JoeYunker Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 (edited) Hello again everyone, I’m hoping you all can give me some advice here. I’m struggling xxxx xxxx to punch and drift a straight, clean eye in a hammer. I’m on my second attempt. I’ve been using a hand punch I made from 3/4 h13. The drift I’m using was drawn out from a big pry bar. The first issue is the eye is crooked, which is certainly just lack of experience. The second issue is I can’t seem to drive the drift in far enough to try to draw the cheeks out and straighten the crookedness. I’ve realized that I need to be working very hot, so I adjusted the forge and I’m having a somewhat easier time, but I just can’t seem to get it driven very much at a time. I’m working solo for one, and two I don’t think the punch tip geometry is right. I’m not getting a clean plug either. Anyone have any suggestions? Edited August 25, 2020 by Mod30 Language Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 Have you tried drilling a couple of holes to encourage the punch to follow the true orientation? Can you show the punch you are using? Are you getting an even heat with your forge? Do you have someone holding it so you can concentrate on the punching? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeYunker Posted August 25, 2020 Author Share Posted August 25, 2020 Hey Thomas, thanks for the reply. I haven’t tried drilling holes but maybe I’ll try that next time. I was hoping to get it done on the anvil but that’s proving tougher than I expected. I’ll post a picture of the punch I’m using below. Im using propane, seems to be a very even heat. I don’t have anyone holding, that would be nice but with a hand punch it seemed like a bad idea. I need to make a handled punch with better tip geometry for sure. Having that and a striker will be helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 Do you have a pair of tongs that will hold the punch? When heating are you letting it soak in the heat to get the thicker parts heated through? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeYunker Posted August 26, 2020 Author Share Posted August 26, 2020 Thanks for the reply Iron Dragon ForgeClay. I have some tongs that will hold it but it would probably take two hands to hold it closed. Maybe I can get my wife to hold it, I’m just worried it will wiggle around a bit in the tongs when I’m striking. Might have to modify another pair. I don’t know if I’m letting it soak long enough, I’ve been taking it out as soon as it’s yellow but that’s a good suggestion, I’ll let it soak longer next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goods Posted August 26, 2020 Share Posted August 26, 2020 If the tongs fit good, try using tong clips. You can set the clip really tight, and not have all that stress on your hand/arm. I found my elbow on my tong holding arm bothers me if I’m holding something odd and with tong clips there’s no issues. (Its kind of funny that I’ve never had problems with my hammer arm...) David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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