PDA

View Full Version : Hammer Time



DSEL74
20th Sep 2017, 04:51 PM
I was making a straight peen hammer for a friend and decided while I was on a roll to try a few hammers I haven't done or used before.

Decided to make myself a engravers chasing hammer so I can do some engraving and a pair of cutlers dogface hammers.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170920/4e3f9de2670e3f47f3712c9089f17062.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170920/1c6e8f2c5b18887f60cbda21c2d6954e.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170920/34a076ab4dd2e7dc63ece72ad79b6922.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170920/406d5b0984c72da628f511ef314dcee1.jpg

The chasing hammer is looking a bit nose heavy, fits in with the dog cars at present. I'll cut that off and start the hardening and tempering next.

KBs PensNmore
20th Sep 2017, 09:08 PM
They look fantastic Dale, some interesting design work, not that I know anything about blacksmithing, but they do look good.
Kryn

DSEL74
20th Sep 2017, 09:09 PM
Thanks Kryn.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Grahame Collins
20th Sep 2017, 09:39 PM
Hi

My dad was a watchmaker/jeweler and had a couple of chasing hammers.

Being a boilermaker, hammers to me should be big hefty things and subject to abuse and breakage on occasion.

I often wondered where you would go for a new chasing hammer handle should you break one. I now understand that that the chasing hammers have a very thin neck to allow a springing action in the handle, aiding the engraving process.

I dare say the handle will be as much work as the hammer head. Looking forward to seeing pics of the completed article. Nice work!

Thanks for posting

Grahame

DSEL74
20th Sep 2017, 10:01 PM
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170920/9d9d435b0c717fb03fc721acbca0d47f.jpg

Yes your correct the handle should have a whipping effect, this reduces fatigue and RSI, and imparts more force with less effort. If your working for an hour or two you might not notice much but I'm told if your at it day in day out it makes a big difference.

In the photo above they were discussing what to look for in a good handle. The pale mass produced handle was deemed too thick & stiff. Also the grain orientation is wrong for the direction of force and flex.


Have you still got your Dad's tools? I'd love to see photos if you do.

DSEL74
21st Sep 2017, 06:18 PM
It had some rhinoplasty today and got s bit of decorative filework to boot.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170921/65143df6bb9326f3f222bca0074ae411.jpg

Sitting on my normal smithing hammer I made 3yrs ago.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170921/21363787774e2003e3a5a0ca89122314.jpg


Working out the handle profile.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170921/f7017937c362f29b3a355fc6f325571a.jpg

Grahame Collins
21st Sep 2017, 07:36 PM
I am enjoying this build immensely ,though I do have questions.

The liquid paper pictured.Is it just for scale or is there a use in for it in the process?
I see what appears to be a white spillage or are the local birds making a few deposits.

The long nose of the hammer is that for holding it in the lathe chuck so it can be parted?

What type of timber will be used for your handle?

I shall be most interested to see the making of the handle.

Grahame

DSEL74
21st Sep 2017, 07:45 PM
Liquid paper was in case I made some mistakes. Just first thing I could find for scale. Nope that's bird signatures.

I'm told the go to timber is Osage Orange.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

DSEL74
23rd Sep 2017, 12:16 PM
The long nose was so I had something to hold onto while forging the hammer, I left it there again so I could hold it in the vice whilst I cleaned up the annealed hammer with a file.

To anneal it it's heated up nice and hot then buried in a bucket of wood ash, it's free from the fireplace. You can also use a form of lime.

After it's all done the hammer is heated to no magnetic red, (which is bright orange in this case) and tested until a magnet won't stick to it and quenched in oil filled quench tank. Small items become harder and more brittle as they cool more rapidly in the quench. I polished the hammer head and tempered the eye. When the faces became dark straw I quenched it again. It's now coated in beeswax/boiled linseed/mineral turps mix.

Now to find some Osage Orange and start on the handle.

I made a few gravers yesterday, or started on them.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170923/2c50d5d97e14f9e882aa656f9ee7ef7c.jpg
The left is 3mm sq. HSS, all the handles are 10mm Sq Mild.
I probably should have made a collet to take the square bar and drilled and turned the ends in the lathe. I used the drill press and eyeballed the holes, rounded them on the belt sander.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170923/ac63e723b01ff82730736bd8ff1cb361.jpg
Ends rounded over to avoid chipping when struck.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170923/ff9bbb23e61a7b3931c060372c9341c0.jpg
Using whatever random bits of small HSS I could quickly find laying about.

steamingbill
23rd Sep 2017, 04:06 PM
Hey DSEL,

Could those gravers also be used as hand held lathe tools ? I have read about people doing tiny detailed corrections and chamfers and safe edges using gravers on a metal lathe and have always wondered what the tools might look like.

Will there be some future posts relating the gravers to the hammers ?

Interesting thread, thanks. I have always wondered what the story is behind those teardrop looking hammer handles.

Bill

DSEL74
23rd Sep 2017, 08:07 PM
I believe they could Bill. I think jewellers do it with gravers and essentially they look like mini wood turning chisels. But I have never seen it done or tried it myself to be certain.

if you look at the very last picture you will see my very poor but first attempt at hammer and chisel engraving done with one of those gravers above.

i'm a very beginner at all this engraving (barely scratched the surface lol), so not sure how much more information I can impart on the process. I'm just feeling my way and researching as I go.

i'd love to find an experienced engraver locally to learn from. But not to many around in the world still doing it.

Oldneweng
23rd Sep 2017, 08:36 PM
Keep an eye on Paul Hamler on YouTube. He does miniatures of tools, guns etc and does quite a lot of really fine engraving. All his pieces are made to be in working condition including antique rifles the length of your forearm. They will shoot bullets. Ammo would be pricey tho. These are heavily engraved models.

Dean

DSEL74
29th Sep 2017, 07:14 PM
1. Locate log. Look at that toxic yellow color.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170929/c0b242f0d021ddf87568b5fbbbe0b76a.jpg

2. Cut down avoiding the multitude of checks in the timber. Mark out profiles.

3. Rough out profiles on bandsaw.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170929/c7b26fd296814c2df3fdb7f31630886f.jpg

3. Shape
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170929/68641c4e0a29eaea7e8aaed93c57f67b.jpg

4. Shape
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170929/43262042e06a87bd974712cc6d4b437e.jpg

5. shape. 60-150grit
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170929/f87520073d279bbfcc0e8c8af8fa9e2d.jpg

6. Ready to start fitting head
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170929/447a7570baa38597957280913170d142.jpg

Grahame Collins
29th Sep 2017, 09:56 PM
Dsel74

It looks a treat.

Have you given it a test drive yet?

Grahame

DSEL74
29th Sep 2017, 09:57 PM
Heads not fitted yet.


Did you get the links I emailed you?

Grahame Collins
30th Sep 2017, 01:21 PM
Yes ,
Thank you very much, lots of good reading,
much appreciated.
Thanks
Grahame

Acco
30th Sep 2017, 06:21 PM
Looking good Dale :2tsup:

DSEL74
3rd Oct 2017, 04:02 PM
Ok I'm calling this one done.

Jarrad wedge slit with copper wedge.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171003/4ded8280883d196420304a2dd14b2c4d.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171003/e8b3d174d261664551541097e5e09379.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171003/d6717f536794a229b45510c8e987f1c5.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171003/b581b81138ff3b7782d5b5a42284cd04.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

DaveTTC
3rd Oct 2017, 05:06 PM
Hey DSEL,

Could those gravers also be used as hand held lathe tools ? I have read about people doing tiny detailed corrections and chamfers and safe edges using gravers on a metal lathe and have always wondered what the tools might look like.

Will there be some future posts relating the gravers to the hammers ?

Interesting thread, thanks. I have always wondered what the story is behind those teardrop looking hammer handles.

BillYes you can. I have seen some nice curves done free hand on a lathe using gravers.

I hope to get into it my self at same stage.

After looking for as many video's ad I could on the subject (which was very few) it seems riding the tool on top dead center is the most effective and safest. While some use them as scrapers and come in from the side you risk a lot of chatter.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

DaveTTC
3rd Oct 2017, 10:16 PM
https://youtu.be/BDtrDv6uZTs

I think this is one of the betrer video's I saw. This guy roughs with the cross slide first then finishes feee hand. You could do the entire thing free hand if you wanted

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Grahame Collins
3rd Oct 2017, 10:59 PM
You can't use it now.
Its far too nice, you might scratch it.:p

Grahame

China
17th Oct 2017, 02:16 PM
This is a very timely thread I am about to have a go at making a couple of hammers for my jewellery work, I think the first attempt will be to turn them on the lathe may I ask what type of steel you used.
Do you or have you considered selling these

DSEL74
17th Oct 2017, 02:34 PM
I used 4140.
I want to keep this one but I am thinking about making a small batch to offer for sale.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

DSEL74
17th Oct 2017, 02:58 PM
I have made and sold hammers for Blacksmithing etc in the past. In fact one of the dogface hammers in this thread is sold.

I had this hammer at an event two weekends back and a jeweller wanted to buy it on the spot he opened his offer at $300. I declined and offered to make him one but he wanted instant gratification. He did take a card though. The missus is still annoyed I didn’t take the cash.

I try to keep the first one of all items I make so I can track my progress.

China
18th Oct 2017, 12:45 AM
If you make a batch for sale be sure to let me know.

mattm82
25th Apr 2019, 10:33 AM
More beautiful work! My old man has just done a hand engraving course and has asked for some hammers to add to the one he already has. You’ve set the benchmark!!