BillyBones Posted September 2, 2023 Share Posted September 2, 2023 Been a while since we have had a freindly competition so i shall offer one up. 6" (150 mm) of 1/2" (13mm) square bar. What can you make with it? This is the only piece of material allowed. Any rivets, filler material, etc, must come out of this single piece. You can make anything you wish. As simple as a coat hook, split cross, or as complicated as say a set of dividers. You may use any material you wish. There will be no "winner" picked, nor a time frame chosen. Everyone who participates is a winner, no time frame so that those who think they are not up to the challenge may do so at a later time if they wish. This is an exercise of material management and creative thinking. What i would love to see is techniques tried that have never been done or not that proficient at. No matter what it is. A twist never tried, welding if not that good, drawing out or pienning, a new type of finial, whatever. Just try something and add that thing to your skillset. And even if you fail at that skill you still tried and that is what this is all about. This is not about challenging others it is about challenging yourself. Pushing beyond your comfort zone and encouraging others to do the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 2, 2023 Share Posted September 2, 2023 You’re on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shainarue Posted September 2, 2023 Share Posted September 2, 2023 Ha! The November BAM meeting trade item is the 6" of 3/4" bar challenge! When I read your challenge I was hoping it was the same as the BAM one but alas, I'll just have to do it twice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted September 3, 2023 Share Posted September 3, 2023 I'll take a stab at it. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 3, 2023 Share Posted September 3, 2023 I thought about trying or maybe knot. I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s. Semper Paratus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim86 Posted September 3, 2023 Share Posted September 3, 2023 Sounds like a good idea, might just give it a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Brouwers Posted September 4, 2023 Share Posted September 4, 2023 Irondragon, I have thought about trying a knot, looks like this is a good time to give it a go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim86 Posted September 5, 2023 Share Posted September 5, 2023 Here's my offering, double bit axe bottle opener. Had a few dramas and its better opening bottles than chopping wood! Tapered the end a bit much and head isnt 100% tight even with a wedge ( cut from the same stock) but anyway. Jim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted September 5, 2023 Share Posted September 5, 2023 That is a pretty awesome bottle opener. Nice work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad J. Posted September 5, 2023 Share Posted September 5, 2023 Jim love that piece. I'm in, I'll just have to go get some 1/2 inch square stock. I usually only buy round then square it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 5, 2023 Share Posted September 5, 2023 Jim, now that's definitely a Viking bottle opener, if I've ever seen one, love it. I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s. Semper Paratus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim86 Posted September 6, 2023 Share Posted September 6, 2023 Thanks everyone, appreciate it, looking forward to seeing what you all come up with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBones Posted September 6, 2023 Author Share Posted September 6, 2023 Pretty cool, i really like the way the edges look as if they have pieces chipped out of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott NC Posted September 8, 2023 Share Posted September 8, 2023 This sounds like a fun challenge, BillyBones. I can think of a LOT of things I haven't done or tried yet. I think a big part of the fun might be the picking of a new skill/technique to try. Now to figure out which new skill and a theme or way to put into something tangible. I like the no time limit aspect, tho I will try not to drag my heels too much.... I like that axe opener very much.. Almost said battle axe.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcostello Posted September 8, 2023 Share Posted September 8, 2023 Bottle axe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBones Posted September 16, 2023 Author Share Posted September 16, 2023 Got some time to work on my own submission I had our tool maker at work cut me a peice of O-1, 6"x1/2" for this. I do not make blades and very rarely use tool steel. Which also means that i do not do much in the way of heat treating either. I got with a local bowyer (i learned a new word as well, i did not know that is what you call a bow maker) to make a couple tools for. One is a small draw knife the second is a scraper. These are the rough forgings, started grinding and cleaning them up and they still need handles but from my limited experience they seem to work quite well. I just did a hillbilly heat treat, got it glowy then dunked in oil, tossed into the toaster oven at 500* for a couple hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim86 Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 Billy, they look great,i like the small size. I have thought of making one out of leaf spring to use for woodworking also, what is tool steel like to forge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyBones Posted September 17, 2023 Author Share Posted September 17, 2023 It is hard. The best i can say is imagine hitting mild at just the point it is starting to get color. Heat managment is quite tricky. I had a small piece of 1 of the handles crumble under the hammer, i think i had it to hot. Not quite burning but a high yellow color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 Nice work Billy. Yes, if it crumbled under the hammer it was too hot. Been there done that lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim86 Posted September 17, 2023 Share Posted September 17, 2023 Very narrow forging range then ay..you did well then. Sometimes i pull a piece from the forge and its only orange ( but not that high almost yellow colour), fine for mild but i guess 0-1 wouldnt do much at all haha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 Thought I would take a chance and see if I could do it. First time making a cattail from square stock. Didn't take too long and looks OK. Still needs a finish. It came out 14 inches long. I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s. Semper Paratus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 Looks good Irondragon. Making some more and some long grass would make a nice scene welded to a steel plate. "Might" make an attempt at something tonight. It is in my plans but God only knows how my evenings or plans will turn out lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim86 Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 Cattail, nice Irondragon I like it. Makes me want to try a big gumleaf. (Try and forge, not eat, I'm no koala). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted September 19, 2023 Share Posted September 19, 2023 My initial contribution. The plan was way better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim86 Posted September 19, 2023 Share Posted September 19, 2023 Looks good to me Daswulf, looks about 11in? Good leverage;)..did you have to upset the bit with the skull much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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