John Martin Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 (edited) I just made this for my mom about 30 minutes ago. Took me about 2 hours to make. It's made from 10" of 3/4" SQUARE stock, I split this by hand with the hot cut. That sucked, but it was fun. I then proceeded to texture the cross with the upright beam with the wood grain and the cross piece with wood grain. Notice that the grain flows in the right direction. I did that part right at least. I then drilled three holes for where Jesus was nailed to the cross and chiseled INRI at the top of it. It will hang from the middle of it as you can see in the pictures. I took the pictures in my room with it on the wall. I hope my mom likes this for christmas, she's asked for one before, but I didn't think I could make one. Sorry about the picture quality. I finished the cross with beeswax. Critique where I can improve please!!! Edited December 23, 2008 by m_brothers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodeye Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Well done young Man - I am at work today (spending a little lunchtime as close to smithin' as I am going to get today) My first thought as I started to read your post was "How did he split that?" and right then you answered my very question - So you got some splitting practice in did you? I am sure your Mother will LOVE it Need to run - work beckens Woodeye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerkid Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Looks good! Next time try to keep the center off of the anvil , dont hammer on it. How did you put the wood grain on it? With Chisels?? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Martin Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 Chris - I took an old hatchet head, rodded it, and use it for detail work like that. Woodeye- Thanks woodeye. I use a different hatchet head that is rodded to set the cut lines, cut about 3/4's of the way through with it, then finished with my hot cut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Martin Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 Chris - I took an old hatchet head, rodded it, and use it for detail work like that. Woodeye- Thanks woodeye. I use a different hatchet head that is rodded to set the cut lines, cut about 3/4's of the way through with it, then finished with my hot cut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerkid Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Thanks, next time i go to the pawn shop I `ll pick on up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rthibeau Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 keep expanding your efforts, john....doing good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Nicely done John. Your Mom will love it and not because it's part of being a Mom, but because it's a fine piece of work. Frosty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Martin Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 (edited) Thanks, I also made six russian roses today, but I burned each one up when doing the stem. They were gonna be for on a table, but the metal is so thin, and if i kept them in the forge for longer than like 5 seconds literally (i counted) i would burn them up, so im going to make some tomorrow, and one for my sister for christmas. I have another piece of 3/4" square, I'm gonna make another cross out of it for in the shop, but I have a ton of RR spikes, leaf spring, and a few pieces of 6" 3/4" stock. I need suggestions for what else to make, trying to build on my skills during christmas vacation. I'm running out of stock, and am going to be stocking up towards the end of jan or middle of feb. Edited December 23, 2008 by m_brothers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Martin Posted December 23, 2008 Author Share Posted December 23, 2008 (edited) Double Post. Edited December 23, 2008 by m_brothers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pault17 Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 John, fine cross. I like the woodgrain effect as well. very nicely done. Have a merry Christmas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 (edited) I decided to try to make one for my church not to long ago, had a great time in the forge, almost as if someone was there with me (sic) and then mounted it in a rock, cut some grape vine leaves with my small plasma, and wrapped the vine and leaves around the rock facing upwards to the cross, for you biblical scholars, the meaning will hopefully not be lost. Edited December 24, 2008 by divermike spelling error Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
element Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 I dont get how you can take a foot long piece and cut it to make it look like that. Is is split 3 ways lenghwise? I like both of your crosses, nice work. eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belargehair Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 I believe it is split down the middle for 1/3 of the length (horizontal cross pieces), then turned 90 degrees and split down the middle for the other 2/3 of length. It looks like the splits over run each other in order to get the opening. Am I close? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Martin Posted December 24, 2008 Author Share Posted December 24, 2008 There's a link somewhere on the internet that has directions, but you can just cut the cross down the middle 2/5 of the length, then turn 90 and do it again, but 3/5. You have to make sure that the cuts overlap or else you won't get an opening in the middle. You then spread each side open over the horn of your anvil. Then flatten. Then you have to cut off about 1/3 of the top to make it equal to cross section. This was my first cross, and I learned a lot, and plan on making many more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flaming S Forge Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 That's a fine looking piece for your first cross. I'm sure that gift will be treasured by your mom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unkle spike Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 There is an Excellent Demo with Pics on Anvilfire done by some guy named Glenn Connor, that is where I got the plans. I don't Stretch the centers out. It is under Iforge Plan number 79 "C-Cross" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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