Swage making

[philip in china]

I want to make some swages. I have never done this before.

I had got the blank for the bottom set made and just needed to make the half a hexagon shape in it. Got it to a good yellow heat, hammered a piece of hex stock on it, as it says in the book, but nothing seems to have happened. Was I just not applying enough force? Should I put the swage in the hardie hole and the hex on top or put the hex flat on the anvil and hammer down onto it? The blank for the swage is about 1" x 4" x4".

As always any tips would be welcome.

[781]

What type steel did you use for the blank
Might try using a smaller round then finish with the hex
I take it you are making a bottom one sided swage not spring swage dies.

[HWooldridge]

It takes a lot of oomph to make a swage because you are trying to displace a lot of metal. It's easier to heat and drop in the hardy hole then use a sledge to drive the die master (it's even better with a power hammer but I don't know if you have access to one). In a shop without mechanical assistance, I would opt for a good striker to help you - it's going to be a tough job for one man.

[matt87]

Do you have a power hammer, fly press or other way to punch a hole that big? If so you could take a larger blank, punch the hex hole and cut it in half. Hey presto, two swage blanks.

[dablacksmith]

it looks like your blank is kinda big... if i read right its 4 inches x 4inches that is gona wear you out tryin to use it or make it unless your useing a big hammer try with a smaller size and it will work a lot easyer (maybee 2 in x2 in) unless you have something big to press or hammer with... like 30 ton press or 100+ lb power hammer ... good luck!

[Mills]

Split it first. Open it up some then see if you can coax to final shape. You may need to do this with a couple of more steps if it is very big.

[frogvalley]

dablacksmith and Mills are both right. A smaller blank, split it, do it in smaller steps.

I would try a round bar first, then finish to hex. Work the steel only when its really in the yellow heat, bordering on a welding heat.

Or drill a round hole in a block, cut in half and finish to hex shape while hot.