Jbob322 Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 I have been wanting to forge an axe for a while now, but i cant ever seem to punch the eye. Ive tried different types of punches and i still cant get it to work. The punches always want to go through the cheek of the axe instead of going straight down. Can anyone help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 Have you tried a fold over and forge welded eye? Have you tried drilling a couple of holes cold and hot slitting the eye and drifting? What alloy are you using and the dimensions you are using? How hot are you working it? What does your punch look like? What alloy is the punch? Do you have someone holding it for you while you control the punch and hammer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 Pictures will help if you have any. Also knowing where in the world you are located, you may be surprised how many members are near enough to lend a hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbob322 Posted July 28, 2021 Author Share Posted July 28, 2021 (edited) I can't ever seem to forge weld, even with a coal forge and borax flux, even after watching a lot of tutorials and practicing a lot. I have several different punches, but they all have the same issue. Most of the time I drill 5 little holes to create a path of least resistance, but that doesn't seem to help and somehow it ends up going out the side. My punches are just sharpened rock chisels so I dont know if I need a different punch and Im not sure how to make one. Also the way I hold it is by putting the tongs between my legs so I have both hands free. And thanks for helping me out with this! Edited July 28, 2021 by Mod30 Remove excessive quote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goods Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 Are you rotating the axe blank after every few hit? This helps make up for any inconsistencies in the punch, how you hold the punch, and how you swing your hammer. Also, keep and even heat on the blank. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jbob322 Posted July 28, 2021 Author Share Posted July 28, 2021 (edited) Ah Ive never tried that either. Thank you for the advice! Edited July 28, 2021 by Mod30 Remove excessive quote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 28, 2021 Share Posted July 28, 2021 Are you using a punch or a chisel? Punches are not sharpened but flat on the bottom and should produce a slug when used. If you are using a chisel it may be too fat and that can throw it off. Of course slitting chisels really need to be made from high alloys steels like S-7 or H-13 so they can be buried in hot steel without softening! A slitting chisel should be following your drill holes with no problem. As for forge welding stop by my smithy sometime and I'll run you through a couple of welds; perhaps do a hawk from a farrier's rasp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnut Posted July 29, 2021 Share Posted July 29, 2021 On 7/27/2021 at 10:30 PM, Jbob322 said: My punches are just sharpened rock chisels so I dont know if I need a different punch and Im not sure how to make one. Here's a Black Bear forge video of forging a hammer eye punch and drift. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=iMQkY7hJF0M Pnut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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