’m excited to use it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 Hammer is almost done. 3.5 lbs. just needs to be wedges and have some sanding on the handle. Short fat head. 16” hickory handle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 Okay guys I was responding to a comment about the hinge not being perfect. I said worrying about the work not being perfect messes you up. I did NOT and have never said you shouldn't TRY for perfection. It's almost like simple clear statements are being deliberately misunderstood. Getting this same lecture is getting tiresome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 I think it was misunderstood because there was other things between the statement you were responding to and your words. Although I could be wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 You are a fast learner and you are figuring out a lot of the little nuances on your own.. I like that you turned the work more while putting in the fuller groove. Over working an area before correction is one of the mistakes more newer smiths take awhile to see.. Making the corrections earlier and often enough is key.. Eventually the corrections are needed less because they are happening as one forges vs a direct correction. Nice work. Love the progress and that hammer is going to swing nicely. commercial hammer handle or one you made? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 Thanks JLP. Handle on the 1.75 is homemade. On the big is store bought but modified. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les L Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 Great job on the hammer. The amount of work you are putting out is amazing as well as your confidence in being able to forge different items and the improvement you are showing on each project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 did you have to modify the eye end of the handle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 Thanks Les! I find forging different things helps build skill more than repetitive forging of Th e same thing. Don’t get me wrong forging the same thing helps but you get a wider set of skills when you constantly switch it up. I didn’t have to modify the eye other then. Thin it out a little bit. I made My drift so it fits most store bought handles if I chose to use them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 You must have been reading my mind.. That was the suggestion I was going to make is to fit store bought handles as then for many it's an easy replacement. There are a bunch of handles out there that can be easily modified that will fit many hands and thought processes.. It's even better when a person likes a skinny handle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 I started out horrible with wood working And the handles barely need to be modified for me to feel comfortable holding them. i prefer skinner handles! finished the 3.5lb rounding hammer this thing came out great! 16” hickory handle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 Very nicely done.. Inspirational work... Looking forwards to you next project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 Thanks. Its a beast of a hammer. 10 heats so not great but I drew out a spike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyGoatLady Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 That's a great looking hammer. I'd be proud to own it except closer to a 2lb.er for me! Very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 Hey, 10 heats looks good from my place. I spent maybe 20 heats starting to make a new hot hardie. LOL.. I"m maybe 1/3rd the way done. Just over 2 hours.. So, I'm guessing this hammer is heavier than the one you have been using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 Thanks CGL. I’m kinda getting into the Alec Steele/Brian Brazeal style of forging it seems and this is a recommended weight. Alec Himself said good Job on Instagram so it’s not too horrible I guess haha. Anyhow this weight is pretty easy for me to swing for quite a while and I can move lots of metal with it. I Know another Young smith who Does it in 5 heats so I’m going to try and beat him haha. Ive been doing a lot of tools and hammers lately so I’ve been using my hammer making hammer! The 4.75 lb rounder that I forged a while back. My first forged rounding hammer. So this is actually lighter. Although for most work like the hinge, shackles, hooks and so on I use a 2.5 cross peen or a 2.5 rounding hammer or a 3 cross peen for bigger work. As a side note some more testing with the hammer and I tried something new. Spike hooks. Not super happy but they work. Going to go in a horse barn at a friends farm for tying rope to. Also made a small j hook and a nail. My best nail yet. Made the nail in 1 heat too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Topp Posted April 3, 2020 Author Share Posted April 3, 2020 Various reasons mean I can’t go forge for a couple days. Such as online school and 7 inches of snow in 6 hours. It was 60 yesterday and it’s 15 degrees now .... so I’ve decided to stock up on hammer handles. I’m making 25 plain gently tapered hickory handles for hammers. Here are the first two. Slight taper to the eye but not much as I want to leave wood for when I go to hang the hammers. Domed the butts of the handles as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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