Nice work..    May I suggest a preform before you get going making it wider.. A pre-form is a basic shape that is much smaller size wise but has the needed material to make the shape full sized once forged..     Also check out the video on directional forging or peening practice..  The combination of flat face, round face and peen will get your leaf cleaned up nicely.. 
 

 

@Ted Ewert nice hinges.. did you punch the holes or drill them.. Sorry I didn't see them earlier.. 

Yeah, I thought about that after I posted it. So it may be that it's straight I was having trouble. I just need to look at it tomorrow.

I need to get a cross peen hammer. Well, I have a 2.5 pound one I got from Lowes so I need to find it. Although that's a little heavy for me right now. I'm using a ball peen that's 1.5 lb and I have a straight peen 2.5 lb as well.

Thanks JLP, I drilled the holes as I find it so much easier and accurate. I've done a bit of machining over the years and old habits die hard. 

Having a good/accurate carbon steel punch plate might change how you feel about it..   But, if drilling works than this is the important part..  and they are very nice.. . 

i finished my first hammer today, its made from an old machine axle its about 3.1kg or 6 pounds. the handle is a store bought one since i don't have any hickory at hand or know where to find it around here. 

its got a round side and a flat side. the main plan is to use it to move the bulk off material and the continue with a smaller hammer.

i hardend it an then oven temperd it at 255°c/490°f for about 3 hours so i'm ver curious how it will preform.

Got access to any crabapple trees?  If you check with the old folks they may know what was used from local trees for handles.

Nothing wrong with that handle, although you might seriously consider thinning it down somewhat about a third of the way from the head. That will make it much more comfortable, as large handles require a tighter grip, leading to cramped fingers and tired arms.

3 hours ago, ADHD-forge said:

the main plan is to use it to move the bulk off material and the continue with a smaller hammer.

I have a 6# like that and its great for moving larger material. Just don't over do it. It gets heavy after a bit. 

21 hours ago, Pr3ssure said:

My first attempt at a leaf.

HI! 

Try this way. Laser cutting or plasma. In one hour I make more than 100 leaves.

Wish I had a laser or plasma cutter. There's an OxyAcetylene torch in the shop though, so I'm not without. I just need to get better, my cuts are a little hairy to say the least. Those roses and leaves look wonderful though.

I do not have my own laser cutting machine, I order it in another workshop. I have a plasma, but it takes a long time to cut it.

Yeah, I'm not that good with a plasma cutter. Takes me a while to clean up my cuts. Boy would it be nice to have a cnc plasma cutter. lol theres always something nicer out there. Use what you got till you can upgrade IF you even need to upgrade. Besides its fun hammering out a leaf. Now hammering out 100 leaves in an hour would take a lot of practice. 

43 minutes ago, Daswulf said:

Use what you got till you can upgrade IF you even need to upgrade. Besides its fun hammering out a leaf.

HI!

I'm not young anymore. Make it easier to work wherever possible.

51 minutes ago, Pr3ssure said:

There's an OxyAcetylene torch in the shop though

I use acetylene only for local heating and brazing.

Oh, Pr3ssure, got a picture of my veining chisel last night to show what I mean about the curve. This one works well for me. You don't want it sharp either. This is just mine, others do it differently but this works well for me. Made from coil spring.

40 minutes ago, Daswulf said:

Now hammering out 100 leaves in an hour would take a lot of practice. 

These leaves are made of twig. 20 pieces at a time, for more power is not enough.

Plasma works well if you are cutting several of one design. Build a template and it gets easy. Just remember to cut out out extra for shelf stock.

8 minutes ago, Glenn said:

Build a template and it gets easy. Just remember to cut out out extra for shelf stock.

One plywood template is enough for about 10 blanks.

I have made templates for plasma cutting from Plexiglas or plastic and cut out many many designs from the same template. 

I use a piece of sheet metal, draw out the leaf on it, cut it out as close as I can with a portable bandsaw and finish it on the belt grinder. I can knock one out in about 10 minutes, which is fine for me. The grinder removes a lot of material if needed and also allows for finer contouring if you use the rollers and edges.

Working on a les paul idea.

 

Now das cool ... 

You going to put strings and a pick up on that thing? (grin)

That is going to look fantastic, Das. The stem needs a bit of work yet, but don't fret over it.

Plasma are great i love mine saves alot of time in the shop.

Great job Das!