FieryFurnace Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 How do you texture your branches? I was thinking of making a couple for our house. Our living room is kind of divided in two by a post/beam that runs through the middle. (Where we added on) This forms four corners, one on each end of the room, and one on either side of the post. I was thinking a branch for either side of the post and some scrolls on the ends. Anyway, I don't realy have a "texturing" tool. The only tool I have is a chizel and a splitter. Would it look textured enough with just the hammer, leaving the tapers less rounded than normall? Thoughts??? Thanks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easilyconfused Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 It all depends on how textured you want it to be. Leaving some facets leaves a more subtle texture while you could make a die with a chisel or the like for the bark texture, set up to accept round stock for a more obvious texturing. I've also heard of people using a mig welder to run some thin beads. You could also use a cutting torch of sorts to cut grooves if you wanted to. For my leaf hooks I wanted to look like a subtle branch I just left the tapers a little rougher with some facets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakwoodironworks Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Look up Blacksmith Supply on the internet and go to their web page. They have a picture of a vine texturing spring swage that gives you a bark-like look to your forging. Gives you an idea of what to do if you want to make your own or buy one. I use a large chunk of metal ( has a rounded depression lake a swage block ) that has some lines cut into it. I simply place my hot steel in it and rotate it as I hammer the metal. It comes out looking pretty much like bark on a limb. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FieryFurnace Posted March 6, 2009 Author Share Posted March 6, 2009 That can't be made out of a mild steel block can it? And be expected to last? Good idea though! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDW Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 I watched a fellow make a snake, and he textured the body with one of those sheet rock hammers that has the dimples on the face. If you used one of those then smoothed it a little with your forging hammer it may have some effect. just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FieryFurnace Posted March 6, 2009 Author Share Posted March 6, 2009 Interesting idea! I'll have to try that out. I'd be nice if it'd be that simple! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 LDW has a good idea. I know my Estwing framing hammer has a very knurled face and leaves a mark in the nail head. You could get a cheap hammer and cut the face with a whizz wheel to a pattern you like and hammer away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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