Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Blacksmithing Practice

Michelle's turn to have a go with the forge. She wanted to make a camping tool - one of those devices for lifting pots out of fires. It was to be a present for a friend. We cranked up the blower and heaped up the charcoal.
I decided to see what I could do with a 100mm nail. By holding the nail in a pair of tongs I could heat up the end and then shape or bend it.
 
 
Michelle hammering on the anvil. We alternated between the forge and the anvil and had to be careful to follow the same path between the two to avoid hot metal singing soft flesh.


The result of playing with nails and making swirls and 'koru' shapes. It was very satisfying to transform the utilitarian nail to an aesthetic hook. All good practice.


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