Steve McCarthy Posted February 21, 2009 Posted February 21, 2009 I got interested in blacksmithing because I wanted to forge my own fish gigs, and so far have had little success. I am using leaf spring cut 6" long and 2 1/2" wide. I make 2 cuts 3" long forming 3 prongs. I bend the outside prongs 90 degrees to the center one and then can draw out all 3 to about 5" long with sharp points and cut a beard on each about 1 1/2" back from the point then bend them back around so it looks like a 3 pronged pitch fork. The other end is what is giving me trouble. The oposite end from the prongs needs to be drawn down to about 3/8" (basicly forming a cross) and used to make the shank and socket. Here is my problem; as you draw down the end from the original 2 1/2" wide, the end result needs to stay aligned with the center prong. I can't keep it centered with the middle prong. It starts out fine then the metal on one side quits moving. I alternate between which edge is on the anvil and which side is struck but one side consistantly moves more than the other side. How do I draw down this end and keep it centered with the middle prong? Hope I haven't rambled to the point that nobody knows what I'm talking about. Quote
HWooldridge Posted February 21, 2009 Posted February 21, 2009 You probably need to set the shoulders with a double fuller or you will likely continue to fight it (so the material looks like a bow-tie from the side). You then forge the lump out to a rat-tail but the shoulders are done to the correct depth with the fuller. Rather than do all that forging, you could also split away the material and leave a rat-tail. Even a reduction to an inch or so cuts way down on the hammer work. Quote
Steve McCarthy Posted February 22, 2009 Author Posted February 22, 2009 Thanks Mr. Wooldrige. As soon as I read your post a light went off. I talked with a local gig maker today that just uses a torch to narrow down the shank and leaves the rest there to form the socket. Quote
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