AmericanBlacksmithingToolsmithsandSteelworkersManual 10537704

A MERICAN B lAC KS M lT H lN G T O O LS M IT H S ,
STEELWO RK ERS M A N UA L
’
B L A C K SM I T H I N G
co m p r i s e s p a r ti cu l a r s a nd de t a i
g t h e a n vi l s re g a r di n l ,
l l l
t oo t a b e , s e d g e , t o n g s , h a mm e r s , h o w t o u s e t h em
l
c o r r ec t p o s i t i o n a t a n v i , w e d i n g , t u be e x pa n d l
i n g , t h e h ors e , a n at o m y o f t h e f oo t , h o r s e
s h oe s , h o r s e sh o e i n g , h a r d e n i n g a
p o w lsha r e , b a bbi tt i n g , etc .
T O O L SM I T H I N G A N D S T EE L WO RK I N G
C ove rs c om p osi t i o n of c a st t oo l
h e a t i n g , fo r g i n g
ste e l , .
h a m m e r i n g , h a r d en i n g , e t c T e m pe ri ng , w e di n g ,
. l
l
n n e a l i n g , c a u se o f t oo s c ra cki n g w h e n h a r d e n i n g .
T o te gllo o d f r o m p oo r s t ee I n s t r u c t i ons in l .
l
t oo m a k i n g P u n c h i n g h o e s , e t c H ea vy ,
. l .
l l
h ot , c o d a n d r a i r o a d c h i s e s , d r i s l ll
a nd d ri i n g ll H ow to m ak e a
.
g u n ,
r e v o v e r , t r l
a p a nd a l l
fi ne s p r i n g s C o o r s of . l
t e m p er , e tc .
B Y H O L M S T RO M A N D H O L FO R D
S PE C I A L EX C L US I V E E DI T IO N
PR I N T ED BY
FR E D ERI C K J DR A K E
. CO .
E X PR E S S L Y FO R
S E A RS , R O E B U C K C O M PA N Y
CH ICA GO ,
IL L .
1 916
C op yri ght 1 9 16
BY
FRE DERI C K J DRA K
. E 00 .
C op yr i ght 1 91 1
BY
F R E DE RI C K J DRA K E
.
H A RO L D B L EE
.
UH I G H A M YO UN G UN I VERS lT Y
PRO V O , UT A H
P REF A CE
H A T p r om p te d t he ho r t o p r e p a re t hi s
aut
b oo k w a s the o ft r e p e a te d q ue s tion b y
-
,
bl a cks m i t h s a n d m e ch a ni c s o f al l kind s a s ,
’
w e l l a s farm er s : I s t h e rc a b oo k t re a t in g
“
on t hi s o r th a t ? e tc e tc T o a l l t h e se
.
,
.
q ue r i e s I w a s c o m p e l l e d t o a n s w e r i n the n ega t i ve ,
for i t i s a fa c t th a t f r o m t he t i m e of C a in t he fi r s t ,
m e ch a n i c t h e re ha s n e ve r b e e n a b oo k w r i t te n by
,
a p r a ct i c a l bl a cks m i t h on s u bj e c t s bel on g in g t o h is
‘
tra d e . I f th e re fo re t h e r e h a s e ver b e e n s u c h a t hin g

, ,
as
“
fi l l in g a l on g fe l t w a n t t hi s m us t c e r t a inl y b e a
-
,
”
ca s s o f t h a t kin d .
I I I m e d i c in e w e find a W id e di ffe re n c e o f opin i on ,
e ve n a m ong s t p ra ct i t ion er s o f t he s a m e s choo l in ,
t re a t in g di se a se s . N ow i f thi s i s s o W h e re t h e re i s a
,
s y s t e m a n d a ut ho r i t y for t he p r o fe s s ion
,
h ow m uch ,
m o re s o m us t th er e b e a di ff ere n ce of opinion in a
t ra d e Wh er e e ve r y p ra ct i t ion e r i s hi s o w n a u tho r i t y .
I S h al l t h ere fo re a sk the o l d e r m e m be rs of t he bl a ck
, ,
s m i th fr a tern it y t o b e l e ni e n t in t h e i r d m n i m
j g
u e t f y
i d eas d on t coin cid e wi th th e i r s T o the a pp re n t i ce
’
.
7
8 PR E FA C E
a nd o ur n e y m a n I wo ul d do I do un t i l fin d
j sa y : as you
a be t t e r w a y .
T he a ut ho r ha s b e e n e m in e n tl y in hi s
s u cce s s ful
p ra ct i ce a nd hi s id e a s h a v e b e e n s o ugh t b y o th e r s
,
wh e r e ve r h e h a s be e n bl a cksm i th s com in g e ve n fro m

,
o th er S ta te s t o l e a rn his w a ys .
T hi s l i t tl e b oo k i s fre sh fr o m t he a n vi l t he au thor ,
t akin g no t e s d ur in g th e da y whi l e a t wo r k; c o m pi l in g
t he s a m e in t o a r t i cl e s a t ni g h t .
H eA s ind e b te d t o a n um b er o f w r i te r s for a r t i cl e s i n
r
thi s b ook t re a t in g on subj e ct s be l on g in g t o t h e i r
’
t r a d e s in whi c h t h e y h a v e b ee n r ega rd e d a s e xp ert 1

, .
C H A PT ER I
T H E SM IT H
O R n t ur i e s t he bl a cks m i t h h a s be e n
ce
a p r o min e n t p e rs on a n d i t i s
,
n a tu ral he shoul d ha v e b e e n wh e n ,
w e c on si d e r th e v a ri e t y of wo rk
h e ha d t o do . F r o m t h e h e a vy
a x l e a n d t i r e down t o t h e s m a l l e s t
,
r i ve t in th e w a g on t h e y w e r e a l l
,
m a d e b y t h e sm i t h .B e ll s a nd
b i t s a s w e l l a s t he o r n a m e n t a l
p a r ts of th e h a r n e ss t h e y w ere al l m a d e by th e s m i t h
,
.
F r o m th e c r owb ar a n d s p a d e down t o th e b u t ch e r a n d
po cke t kni fe t h e y w e re a ll ma de b y the sm i th T h e
,
.
c a r p e n t er s t oo l s fr o m th e b r o a d a x a n d a dz d own t o
'
t he di v i d e r a n d c a r v in g s te e l t h e y w e re a l l m a d e by
,
t he s m i t h. F r om t he h e a v y i r on s in t h e fi re p l a ce down
t o th e f r yin g p a n a n d l o cks on the ki t ch e n doo r s ;
-
kni ve s a n d f o r ks on t he dinin g t a bl e t h e y w e re al l
-
,
m a d e b y t he s m i th . F r o m t h e g u n on the s ho ul d e r o f
t he s ol di e r a n d t he s a b e r in t h e h a nd s of t h e o ffi c e r ,
t he S p ur s a n d pi s to l for t he c o m m a n d e r t h e y w ere a l l
,
m a d e by the s m i th . F r o m t he h e a v y a n cho r a n d i t s
9
w M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G
h in t o the sm al l e st p ul l e y in the r i gg in g of the ship

c a ,
th e y w e re al l m a d e b y th e s m i th .
Fr o m t he w e a th er v a n e on t he ch ur c h spi re a n d ,
T H E SM IT H
th e cl o ck in ow e r down t o the l ook of the doo rs

t he t
an d t h e a r t i st i c i r on c r o ss o ve r t he gr a ve s in t h e
ch ur ch y a r d t h e y w e re a l l m a d e b t h m i t h N o
, y e s .
wond e r th e n th a t t he s m i th wa s re s p e cte d V ul gar

, , .
M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G I l
p e op l e sw e a r by the d e vi l r e l i g io u s by th e s a in ts
,
.
but the S w e d e s (th e m ake r s of t h e b e s t i r on ) p r e fe r

t o s w e a r b y the s m i th .T h e s m i th w a s a w e l l l i ke d
-
p e r s on in so ci e ty r e s p e c te d a n d e v e n a d m i re d for his
,
S ki l l
,
hi s g e n tl e m a n l y b e h a v io r a n d g ood l a n g ua g e .
H i s s t o r i e s a n d w i t w e r e t h e s o l e e n t e r t a in m e n t in
m a n y a s o ci al g a th e r in g T hin g s h a ve c h a n g e d in t he
.
l a s t fe w d ec a d e s M o s t o f t he a r t i cl e s f o rm e rl y m a d e
.
b y t h e s m i th a re n o w m a n u fa c tu r e d b y m a chin e r y ,
a n d t he re s p ec t for t he s m i t h i s di m ini s h e d in t h e sa m e
p ropo r tion N o t be c a use t h e re i s n o t e no ug h of the

.
d o
t ra e l e ft t o c m m a n d re s p e c t— t h er e i s ye t m o r e l e ft
t h a n a n y m an ca n s u cce ss ful l y l e a r n in a S ho r t l i fe
ti m e . B ut i t ha s m a d e i t po s s i bl e for m e n wi t h l e ss
t ra inin g a n d a b i l i t y t o e n t e r the t r a d e a n d c o ns e q u e n tl y
l ow e r t he s ta ndin g o f t he s m i th T he r e s ul t i s t h a t
.
,
t h e re i s a c o m p l a in t t h a t t he s m i t h i s n ot e st e e m e d a s
fo rm e rl y a n d I h a ve b e e n in cl in e d t o j oin in the
,
l a m e n t a t ion .B u t in s te a d o f doi n g t hi s I S h a l l a s k m y
b r o t h e r s m i t h s t o u ni t e wi t h m e in a n e ff o r t t o e l e va t e
t he cra ft .
T H ERE A RE SM IT H S A N D SM IT H S
I h a ve h a d the p l e a sure of b e co m in g a c q ua in te d wi th
a g r e a t n um b er o f in t e l l i g e n t a n d r e s p e c t e d s m i th s .
Pe op l e t h a t did n ot know t h e m wo ul d a sk : Wh a t i s
"
he ? a nd wh e n in f o r m e d t h a t he i s a bl a cks m i t h wo u l d
H e do e s n t l oo k i t ; I tho ugh t h e w a s a b u s in e ss
“ ’
s ay :
m an a n o th e r H e l oo ks l i ke a l a wy e r or a m ini s
,
I 2 M O D ER N B L A C K SM I T H IN G
te r how in m a n y
Fr o m t hi s you wi l l u nd e r s t a n d ,
c a se s,
the bl a c ks m i t h l ooks A gr e a t. p r e a ch e r wa s
a nno un c e d t o p r e a ch in a n e i g h b o r in g t own and I ,
w e n t t o h e a r hi m J u s t a s I s a t down in the pe w on e
.
o f t he l o c a l s m i t h s w a l ke d u p t o m e a n d s a t down b y
m y s id e H e w a s a bl a cks m i th a n d h e l oo ke d i t
“
. .
U nd e r hi s e ye s w a s a h a l f m oon in bl a c k ; on b o t h
S id es o f h i s no s e w a s a bl ac k s t r ip e t h a t h a d be e n
t h e r e s in ce h i s fi rs t d a y in t h e shop H i s e a rs w e l l
.
, ,
y o u h a v e s e e n a cl o gg e d u
p t u
-
y e r i r on H i s c l o t.h e s
w e r e S h a bby an d hi s b r e a th a s tr on g m ix tu re o f
t o b a cc o a n d whi s ky whi ch m a d e w r in kl e s on the n o s e
,
o f t h e l a d y in fr on t o f u s I w a s s o m e wh a t e m b a r
.
r a ss e d b u t t h e s e r m on b e g a n
,
A S t he c on g re ga tion
.
a r o se I O p e n e d t he hy m n b oo k a n d m y b r o th er s m i t h
,
j oin e d a n d wi t h a h a nd t h a t l oo ke d l i ke t he pa w o f a
,
bl a ck he ar he t oo k ho l d o f t h e b oo k
,
.
A fte r s e r vi ce I w a s in v i te d b y t he s m i t h t o dinn e r .
B e t w e e n a n u m be r o f e m p ty be e r ke g s we m a n a g e d t o
r e a ch t he doo r o f t h e ho u s e a n d e v e r y t hin g in s id e
l oo ke d the c ol o r of his t ra d e I l oo ke d a r o und for

.
b oo ks a n d o t h e r a r t i cl e s o f c ul tu re a n d fo und a h a nd
o r ga n a n d a p a ck of card s T he on l y b ook or r e adin g
.
m a t t e r t o b e fo u nd w a s a w e e kl y of t he kind th a t te l l s
o f p r iz e fi g h t s t ra in r o b be ri e s a n d m u r d e r
,
I ha d a .
fa i r dinn er a n d t o l d m y ho s t t h a t I h a d t o s ta rt for
ho m e B y thi s t i m e I w a s S i ck o f h is l a n g u a g e — pro
.
fa n i ty m ix e d wi t h a fe w o th e r wo r d s— a n d I s t a rt e d t o
,
l e a ve . O n m y w a y t o t h e l i ve r y s ta bl e I p a s s e d m y
fr i e nd s s hop a n d h e s a id i t wo ul d n ot b e fa i r t o l e a ve
'
,
"
b efo r e I ha d see n hi s S ho p I h ave sa i d he
“ “
.
,
a ,
M O DER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G 13
ve r y g oo d shop . T he s hop w a s a bu i l din g o f r o ugh

b o a r d s 1 8 x o — the a ve r a g e far m e r h a s a b e t t er w ood
z
sh e d . A big wood b l o ck l i ke the choppin g bl o ck in a

b ut ch e r s hop w a s p l a ce d s o cl o s e t o t h e fo rg e t h a t he
,
c o u l d on l y g e t e d g e wi s e b e t w e e n . O n t hi s b l o ck w a s
t o b e fo u nd a n v i l a n d a l l hi s t ool s the l a t t e r w e re fe w
, ,
an d p ri m i t i ve a n d wo ul d h a ve be e n a n hono r t o o ur
,
f a th e r C a in t he fi rs t m e ch a ni c a n d bl a cks m i th
,
. Wh a t
t hin ke s t t ho u m y bro th e r s m i th ? H a vin g s p e n t y e a r s
,
t o l e a r n t he t r a d e you m us t s ub m i t t o a c o m p ar i s on
wi t h s m i th s O f thi s c al i be r T h e i r wo rk be in g in fer io r
.
t h e y m u s t wo r k c h ea p a n d in s o m e p e r h a p s m a n y
, , ,
c a se s s e t t h e p ri ce on yo ur wo r k . S m i th s of t hi s kind
c a nno t e xp e ct t o b e r e s p ec te d . T h e r e m i gh t b e s o m e
s how for t h e m in D a w s on C i t y o r a m on g th e n a t i ve s
in t h a t vi cini ty b ut n o t in ci vi l iz e d A m e r i ca
, .
24 M O D ER N B L A C K SM I T H I N G
I N T E M P ER A N C E
N E hi e f r e a son s wh y
of the c
t h e bl a cks m i th i s n ot S O
s uc c e s s ful n or r e s p e ct e d
a s b e fo r e i s h i s i n t e m pe r
a n ce T he d a n g e r for
.
t he s m i th b e c o m in g a
d run ka r d i s g r e a t e r
t h a n for a n y o th e r m e
ch a ni e I t i s o ft e n t h e c a s e
.
t h a t wh e n a c u st o m e r p a y s a
bi ll the s m i th i s r e q ue s t e d t o
t re a t T hi s i s a b a d h a b i t
.
a n d q u i te a t a x on t he s m i t h .
J ust t hin k of i t—fift e en c e n t s a da y

S p e n t for l i q uo r wi l l in t w e n t y fi ve y e a rs a m o u n t t o
, ,
-
,
T h e n a dd t o t hi s fi fte e n c e n t s a day fo r c i g a r s ,
whi ch wi ll in t w e n t y five y e a rs a m o un t t o
,
-
,
at
t e n p e r c e n t co m po u nd in t e re s t I f t h e s e t w o i te m s
.
wo ul d be s a ve d it w i l l g i ve a m an a far m wo r th
,
in t w e n t y fi ve y e a rs H ow m a n y sm i th s a re
-
.
th e r e who e v e r thin k of t hi s ? I wo ul d a dvi se e ve r y

o n e t o p u t a s id e
j u s t a s m u c h a s h e S p e nd s for l i q u o r
a n d t o b a cc o ; th a t i s wh e n o u b u i a r s o r t o b a cc o
, y y gc
for t w e n ty fi v e c e n t s p u t a s id e a s m u ch
-
Wh e n you .
buy l i q uo r for o n e dol l a r p ut a s id e on e d ol l ar T ry .

M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G I 5
thi s for on e y e a r a n d i t wi l l s ti m ul a t e to C on t in ual

e ff o r t in t h a t di r ect ion .T h e be st t hin g t o do i s t o
s w e a r off a t on c e a n d if you m u st h a v e i t t a ke i t
“
, ,
out of b u s in e s s ho u r s . P ol i t el y in fo rm you r fr i e nd s
t h a t you m u s t s t op o r i t wi l l r u in you
,
.I f you d rin k
wi th on e you m u s t d rin k w i th a no t h er a n d t he O ppor
,
t u n i ty c o m e s t oo o fte n . Wh e n you h ave fini s h e d s om e

di ffi cul t wo rk you a r e t o be t re ate d ; wh e n you t r u s t
o u a re t o b e tr e a t e d ; wh e n you a c c o m m od a te o n e
y
b e fo r e a no th e r you a r e t o b e t r e a t e d ; wh e n you o r d e r
t he s t o ck fr o m t he t r a ve l in g m a n you a re t o b e t rea te d .
S o m e s m i th s ke e p a b o ttl e in a c o r n er t o d ra w cus t o m
e rs by ; o t h e r s t a p a ke g of b e e r e v e r y S a t ur d a y for t h e
s a m e p u rpo se . N o s m i th w i l l e v e r g a in a n y thin g by
t hi s ba d p r a c t i ce
. H e wi l l on l y g e t u nd e s i rabl e cu s
t om e r s a n d s tr i c tl y t e m p e r a n ce p e op l e wi l l sh u n h i m
,
fo r i t
. Wh a t he ga in s on on e S id e he w il l l o s e on
a no t h er . B e s i d e s t hi s h e w i l l in the l on g r un r u in
hi m sel f ph y si ca l l y and fin a n ci al l y L e t the ol d sm i th
.
q u i t a nd t he a pp r e n t i ce n eve r beg in thi s d a n gero us

h a bi t A sm i th th a t i s d run k o r h al f dru nk ca nno t do
.
hi s d ut y t o hi s c u s t o m ers a n d t h e y kno w i t a nd p re fer

, ,
to p a tr oniz e a s ober sm i th .
1 6 M O D E RN B L A C K SM IT H IN G
R EL I G I O N
RU E i gi on i s al s o a n up
r el
l i ft in g fa ct o r a n d m ust i f , ,
a cce p t e d e l e v a t e t he m a n
,
.
I ca nno t t oo s tr on g
l y e m ph a s iz e t hi s
t r uth E ve r y s m i th
.
sho ul d c o n n e ct
hi m s el f wi th s o m e
bran ch o f th e
c h u rch a n d b e p u n c
'
t u a l in a t t e nd a n c e t o t he s a m e T h e r e i s a gr e a t d e al
.
o f di ffe r e n ce be t w e e n fa m i l i e s th a t e njoy th e C h r i s t i a n
izin g c i vi l izin g a n d u pl i ftin g infl u e n c e o f t he ch u rch

,
a n d t ho se o u ts id e o f t h e s e infl ue n c e s T he s m i th ou t
.
s id e o f t h e ch u r c h o r he who i s n ot a m e m b e r t h e re o f
,
wil l in m a ny c a s e s b e fo u nd on S u nda y s in his S hop

, ,
o r l o a fin g a b o u t in hi s e ve r y d a y cl o th e s hi s wi fe a n d ,
c hi l d r e n v e r y m u ch l i ke h im T he ch u r ch m e m b e r
.
h i s wi fe a n d chi l d r e n a re di ff e re n t
,
S u nd a y i s a g r e a t
.
d ay t o th e m . T he sm i th p u t s on h i s be s t c l o t h e s wi fe ,
a n d c hi l d r e n t he s a m e E v e ry thin g in a n d a b o u t the
.
ho u s e ha s a hol id a y a pp e a ra n ce a n d the e ff e ct on th e m
o f g ood m u s i c a n d S in g in
g e l,
o q u e n t p r e a c hin g a n d ,
the m ee t in g of fr i e nd s i s m a ni fe s te d in th e i r l a n guage ,
M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G 1 7
in t h e i r l o ft y a i m s an d b e n e v ol e n t a c ts S u nd a y i s
,
.
r e st a n d s t r e n g th t o t h e m .
B r o th e r s m i th s S i x d ay s a w e e k a r e e no ug h fo r wo r k
,
.
K e e p t he S a bba th a n d yo u wi l l l i ve l on ge r a n d b e tt e r -
.
I N C O M PET E N C Y
A no th e r r e a s on t he sm i th i s n ot r e s p e c t e d
of t da y
o -
i s h i s in c o m p e t e n cy .
Wh e n a y o u n g m a n h a s wo r ke d a fe w m on th s in a
s h O p h e wi l l s u cc e e d in w e l din g a t oe c a l k on a ho r s e
,
s ho e t h a t s o m e t i m e s wi l l s ta y a n d a t on ce h e b e g in s
,
t o t hin k h e know s i t a l l T h e re wi l l a l wa y s b e s o m e
.
foo l r e a d y t o fl a t t e r h im a n d t he y o un g m a n be l i e ve s
,
t h a t h e i s n o w c o m p e t e n t t o st a rt on hi s own hoo k .
T h e re s u l t i s h e h a n g s o ut hi s S hin gl e b e gin s t o p ra c
, ,
t i ce ho r s e s ho e in g a n d g e n e r a l b l a c ks m i thin g a n d h e
-
,
know s no t hin g a b o u t e i th e r L e t m e s t a te h e re t h a t
.
ho r se sho e in g i s a t ra d e by i ts e l f a n d s o i s bl a ck
-
,
s m i t hin g . I n the l a r g e c i t i e s th e re a re bl a cks m i t h s

who know n o thin g a bo u t ho rs e sho e in g a s w e l l a s -
,
ho r s e S ho e rs who know no thin g a bo ut bl a cks m i t hin g

-
,
e x ce p t w e l din g on t o e ca l ks a n d in m a ny in s t a n c e s
,
e ve n t h a t i s v e r y poo rl y don e I n s m a l l p l a ce s i t i s
.
di ff e r e n t T h e r e th e bl a cksm i th i s bo t h bl a cks m i th
.
a n d ho r se s ho e r
-
S o m e t i m e s you wi l l find a bl ack
.
s m i t h t h a t i s a g ood ho r s e s ho e r b u t y ou wi l l n e ve r
-
,
find a ho rs e S ho e r th a t i s a g ood bl a cks m i th T hi s i s

-
.
n o t g e n e r a l l y u nd ers too d T o m a n y b l a cksmi t hin g

.
1 8 M O DE R N B L A C K SM IT H I N G
se e m s to onl y ho rse sho e ing an d our tra de

m ea n -
,
jo urn al s a re n ot m uch b e tter po st e d Wh e n e ver a .
bl a cksm i th i s a l l u d e d t o or pi ctu r e d you wi l l a l wa ys ,
find a hor se S hoe in c onn e ct ion w i th i t Ye t th e re a re

-
.
tho u s a nd s of bl a cks m i th s t h a t n e ve r m a d e a ho r se sho e -
in al l t h e i r l i ve s H o rse sho e in g ha s d evel op e d t o be

.
-
q u i te a t ra d e a n d i f a m an can l e a r n i t in a fe w ye a rs
,
he wi l l do w el l I wo ul d n ot a d v i s e a n y yo u n g m an
.
t o sta rt ou t for hi m sel f w i t h l e s s t h a n t h r ee or fo ur

y e a rs e xp e ri e n ce E very horse sho e r S ho ul d m ake an
’
.
-
e ff o r t t o l ea r n bl a cks m i t hin g H e wi l l be e xp e c te d t o .
know i t p e opl e don t know the di ff e re n ce ; b e sid e s t hi s

’
, ,
i t wi ll in s m al l er c i t i e s b e h a r d to s u c ce e d wi th ho r s e
, ,
s ho e in g a l on e O n t h e o th er h a nd e v e r y b l acksm i t h
.
,
s ho ul d l e ar n ho rse sho e in g for t h e s a m e r e as on s-

,
.
T h er e fo re se ve n or e ve n t e n ye ar s i s a S ho rt t i m e t o
,
l e a r n i t in B ut who ha s p a t i e n ce a n d g ood s e n se
.
,
e no ug h t o p e r s e v e re for s uch a c o urse in o ur t i me s , ,
wh e n e v e r ybody w a n t s t o g e t to the fron t a t on ce ?

L e t e ve ry y o u n g m an r e m e m be r th a t the r e p ut a t ion
y o u g e t in t h e st a r t wi l l s t i ck t o y o u T h e re f o r e b e .
ca r e f ul n ot t o s t a r t b e fo r e you know yo ur b us in e ss ,
a n d th e y e a rs s p e n t in l e a r nin g i t wi l l n ot b e l o s t bu t ,
a f o u nd a t ion for yo u r s u c ce s s R e m e m b e r t h at if a
'
.
,
t hin g i s n ot wo rt h b e in g w el l don e i t i s n o t wo rt h be i n g
don e a t al l I t i s be tte r t o b e a fir s t cl a s s b oo tbl a ck
.
-
o r chi m n e y s w e e p t h a n b e a t hi r d c l a ss of a n y thin g
,
-
e l se .
D on t be
’
sa t s i mp l y b e in g a bl e t o do the
i fi ed by S
wo rk so a s t o p a ss l e t i t b e fi r st cl a s s
,
T ho u s a nd s of .
m e ch a ni cs a re t ur nin
g o u t w o rk j u s t a s o th er s a re
doin g i t b u t you s ho ul d n ot b e
,
sat s i fie d to do th e
wo rk a s o th er s a re doin g i t bu t do ,
it ri g h t .
A M O DERN G UI L D
T he bl a cksm i th s ho rse sho er s h a ve a t l a st p ut

and -
the thin kin g ca p on for t he p u rpo se O f be t te r in g t h e i r

,
c ondi t ion S o fa r no t hin g h a s b e e n a cc o m p l i sh e d but

.
,
I a m sure i t wi l l in t he l on g run if t h e y on l y ke e p a t
, ,
i t We a r e now l i v in g in t he l i ce n se cr a z e a ge
. Fr o m .
t h e s al oon ke e p e r down to t he s t re e t p e dd l e r t h e y a l l ,
how l for l i ce n se a n d un rea s on a bl e a s i t i s t ho u sa n d s

, ,
o f s e n s i bl e m e n wi l l cl in g t o i t i n hop e s t h a t i t w i l l
h el p .
We a re m o re or l e ss on e id ea m e n wi t h fa d s an d
, ,
-
,
whi m s N a t ion s a nd o r ga niz a t ion s a re j u s t l i ke indi

.
v idual s r e a d y t o fa l l in t o a cr a z e a n d w e se e i t O fte n
,
.
I t i s n a tur a l wh e n w e c on s id er t h a t n a t ion s a n d o rg a n
i z a tion s a r e S i m pl e one m a n r e p e a t e d s o m a n y t i m e s .
S i m p l y l oo k a t th e h er o w o r shipin g c ra z e w e n t
-
t h r o ugh a t t h e cl o s e of t he S p a ni s h w a r F i rst L i e u ; .
,
t e n a n t H o b son wa s the idol a n d g rea t w a s he fa r off

, ,
in C ub a B ut co m i ng hom e he m a de hi m se l f obnox
.
, ,
i ons on a t o u r t h r o u gh the c o un t r y a n d the wo r s hip e r s ,
w e re a s h a m e d of t h e i r idol a s w e ll a s o f t h e m sel ve s
,
.
A d m i ral D e w e y wa s t he n e x t h er o t o b e i d ol iz e d a nd ,
he too wa s fo u nd w a n t in g
, , .
Phy si c i a n s h a ve t h e i r fa v o r i t e p re sc rip t ion s m i n ,
i ste rs t h e i r fa vo r i te s er m on s Po l i t i ci a n s h a ve t h e i r
.
20 M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G
i
t a r ff and whi m s t h e i r g ol d or S i l ver cra z e
fre e t ra d e ,
.
M e ch a ni c s h a ve t h e i r o n e id e a l w a y of doin g t h e i r
wo rk I know ho r se sho e r s th a t h ave s uch fa i t h in
.
-
b a r S ho e s t h a t t h e y bel i e ve i t wi l l cu r e e ve ry thin g fr o m
c on t ra c t ion t o h e a v e s O th e r s h a ve s u ch a fa i t h in
.
t o e w e i g h t t h a t t h e y wi ll g u ar a n t e e t h a t in a ho r s e
s hod t hi s w a y t h e fr on t q u a rt e r s wi l l r u n s o fa st t h a t
t h e y m u s t p u t wh e e l s u nd e r t h e hind fe e t t o e n a bl e
th e m t o ke e p u p wi t h the fron t fe e t ; a n d in a t h re e
m i l e r ace t h e fr on t q u a rt e r s w il l re a ch t he s t a bl e s in
l
t i m e t o fe e d on a p e ck o f o a t s b e fo r e t h e hind q ua r te r s
c a t ch u p .
I n s o m e S t a t e s t h e re i s a u nion cra z e A ll t h a t .
t h e s e s ch e m e s wi l l do i s t o p re p a r e t h e l e g i sl a t ure s for
th e l eg i sl a t ion t h a t wi l l s o m e d a y b e a ske d o f t h e m .
U nion s h a ve b e e n o r g a niz e d a n d t h e o bj ec t ion s a r e

I obj e ct t o a ll t h e s e sch em e s b e ca u se th ey
"
the s am e .
fal l s ho r t o f t h e i r p ur po s e .
T w o y e a rs a go th e ho r s e sho e r s o f M inn e s o t a a s ke d
-
t h e l e g i sl a tu re t o g iv e t h e m a l i c e n se l a w I w ro t e t o .
a p ro m in e n m e m b er o f t h e ho u se of re p r e s e n ta t iv e s
‘
t
a n d a s ke d hi m t o p u t h i s infl ue n ce a a in s t t he m e a s
-
g
u re . H e did S O wi t h t h e r e s ul t t h a t the bi l l wa s
,
ki l l e d s o fa r a s th e co u n t i e s a n d sm al l e r t own s w e re
c on ce r n e d S u ch a l a w wi l l on l y p ro vid e fo r a n e x t r a
.
t a x on t h e poo r s m i th s a nd ho rs e S ho e r s and hi s
-
,
c h a n ce s o f m a kin g a l ivin g wi l l n ot b e b e t te re d ,
b e c a u s e no on e wi l l b e sh u t out no matte r h ow ,
in c o m pe te n t .
l i ce n s e s t o
ho r se S hoers in t h a t S t a te be ch a n ge d a s
-
, ,
T he b o a r d h a s fa i l e d t o a cc o m p l i sh the p urpo s e for

“
whi ch i t wa s i n s ti tu te d—the el e va t in g of the s ta nd ar d

o f wo r km a n s hip o f ho r s e sho e rs o f t h a t S ta t e
-
U nion s .
a re a l l r i g h t in e v er y p l a ce wh e r e t h e re i s on l y on e
s m i th l e t t h a t s m i th u ni t e wi th hi m s el f t o ch a rge a
,
l ivin g p r i ce for hi s wo rk a n d he i s a l l r i gh t Wh e re .
t h e re a r e m o r e t h a n one s m i t h u nion s wi l l onl y h e l p

t he di shon e s t fe l l ow S uch u nion s l i ve but for a S ho rt
.
t i m e a nd th e n the sm i t h s kni fe ea ch o th e r w o r se t h a n
e ve r .
I nh ar d t i m e s (a n d h ard t i m e s a re no w l i ke t he
poo r a l wa y s wi th
,
a l ot o f t in ke r s s t a r t in t h e
s ho e in g a n d bl acks m i t h b u s in e s s I f t h e y c o ul d m ake
.
a dol l a r a d a y in som e thin g e l se t h e y wo ul d s t a y ou t ,
b ut thi s be in g i m po s s i bl e t h e y think i t be tt e r t o try a t

,
the a n vi l F or th e m t o ge t a n yt hin g t o do wi thout

.
cu tt in g p ri ces i s out of th e q ue st ion a nd s o the cutt in g,
b u sin e ss be gin s a n d e nd s wh e n th e re gul a r s m i th h a s

,
c o m e down t o the t in ke r s p r i ce T o re m e d y t hi s w e
’
.
m u st go t o the r oo t of t he e vi l F i rs t po l i t ical a g i ta
.
,
t ion a ga in s t a s y s t e m wh e r e byl a b o r i s d e b a se d .
T hi s i s a fact in spi te of a l l p r o s p e r i ty howl in g

, .
Wh e n e ve r t h e re i s t ro ubl e be tw een l a b o r a n d ca pi t al
w e w i l l a l w a y s find t he who l e m a chin ery o f t he go v
e rn m e n t r e a d y t o p r o t e ct ca pi t al T he l a bo rin g m e n
.
wi ll n ot e ve n b e al l ow e d to m ee t bu t wi l l be di s p e rs e d
,
l i ke s o m a n y do gs T h e y are the m ob ! B u t t he
.
c a pi t al i s t s t h e y a re g e n t l e me n ! Wh e n t he g o ve rn
,
m e n t w a n ts a t a i l o r for in s tru cto r in our I ndi a n s choo l s ,
o r a bl a cks m i t h for the r ese rva t io n th ey ge t about ,

.
M O DERN B L A C K SM I T H I N G z3
p e r ye ar ut w h n a w
. B ,
e d h e el e r wa n t s
ar -
O ffi c e h e m u s t h a ve p e r y e a r W h a t ind uce

.
m e n t i s i t u nd e r such c ondi t ion s for a y o u n g m a n to

, ,
l e a r n a t ra d e ? L abo r in g m e n w a ke u p ! ,
B ut a s thi s wi l l br in g u s in t o po l i t i c s I s h a l l l e a ve
,
t hi s S id e O f t he q ue s t ion fo r i t wo u l d do no g ood
-
,
.
T ho m a s J e ff e rs on in t h e D e cl a ra t ion of I nd e p e nd e n ce
,
sa id : M a n kind ar e m o re di s po s e d t o s u ffe r whi l e

“
t he e vi l s a re s u ff e ra b l e t h a n t o r i g h t t h e m s e l v e s b y
,
a b o l i s hin g the fo r m s t o whi ch t h e y a re a c c u s t o m e d

”
.
T he l a b o r in g p e op l e w i l l in m y j ud gm e n t s u ff e r q u i te
, ,
a whi l e ye t I n t he m e a n t i m e l e t u s b u i l d u p a fr a
.
t e rni ty on t h e r uin s o f th e a n c i e n t g ui l d s B e tw ee n .
t he t w e l ft h a n d t he fi ft e e n t h c e n t u r i e s m e ch a n i cs o f
a l l kind s p r o s p e r e d a s n e ve r b e fo re n or h a ve t h e y
,
d on e i t s in ce T he r e a s on for thi s w a s n ot a hi g h
.
p r o te cti ve t ar i ff or a ny thin g in t h at l in e b ut S i m p l y
, ,
the frui t o f the g u i l d s a n d th e p ri v i l e ge t h e y e n j o y e d

fro m the s t a t e .
Wh a t we now n ee d i s a m od er n g ui l d I a n ti cip ate .
t h ere w o ul d b e s o m e di ffi c ul t y in s e cu r in g th e l e g i s
l a t ion n e ce ss ary b u t w e w i l l n ot a sk m o r e t h a n the
,
do ct o rs no w h ave I ca nn o t now g o in t o d e t a i l ; t h a t
.
w o ul d t ake m o re r oo m a n d t i m e t h a n I ca n s p are in
t hi s b ook .
24 M O D ERN B L A C K SM I T H I N G
t hin g is ce r t a in h ar d r ow
,
we h ave a
t o h oe b e cau s e t hi s i s a go ve r n m e n t
, ,
o f inj u n ct ion s a n d a n y l a w on t he
,
s t a t ut e b oo k i s in d a n ge r of b e in g
d e cl a r e d un c on s t i tution al a cco rdin g ,
t o the b i ddin gs o f the m on e y po w e r ,
o r t h e whi m o f t he j u d g e s O ne .
t yra n t i s b a d b u t m a n y a r e wo r s e
, .
I a m no p r oph e t bu t wi l l j ud g e the fu tur e fr o m the

,
p a s t H i st o ry wi l l r e p e a t i t se l f a n d C h r i st s te a chin g s
.
,
’
wi ll b e fo und t r ue ;
A ho use di v id e d a g a in s t i t se l f
“
c a nno t s t a nd .
I wi l l s ay s o m uch how e ve r t h at n o m an S ho ul d be
, ,
a l l ow e d t o s ta rt ou t for hi m s e l f b e fo r e h e h a s s e r ve d
t h ree y e ar s a s a n a pp re n t i c e a n d t w o or t h r e e y ea r s a s
a jo u r n e y m a n . T hi s s ho ul d b e p r o v e d b y a ce rt ifi c a te
fr o m t he m a st e r for who m he h a s wo r ke d T hi s .
c e r t ifi ca t e t o b e s wo r n t o b y hi s m a s te r o n e u ni n te r ,
e s te d m a s t er a n d hi m s e l f N o a pp re nt i ce t o b e
.
a cce p t e d w i tho u t a c e r t ifi ca t e fr o m th e s c hool su pe r i n
t e nd e n t th a t he h a s a c e r t a in know l e d ge in l a n g ua ge
a n d a r i th m e ti c a n d o th e r b ra n ch e s a s m a y be r e q u i r e d .
I t S h a l l n o t b e e no ug h t o h a v e wo rke d a fe w d a y s e a c h
ye ar bu t t he whol e t i m e Wi th th e s e p a p e r s he S h al l
, .
a pp e a r be fo re t h re e c o m m i ss ion e r s e l e ct e d b y t he
,
fra t e rni t y a nd a ppoin t e d by the g o ver no r of the S ta te .

5
H e s h a l l p a y n ot l e s s th a n t e n a n d n ot m o re t h a n
t w e n t y fi v e do l l a r s for hi s dip l o m a
- A l l c o m p l a in t
.
S h a l l b e s u b m i tt e d t o t h e se c o mm i s s ion e rs a n d t h e y ,
S h a ll h a v e f ul l pow e r t o a c t I f a p r a ct i t ion e r a c ts
.
u n be c o m in g r u n s down hi s c o m p e t i t o r c h a r g e s p ri c e s
, ,
b e l ow t he p r i ce fix e d b y th e fr a t e r ni t y o r d e fr a u d s ,
h i s cu s t o m e r s s uc h S h al l b e r e po r te d t o t h e c o m m i s
,
s i on e r s a n d i f t h e y s e e fi t t h e y ca n r e p e al o r ca l l in
, , ,
h i s dip l o m a a n d h e sh a l l n ot b e a l l ow e d t o p ra c t i ce in
t he S t a t e T h es e a r e a fe w hin t s on t h e n a tu re of t he
.
m od e r n g ui l d w e o ug h t t o e s t a b l i sh T he fr a t e r ni t y
.
s ho ul d h a v e a jo ur n al e di t e d b y o n e e di t o r on l i te r a
t ure a n d on e on m e ch a ni c s t h e e di to r on m e ch a ni cs
,
t o b e a p ra c t i c a l b l a c ks m i t h wi th n ot l e s s t h a n fi ft e e n
y e a r s e xp e ri e n ce T he e di to r s a r e t o b e e l e cte d by
’
.
th e f ra t e r ni ty T hi s i s a ll po s s i b l e i f w e c a n g e t t he
.
l e g i sl a t ion t h a t t he do ct o r s h a ve in m a n y S t a t e s A nd .
wh y n ot ?
M e ch a ni c s o f t o d a y h a ve a v a g u e a n d a b s t ra c t id ea
-
o f wh a t i s m e a n t by j o u r n e y m a n a n d a pp r e n t i ce s hip .
I n E u r op e th er e i s ye t a S h a dow l e ft o f t he g u i l d s
wh e re t h e se w e r e in e xi st e n ce .
Wh e n I l e a r n e d m y t ra d e I wo rke d s o m e ti m e wi th
m y fa th e r in S w e d e n t h e n I w e n t o v e r t o N o r w a y a n d
,
wo r ke d a s a n a pp re n t i ce in M a t hi s on J ohn s on s ’
m a chin e fil e a n d l o ck fa ct o ry o f C h r i s t i a ni a
,
I wa s .
r e q u e s t e d t o S i n a c on t ra c t for f o u r y e ars I n t hi
g s .
c on tr a c t w a s s e t fo r t h t h e w a e s I wa s t o r e ce i ve a n d
g ,
wh a t I w a s to l e ar n e a ch y e a r E very thin g w a s .
S p e c ifi e d s o t h a t t h e re wo u l d b e no r oo m f or m i s un d e r
s t a ndin g T he fi r st t wo w e e ks I w o rke d t h e y S i m p l y
.
,
d ri l l e d m e I wa s g i ve n a good fil e an d a pi ece of
.
i r on t hi s i r on I fi l e d S q u ar e r o u n d t ri an gl e h e x agon
, , , ,
a n d o ct a g on I wo re o ut fi l e s a n d pi ece s of i r on on e
a ft er a no t h e r t h e m a s t e r g i v in g in s tr uct ion s how t o
,
s t a nd ho l d t h e fi l e a b o u t t h e p re s s ure a n d s t r o ke s o f
, ,
s am e e t c ,
T he s a m e ca r e ful in s t ruc tion s w e r e g ive n
.
in bl a cksm i thin g T he a pp re n t i ce wa s g i ve n s o m e
.
wo rk a n d he h a d to fo rge i t ou t hi m se l f no m a tte r
, ,
w h a t t i m e i t t ook n or did i t m ake a n y di ffe re n ce if the

,
j o b,
wh e n don e w a s o f a n, y u s e t h e a pp ,
r e n ti c e w a s
s i m p l y p ra c t i c in g a n d a cc u s t o m in g hi m s e l f t o t he u s e
o f t oo l s T h us th e e l e m e n ta r y r ul e s w e re l e ar n e d in a
.
fe w we e ks a n d t he a pp r e n t i ce m a d e c a p a b l e o f doin g
,
u s e ful se rv i ce t h a t wo ul d r e p a y for t he t i m e l o st in th e
s ta rt .
M O DER N B L A C K SM I T H I N G a7
L I T ER A T U R E
A VI N O tho r o ug h l y l e a rn e d the t ra d e ,
it isi m po rta n t t o ke e p po st e d
in t hi s m a tt e r by r ea din g b oo ks
a n d t r a d e j o ur n a l s A s fa r a s
.
boo ks a re c on ce rn e d w e h a ve a ,
fe w t re a t in g on ho rs e sho e in g -
,
w i th b o th good a n d b a d id e a s .
A s t o bl acks m i thin g t hi s boo k , ,
M od er n B l a cks m i thin g i s t he fi r s t in th a t l in e
, ,
w r i tt e n b y a p r a c t i ca l b l a cksm i th a n d ho r s e S ho e r -
.
O ur t ra d e j o ur n al s m us t b e re a d wi th d i s cr i m in a tion .
T h e y a re m o s tl y e di te d by m e n h a v in g no p r a ct i c al
e xp e ri e n ce in t he t r a d e a n d a r e t h e r e f o r e n ot r e s p on
,
s i b l e for the a rt i cl e s t h e se p a p e rs c on ta in M any .
ar t i cl e s a re e n t i rel y m i sl e a din g .B l a cks m i t h s h a vin g

m o r e e xp e r i e n ce w i t h the p en t h a n the h a m m e r a n d ,
a nxio us t o h a ve t h e i r n am e s a pp e a r in p r in t w r i t e fo r ,
t h e s e j o u r n al s
.
Priz e a rt i cl e s a r e al s o doin g m o re h a rm t h a n g ood ,
the j ud ge s g i v in g th e p r iz e s t o m e n w i th id eas l i ke
t h e i r o w n n ot be in g b r o a d m ind e d e no ug h t o c on s id er
,
-
a n y thin h y don p i h m l d h l
’
g t e t r a c t ce t e s e v e s a n
,
t e re s u t
i s a p r e m i u m on ol d a n d foo l i sh id e a s .
B u t w e S ho ul d n ot s t op a t thi s . We sho ul d r e a d
much . A n y thin g e x ce p t bl oo dy no vel s wi l l h e l p to
, ,
e l e v a te the m an i th sho ul d t hin k it idl e to read

. N O sm
a n d s t u dy E v e ry kind o f knowl e d g e o b se r v e s a
“
.
,
w r i t e r co m e s in t o p l ay s o m e t i m e o r o th e r n ot on l y
, ,
s y st e m a t i c s t u dy b u t fr a g m e n t a ry e v e n t h e odd s a n d
, ,
e nd s ,
t he m ere st ra g t a g s of in f o r m a t ion -
S ome .
fa c t or e xp e r i e n c e a n d s o m e t i m e s a n a n e c do t e r e c u r
, , ,
t o t he m ind b y t h e pow e r of a s s o ci a t ion j us t in t he

, ,
r i g h t ti m e a n d p l a c e A car p e n t e r w as O b s e r v e d t o
.
b e v e r y p a r t i cul a r a n d p a in st a kin g in r e p a i ri n g a n O l d
c h a i r o f a m a g i s t r a t e a n d wh e n a s ke d why sa id :
“
,
I ,
w a n t thi s ch a i r t o b e ea sy for m e t o S i t in s om e t i m e .
H e l iv e d l on g e no u g h t o s i t in i t .
H ug h M i l l e r f o u nd t i m e whi l e p urs uin g t he t ra d e o f

a s t on e m a s on n o t on l y t o r e a d b u t t o w r i t e c ul t i va t
, , ,
i n g h i s s tyl e t i l l h e b ec a m e o n e o f t h e m o s t fa c i l e a n d
b ri l l i a n t a u tho r s o f t he d a y E l ih u B ur r i t t a cq ui r e d a
.
m a s t e r y of e i g h t e e n l a n gu a g e s a n d t we n t y t wo di a -
l e c ts n o t by r a re g e ni u s wh i c h h e di scl a i m e d bu t by
, , ,
i m p r o vin g the b i t s a n d fr a g m e n t s O f t i m e whi ch he

h a d t o s p a r e fr o m hi s o c c up at ion a s a bl a cks m i t h .
L e t i t b e a p r a c t i ce o r a h a b i t if yo u wil l t o b uy a t , ,
l e a s t O n e b oo k e ve ry y e ar a nd t o r ea d t h e s a m e on c e , , ,
t wi ce t h r i c e o r u n t i l i t s c on t e n t s a r e ind el i bl y i m
, ,
p r e ss e d u pon yo ur m in d I t wi l l c o m e b a ck t o yo ur .
m ind a n d b e u s e ful wh e n you e xp e ct i t the l ea st .

30 M O D ER N B L A C K SM I T H IN G
tr i e d the m m yse l f an d i t t ook a fe w d a y s be fo r e I g ot

,
u se d t o t h e m b u t t h e n I f o u nd t h a t t h e y w ere a g re a t
,
i m p ro ve m en t o ve r the t oe kni fe I t o l d m y ho rse

'
sho e r t o u se t h e m a n d a ft er a whi l e he c o ul d n o t g et
a l on g w i tho u t t he m b ut wo ul d ye t h av e u se d his t oe
,
kni fe i f i t h a d n ot b e e n for t he fa c t t h a t h e w a s c om
p e l l e d t o u se t h e m I f .i t w a s n o t fo r t h e c on se r v a t i sm
b y whi ch w e a r e a l l i n fe c t e d m o re o r l e ss we wo ul d
“
be fa r m o r e a d va n ce d in e ve ry thin g .
T he m e ch a ni c t h a t h a s poo r t ool s wi l l in e ve r y ca s e
b e l e ft b e hind in c o m p e t i t ion wi th th e m a n wi t h g oo d
t oo l s in p r op er sh a p e T h e re a r e s m i th s who wi l l t a ke
.
in al l kind s o f show s a n d e n te r t a in m e n t s wi thin fi fty

m i l e s b ut wh e n i t c o m e s t o t oo l s O h ho w s t in gy a n d
, , ,
sa v in g t h e y a r e . T h e r e i s no in ve st m e n t whi ch wi ll
b rin g s uch a g ood r e tu r n a s fi r s t cl a ss t ool s do t o a -
m e ch a ni c . T he ol d m a xi m A m e ch a ni c i s known
,
b y t h e t oo l s he u se s M a n y o f t he t oo l s u s e d
”
i s t r ue
,
.
in the shop c an b e m a de b y the sm i th I f l e ss t i m e i s .
s p e n t in t h e s t o re s a n d s al oon t h e re wi ll b e m o r e t i m e
for m akin g t oo l s .
I S h al l in t hi s ch a p t e r g i ve a fe w poin te r s how t o
, ,
m ake s o m e o f the t oo l s u s e d I wi l l n ot s p e nd a ny
.
t i m e in e xp l a n a t ion a b o ut t he m o re in t r i ca t e t ool s l i ke
d r i l l p re s se s a n d t oo l s o f t h a t kind b eca use no sm i th ,
h a s e xp e ri e n ce or fa ci l i t i e s t o m ake t ool s of t hi s ch a r
a c te r t h a t wi l l b e wo r t h a n y t hin g I sh al l s i m p l y gi ve
.
a fe w hin t s on t he m o s t c o m m on t oo l s u s e d wi t h i l l u s ,
t r a t i on s t h a t wi l l b e a h e l p t o n e w b e g inn e r s B e fo re .
w e g o an y fu rt h e r l e t m e r e m ind you of t he g ol d e n
ru l e of t he m e ch a ni c A p l ace for e ve ry t hin g a n d
“
,
e ve r y thin g in i ts p l a ce S o m e shop s l ook l i ke a

.
s c ra
p i r on S h e d t h e t oo l s s t r e wn a l l o ve r a n d o n e
, ,
t e n th o f the t i m e i s S p e n t in h u n t in g for t h e m 1 sh a l l .
fi rst my a fe w wo r d s a b o u t the shop a n d g i ve a p l a n .
T hi s p l a n i s n ot m ea n t t o b e f ol l ow e d m in u te l y b ut ,
i s s ix pl y a hin t in t h a t di re ct ion
. .
T H E SH O P
I n bui l din g hop care S houl d b e take n in m akin g i t

a S
c on ve ni e n t a n d h e al t h y M o s t o f t h e s hop s a re b u i l t
.
wi t h a hi gh floor T hi s i s v e ry in c on ve ni e n t w h e n
.
ma chin e ry of a n y kind i s ta ke n in for re p a i rs a s w el l ,
a s in t a king in a t e a m fo r s ho e in g A r o u nd t he fo r g e
.
t h e re S h o ul d b e a g r a v e l floo r A p l a n k floo r i s a
.
g r e a t n ui s a n ce a r o u n d t he a n v i l E v e r y pi e ce c u t o ff
.
hot i s t o be h u n te d u p a n d pi cke d u p o r i t wi l l s e t fi re
to i t . I kn o w t h er e wi l l b e s o m e o bj e c tion t o t hi s kind
of floo r bu t i f yo u on c e l e a r n h ow t o ke e p i t you wi l l
ch a n g e y o ur m ind T o m a ke t hi s floo r t a ke sa nd a n d
.
cl a y w i t h fin e g ra ve l m ix wi th c o a l d u st a n d p l a c e a
,
l a y e r w h e re w a n te d a b o ut f o ur in ch e s t hi ck T hi s .
floo r w h e n a l i ttl e O ld w il l be a s h ar d a s i r on p ro
, , ,
v ide d you s p r in kl e i t e v e r y n i gh t wi t h w a te r T he .
d ust a nd s oo t fro m the S hop w i ll in t i m e se ttl e in wi th

, ,
it a n d i t wi l l b e sm oo th a n d h ar d I t wi l l n ot ca tch
.
fire ; n o cr a cks for s m al l t oo l s o r b o l t s t o fa l l t h r o u g h ;

i t w i l l not crack l i ke ce m e n t or br i ck floo r s I f y our.
shO p i s l a rge t h e n m ake a p l a t f o r m a t e a ch e n d a n d a ,

.
g r a v e l floo r in t h e c e n t e r o r a t o n,
e s id e a s in fi g
,
u e r
M O D ER N B L A C K SM I I H I N G
' ‘
3 2
x. T hi s flo or is ool in sum m e r and wa rm in w i nter

c ,
a s t h e re c a n b e no d r a ft . T he S hop S ho ul d h a ve p l e n ty
o f l i g h t s kyl i g h t s i f po s s i bl e
,
T he s oo t a n d d us t wi ll
.
,
in a S hor t t i m e m a ke the l i gh te s t shop d ark T he

,
.
s hop S ho ul d b e wh i t e w a s h e d on ce a y e a r H a ve .
FI G . I .
p l e n ty of ve n til a tion M ake i t on e s to ry on l y i f con

.
v e n i e n t t o do s o a s a n upp e r s t o ry in a b l a cks m i t h
,
s hO p i s of ve r y l i ttl e u s e T he shop i s t he p l a ce w h e re
.
t he s m i t h s p e nd s m o s t of hi s t i m e a n d h e s ho ul d t a ke
j u s t a s m u c h c a re in b ui l din g i t a s a s e n s i b l e
,
b o n s e e
kee p e r d oes i n the co nstructi on of her ki tche n .

M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G 33
T H E FO R G E
T he f o r g e c an be m a d e e i th e r s in gl e or do ubl e ,
sq ua re or r o un d T he s q ua re is the b e s t a s i t c a n b e
p l a ce d u p a g a in s t the w al l a n d you wi l l t h e n h a v e
,
m o r e r oo m in fron t o f i t . T he r o u nd f o rg e wi l l t a ke
m o r e r oo m if i t i s p l a ce d in t he ce n te r O f th e floo r
,
C ind e r s a n d s m o ke in t o t he fa ce o f the s m i th T hi s i s .
ve r y u n c o m fo r t a b l e
. T he s m oke s ta c k i f h u n g o ve r
,
t h e fi r e wi l l s o m e t i m e s b e in t h e w a O f o u r se t he
y c
.
hood ca n be m a d e in h al v e s a n d on e h al f s w un g t o t he
S id e,
but i t wi l l s o m e ti m e s b e in t he w a y a n y how a n d ,
i t s e l do m ha s a n y s u ct ion t o c ar r y a w a y the s m o ke a n d
C ind er s .
T H E A N VIL
T he an vi l s ho ul d n o t b e t oo cl o se t o the fo rg e a s i s ,
o f te n t he c a s e in s m a l l co u n try S hop s M a ke i t six.
fee t from cente r of fir e to cen ter of anv il T he anvil .

S ho ul d n o t be p l a ce d on a butch e r bl o ck wi th the t ool s

on bu t on a t i m b e r the s a m e S iz e a s t he foo t o f the
,
a nvi l . S e t t he t i m b e r down in t he gr o u nd a t l e a s t
t h r e e fe e t .F or h e a vy wo r k t he a nvi l S ho ul d s t a nd l ow
in o r d e r to b e a bl e t o c om e down on i t wi th b o th h a m
m e r a n d S l e d g e wi th fo r ce Wh e n t he s m i th ha s hi s
.
h and s cl o se d t he kn u ckl e s of his fin ge rs sho ul d to uch

t he fa c e o f t h e a n vi l a nd i t w i l l b e t he r i gh t h e i g h t for
al l a r o u nd bl a cksm i t hin g
-
.
C O A L B O X
C l o s e t o th e f o r g e nd er the wa te r t a n k or bar rel

u
s ho ul d b e a c o al box I 8 x 4 x 1 6 in ch e s t hi s b ox t o b e
2
,
d ug down in t h e gr o u nd an d s o p l a ce d th a t on e e n d
wil l p r o tru d e fr o m u nd er the b arr e l or t a n k fa r e nough
t o l e t a S ho ve l in .T hi s O p e nin g c a n be cl o se d w i th a
l id i f t he t ool s a r e l i a bl e t o fa ll in to i t I n thi s box .
ke ep the c o a l w e t I n fi gur e I a p l a n i s g i ve n fr o m
.
whi ch you ca n g e t a n id e a of a S hop a n d how to p l a ce

the t oo l s a n d di ff ere n t a r t i cl e s n e e d e d .
T O O L T A B L ES
O n t he r i gh t h a nd of t he a nvi l sho ul d be a t ool b e n ch

or t oo l t ab l e 2 0 x 20 a l i tt l e l ow er t ha n
,
th e a nvi l .
O ut s id e on t h re e S id e s a n d l e v e l wi t h the t a bl e m ake
, ,
a r a i l in g o f I in ch i r on a b o ut I
,
i nch s p a ce be t w e e n
1
2
t he t a bl e a n d r a i l in g t hi s m a ke s a h a ndy p l a c e for
,
t oo l s an dn e ar by M a ny bl a cks m i th s h a v e n o o th e r
.
p l a ce th a n the floo r for th e i r t oo l s b ut th e r e i s no

,
m o re s e n s e in th a t th a n i t wo ul d b e fo r a c a rp e n t e r t o
t h r ow h i s t oo l s down on t he floo r a l l a r o u nd him .
T h e re o u g h t t o b e a p l a c e fo r e v e r y t oo l a n d e ve ry
“
tool in i ts p l a ce .
T O O L T A BL E .
T H E H A M M ER
Wh e n a l a wy er o r a m ini s te r m a ke s hi s m a id e n
s p e e ch he wi ll a l w a y s b e in a
g re a t h u rr y on a cc ou n t
o f hi s e x c i t e m e n t
. T he s e n t e n c e s a re c u t s ho rt e r
,
br o ke n a n d t he wo r d s a re s o m e t i m e s on l y h a l f p r o
,
nounced A ft er a fe w y e a rs p r a cti ce he wi l l be m o re
’
.
3 6 M O DER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G
s e l f-po ss e ss e d a nd the S p e e ch wi l l be ch a n ge d fro m

u n i n t e l l i g i bl e ph r a s e s t o l o g i ca l o ra t o r y Wh e n the
.
c a rp e n t e r s a pp re n t i c e fi r s t b e g in s t o u se t he s a w h e
’
a h a e —
wi l ct t e s m wa y b e in a gr e a t h u ry he w i ll
l r —
r u n t h e s aw a t t h e s p e e d o f a s cr o l l s a w b ut on l y a ,
fe w in c h e s o f s t r o ke ; a fte r s o m e in s t r u ct ion s a nd a
fe w y e a r s p r a ct i ce the s a w wi l l b e r u n up a n d down
’
s t e a dy a n d wi t h s tr o ke s t he who l e l e n g t h of t he bl a d e .
Wh e n th e bl a cks m i t h s a pp re n t i ce beg in s to u se t he
’
h a m m e r he a cts ve r y m uch the s a m e w a y H e wil l .
p re ss hi s el bow s a ga in st hi s r i bs ; l i f t the h a m m e r onl y

a f e w in ch e s fr o m t he a n v i l an d p e ck a w a y a t t he
S p ee d o f a t rip h a mm er T hi s wi ll in m o s t ca se s b e
.
, ,
di ffe r e n t in a fe w ye a r s H e wi l l d rop the b u ndl e

.
t h a t i s h i s e l b ow s wi l l p a r t c o m p a n y wi th h i s r i bs t he
, ,
h a m m e r wi l l l oo k o ve r hi s h e a d t h e re wi l l be ful l
,
s t r o ke s a n d r eg ul ar t i m e e ve r y bl ow a s g ood a s a
,
doz e n of hi s fi r s t on e s S o m e sm i t h s h av e the fool i sh

.
h ab i t of b e a t in g on t he a nvi l e m p ty wi th t he h am m e r ,
t h e y wi l l s tr i ke a fe w bl ow s on t he i r on t h e n a c o u p l e
,
o f bl ind b e a t s on t he a nvi l a n d s o on ,
T hi s h a b i t h a s
.
b e e n i m po r t e d fr o m E ur op e fre e o f d u ty a n d t h a t
, ,
m u st be the r e a s on wh y s o m a n y bl a cks m i th s e njo y

t hi s l ux ur y .
T H E S L EDG E
I E u r op e g re a t i m po rt a n ce i s l a id u pon t he po s i t ion
n
t a ke n by t he a pp r e n t i ce a n d t he m a nn e r h e hol d s t he
d ge T he S l e dg e i s h e l d S O th a t t he e nd o f i t wi l l
sl e .
b e u n d e r hi s r i gh t a r m pi t wh e n t he r i gh t h a nd i s n e xt
,
3 8 M O DE RN B L A C K SM I T H I N G
Wi th th e se p r el i m in ar y r e m arks w e S h al l n o w be g in
t o m a ke a f e w t oo l s . We wi l l be gin with t he bl a ck
s m i t h s t on g s I S h a l l on l y g iv e a n id e a how t o fo rg e
’
.
t he j a w s a n d e v e r y m a n t h a t n e e d s t o m a ke t h e m h a s
,
FI G .
4 .
se e n e nou gh o f t hi s S i m p l e t ool t o kno w wh a t kind i s

n e e d e d a n d wh a t he ha s n ot s e e n wi l l s ugge st i ts el f
,
t o e v e ry s e n s i bl e s m i th
.
B L A C K SM IT H S T O N G S
’
T a ke pi e ce o f o n e in ch s q u a r e S w e d e i ron hol d
a -
,
t he i r on di a g on a l l y ov e r th e a nvi l wi th yo u r l e ft h a nd
,
a l i t tl e t ow a r d t h e h o r n t h e e n d o f t h e i r on t o r e a c h
,
o ut o ve r t he o u t s id e e d g e o f t he a nvi l N ow s t r i ke s o
.
t h a t t he s l e dg e a n d h a mm e r wi l l h i t h a l f fa ce o ve r t he
a n vi l a n d t he o t h e r h a l f o f th e S l e d g e a n d h a m m e r o ut
s id e o f the a nvi l H a m m e r i t down t o a bo ut th re e

.
e i gh th s o f a n in c h t hi c k . N o w p u l l t he i r on t ow a r d s
,
y o u s t r a i g h t a cr o s s t h e a n vi l g iv e i,
t o n e h a l f t u r n
t ow a r d y o u r s e l f s o th a t t hi s s id e whi c h w a s u p now ,
wi l l be t ow a r d s y o u rs e l f ; t he e n d t h a t fi rs t w a s o u ts id e
t he a n v i l now t o r e s t ov e r t h e inn er e d g e o f t he a nvi l ,
p ush t he j a w u p a ga in s t th e a n vi l u n t i l i t r e st s a g a in s t
t h e S ho ul d e r m a d e in the fi rs t m o ve N o w h am m e r
.
t hi s down u n t i l i t i s th e t hi ckn e ss o f t h e j a w th a t i s
d e s i re d N e x t t urn i t ov e r wi th t he b o tt o m S id e u p
.
, ,
O r the S id e t h a t wa s do w n u ; p ush i t ou t o ve r t he
.
, p
40 M O DERN B L A C K SM IT H IN G
out s i d e e d ge of the a n vi l a ga in so far t h a t the sho ul de r

or s e t down you now h a v e u p wi l l b e a b o u t a n in ch o ut
,
s id e a n d o v e r t h e e d g e o f t he a n v i l now g i ve a f e w ,
b l ow s t o fini sh t he j a w t h e n fini sh the S h a n ks a n d w e l d

,
i n h al f in ch r o u nd i ron t o the l e n g th de si r ed T he .
j a w s S ho u l d b e g r oo v e d w i th
*
a f u l l e r i f y o
,
u h a v e non e
o f th e s iz e r e q u i re d t a ke a pi e ce O f r o u nd i r on a n d h a m
m e r i t down in the j a w s t o m a ke t h e g r oo v e T on gs .
g r oo v e d t hi s w a y wi l l g r ip b e t t er N .e x t p u n c h a ho
,
l e
in one j a w p l a ce it o ve r the o th e r in t he po s i tion

,
w a n te d wh e n fin i sh e d t h e n m a rk th e hol e in the o th e r
,
j a w ,
a n d wh e n p u n c h e d r i v e t t h e m t o g e th e r t h e j a w s ,
t o b e c o l d a n d t h e r iv e t h ot .T h e fo l l owin g s t o ry wi ll
s ugge s t t o you how t o fini s h i t .A n a pp r e n t i c e on ce
m a d e a p a i r o f t on g s wh e n h i s m a s t er w a s ou t an d ,
wh e n h e ha d t h e m r i ve te d t o ge th e r co ul d n ot m ov e th e
j a w s . A S h e did n o t k now how t o m a k e t h e m wo r k
he l a id th e m a w a y u nd e r t h e be ll ow s A t t h e s u pp e r
.
t a bl e t he a pp re n t i ce t o l d h i s m a s te r t he fol l owing
s tory : A n a pp re n t i ce on ce m a d e a p a i r o f t on g s a n d
wh e n h e ha d th e m r i ve t e d t oge th e r he co ul d n ot m o v e -
t he j a w s a n d a s h e d id n ot know wh a t t o do h e S i m p l y
,
t h re w t h e m a w a y t hin ki n g h e m u st h a v e m ad e a
,
m i s t ake so m ehow . Wh a t a foo l sa id the m a st e r

“ ”
, ,
“
Why did n t he h e a t th e m
’
. A t the n e x t oppo r
t uni ty th e a pp re n t i c e p ut hi s t on g s i n the fi re a n d
wh e n hot t h e y c o ul d be wo rke d v e r y e as i l y .
M O D ERN B L A C K SM IT H I N G 41
H O W T O M A K E A H A M M ER
pi e ce in ch e s s q ua r e
of ool n e a t it
s te el
T a ke a
M t I
,
r e d ho t N ow r e m e m b e r h e r e i t i s t h a t t he t r o u bl e
.
be g in s in h a nd l in g t oo l s t e e l I f in t he p r o ce ss yo u .
, ,
e v e r g e t i t m o r e t h a n r e d h ot i t i s S poi l e d a n d no , ,
r e ce ip t o r h a nd l in g or h a m m e r in g wi l l e v e r m a ke i t
,
g ood a g a in T h e b e s t t hin
.
g in s u ch a c a s e i s t o c ut
O ff t h e b urn t p a r t in S pi t e of a l l p r opo se d c u re s T hi s .
m u s t b e r em e m bere d wh e n e ve r you h e a t t oo l or S p r in g
steel I f t he b u r n t p a r t c a nno t b e c ut o ff h e a t i t t o a
.
,
l ow h e a t c oo l i t in l uke w ar m w a te r h a l f a doz e n
,
t i m e s t hi s wi l l i m p r o ve i t s o m e i f you c a n h a mm e r i t
, ,
s o m e do S O N ow p u n ch a ho l e ab o u t t wo in ch e s fr o m
.
t he e n d wi th a p u n c h t h a t wi l l m ake a ho l e l yé x
I f t h e p u n ch s ti cks in t he ho l e c oo l i t o ff a n d p u t a ,
l i tt l e c o a l in t h e ho l e t h a t wi l l p re v e n t t he p u n ch f r o m
s t i ckin g T hi s i s a g ood t hin g t o do wh e n e v e r a d ee p
.
hol e i s t o b e p u n ch e d B e s ure t h a t t he hol e i s m a d e .
t rue . N e x t h a v e a p un ch t he e x a c t s iz e of t he hol e
,
w a n t e d wh e n fini s h e d d r i ve i t in a n d h a m m er the e ye ,
ou t u n t i l i t h a s t h e thi ckn e s s o f a b o u t of a n in ch on
e a c h S id e a n d h a s a c i r cl e f o rm l i ke N O 2 F i gur e 5 .
,
.
I n o rd e r to do t hi s you m a y h ave t o h e a t t he e ye
m a ny t i m e s a n d u p s e t o ve r i t wi th t he p un ch in t he
,
e ye . T hi s don e p ut i n t he b o tt o m f ull er a n d w i t h t h e
t op f ul l e r g r oo ve i t down on e a ch s id e of t he e ye l i ke ,
t h e c u t r e fe r r e d t o N ow d re s s down the face th e n

.
th e p e e n e n d Wh e n fini sh e d h a r d e n i t in thi s w a y :
-
.
H e a t the fa ce e n d fi r s t t o a l ow r e d h e a t dip in wa t e r
-
,
a b o u t a n in ch a n d a h a l f b ri g h te n t he fa ce a n d w a t ch ,
4 2 M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G
for t he ol o r Wh e n i t begin s t o tur n bl ue coo l off

c .
b ut don t h a r d e n the e ye
’
.Wind a w e t r ag a ro u nd t he
fa ce e n d a n d h ea t t h e p e e n e n d t e m p e r t h e s a m e w a y
-
,
.
Wi th a pi e ce o f i r on in t he e ye b o t h e n ds ca n b e ,
h ar d e n e d a t t he s a m e t i m e b ut thi s i s m ore di ffi cul t

, ,
a n d I wo ul d n o t r e c o m m e nd i t .
FI G .
5 .
F or o rdin ar y bl a cksm i thin g a fl a t p e e n h amm e r i s

'
t he t hin g b ut I h a v e s e e n g ood bl a cks m i th s h a n g on

,
t o t h e m a chini s t s h a m m e r a s th e on l y t hin g S ee N o
’
. .
1,
F i g ur e 5 .T hi s h a mm e r i s m o re o r n a m e n t al th a n
u s e ful in a bl a cks m i t h S hop T he h a m m e r S ho ul d be
.
o f di ff e r e n t s iz e s fo r di ff e re n t wo r k l i gh t for l i gh t
,
wo rk a n d fo r d ra win g ou t p l owsh a re s a l on e the ha m

,
m e r S ho ul d b e h e a vy .
F or a n o r din ar y sm i t h a h a mm e r o f t wo u p t o t w o
a n d on e h a l f
-
po und s i s ri g h t R iv e tin g h a m m e rs
.
s ho ul d beon l y on e po u nd a n d l e s s N o s m i th s ho ul d .
e v e r u se a h a m m e r l i ke N o 3 in F i g u r e 5 . T hi s,
.
h a mm e r I h a v e n ot ye t b e e n a bl e t o find o u t wh a t i t i s
g ood f or T. O O S ho r t t o o c l u m s y t o o m uc h fr i ct ion in
, ,
t he a ir .I h a ve c h r i st e n e d i t a n d i f you w a n t m y ,
n a m e for i t ca l l i t C a in s h am m e r I t m u s t s urel y
’
.
l oo k l i ke t he h a m m er u se d by him i f he h ad a n y , .
H O W T O M A K E C H I S EL S
A hi sel
c for h ot in g s e e F i g ure 5 N O 4 T hi s
c u tt , ,
. .
chi s el i s m a d e o f I M s q u are t oo l s t e e l Pu n ch a ho l e .
r é x x a b o u t t h r e e in ch e s fr o m th e e n d the e ye
y ,
s ho ul d b e n a rr ow in o r d e r t o l e a ve m a t er i al e no ugh on
the S id e s t o g iv e i t s t r e n g t h Wh e n e ye i s fini sh e d
.
,
fo rg e down b e l ow i t n o t on th e h e a d en d wi t h t op
,
-
,
a n d b o tt o m ful l e r s l i ke c ut ,
T hi s g i ve s t he chi s e l a
.
b e tte r S h a p e N ow d re s s down t he e d g e t h e n h e a t
.
,
t o a l ow ch er ry r e d a n d h a r d e n br i gh t e n i t a n d w h e n
, ,
t he c o l o r i s b rown c oo l o ff .
C O L D C H I S EL S
U se sa me S iz e d o ve r e fe rr e d to m ake i t
s te e l a s ab ,
l i ke N O 5 F i g u re 5
.
,
T o di st in gu i sh i t fr o m t he h o t
.
c u t t in g c hi s e l a n d t o i ve i t m o r e s t r e n t h in h a r d e n
, g g ,
i n g t hi s chi sel d r a w t he t e m p e r u n t i l i t i s bl u e
,
T hi s .
i s t he r i gh t t e m p e r for al l kind s o f c ol d C hi se l s .
S ET H A M M ER
O m i gh t t hin k t h a t a nyb ody know s how t o m ake

ne
a s e t h a m m e r , i f e v er y sm i th know s i t I don t know

’
, ,
b ut I do know th a t t h e r e a r e t ho u s a nd s o f s m i th s who
h a v e n e ve r h a d a s e t h a mm e r n or know i t s u se T o .
m ake on e : T a ke a pi e ce o f t oo l s te e l 1 % x I % in ch e s ,
p un ch a hol e a b o ut t w o in ch e s fr o m the e n d the ho l e ,
t o be I % x N ow c ut O ff e no ugh fo r h e ad M ake .
t h e fa c e p e rfe ctl y s q ua re a n d l e vel wi th sh a r p c o r n e rs

, ,
h a rd e n a n d c oo l off wh e n the t e m p e r t u rn s fro m b r own

to b l ue T hi s i s a v e ry i m po r t a n t l i t tl e tool a n d f or
.
c u tt in g s t e e l i t i s a g ood d e a l b e t t e r t h a n t h e c hi s e l .
Pl ow s te el of e v e r y kind i s e a s i e r c ut wi th thi s h a m m er
t h a n a ny o th e r w a y I n c utt in g wi th t he s e t h a m m e r
.
ho l d t he s te e l s o t h a t yo ur inn e r sid e o f t he s e t h a m
m e r wi l l be o ve r th e o u ts id e e d ge o f t h e a nvi l L et .
the h e l p e r st r i ke on t he o ut s id e c o r n e r o f t h e s e t h a m
m e r a n d i t wi l l c ut e a s y T he s t e el t o b e c u t S ho ul d
.
be j us t a l i t t l e hot n ot e no ugh t o b e no t i ce d
,
I f t he
.
s t e e l i s r e d h ot the s e t h a m m e r c a nno t c ut i t T he .
h e a t m ust be wh a t i s cal l e d bl ue h e a t I wo u l d n o t b e
.
wi tho u t the s e t h am m e r for m on e y a n d s ti l l I o fte n

,
m e e t sm i th s who h av e n e v e r s e e n t hi s u se m a d e o f t h e
se t h am m e r . Pl ow poin t s co r n S hov e l s a n d s e e d e r
, ,
S ho v e l s a re q u i cker c u t wi th t hi s t oo l th a n a n y o th e r
w a y wi th th e e x c e p tion o f S h e a rs
, .
h a ve a d r il l th at i s h a rd l i ke a di a m ond F or d ri l l in g .
i r on or s te el the dr i l l do e s n o t n e e d to be s o ve ry h a rd ,
b u t t o u gh r a th e r b e c a u s e of t he sl o w S p ee d a n d t hi ck
,
c hip s. F e w s m i th s h a v e b e e n a bl e t o m a s t e r t he S i m
l e s t t e m p e r in g a n d th e y t hin k if th e y c o ul d g et a
p ,
c o m p l i c a t e d r ece ip t t h e y wo ul d b e a l l r i g h t We a re .
a l l m o r e or l ess b u i l t t h a t w a y A n y t hin g w e do not

.
FI G . 6 .
u nd e rst a nd we a d m i r e S i mp l e s o ft w a t e r a n d the
.
r i gh t h e a t i s in m o s t c a s e s t he on l y t hin g n e e d e d for
, ,
h ar d e nin g I h a d o cc a sion to c on sul t a do ct o r on ce

.
who w a s no te d for hi s s i m p l e re m e di e s A l ad y g ot .
s o m e m e di c in e a n d sh e w a n te d t o know wh a t i t w a s s o
S he c o ul d g e t i t wh e n t h e do c to r w a s n ot a t ho m e b u t ,
h e r e fu s e d t o r e v e a l i t t o h e r Wh e n the l a dy ha d l e ft
.
t h e do ct o r t o l d m e t h e r e a s on why T hi s l a dy s a id
“
.
,
t he do ct o r do e s n ot b el i e v e in S i m p l e r e m e di e s whi ch
“
s h e know s b ut b e l i e v e s in t ho se r e m e di e s S h e know s
,
no thin g a b ou t . I t hin k i t is b e t te r fo r u s t o t ry to
M O D ER N B L A C K SM I T H I N G 4/
u nd e rs ta nd thin gs a n d n ot b e l i e ve m uc h in t emh
b e fo e w e u nd e rst a nd th e m
r
S WR EN C H
S ee F i g u re 6 , N hi s w re n ch i s for
o .
3 . n ut on
T
o ne e n d a nd on th e o th e r j us t the kind fo r p l ow ,
wo rk T O m a ke o n e t a ke a pi e ce of t ool s t e e l I % x
.
,
s t a r t a s yo u s e e in N O 4 F i gu r e 6 S e t the j a w s down
.
,
.
wi th t he ful l e rs p u n ch a r o und hol e a s in e n d N O 4

,
.
,
c u t o ut fr o m ho l e a n d fini sh t h e j a w s t o m a ke th e r i g h t
l e n g th now b e nd i t in S s h a p e a n d fini s h
,
T hi s m a ke s .
t h e b e s t w re n c h D o n ot h e at o ve r a r e d h e a t
. .
RO C K DRI L L S
F e w bl a cks m i t h s know how t o m a ke a r o ck d ri l l .
T a ke a pi e ce O f r o und or o c t a g on s t e e l t h e d e s i r e d ,
l e n g th a n d t hi ckn e s s S h a p e i t b ut i t m ust b e r e m e m
, ,
b e r e d t h a t i f d u r in g the p r o ce s s you e ve r g e t i t ov e r a
re d h e a t t h e re i s n o u s e t o p r o ce e d b u t j us t cu t O ff ,
th a t m uc h a n d s t a rt a g a in no h a r d e nin g wi l l p re v a i l,
i f i t i s b ur n t T he t r o u bl e b e g in s wh e n you p u t t he
.
s te e l in t o t he fi r e a n d yo u m u s t w a t c h u n t i l yo u h a v e
,
i t fini sh ed Wh e n r e a d y t o h a rd e n h e a t i t t o a ch e rr y
.
re d h e a t c oo l in w a t e r n ot t oo c o l d
,
b ri gh t e n a n d ,
wa t ch fo r t e m p e r Wh e n it i s ye l l ow coo l i t off bu t
.
, ,
n ot e n ti r e l y t a ke i t ou t of the w at e r be fo r e i t i s q ui t e
,
48 M O DER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G
c ol d a n d l et i t coo l sl owl y thi s wi l l m ake the dr i l l bo th

,
h ard an d to ugh B y thi s si m pl e p r o ce ss I h ave be e n

.
a bl e to d re ss d r i ll s a nd g e t s u c h a g ood t e mp e r t h a n
on l y two pe r ce n t wo ul d bre a k A noth e r way t o

.
h a r d e n i s t o h e a t to a very l ow h e a t a n d cool i t off

e n t i r e l y a t on ce . A t hi r d w ay i s to t e m p er a s fir st
s t a t e d a n d wh e n y el l ow s e t the d r i l l in w a t e r on l y on e
ha l f a n in ch d ee p an d l e t i t c oo l . B y t hi s p r o ce s s a
ood r e n t w i l l br eak j ust a t t he w a t e r l in e
g p e c .
C HA PT ER III
H O W T O S T RI K E A N D T URN T H E I RO N
R U L ES FO R SM IT H A N D H E L PE R
H E sm i th S ho ul d n e ve r t ur n the i r on
on the h e l p er s bl ow h e s ho ul d t u r n
’
on hi s own bl ow th a t i s n e v e r t ur n
, ,
th e i r on s o t h a t t he h e l p e r s bl o w wi ll
’
hi t i t fi r s t b e ca us e he i s n ot p re p a re d
for i t a n d c a nno t s tr i ke wi t h con fi
d e n ce b ut the s m i th w i l l n ot be
,
b o th e re d b y t u r nin g t he i ron for hi m s el f a s h e know s

w h e n h e t u r n s a nd i s p re p a re d for i t T he s m i t h .
sho ul d s t r i ke t h e fi rs t b l ow in s t a r t in g o r S i g n al t he
,
h el p er wh e re to s tri ke in c a se the s m i th ca nno t s tri ke

,
the fi r s t bl ow . T he s m i t h c a ll s the h e l p e r by t h re e
bl ow s on t he a n vi l wi th h i s h am m e r a nd wh e n the ,
s m i t h w a n ts t h e h e l p e r t o ce a se s t r i kin g he t a p s wi t h
the h a m m e r t wi ce on t he a n vi l T he h e l p e r S ho ul d
.
s t r i ke t h e bl ow h e h a s s ta r t e d wh e n the s m i t h s i g n al s
him t o s top . T he h e l p e r s ho u l d wa t c h t he t i m e o f t he
s m i th s h a m m e r ; i f fa st ke e p t i m e wi t h i t i f sl o w
’
, , ,
ke e p t i m e wi th i t . T h e h e l p e r s ho u l d s tr i ke wh ere
th e s m i t h s t ri ke s o r o v e r t he ce n t e r of t h e a n v i l T he .
h e l p e r S hO ul d a l wa y s l i ft the S l e d ge hi gh in o r d e r t o ,
g i v e t h e s m i t h a ch a n ce t o g e t in wi th th e h a m m er .
49
so M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G
T H E FI R E
I t isp rop er befo re we g o a n y farth e r to say a f e w

wo r d s a b o u t th e fi re .
A n O l d f o re m a n in t he bl acksm i th d e p art m e n t of a
fact o ry tol d me on ce in a c o nversation w e ha d abo ut
“
C O RR EC T PO S I T I O N A T T H E A N VI L
t he fi r e , t h at h e ha d c om e on cl us ion t h at ver y
t o th e c
fe w bl a cks m i t h s h a ve l e arn e d how to m a ke a g ood

fi re . I t t a ke s y e a r s o f s t u dy a n d p ra c t i c e be fo re t he
e ye i s a bl e t o di s ce r n a ood fi f r o m b d o n e A
g r e a a .
g ood fi r e m u s t b e a cl e a r fi re t h e fl a,
m e m u s t b e c on
ce n tr a t e d a n d o f a Whi te co l o r Even t he no se m u s t
.
M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G 5 I
s e r ve to d e c id e a b a d fi re fr o m a g ood o ne . A s tr on g
s ul ph ur s m el l in di ca te s a poo r fi re for w e l din g I n .
o r d e r to g e t a good fire t h e re m us t be fi r s t g ood c o al ; , ,
s ec ond p l e n t y o f i t
,
I t i s no u s e t o pi l e a l o t o f c o al
.
on a n ol d fir e ful l of C ind er s a n d sl ag T he fi re pot

‘
,
.
-
m u s t b e cl e a n M a n y b l a cks m i th s a re t oo sa vin g
.
a b o u t t h e c o al T h e y t a ke a S ho v e l of c o al d r op i t on
.
,
t h e f o rg e in the v i cini t y of the fi re a n d S p r in kl e a

h a nd ful o f i t in the fir e on ce in a whi l e I n s uch a .
c a s e it i s i m po s s i bl e t o do g ood wo rk a n d t ur n i t out
q ui ck H a ve a s c oop s hovel a n d pu t on o n e o r t wo
.
S ho ve l s a t a t i m e t h e c o al s ho ul d b e w e t T h e n p ack .
h
i t in t he fi re a s h a r d t o g e th e r a s you c a n S p r in kl e .
the fir e wi th w a t e r wh e n i t b e g in s t o s p re a d I n thi s .
w a y you g e t a h ar d fi r e T he fl a m e s a r e c on ce n tra t e d
.
a n d g i ve g re a t h e a t S avin g c o al i s j u st l i ke s avin g
.
fe e d t o a hor s e or g r ub to y o ur a pp re n t i ce
,
N e i t h er .
wi ll g i ve you a g ood d ay s wo rk u n l e ss h e has al l he ’
w a n t s t o e a t T he fi re of c ou rse S ho ul d be i n p ro
.
, ,
po r t ion t o t he wo rk b ut in e ve ry c a se S ho ul d the fi re
,
b e l a rge e no ugh to r a i s e i t up fr o m the t uy e r i r on a s

m uch a s po s s i bl e I n a sm al l fire t he bl a s t s tr i kes
.
di re ctl y on t he i ron a n d i t b e g in s t o scal e o ff ; in a

g ood fi r e t h e se sc a l e s m el t a n d m a ke i t s t i c ky whi l e ,
in a l ow a nd poo r fi re t he sc al e s b l a cke n an d fal l O ff .
T hi s n e v e r h a pp e n s i f the fir e i s fu l l of g ood c o al a n d
hi gh up fro m the t uy er i r on .
G ood st r on g bl a s t i s a l s o n e ce s s a r for h e a vy wo rk
y .
T h e re i s a n O l d whi m a b o u t the fi re t h a t e ve ry b ody ,
fa rm e rs an d o th e rs a s w el l a s bl a cks m i th s a re in fe c te d
, ,
wi th a n d t h a t is i f a pi e ce of b ra ss is p ut in t he fi re i t
, ,
5 . M O D E RN B L A C K SM IT H IN G
re nd ers the fi re usel e ss to we l d wi th N ow whi l e it i s .

,
.
a fa ct t h a t b ra s s i s n o t c ond u c i ve t o w e l din g i t t a ke s a
g ood d e a l o f i t be fo re t h e fi r e i s m a d e u s e l e s s O n e .
s m i t h wi l l n o t d a r e t o h e a t a g a l v a niz e d pip e in h i s
fi r e for fe a r i t wi l l S poi l i t whi l e a no t h e r s m i th wi l l

, ,
w el d a pi ece of i ron or st e el to s uch a pip e wi thou t

di ffi cul ty D on t s w e a r a n d c ur s e i f t he fire i s not
.
’
wh a t you e xp e ct i t t o b e b ut s i m p l y m a ke i t ri gh t
,
.
S o m e s m i t h s h a v e t he h a b i t o f c on t in u a l l y poki n g in
t he fi re if th e y w e l d a pi e ce O f i r on t h e y n e ve r g i ve i t
,
r e s t e no u gh t o g e t h ot b u t t u r n i t o ver fr o m on e S id e
,
t o a no th e r a n d t ry t o fi s h u p a l l t he C ind e r s a nd d ust
t o b e fo u nd in t h e fi re T hi s i s a b a d h a bi t
. Y e l l ow .
c ol o re d fi r e i s a S i g n o f s ul ph ur in t h e fi re a n d m a ke s a
poo r fire for w e l din g D e a d co al m ake s a poo r fire

. .
T UYER I RO N
O ne of hi e f re a son s for a poo r fire i s a poo r

t he c
bl a s t N O p a t e n t t uy e r wi l l g iv e bl a s t e no u gh un l e ss
.
y o u r u n i t b y s t e a m a n d h a v e a f a n bl ow e r N in .e t y
p e r ce n t o f t h e b l a s t i s l o s t in t r a n s m i s s ion t h r o u g h
p at e n t t uye rs T he on l y wa y t o ge t a g ood bl a s t i s to
.
h ave a di re ct t uye r a n d one wi th a w a t e r S pa ce in

,
.
T O m a ke a di r e c t t uy e r t a ke a pip e 1 % x 1 2 in ch e s
l on g w el d a r o und on e e n d o f t hi s pip e a n i r on
,
to
m ake i t t hi ck on t he e n d th a t i s in the fire fl a r e o ut ,
th e o t h e r e n d for t he wind pip e t o go in a nd p l a ce i t

horz on t al in the fi r e a n d fil l u p a r o u n d i t w i th fi r e p roo f
cl a
y T hi. s
g iv e s t he b e s t fire T h e on l
y . o b j ec t ion t o
$4 M O DERN B L A C K SM IT H IN G
be wa tch e d so th at t h ey wi l l n ot be a l l owe d t o fre e z e

o r cl o g a s a n e xp l o s ion m i gh t fo l l ow
,
T h e s e t uye rs
.
n e v e r cl og I now u s e on e t h a t I h a v e m a d e a s a b ov e
.
d e s c r i be d T he d e al e rs now h a ve th e m t o sel l A n y
. .
s m i t h c a n g e t t h e m a s t h e y are h ar d t o m ake by t he
a ve r a g e s m i th .
B L O WE R S
h a v e tr i e d m a ny kind s of bl ow ers an d I S h al l gi ve
I
m y b ro th er s m i th s t he a d va n ta g e of m y e xp e ri e n ce .
Po rt a bl e fo r ge s wi t h fa n bl owers a re fa i r bl ow
r un
e rs i f you a r e s tr on g e no u h to p u m p a w a y a t hi gh
“
g
s p e e d b ut i t t a ke s a ho rs e t o do t h a t a n d a s s oon a s
, ,
y o u d r op t h e l e v e r t h e bl a s t c ea se s R
. oo t s b l ow ’
e r
wo r ks e a s i e r bu t t h e o bj e ct ion i s t he s a m e a s s oon a s
, ,
y o u d r op t h e c r a n k t h e b l a s t s t op s B e s id
. e s t hi s
t r o u bl e t hi s bl ow e r i s o ft e n in the wa y
,
I h a v e n e ve r
.
fo u nd a ny t hin g t o b e a t t he be l l ow s ye t if you on l y ,
know how t o u s e t h e m .
N e v e r t a ke a s e t o f b e l l ow s l es s t h a n 4 8 e x t r a l on g .
C u t t he s no u t o ff so th a t i t wi l l gi ve a ho l e and
wi th a w a te r tuy e r thi s bl ow e r ca nno t be bea te n ,
e x ce p t b y a fa n bl ow e r r u n b y s t e a m T he bel l ow s
.
s ho u l d b e h un g ov e r h e a d t o b e o ut o f t h e w a y Wh e n .
t h e s e b e l l ow s a re f ul l o f wind t h e y wi ll bl ow l on g
e no u g h a ft e r yo u h a v e d ropp e d t h e l e ve r t o do q u i t e a
g ood m a n y t hin g s a r o u nd th e f o r g e a n d,
t o h a nd l e t h e
i r on in the fi re wi th bo t h h a nd s a s i s O fte n n e ce s s a r y .
WE L DI N G I RO N
Wel din g i r on i s e a sy a n d no o th e r w el din g co m po u n d

i s n e e d e d t h a n s a nd u n l e s s i t i s a c a s e wh e n t he i r on
,
i s l i a bl e t o bu r n or s c a l e o ff b o ra x wi l l p r e v e n t t hi s
,
.
T h e re a r e t h re e kind s o f w el d s b ut t l a p a n d s p l i t
, ,
.
T he b u tt w e l d i s m o s t u s e d in w e l din g i r on T he e nd s
.
s ho ul d b e r o und e d o ff a l i ttl e S O t h a t t h e ce n t e r wi l l
w el d fi rs t We l d the e nd s thi s wa y e i th e r in t he fi re
.
or on the a n v i l ,
b ut t in g t he e nd s whi l e you s t r i ke o ve r
a n d d re s s down th e w e l d . I n w e l din g l a p w el d s u p s e t
t he e nd s a n d m a ke th e m a g ood d e a l h e a vi e r t h a n t he
s iz e of t h e i r on i s ; t h e n l a p t h e e nd s wi t h a S ho r t l a p .
N e w b e g inn e r s wi l l a l w a y s m ake a l on g l ap T hi s i s
.
wr on g for i f t he l a p i s l on g i t wi l l r e a ch be yon d t he
,
up se t p a r t a n d the e n d s c a n no t t h e n b e w e l d e d down ,
wi tho ut you m a ke it w e ak I f s o ft s t e e l i s w el d e d c u t
.
a s ho r t c u t wi th t he c hi s e l in t h e c e n t e r o f t h e l a
p a s ,
s hown in F i gu r e 6 ,
N O 1. T hi s ou t wi l l h oo k a n d
.
p r even t the e nd s fro m sl ippin g ; i f p r op e rl y p r e p ared

t hi s w e l d wi l l n ot S h ow a t a l l wh e n don e .
5 6 M O D ERN B LA C K SM IT H I N G
S PL I T WE L DS
S pl i t w el d i s p re fe rabl e wh e n st ee l i s t o be w el d ed ,
e s p ec i a l l y t oo l s te e l O f a h e a vy n at ur e l i ke d r i l l b i t s ,
for w el l d ri l l e rs .
I f the ste e l i s w el d e d t o i r on S p l i t t he i ron a n d d ra w ,
o ut t he e nd s a s t hin a s po s s i bl e a n d m a ke i t t he s h a p e
s hown in F i g ur e 6 N o 2 T a p e r t he s t ee l t o fil l the
,
. .
s p l i t m a d e in the i r on wh e n I t fi t s p e r fe c tl y c ut b e a r d
,
in i t to c at ch in the l ip s of the i r on wh e n fi t te d in .
S e e F i g ure 6 N O 2 ,
Wh e n fini sh e d h e a t t he s p l i t e n d
. .
a n d c oo l O ff the t a p e re d e n d Pl a ce the t a p ere d e n d .
s n ug up in t h e s p l i t a n d h a mm e r i t t o g e t h e r wi th a
h e avy s l e d ge I f t h e re i s a ny c ra ck or op e nin g a t the

.
e n d o f t he t a p e re d e n d p l ug i t u p wi t h i r on p l ug s if
, ,
t hi s i s n ot d on e t h e se ho l e s wi ll b e a l m o s t a s th e y a r e
, ,
b e cau se i t i s h ar d t o w e l d a h e a vy S h a ft or d ri l l o r ,
r a th e r ,
i t i s h ar d t o h a m m e r th e m t o g e th er s o t he
hol e s w i ll cl o se in N ow h e a t but i f yo u h av e t ool
.
,
s t e e l go s l ow o r y o ur s te e l wi l l b ur n b e fo re the i r on i s
,
h ot e no ugh We l d the l ip s whi l e the r od or d r i l l i s in

.
the fi re . For t hi s p ur po se u s e a h a mm e r wi t h a n i r on
h a nd l e in Wh e n t he l ip s a re w e l d e d a l l a ro und ta ke
.
i t out a n d l e t t wo g ood h el p e rs co m e down on i t wi t h

all th e i r m i g h t Wh e n w el d e d sm oo t h i t u p wi th the
.
h a mm e r or fl at h a mm er .
WE L DI N G S T EEL
Wel din g st e e l i s q ui t e a t ri ck e sp e ci al l y t oo l or ,
s p r in g s t e e l T he m o s t i m po rt a n t p a rt t o r e m e m b e r
.
i s to h a ve a g oo d cl ea n fi re a nd n o t t o o ve r h e a t t he
, ,
M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G
st e e l . T O i t h n o o th e r c o m po und i s n e e d e d
a g ood sm
th a n b o r a x but i f t hi s i s n ot s u ffi c i e n t t a ke s o m e
, ,
b o r in gs fr o m yo ur d r i l l e s p e ci a l l y fi n e s te e l b o rin g s
, ,
a n d c ov e r t h e w e l d wi t h t hi s a nd b o r a x a n d i f a s m i th ,
c a nno t w e l d wi t h t hi s c o m po und t h e re i s no u s e for
hi m t o t ry M o st o f th e w e l din g c o m po u nd s a r e
.
in fe rio r t o thi s b ut s o m e s m i th s wo ul d ra th e r bel i e ve

,
in s o m e thin g th e y don t kno w a ny thin g a bo u t ; a no t h e r

’
wil l n ot be l i e ve in a n y thin g h e can g e t for no t hin g .
B A N DS O R H O O PS
Wh e n a r o und O bj e c t i s t o b e i ron e d o r a hoop put

on to a nythin g ro und m e a s ure th a t i s t ake t he di a m
, , ,
e te r t h e n m ul tip l y b y t h r e e a dd t h ree t i m e s the

,
t hi ckn e ss o f t he i r on ( n ot t h e wid th ) a dd t o t hi s o ne ,
t i m e th e thi ckn e s s o f t h e h O O p fo r th e w el d a n d yo u
h a v e t he e x a c t l e n g th O f the i ron n e e d e d ; in o t h e r
wo rd s t h ree t i m e s th e di a m e t e r fo u r t i m e s the thi ck
, ,
n e s s O f t he ba nd T hi s i s a S i m p l e r ul e b ut I know a
.
,
g ood m a n y ol d s m i t h s who n e v er kn e w i t .
S EE DER SH O VEL S
T o we l d s ee d e r S hov el s i s no e a s y j ob Pre p are th e .
S ho ve l ; S h a p e a l m o s t t o i t p rop e r S h a p e d r a w o ut th e ,
S h a n ks w e l d t he poin t s fi r s t
,
h e a t s ho ve l a nd S h an k
,
S l o w t h e n fi t t h e m t o e t h e r s o t h at no C ind e r s c a n t
, g g e
5 8 M O D ERN B L A C K SM IT H IN G
in b e tw e e n . N ow yo ur fi re i s not a t
re me mber, if
l ea s t fi ve in ch e s u p f ro m t he t uye r i r on a n d cl e a r i t , ,
is no u s e t o t ry H o l d yo u r S ho vel in t he fi r e S h a n k
.
,
down H ea t sl ow use b o ra x fre e l y a n d a ppl y i t on

.
,
t he fa ce s id e O f the sho vel t o p re ve n t i t fr o m bur nin g .
Wh e n r e a dy w e l d it o ve r t he m a nd ril l a n d the S ho ve l
,
w i l l h a ve the r i gh t S h ap e I f so ft ce n ter h ard e n l i ke

.
,
a pl ow l ay .
DR I L L I N G I RO N
E ve r y sm i th know s how to dr i l l s o m e t i m es i t g i ve s ,
e ve n a n ol d s m i th t r o ubl e T h e d r i l l m u s t b e t r ue
.
,
t he ce n t e r t o b e r i gh t i f on e s id e O f t h e d r i l l i s wid e r
,
t h a n t he o th e r o r t he d r i l l n ot in p r op e r s h a p e t h e hol e
wi l l n ot b e t rue For ce n t u r i e s oi l ha s b e e n u se d for
.
d ri l l in g a nd m i l l ion s o f do l l a rs h av e b e e n s p e n t in
va in . I t i s a wond e r how p e op l e wi l l l e a r n t o u s e th e
w r on g thin g I don t thin k t h a t I h a ve e ve r m e t a
.
’
m a n ye t who did n ot know th a t oil w a s u s e d in d r i l l

in g . I n d r i l l in g h a r d s t e e l t ur p e n t in e o r ke r o s e n e i s
,
u se d a s O i l wi l l t h e n p r e v e n t c ut t in g e n t i re l y N o t hin g .
i s be t t e r th a n w a t er bu t t u rp en tin e o r ke r o s en e i s n o t
,
a s b a d a s o il ; if
y o u t hin k w a t e r i s t oo c h e a p u s e t ur
p e n tin e o r ke r o se n e I ha d o c ca sion on ce to do a l i ttl e

.
wo rk fo r a m a n e i gh t y y e a r s ol d a n d wh e n I d ri l l e d a ,
hol e u s e d w a te r T he O l d m a n a ske d i f w a t e r w a s a s
,
.
g ood a s O i l a,
n d wh e n in f o r m e d t h a t i t w a s b e t t e r s a id ,
I u se d t o b e q u i te a bl a cks m i th m y s e l f I a m now ,
e i g h t y y e a rs O l d t oo o l d t o do a n y thin b u t I a m n o t
, g ,
M O D ERN B L A C K SM IT H IN G 59
t oo ol d t o l e arno ugh t to sugge st i ts e l f t o e ve ry

. It
s m i t h t h a t whi l e oil i s use d in b ox e s t o p re ve n t c ut
t in g i t wi l l a l s o p re v e n t c utt in g in d r i l l in g
,
.
H O W T O DR I L L C H I L L ED I RO N
F i rs t p re p are
d r i l l whi ch i s thi cker a t the poin t
a
t h a n u s ua l a n d o va l in fo r m t h e n h a r d e n i t a s fol
‘
, ,
l ow s : h e at t o a l ow ch e rry r e d h e a t a n d c ool in the

fo l l owin g h a rd e nin g c o m po und : t wo q uar t s s o ft w a t e r ,
o n e h a l f o u n ce s al a mm oni a c s al t t h r e e o u n c e s D on t
’
- -
.
, ,
d ra w the te m p e r for if you h ave the r i gh t h e a t you

,
wi l l g et t he r i gh t t em p e r N ow d ri l l a n d u se w a t e r
.
,
n o t O il .F e e d c a re full y b u t S O t he d ri l l w i l l c u t r i gh t
a l on g . I f you h a ve no c h a n ce to g e t th e c o m po und ,
h ard e n in w a ter b ut d ra w no t e m p er l e t i t be a s h ard ,
a s i t wi l l .
I f the i r on i s too h ar d to b e d r i l l e d a nd yo u ca n h ea t
t he s a m e do s o h e a t t o a l ow r e d h e a t a n d p l ace a
,
pi e ce of br i m st on e j us t wh ere t he hol e i s to be ; t hi s
wi l l s o fte n the i r on t h ro ugh S O the hol e can b e d r i l l e d
,
.
L e t i t coo l S l owl y .
S T A N DI N G C O U L T ER S
S tandin g o ul te rs a re m a d e of di ff e re n t m a te ri al s
c
a n d o f di ff e re n t S h a p es T a ke a pi e ce O f i r on 2 M x
.
t we n ty e i gh t in ch e s l on g
-
C ut O ff the e n d a fte r you
.
6o M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G
h ave thinn e d it out a bo ut 5 in ch e s fro m the e nd cu t ,
di a gon al l y N ow w el d the cut O ff pi e ce t o t he m a in -
sh ank . T he cu t O ff pi e ce to b e l a id on t he o ut sid e a nd
-
w el d e d b e n d the i r on a s s oon a s i t i s w e l d e d s o th a t i t
,
ha s t he sh a p e o f t he co ul te r d ra w ou t a g ood poin t ,
a n d S h a r p e n t he i r on j u s t t h e s a m e a s if i t w a s a fi n
i sh e d c o ul ter T hi s don e cu t o ff a pi e ce o f s te el a n
.
, ,
O l d p l o w l ay t h a t i s n ot t oo m u ch w o r n w i l l do cut ,
ST A N D G
IN C O UL T ER
the s h ap e of t he o
h av e now I n the i ron an d
c ul te r you ,
l e t t he st e el b e h al f a n in ch wid e r t h a n th e i r on b ut ,
on the poin t l e t i t be a s l ong a s i t wi l l be ca use t he ,
poin t o ugh t t o b e q u i te l on g s a y a b o ut nin e in ch e s , .
N ex t d r a w t he s t e e l out thin on t he u pp er e n d h e a t ,
the i r on re d hot p l a ce i t on t he a n v i l o ut s id e u p p u t
, ,
a pin ch o f b o r a x on i t a t the h e el t h e n a pin ch o f st e e l ,
b o r in gs p l ace the s te e l on t op o f t hi s a n d ke e p in po s i
,
t ion wi t h a p a i r O f t on gs ; n ow ho l d i t on t he fi re h e e l
do wn a n d h e at sl ow Wh e n i t i s h ot l e t t he h e l p e r
, .
str i ke a p re s s in g bl ow or t wo on i t a n d i t wi l l s t i ck
un ti l you h a ve t a ke n t h e n e x t w e l d P ut b o r in g s a nd .
62 M O D E RN B L A C K SM IT H IN G
A sm i thw a n t e d to b uy my rece ip t for te mp er

on ce
i ng . H e b el i e ve d I h a d a wond e rful p r e scr ip tio n or ,
I c o ul d n ot s ucce e d a s I did I t o l d hi m I us e d on l y .
w a te r bu t he in si ste d th a t I w a s s el fi sh a n d wo ul d n ot
,
re ve al i t to h im .
I f t ool s ip ts wo ul d do the wo rk t h e r e wo ul d
a n d re ce
b e no n e e d o f e xp er i e n c e d m e ch a ni c s T oo l s a nd .
r e ce ip t s ar e b o th n e ce s s a ry b ut i t m us t b e a s ki l l ed ,
h a n d to appl y th em .
H A R D EN FI L ES
T he be st wa y t o h a r d e n fi l es i s to h a ve a ca s t i ron
b ucke t fi ll e d wi t h l e a d H n t i l t he l e a d is re d
. e at it u
hot th e n p l un g e t he fi l e in t o t hi s h a nd l e up
,
T hi s ,
.
wi l l g i ve a uni fo r m h eat a n d the fil e wil l n ot war p S O

e a s y if t he h e a t i s r i g ht I n c ool i n g the fil e O ff u s e a
.
,
box fo u r or fi ve fe e t l on g wi t h s al t w a t e r in r u n the ,
fi l e b a ck a n d fo r t h e ndwi s e n ot s id e w ays t h a t wi l l , ,
w ar p the fil e t a ke i t ou t of th e w at e r whi l e ye t S iz
,
z l i ng . N ow i f w a rp e d s e t i t b e t w e e n a d e vi ce s o t h a t
, ,
y o u c a n b e nd i t r i gh t Whi l e in t hi.s po s i t ion s p r in kl e
w a te r o ve r wh e r e you s trai g h t e n u n ti l c ol d a n d the

fil e wi l l b e r i gh t .
H A R D EN T A PS A N D DI E S
H eat t he ta p or di e t o n t i re l y
a re d c h er ry coo l
,
o ff e
in w a te r b ri gh te n wi th a n
,
N ow hol d e m e ry p a p e r .
,
o ve r a hot i r on u n t i l t he t a p or die ha s a d a rk s t ra w
c o l o r t h n c oo l o ff I f a l i g h t t a p t h e t e m p er c a n b e
, e , .
,
d ra wn o ve r a g a sl i gh t u s in g a bl owpip e ,
.
M O D E RN B L A C K SM IT H IN G 63
B UT C H ER K N I FE
T o m ake a i th wi l l s i m p l y t a ke
b u tch e r kni fe , o n e sm
a n O l d fil e sh a p e i t in t o a kni fe a n d h ar d e n
, ,
T he .
be s t wa y t o m a ke a kni fe i s t o fi rs t d ra w o u t a pi ec e o f
'
i r on in ch wid e a n d 1 5 of a n in ch t hi ck t wi ce the
1
,
l e n g t h o f the kni fe P re p a r e t h e s t e e l th e sa m e wid th

.
a s t he i ron
yé of a n i n ch t hi ck
,
w el d thi s s te e l in
,
b e t w e e n t he i r on T hi s wi l l m ake a kni fe t h a t wi l l
.
n ot bre a k Wh e n r e a d y t o h ar de n h e a t t o a l ow re d
.
h e at c ool o ff e n t i re l y in w a t e r B ri gh te n a n d ho l d
,
.
o ve r a ho t i ron u n t i l b rown t h e n c oo l O ff ,
.
T he s t e e l sho ul d b e g oo d too l s teel a fl a t fi l e wi l l ,
do but the cu ts m u st be gro u nd or fi l e d O ff e n ti re l y

,
b e fo re you t o u ch i t wi th the h a m m e r fo r i f t he c u t s ,
a r e h a m m e r e d in t h e y w i l l m a ke cra cks in t h e e d ge o f
the kni fe a n d t he s a m e w i l l bre ak ou t

,
.
H O W T O R E PA I R C R A C K ED C I R C U L A R
WS SA
I f a ci rcul ar s aw i s cra cked i t ca n b e re p a i re d s o th at

the cr ac k w i ll g o no f ur th e r a n d i f t he c ra ck i s d e e p
, ,
i t can b e S O r em e d ie d t h a t t h ere wi l l b e no d a n ge r in
'
us in g i t .A s ce r t a in the e n d O f the cr ack t h e n d ri l l ,
a {B in ch ho l e S O
r
-
th a t th e cra ck wi ll e nd in t h a t ho l e .
C o u n t e rs in k on each S id e a n d p u t in a r i ve t D on t
’
.
l e t the r i ve t s t i ck i t s h e a d o v e r t he fa ce of the s a w .
I f the cr a ck i s d e e p p u t a no th er r i ve t a b o ut h al f a n
in ch fro m the e dge I f the sa w i s t oo h a rd t o d r i l l
.
,
heat t wo i r on s a b o ut 1 s q ua re or r o u n d s q ua r e up ,
64 M O D ERN B L A C K SM IT H IN G
the nd s an d se t the s aw betw e e n the e nd s S O th at

e
t h e y wi l l m e e t o ve r t he p l ace Wh e re t he ho l e i s t o b e
d ri l l e d Wh e n the s a w i s d a rk bl ue the t e m p e r i s
.
,
o ut . I t m i gh t b e a po s s i bi l i t y t h a t t hi s wi l l s p r i n g the
s a w in s o m e ca s e s t h ere fo r e I a dvi se you t o tr y d ri l l
, ,
i ng t he ho l e wi t ho u t a ny ch a n g e in t e m p e r Pre p are .
a d ri l l th a t i s h a r d er th a n us u al use no O i l bu t w a ter , ,
.
H O W T O P R E V EN T A C I RC U L A R SA W
FR O M C RA C K I N G
T he on why a c i rcu l a r s a w cr a cks i s in m o st

reas ,
c a se s in c o rre ct fi l in g I n fi l in g a s a w n e ver l e t a
,
.
,
fl a t fi l e wi t h i t s s q ua r e c o r n e rs t o uc h th e b o t t o m O f the
t e e th you a r e fi l in g ; i f you do yo u wi l l m a ke a s ho r t ,
cut t h a t wi l l s t a r t t he cr a ck T h e b e s t w a y i s t o g um
.
the s a w in a sa w gu m m e r or on a n e m e ry wh e e l or ,
use a r o u nd e d ge d fil e -
.
H O W T O S EW A B EL T
B el t s c a n be r 1 v e t e d, s e wed
hoo ke d t ogeth e r A
,
or .
n e w l e a t h e r b e l t S ho ul d n ot b e r iv e t e d b e c a us e s u ch ,
a b e l t wi l l s t re tch a n d h a v e t o b e c ut ou t a n d s e w e d
o ve r q ui te O fte n a t fi r s t T h ere a re hoo ks m a d e o f

.
s t ee l fo r b e l t s e win g t h e se a r e a l l r i g h t wh e n t he p ul
,
l e y s a re n o t l e s s t h a n s i x in ch e s in di a m e te r a n d t he
spe ed is S l ow I n u s in g the
. hoo ks be c ar e ful n ot to
.
be nd th e m t o o h a r p or d ri ve t he be nd s t o ge th e r t oo
s
h a r d ; in SO doin g t h e y wil l cu t th r o u gh the l e a th e r

a n d p ul l o u t . L a cin g i s t he b e s t fo r a ll kind s O f b e l t s .
I n s e win g a be l t wi th l a c in g fi r s t p u n ch wi th a
,
p un ch m a de fo r thi s p ur po se ho l e s in p r opo r tion to

,
t h e wid t h D on t p un ch t h e m t oo cl o s e t o t he e nd s
’
. .
B e g in s e win g in t he ce n t e r ho l e s a n d s t a r t s o t h a t b o t h
e nd s O f t he l a c in g wi l l c o m e o ut on t h e o u t s id e o f t h e
b el t . N ow s e w wi th o n e e n d t o e a c h S id e a n d b e ,
c a r e ful n ot t o cr o s s th e l a c in g on t h e S i de n e x t t o t h e
p ul l ey s T he l a ci n g S ho ul d b e st r a i gh t on t h a t S id e
. .
Wh e n th e b el t i s se w e d p un ch a s m a l l hol e a l i t tl e up
in the b e l t t o r e ce iv e t h e l a s t en d O f t he l a cin g ; t he
l a st e n d S ho u l d c o m e ou t on t he o ut s id e o f t he b e l t .
I n t hi s e n d c ut a l i t tl e no t ch ab o ut t h re e fo u r th s -
t h r o ug h t he l a c in g cl o s e t o the b e l t a n d t h e n c ut the
,
l a c in g O ff a q u ar t e r O f an in ch o u t s id e of t hi s no t ch .
T hi s n o t ch wi l l a ct a s a p ron g a nd p r e v e n t the l ac in g
fro m p ul l in g o ut T a p i t l i g h tl y w i t h a h a mm e r a b o ve
.
the se a m t o s m oo th i t down .
PO I N T S O N B EL T S
I n p l a cing sh a fts t o b e c onn e ct e d by b el t s ca re ,
s ho u l d b e t a ke n t o g e t th e r i g h t wo r kin g di s t a n ce o ne
fro m t h e o th er . F o r s m a l l e r b e l t s 1 2 t o 1 5 fe e t i s
a b o u t t he r i gh t di s t a n ce F o r l a r g e b e l t s a g re a t e r
.
,
di st a n ce i s wa n t e d T he re a s on for thi s i s t h a t wh en
.
ul l e s a r e t oo cl o s e t o e th e r there i s no s a in t h
p y g g e
bel t s an d t h ey m us t th e re fo re be ver y t i gh t in o rd er
to wor k .
B ho ul d n ot h ave t oo m uch s a g or th e y wil l i f

el ts s , ,
t h e di s ta n ce b e tw e e n the p ul l e y s i s t oo fa r a p a r t p r o ,
d uce a gre a t s ag a n d a j e rkin g m o tion whi ch wi l l be

h ar d on t he be arin gs N e v e r p l a ce on e S h a ft di re ctl y
.
o ve r a no th e r for th e n t he bel ts m u st be ve ry t i gh t t o
,
do the wo rk a n d a t i gh t b e l t wi l l w e ar ou t q ui cke r
,
a n d b re a k O ft e n e r in t he l a c in g t h a n a l oo s e on e
be sid e s t hi s t he b e a r in gs wi l l g i ve out s oon e r .
I f a bel t sl ip s use bel t O il or r e s in or bo th , .
B O B S H O ES
I p a i rin g ol d bob sl ed s i s i s difli cul t to fin d S ho es

n re
‘
t o su i t . B u t in e v e ry c a se the s ho e ca n be fi t t e d t o
s ui t wi t ho ut t o uchin g t he r u nn e r T he t r i ck h e re a s
.
in m a n y o th e r c a se s in t he bl a cks mi th bus in e ss l i e s in ,
th e h e a t i n g . A n y s ho e ca n be st r a i gh t e n e d o r be n t t o
fi t t h e r u nn e r i f on l y h e a t e d r i g h t A l ow ch e r r y r e d
.
-
h e a t a n d a pi e ce i f i ron to re a ch fro m the c r ooke d e n d

o f t he S ho e a n d f ar e no ug h b a ck t o l e a v e a s p a ce
be t w e e n wh e re i t w a n t s t o b e s t r a i gh t e n e d N o w p ut .
i t in t h e v i s e a n d t u r n t h e s cre w s s l owl y a n d the s ho e

wi l l s ta nd a g re a t d e a l I f t oo s t ra i gh t p ut the S ho e
.
,
in b e t w e e n a co upl e of b ea m s S O th a t you c an be nd it
b a ck t o t h e r i gh t sh a p e R e m e m be r t h e h e a t
. .
I h a v e p u t on h u nd re d s a n d n e v e r kn e w o f a s ho e
t h a t b r o ke wh e n t he h e a t wa s r i g h t I m u s t con fe ss
.
,
M O DE R N B L A C K SM IT H IN G 67
how e ve r th at m yt w o fi r s t sho e s b r o ke but I t hink I

, ,
l e a rn e d i t ch e a p wh e n I c on s id e r m y succe s s a ft e r
th a t . T he S ho e S ho u l d fi t t he r unn e r s n ug I ronin g .
b o bs i s a v e ry s i m p l e a n d e a s y t hin g e ve ry bl a ck ,
s m i th a n d ev e n fa r m e rs s o m e t i m e s a r e a b l e t o i r on
, ,
t h e i r own S l e d s fa i r l y w e l l a n d I don t t hin k i t w i ll be

’
of m u ch in t e re s t for t h e r ea d e r s O f t hi s b oo k t o t r e at
t h a t s ubj e ct any furt h e r .
A XE S A N D H A T C H ET S
D re ssin g a x e s i s q u i te
i ck a n d fe w bl acksm i t hs
a tr
h a ve m a ste r e d i t I t i s c o m p a ra t i ve l y e a s y wh e n one
.
know s how I h a ve se ve r a l t i m e s al re a d y w a r n e d
.
a g a in s t o v e r h e a t in g a n d i f thi s h a s b e e n n e ce s s a r y
b e fo re i t i s m o r e s o now in t hi s ca se
,
I n h e a t in g a n .
ax do n o t l e t t h e e d ge r e s t in th e ce nte r o f t he fi r e i t ,
wi l l th e n b e t oo hot a t t he e d g e b e fo re i t i s hot e no ug h
t o h a m m e r i t ou t Pl a ce t he e d g e fa r e no ugh in t o l e t
.
i t o ver t he ho t t e s t p l a c e in the fi r e G O sl ow . Wh e n .
hot d ra w i t to t he S h a p e O f a n e w a xe don t h a m m e r
’
, ,
on o n e s id e on l y I n so doin g the a x wi l l be fl a t on
.
o n e s id e a n d c urv e d u p on t h e o th e r I f u n e v e n t ri m
.
i t O ff ; t r i m t he S id e s a l s o i f t o o wid e ; don t h e a t i t
’
o v e r the e ye ; b e s ure you h ave i t s tra i g h t Wh e n .
re a dy t o h a r d e n h e a t t o a l ow r e d h ea t a n d h a r d e n in
,
l uke w a r m w a t e r T he h e a t sho ul d b e on l y b r own i f

.
it i s a bri gh t s u nn y da y B ri gh te n a n d l oo k fo r the
.
tem pe r You wi l l no t i ce t h at the t e m p e r run s un e ve n :

.
68 M O DER N B L A C K SM I T H I N G
i t go e s ou t to theo n er s fi r st th e re fo re dip th e m ( the

c r ,
c o r n e rs d e e p e r wh e n c oo l in wi h
) g a n d t a w e
,
t r a g
t o u ch t he p l a ce on t he e d g e wh er e t he t e m p e r w a n t s
t o r u n o ut . S o m e s m i t h s wh e n h a r d e nin g wi l l s m ear
, ,
t he a x wi t h t al l ow in s tea d O f b r i gh te nin g i t a n d ho l d ,
i t o v e r t h e fi r e u n t i l the t al l ow ca tc h e s fi re t h e n c ool ,
it O ff T hi s i s g ue ss wo rk a nd the a x e i s s o f t in on e
.
,
p l a ce a n d too h a rd in a no t h e r T he b e s t w a y i s t o .
br i g h t e n t h e a x a n d you can s e e th e te m p e r th e n ,
th e re i s no g ue s s wo rk a bo ut i t Wh e n bl u e cool i t .
p a r tl y O ff a n d th e n whi l e the a x i s st i l l we t yo u wi l l
O b se r v e u nd e r th e w a t e r o r t h r o ugh t h e w a t e r a c opp e r
c ol o r T hi s c o l o r wi l l t ur n bl ue a s s oon a s t h e a x i s
.
d ry a n d i s th e r i gh t c o l o r a n d t em p e r C oo l i t s l owl y
,
.
,
d on t c ool i t O ff a t on ce b ut l e t i t c ool g ra d u al l y a n d
’
, ,
i t wi l l b e b o t h h a r d a n d t o u gh .
B y t hi s S i m p l e m e thod I h a ve be e n v e r y s ucce s s ful ,
b re a kin g on l y t h r e e pe r c e n t whi l e no n e w a x o f a n y
, ,
m a ke wi l l e v e r do b e tt e r t h a n t e n p e r c e n t S o me .
wi ll e v e n b re ak a t t he r a te O f t w el ve a n d t hi r te e n p e r
ce n t .
T he a x fa ct o r i e s wi th a l l t h e i r ski l l a nd h a r d e ning
,
c o m p o u nd s h a v e t o do b e t t e r ye t t o c o m p e t e wi th m e
,
a n d m y s i m p l e m e thod .
WE L L DR I L L S
We l l d ri l l s a r e m a d e o f di ffe re n t s iz e s a nd kind s .
C l u b b i ts a n d ! b i t s H ow t o d re s s : h e a t to a l o w r e d
.
h e a t I f ni cke d or broke n cut out o th e rwi s e d raw i t

.
, ,
7 0 M O DE R N B L A C K SM I T H I N G
re m arka bl y wel l w i th his great co m po un d whi ch he ,
ke p t in a j ug a n d on l y use d wh e n a n y thin g l i ke g ra ni te
t ool s w e r e t o b e h a r d e n e d T he r e a s o n w h y he s uc
.
ce e de d s o w e l l w a s b e c a u s e O f hi s i gno ra n ce con ce r nin g
hi s c o m po und n o t b e ca us e i t wa s n ot good e no ugh

,
I .
hol d t h a t i t i s on e of the be s t co m po u n d s in fa ct the, ,
b e s t he c o ul d ge t . Pe op l e in ge n e ral l i ke t o b e hum
b ugge d . I f t h e y on l y ge t s o m e t hin g ne w or s o m e t hin g
th e y don t kno w a n yt hin g a b o ut t h e n t h e y t hin k i t
’
wond e rful .
S al t a n d w a te r S ho ul d be cal l e d sal t and w ater a nd ,
be j u s t a s m uc h val ue d L e t u s ca l l a S p a d e a S p a d e
“
.
,
t h e s p a d e wi ll no t be m o re u s e ful by a no t h er n a me .
n or w i l l i t be l es s use ful by cal l i ng i t by i ts prop e r
n a me .
C H A PT ER I V
H EN hi cl e s w e re fi rst u se d is h ard
ve
t o te l l bu t w e know t h a t t h e y h a ve
,
bee n u s e d for t ho u s and s o f y ear s

be fo r e the C h r i st i a n e ra . I t i s e a sy
t o i m a g in e ho w th e y l oo ke d a t th a t
time ,
wh e n w e kn o w ho w h al f
c i vi l iz e d p e op l e no w m a ke w a g on s .
T he fi rs t v e hi cl e w a s on l y a t w o wh e e l e d c a r t ca l l e d
-
ch ar io t . S uch ch ario t s w er e u s e d in w a r a n d t h a t i t
wa s a c a se O f g r e a t cry a n d l i ttl e w ool i s ce r ta in
”
.
T he bl a cks m i th u se d t o be the w agon a n d c a r r i a ge

m ake r . N ow i t i s on l y a r a r e c a se wh e n a b l a cks m i t h
m ake s a ca r r i a ge a n d wh e n i t h a pp e n s m o s t o f t he
,
p art s a re b ough t I n 1 5 6 5 t he fi rs t coa ch w a s m a d e in

.
E n gl a nd .
N ow t h e re a r e h un d r e d s of fact o ri e s m akin g w a g on s
a n d ca rr i ag e s a n d p ar t s of t h e m fo r r e p a i r u se by
b l acks m i th s a n d w a g on m ake rs I t i s no u se for an y
.
bl a cks m i t h or w a g on m a ke r to c o m p e te wi t h t h e s e
fac t o r i e s . We h a ve n e i t h e r t he m e a n s n or the fa c i l i
t i e s t o do i t a n d h a ve t o b e c on te n t w i t h th e r e p a i r s
,
th e y n e e d T he m o st i m po r t a n t r e p a i rs a re th e s e t
.
ti n g of t i re w el d in g a n d sett in g a xl e st ub s
,
.
71
7 2 M O D ER N B L A C K SM I T H I N G
S ET T I N G T I RE
Wagon tir e o fte n s et S O th a t m ore h arm th an goo d

is
is d on e to the w h e el .
I n s e tt in g t i r e the fi r s t t hin g t o d o i s t o m a rk the

t ir e . M a n y bl acks m i th s s e t t i r e s wi tho ut m a rkin g the
t i re . T hi s i s poo r wo rk I n o rd e r t o do a g ood j ob
.
t he t i r e s ho ul d be s e t s o th a t i t i s in t he s am e p l ace i t
h ad . T h e re ar e ge n e r a l l y s o m e u n e v e n p l a ce s in the
fel l ow s a n d w h e n th e t i r e i s s e t t he fi rst t i m e i t i s h ot ,
al l a ro u nd a n d w i ll s e t tl e down in t h e se l ow pl a ce s .
N ow i f the t i r e i s n ot m a rke d a n d se t ba ck in i ts e x a c t
,
b e d i t w i ll s oon wo rk l oo s e ag a in a n d i t i s l i a bl e t o
, ,
di sh t he wh e el too m uch a s i t don t S in k in t o i ts p l ace

’
_ ,
bu t i s h e l d up in s o m e p l a ce s A no t h e r t hin g wh e n
.
,
a t i re i s wo r n s o th a t i t b e co m e s t hin i t w i ll s e ttl e down

on the o ut sid e e sp e ci a l l y wh e n the wh e el i s m uch
,
di sh e d N O w i f you re ve rse the t i r e i t w i ll onl y t o u ch

.
t he fe l l ow on the inn e r e d ge o f th e wh e e l a n d l e a ve ,
a n op e n S p a ce b e t w e e n the fe l l ow a n d t he t i re on t h e
o uts id e Wh e n a wh e e l ha s b ol t s e ver y s mi th know s

.
th a t i t wi l l m ake t r o ubl e for hi m i f h e don t ge t the

’
t i r e b ack wh e re it w a s I n e ve r y c a s e t ake a fil e or a
.
c hi s e l an d c ut a m a rk in t h e t i r e n e ar t o t he fe l l ow
p l at e s c ut a l s o a l i gh t m a rk in the fel l ow T h e se
,
.
m a rks a re t o b e on t h e in s id e O f t h e wh e el : 1 b e ca u se ,
i t wi l l n o t b e s e e n on th a t s id e ; 2 be c a us e in p u tt in g
,
t he t i re on t he wh e el S ho ul d b e p l a ce d wi t h th a t S id e
,
up . I f t h e r e a r e n ai l s in t he t i re c ut t h e m o ff wi t h a
t hin c hi se l so t h a t i t w i l l n o t m a rk t he fe ll ow o r d r i ve ,
t h e m in to the fel l o w w i th a p u n ch N e x t m e a s ure

.
,
the wh e e l wi th t h e g a uge (the wh e e l is s u ppo se d t o be

r i gh t n ot fe l l ow b o u nd n or a n y S po ke s l oo s e in t he
,
t e non ) . T hi s don e h e a t t h e t i re a n d S h r in k i t
,
If .
t he wh e e l i s s tra i gh t g i ve i t h a l f a n in c h d r a w s o m e ,
t i m e s e ve n fi ve e i g h t h s i f t h e wh e e l i s h e a v y a n d
-
s tr on g . B u t i f t he wh e e l i s poo r a n d di s h e d do n ot ,
g iv e i t m o re t h a n o n e f o u r t
-
h in c h d r a-
w O n e t
. i re on l y
wi th a l i t tl e d ra w c an b e h e a te d in t he fo rg e b ut i f ,
t h e re i s m o re t h a n on e t i re h e a t t h e m o u t s id e in a fi re
m ad e for t hi s p u rpo s e o r in a t i re h e a t e r
,
.
T h e re a r e di ff e re n t w a y s of c ool in g th e t i re S om e .
s m i th s h a v e a t a b l e in a t a n k t h e y p l a ce t h e wh e e l on
,
t h e t a b l e a n d wi t h a l e v e r s in k b o t h wh e e l a n d t i re in
t he w a te r T h e re a r e m a n y O bj e c t ion s t o thi s
. 1 Y ou .
,
wi l l h a v e t o s o a k the who l e wh e e l ; 2 i t i s i n con ve n

,
i e n t t o p u t t he t i r e on ; 3 i n o r d e r t o s et t he t i re r i gh t
, ,
i t i s n e ce ss a r y t o re ac h the t i re fr o m b o th S id e s wi th
t h e h a m m e r ; 4 wh e n S po ke s h a ve a t e nd e n c y t o c r e e p
,
ou t o r wh e n t h e wh e el i s m u ch di sh e d
,
th e wh e e l ,
s ho u l d b e t a pp e d wi t h t h e h a mm e r o ve r t h e s po ke s .
N o w to b e a bl e t o p e r fo r m a l l t h e s e m o v e s on e m u st
, ,
h a v e fi rst a t a bl e ; t hi s t a bl e t o b e a b o ut t w el ve
, ,
in ch e s h igh a n d wid e e no ugh t o t ake a n y wh e el wi t h ,
a ho l e in t he ce n t e r O f t abl e t o r e ce i v e t h e h ub O n .
on e s id e yo u m a y m a ke a hook t h a t wi l l fal l o v e r t he
w h e e l a n d ho l d th e t i re down whi l e you ge t i t on

C l o se t o t hi s t a bl e h a ve a b ox 5 54 fe e t l on g 1 2 in ch e s ,
wid e a n d 1 i n ch e s d e e p O n e ach s id e b ol t a pi e ce of
2 .
t w o b y S i x a b o ut th ree fe e t l on g I n t h e se p l a n ks cu t
.
no tch e s in whi ch you p l a ce a n i r on r od r un t h r o ugh ,
the h u b .O n thi s r od t he w h e e l w i l l h a n g T he .
no tch e s can be m a de so t h at any s i z e d wh eel w i l l j ust

h a n g do wn e nough t o co ve r the t i re in the wa te r I n .
t hi s con ce rn you can g i ve t he wh e el a whi rl a n d i t w i l l

t urn s o s wi ft t h a t t h e re wi l l b e w a t e r a l l ar o u n d t he
t i re
. I t ca n b e s topp e d a t a n y t i m e an d t h e t i re se t
r i g h t o r t he s po ke s t a pp e d
,
Wi th th e se a cco mm o d a
.
t ion s a n d fo ur h e l p e rs I h a v e se t s ix h und re d ha y r ake

wh eel s in nin e a nd one h a lf ho ur s T hi s wa s in a
-
.
fa c t o r y wh e r e a l l the t i re s w ere w e l d e d a n d the wh e e l s

r e a d y s o t h a t i t wa s no t hin g b ut t o h ea t the t i re s a nd
p u t t h e m on . I h a d t h re e fi r e s wi t h t w e l ve t i re s in
e a ch fi re . A n ar t e s i a n w e l l r unnin g t h ro ug h the wa te r
b ox ke p t t he w a te r c oo l .
I f t h e fi r e i s n ot h ot e no ugh to m a ke i t e xp a nd a t i r e
p u l l e r i s n e ed e d A t i re p ul l e r ca n be m a d e in m a n y
.
w ay s a n d o f e i t h e r wood or i ron B uggy t i re i s m o re

.
p art i cul ar th a n w a g on t i re a n d t h e re a re t ho usa nd o f

b ugg y wh e el s S poi l e d e ve ry y e a r b y poo r o r ca r e l e s s
bl a cks m i t h s . I n a bu g g y t i re on e e i gh th O f a n in ch
-
d ra w i s the m o st t h a t i t wi l l s ta n d whi l e m o st wh e e l s
,
wi ll s ta nd on l y on e s ixte e n th I f the wh e e l is ba dl y
-
.
di sh e d don t g i ve i t a ny d r a w a t al l the t i re sho ul d

’
t h e n m e a s ur e t he s a m e a s t he wh e e l t he h e a t in t he ,
t i r e i s e no u gh .
I f t he wh eel i s fe l l ow b o und cu t the fe l l ow s t o l e t

-
t h e m down on t he s po ke s .
I f t he s po ke s a r e l oo se on t he t e no n w e d g e t h e m u p
t i gh t .
M O D ERN B L A C K SM IT H IN G 75
B A C K DI S H ED WH E EL
For a b a ck di sh e d wh e e l a s cr e w sho ul d be use d t o

se t t he wh e e l r i g h t P l a ce t he wh e el on t he t a bl e
.
fr on t S id e u p . P ut wood bl o cks u nd e r the fe l l ow t o

r a i s e t he wh e e l u p fr o m t he t ab l e Pl ace a t w o b y
.
fo u r o ve r t he ho l e u nd e r t he t a bl e ; h a ve a b o l t l on g
e no ugh t o r e a ch t h r o u g h t h e t w o by f o u r a n d u p
t h r o ugh the hu b a pi e c e o f w ood o ve r t he h u b fo r the

,
bo l t t o go t h r o u gh ; s c re w i t do w n wi t h a t a i l n ut .
Wh e n the wh e e l i s r i g h t put the t i re on T he t i re for

,
.
s uch a wh e e l S ho ul d h a ve m o r e d ra w t h a n fo r a wh e e l
t h at i s r i g h t
.
I f a b ug g y wh e e l ha s b e e n di s h e d i t ca n b e h e l p e d a
l i ttl e wi tho u t t a kin g the t i r e O ff Pl a ce the w h e e l ou
.
'
t h e a n v i l s o t h a t t he t i r e wi l l r e st a ga in s t t h e a n v i l .
D on t l et t h e t i r e r e s t l e n g t hwi se on the a n v i l I f yo u
’
.
do t he t i re w i l l b e be n t o ut o f S h a p e w h e n you be g in
,
t o h a m m e r on i t . U s e t he l e a s t s ur fa ce po ss i bl e o f the
a n v i l a n d h a mm e r on th e e d e o f t he t i r e ; t h e s t r o ke
g
O f th e h a mm e r t o b e s u c h t h a t t he bl ow wi l l d ra w t he
t i re o ut fr o m th e fe l l ow A t i re t oo t i gh t c a n be
.
r e m e di e d t hi s w a
y .
Wh e n b ol tin g a wh e e l the t i re w i l l b e ou t of p l a ce
un l e ss the t i re h a s b ee n sh ru n k a l ike on b o t h S id e s o f
t he fel l ow p l at e s A s m i th u s e d t o se tt in g t i re s wi l l
.
be abl e t o g e t t h e ho l e s a l m o s t t o a p e r fe c t fi t If a .
t i re i s t oo sho r t do n t s t re t ch i t wi th a S h ar p ful l e r
’
th at wi l l c ut down in t o t he t i re w h e n th e ti re i s a l i t tl e
,
w orn i t w i l l break in thi s cut D ra w i t out wi t h a w id e

.
ful l er a n d s m oo th i t down wi t h the h am m e r I f it i s

.
m uch t oo ho rt w el d in a pi ece T hi s is e a si l y don e

S , . .
T a ke a pi e c e o f i ron in ch t hi ck the wid th O f t he t i re

-
,
a n d t h e l e ng th n e e d e d s a a b o u t t h e in h T p
, y r e c e s a e r .
the e nd s a n d h e a t i t to a r e d h e a t P l ace i t on t he t i re
.
in the fire and w el d T hi s wi l l g i ve m a ter i al for

.
s tre tc hin g .
I f the wh e el ha s a st ron g back di sh i t c a nno t b e s e t

r i g h t t o s t a y wi t h t he t i re a l on e a s a b um p a g a in s t t h e
,
fe l l ow i s a pt t o th r ow the di s h ba ck I t i s t h e re fo re
.
s a fe r in a l l b a ck di sh e d wh e e l s t o t a ke t he s po ke s o ut
O f th e ho l e a n d se t t h e m r i gh t b y w e d g e s in t he e n d of
th e s poke s . T h e s e w e d ges s ho u l d n ot b e d r iv e n fro m

o u t sid e in b ut b e p l a ce d in the en d o f t he S po ke S O th a t
t h e y wi l l w e d ge in t o t he s po ke wh e n t he s a m e i s
d ri ve n b ack in t o i ts p l ace U se gl ue . .
H O W T O PU T O N N E W T I R E
Wh e n you h a ve t he b a r of e i th e r s teel o r i ron for the
t i r e fi r s t s e e i f i t i s s tr a i g h t if n ot b e s ur e t o m a ke i t
, ,
.
N e x t p l a ce the t i re on t he floo r a n d p l a c e th e wh e e l on
t o p O f t h e t i re b e g in in s uch a w a y t h a t t h e e n d O f t h e
,
fe l l ow wi l l b e e ve n wi th t he e n d o f t he t i r e N ow r o l l
.
t he wh e e l o v e r the t i r e . I f a h e a v y t i re c u t i t t h r e e
in ch e s l on ge r th a n the wh e el i f a thin t i re t wo in ch e s
, ,
.
N ow b e nd th e t i r e in t he b e nd e r M e a s u r e t he wh e e l
.
wi t h t he g a ug e th e n m e a s ur e t he t i r e ; if i t i s a h e a vy
,
w a gon t i re a nd a s tra i gh t wh e el c u t the t i r e on e fo ur th -
O f a n in ch S ho rt e r t h a n t h e wh e e l I f i t i s a b ugg y
.
t i r e c u t i t t he s iz e o f t he wh e e l I n w e l din g t h e s e
.
t i r e s t h e y wi l l S ho r t e n e no ug h t o b e t h e S i z e w a n t e d .
g i v e a c o u p l e
-
O f b l ow s r i g h t o v e r t h e e n d o f t h e u nd e r
t i re. N e xt t a p t h e s w e l l e d s id e s down o ve r t he t i re .
T hi s wi l l hol d t he t i r e t o g e th e r S O t h a t it c a nno t sl ip
t o e i th e r S i d e a n d t h e s w e l l e d e n d of t h e u nd e r t i re
,
wi l l p re ve n t i t fr o m p ul l in g ou t I f t he t op e n d ha s
.
be e n s o b e n t t h a t i t h a s a t e nd e n cy t o p re s s down a n d
ou t a l i ttl e t he t i r e w i l l no w b e in a g ood sh a p e t o
,
w el d .
B e fo re you p ut the t i re in to t he fi re l e t m e r e m in d
,
y o u o f wh a t I h a v e s a id b e f o r e a b o u t t h e fi re
. M a ny
bl acks m i th s a re n e ve r a bl e t o wel d a t i re ti gh t on the
o uts id e beca use of a poo r l o w a n d un cl e a n fi re I f
, ,
.
t he fi r e i s t oo ol d or t oo fr e sh i t wi l l n ot g iv e a g oo d
h e a t for w el din g t i re I f you h ave a g ood b ig fi re hi gh
. ,
u p f ro m t h e t u y er th e n you a re a l l r i g h t
,
. Pl a c e y o u r
t i r e in the fire a n d p r o ce e d a s f o l l ow s : N O m a tt e r
wh e th e r i t i s a n i ron o r s o ft st ee l ti re s a nd is the b est
,
w e l din g c o m po und a n d no thin g e l se sho ul d b e u se d

b ut i f you l o se th e fi r s t h e a t t h e n b o r a x m i gh t b e u s e d
a s i t wi l l p re ve n t the t i r e f r o m s cal in g a n d b ur nin g .
Wh e n you h a ve t he r igh t h e a t p l a ce the t i re on the

,
a n v i l t hi s w a y ; l e t t h e t i r e r e s t a ga in s t t h e i ns id e e d g e
of the a n v i l . I f the l ow er e n d O f th e t i re i s al l ow e d t o
c o m e down on th e a n vi l i t wi ll c ool O ff a n d c a n n e ve r
b e w el d e d t h a t w a y . N ow hol d t h e t i re t hi s wa y u n ti l
y o u h a v e t h e h a m m e r r ea d y t o g i ve t h e fi rs t bl ow .
T h e n l e t t he t i re down a n d s t ri ke t h e fi rs t bl ow s
di re c tl y on top a n d o ve r the e nd of the u nd e r e n d .
T hi s i s i m po r t a n t a n d i f t h e fi r s t bl ow s a re n ot di rect e d
t o t hi s ve r y p l a ce t he l o we r e n d wi l l b e t oo c oo l t o
we l d wh e n you g e t t o i t N e xt w e l d do wn the upp e r
.
e n d, t hi s don e t ur n the t i r e on e dge a n d whi l e it i s I n

a w e l din g h e a t c o m e down on i t h e a v y wi t h h a m m e r ,
i f a bug gy t ir e a n d wi t h a S l e dge a n d h a m m e r i f a
,
h ea vy w a g on t i re H am m e r i t down u nt i l i t i s con
.
s ide ra bl y n a r r ow e r o ve r t he w e l d a s i t wi l l s w el l o ut
wh e n d re s se d down T hi s wa y the w e l d h a s a l l the

.
m a te r i a l in t he i ron a n d t he l a pp e d l ip s wil l h e l p ho l d
t he w e l d t o g e t h e r . A v e r y poo r sm i th ca n w e l d t i re s
.
t o s t a y in t hi s m a nn e r . T he e d g e s sho ul d b e r o und e d
O ff wi t h t he h a m m e r a n d fi l e d t o m ake t he t i re l ook th e
s am e o ve r t he w e l d a s I n th e i r on I f th e r e S ho u l d be
.
a ny t ro ubl e t o w e l d a st e el t i r e p l a c e a l i tt l e st e e l
bo rin gs o ver t he w e l d a n d use b o ra x .
A bl acksm i t h in S il ve r L ake M inn w o r kin g for a

,
.
,
w agon m aker O f t h a t p l ace wh e n w el di ng a t ire fa i l e d

,
e n t i re l y a fte r h al f a doz e n a tt e m p t s a n d h e g o t so ,
a n gr y t h a t he t h re w th e t i r e down on t he floo r wi t h a l l
h is m i gh t . I t h a pp e n e d t o cru sh t he w ag on m a ke rs
big t oe . T hi s w a s m o re t h a n t he o t h er wi s e g ood
n at ur e d m an c o ul d S t a nd a n d in st a n tl y the s m i th w a s
,
s e e n h url e d t h r o ugh a n ope n w indow—the w a g on

m a ke r a tt a ch e d . R e s ul t : s ep a tion a n d l a w s ui t
.
r
.
A l l t hi s b e c a us e t he s m i t h h a d n o t r e a d m y boo k .
Wh e n a l i gh t b uggy ti re i s t r se t m i s t a ke s a re
'
. oe
O fte n m a d e in m e a s u r in g th e t i r e T he t i r e i s t oo
“
l i gh t in i t s e l f t o r e s i s t t he p r e s s u r e o f th e g a ug e T he .
s mi th tr i e s t o o i t l i h t n d i f t h i n o t t h e sa m e
g g a e r
.
e s
p re ssure in m e a sur ing the t i re th e r e w a s in m e a su rin g

the wh e el i t wi l l n ot g i ve t he s a m e r e s ul t s ; a n d wh e n
,
the t i r e i s p ut o n i t i s e i th e r t oo ti g h t o r t oo l oo se .
I wo rke d for m an y y e a r s on a t oo l t o ho l d t he t i re
80 M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H I N G
st e a d y in o rd e r t o o ve r c om e t hi s t ro u bl e T he on l y .
de vi ce t h at I h a v e e v e r s e e n for t hi s p u r po s e b e fo re i s
t he a n v i l c l o se u p t o th e fo r ge on e S id e of t h e t i re on
,
t h e fo rg e th e o th e r on the a n v i l
,
T hi s a rr a n g e m e n t
.
wo ul d c rowd t he s m i th r o a st hi s b ack a n d e xpo se him

,
t o r idi cu l e bu t it wi l l n ot h e l p t o r u in t he t i r e
,
.
T he t ool I in ve n t e d i s a t i r e hol d e r m a d e o f ca s t
i ron I t c on s i st s of a st a nd a rd or fr a m e wi th a s h a n k
.
in t o fi t in th e s qu a r e hol e in t he a n vi l ; in the s ta nd
a r d i s a sl o t hol e fr o m t he b o tt o m u O n t h b k o f
p . e a c
th e s t a nd a r d a r e c o g s on b o t h s id e s of t he sl o t ho l e .
T h r o ug h t hi s g o e s a cl ut ch h ub wi th c o g s in t o c o r r e
S pon d wi t h the c o g s in the s t a nd ar d O n t he o u ts id e
.
o f t h e s ta nd a r d i s an e cc e n tr i c l e v e r T h r o ug h thi s
.
l e ve r is a t a p e r e d ho l e t o fi t o ve r th e cl u t ch hu b T hi s .
“
l e ve r i s t a p e r e d s o th a t i t wi l l fi t di ff e r e n t t hi c kn e sse s ,
whi l e t he c o gs a n d e cce n t ri c l e ve r wi l l a dj u s t it t o dif

fe r e n t wid th s T hi s d e v i ce I s s o ch e a p th a t a n y s m i th
. .
c a n a ffo r d t o h a v e i t .
N e x t t i m e you bu y a q u a rt O f whi sky s it down a n d

fig u re o ut whi c h wi l l do yo u m o r e g ood m y t i re ho l d e r ,
o r t h e whi s ky F i g u re 7 i s a n i l l u s tr a t ion o f m y
.
hol d e r T hi s t oo l i s be t ter th a n a n a dve rt i se m e n t in

.
yo ur l o cal p a p e r of whi ch the fol l owin g st o r y wi l l

,
c onvin ce y ou A bl a cks m i t h in a p r ohi bi t ion c o u n t y

.
in a no r t h e r n I owa t own g o t in t o th e h a b i t of g oin g

ov e r t o a M inn e s o t a t own for a keg o f be e r e v e r y
m on th . O n on e o f his p e r iodi ca l vi s i t s t o thi s p l a ce
h e s a w a c r o w d O f m e n s ta ndin g a r o u nd a r o a d g r a d e r
in the r o a d A s he a pp r o a ch e d he fo und t h a t the
.
r a d e r ha d a se rio us bre a k down a n d t he m e n w er e

g
-
M O DER N B L A C K SM I T H IN G 81
jus t di s cu s s in g t h e po s s i b i l i t i e s O f g e t t in g t h e g r a d er
re p a i re d in t he vi l l age S hop s O n e s a id no sm i th .
c o ul d do i t a no t h e r t ho ug h t t h e y c o u l d i f t h e y on l y
,
ha d t oo l s I know a m a n s a id o n e in t he p a rt y
“
.
, ,
FI G .
7
H O L M S T RO M T I R E H O L DER
th at ca n if an
y m a n c an , an d he ha s t oo l s I a m s u re .
I wa s o ve r hop the o th er d a y t o h a ve m y bu gg y
t o his S
t i re s e t a n d m ind you h e ha d t he S l i cke s t t oo l you

, ,
e ve r s a w t o ho l d t h e t i re in I n e v e r s a w a t oo l l ike
; ,
th a t b e fo r e . Well s a id on e th a t h a s no thing to
“
, ,
“
do wi th thi s ca se Ye s i t has
. s ai d t he ro a d bO S S
, »
m y fa t h er al wa y s u se d to s a y,
‘
A m ech a ni c i s know n
by t he t ool s he u s e s, wh e n a sm i th ha s g ood tool s
and
in on e l in e he ha s
,
t h e m in a no th e r a n d I s h al l g i ve
,
t hi s m a n a ch a n ce .
O u r t ra ve l in g s m i t h had h e a r d e nou gh T hi s wa s a .
t e m p er a n ce a n d tool l e ctur e t o h im he be ga n to t hin k ,
of a l l t he t rip s h e h a d m a d e t o t hi s t own T w e l ve .
t r ip s a y e a r t h re e doll a rs a t rip for l i qu o r a n d t he t i m e

,
l o st m u s t b e w o r th t wo d ol l a r s per d a y H e fi g ur e d .
i t ou t a n d wo ul d h av e t ur n e d b ack i f he ha d n ot be e n
s o cl o se t o the p l a ce H e t oo k a gl a s s of be er b u t i t
.
didn t t aste a s usual a n d he a ske d for a ci ga r Wi th

’
.
t hi s he r e tu r n e d a nd on t he r o a d ho m e s wo re O ff for
,
g ood . H e b o u g h t a t i r e ho l d e r a t on c e t o s tar t in
wi th a nd b y thi s t i me he i s one of the b e s t s m i th s in
,
t he c o u n tr y al w ay s a t hi s s t a nd r e a d y t o do t hewo rk
,
br o u gh t t o him an d hi s cu s t o m e r s n ow know th a t he
,
i s t o b e fo u nd in hi s p l a c e wi th t oo l s of a l l kind s a n d
,
a s o b e r h a n d t o u se th e m w i th D O t ho u l i ke w i s e
. .
T I RE I N S EC T I O N S
M n y of us re m e m b e r the ti m e wh e n t i re s w e re
a
m a d e in s e ct ion s a n d n a i l e d on a t thi s ti m e t he wh e e l s
,
w e re m o re s ubs tan t i al l y m a d e be cau se the t i r e c o ul d

,
n ot b e s e t a s t i gh t a s i t i s now a n d t he w h e e l ha d t o
,
be m a d e s o t h a t i t w o ul d s t a nd the u s a g e a l m o s t
ind e p e nd e n t o f the t i r e O u r e nd l e ss t i r e i s a g re a t
.
i m p rov e m e n t o ve r the t i re s m a d e in se ct ion s T he .
Wa gon t i res as t h e y a re made now ar e I thin k a s n e a r , ,

r i gh t a s th e y c a n be in r e ga r d t o S iz e of i r on in p ro
, ,
po rt ion t o the wh e e l B u t i t i s di ff e re n t wi th b ugg y

.
ti r e s . I hol d t h a t t h e y a re a l l m a d e t o o l i gh t t o b e o f
an
y p r o te c t ion t o t he fe l l ow s I u nd e r st a nd t h e r e a s on
.
why th e y a re m a d e thi s w a y b ut i f a m a n w a n t s a
,
l i gh t r ig l e t th a t b e t he e x c e p t ion a nd n ot t he r ul e
,
.
T i re S houl d n ot b e l e s s t h a n o
on e - f ur t h of a n in ch
t hi c k fo r s e v e n e i g h t h s wid e
-
,
a nd fi ve -
S ix t ee n t h s for
a n in ch wi d e a n d o ver .
E X PA N S I O N O F T H E T I RE
A t i r e fo u r f e e t in di am e t e r wi l l e xp a nd t wo in ch e s
a n d a q u a r t e r o r t h r e e S ix te e n t h s o f a n in c h t o th e
-
,
foo t . S te e l t i re e xp a nd s l e s s T hi s i s th e e xp a n s ion
.
of r e d h e a t I f h e a t e d l e s s i t e xp a n d s l e s s b u t i t i s no
.
,
t r o ubl e t o m ake the t i re e x pa n d for a l l t he d r a w i t

n eed s .
A fu r n a c e fo r t i r e
h e a ti n g c o m e s h a ndy in c i t i e s
wh e re t h e r e i s no ch a n ce fo r m a kin g a fir e o uts id e bu t ,
e v e r y s m i t h t h a t h a s r oo m for a fi r e o u t s id e wi l l do
b e t t e r to h e a t t he t i r e th a t w a y D on t b ui l d a t i r e
’
.
h e a t in g fur n a ce in the shop i f wood i s t o b e u se d for

fu e l b e c a u s e th e h e a t a n d s m o ke wi l l t ur n in yo ur
,
fa ce a s s oon a s t h e doo r s o f t he fur n a c e a r e O p e n e d .
WE L DI N G A XL ES
Wh e n a wo r n b ug g y a xl e i s t o b e st ubb e d p r o cee d ,
a s fo l l ow s : F i r s t m e a s u re t h e l e n g t h of t h e O l d a x l e
,
.
F o r t hi s p u r po se t a ke a q u a r t e r in ch r od o f i r on b e nd ,
a s q u a r e b e nd a b o ut a n in ch l on g on o n e e n d Wi th .
t hi s r od m e a s u r e fr o m t h e e n d O f th e be a r i ng t h a t i s , ,
l e t t h e hoo k O f yo u r r od c a t c h a g a in s t the sho ul d e r a t

t he e nd wh e re th e t h r e a d b e g in s n ot a ga in s t the
,
c o ll a r s f or t h e y a re wo r n n or s ho ul d yo u m e a s u re
, ,
f ro m th e e n d o f t h e a xl e for t he th re a d e d p a r t i s n o t
,
o f t h e s a m e l e n g th N o w p l a ce yo ur st u b on the e n d
.
o f t h e a xl e a n d m a r k i t wh e re y ou w a n t t o c u t i t O ff .
C ut t h e a xl e on e fo u rt h in ch l on g e r t h a n i t s ho ul d b e
-
wh e n fini sh e d N e x t h e a t the e nd s t o b e w el de d a n d
.
u p se t t h e m s o t h a t t h e y a r e con s id e ra b l y t hi c ke r o ve r
‘
t h e w e l d ; l a p t h e e nd s l i ke N O I F i gur e 6 w e l d a n d
.
, ,
u s e s a nd b u t if t he e nd s sho ul d n ot b e w e l d e d v e ry
,
w e l l th e n u s e b o ra x T h e se st ubs a r e m a d e of s o ft
.
s t e e l a n d wi l l s t a nd a hi gh e r h e a t t h a n t oo l s tee l b u
,
t ,
r e m e m b e r i t i s s te e l I f th e e nd s h a v e b e e n u p se t
.
eno u gh t h e y wi l l h a v e s to ck e no u gh t o d ra w do wn on ,
th at the hin d wh eel s S ho ul d be wider th a n the fr ont

whe e l s I m ea n th a t a wh e e l shoul d h a ve a l i ttl e g ath e r
,
in fron t a s th e y are in cl in e d t o S p r ea d and t h r o w the

,
FI G . 8
b e a r in g on whi l e if t h e y h a v e a l i t tl e gath e r
the n u t , , ,
t he y wi l l r un r i gh t a n d h a v e a t e nd e n c y t o t h row t he
,
be a r in g on the col l ars O f the a xl e I f th e y do th e y wi l l

.
run mo r e s te a dy ,
es p e c i al l y w h e n th e a xl e is a l i tt l e
wo rn .
A ga ug e fo r thi s p ur po se c a n be m a d e l i ke F i g u r e 8 ,
N O 6
. T hi s g a uge t o b e fi t te d t o the fr on t S id e of the
.
a xl e wh e n you m ake i t I t ca n b e m a d e of 1 x M
.
a bo ut th re e fe e t l on g th e fo rke d e n d t o r e a ch th e ce n
,
te r o f t h e a x l e Wi th t h e se two ga uge s a x l e s ca n be
.
set right w i t h out the w h e el s .

C HA PT ER V
H O W T O M A K E PL O WS H A R ES
H ER E a re t wo k ind s
h are s : l ip sh are s
of S
a n d b ar sh a re s a n d t h e y m u st b e t re a t e d
,
di ffe ren tl y We wi l l fi r s t tre a t o f ba r

.
s h a re s T he fi r s t t hin g t o do wh e n a
.
pl ow i s b r o ugh t for a ne w l a y is t o l ook

o ve r the condi t ion O f t he l a nd sid e B y .
l a nd s id e i s m e a n t t he ba r t o whi ch t h e S h ar e is w el d e d .
N o w if t hi s ba r i s wo r n down s o t h a t you t hin k it t oo

w e ak to sta n d for a n e w S h are t h e n m ake a n e w on e , .
H O W T O M A K E A L A N DS I DE
F or a 1 in ch p l ow t ake 2 x 34 o r % x f g For a
4
-
,
2
’
‘
.
1 6 in c h p l ow
-
us e 2 % x 1 6
,
or 3
7
x 1 5
,
c o m m on i r on 7
.
C u t t he I r on di a g on a l l y a t th e poin t T hi s wi l l p r e p ar e .
a poin t on e a ch S id e o f t he cu t ; th a t i s you ha d b e t t e r ,
c ut o ut t w o l a nd s id e s a t a t i m e B u t if you do n ot
.
w a n t t o do t h a t t h e n c ut the i ron O ff s q ua re N e x t
,
.
t a ke a pi e ce of c o m m on i ron 3 x V 1 3 in ch e s l on g fo r a ,
s hin ; cut t hi s di a g on a l l y a n d i t wi l l m a ke s hin s f or

,
t wo . S o m e p l o w fa ct o ri e s u se s t eel for s hin s b ut t h at ,
88
/
M O DERN B L A C K SM IT H IN G 89
is not n e ce s s a r y ,
for i t wi l l n ot m ake the p l ow sh a r e
a ny b e tte r , b ut , on th e o t h e r h a nd w i l l b e q u i t e a
,
JO H N D EER E , T H E I N V EN T O R O F S T EE L P L O WS
b o th e r wh e n you w a n t t o d r i l l a ho l e for a fi n c oul te r if

i t i s h ar d e n e d P l a ce t hi s S hin on t he l a nd s id e O f th e
.
l a nd sid e a nd w e l d
, I n p re p a r in g t he S ho u l d e r o f t he
.
9 0 M O D ERN B L A C K SM IT H IN G
sh in for t he p l at e us e a s hip u p se tte r . S ee N O .

3,
Fi g u re 8 .
N o t one out o f 5 00 bl a cksm i th s h a ve thi s t ool E ve r y .
sm i th S houl d h a v e on e You . c a nno t do a g ood a n d
q u i ck j ob wi tho u t i t .
Whe n you sh a p e t he poin t O f the l a nd s id e hol d i t

v e r t i ca l t h a t i s t he e d ge s t ra i gh t u p a n d down o r
, , ,
p l um b I f you don t do thi s t h e re w il l b e t ro ubl e i n

.
’
w el din g e sp ec i a l l y i f you h a ve h e l d i t u nd er T h e n
,
.
i t wi l l l e a n u nd e r the s q ua r e wh e n w e l d e d a n d in s uch ,
a c a s e i t i s h ar d t o g e t a g ood w e l d a n d i f you do you ,
wi l l b re a k i t u p wh e n you a t t e m p t t o s et i t t o the
s q ua r e A no ther t hin g don t m ake m uch S l an t on the
’
.
,
l a nd s id e u p a t t he j oin t for i f yo u do you c a n n ever

, , ,
we l d the S h a re good up th e re G iv e m o re sl a n t .
t ow a r d s t he poin t B e su r e t o h a v e t he r i gh t c ur v e
. .
I t i s ve r y i m po r t a n t t o h a v e the l a nd s id e r i gh t : 1 ,
B e ca u s e i t i s the fo u nd a t ion fo r t he p l ow ; 2 i f the ,
l a nd s id e i s r i g h t th e s t a r t i s r i g h t a n d th e n t h e re i s no ,
t r o ubl e t o ge t t he sh a r e r i gh t Wh e n fini sh e d p l a ce
.
t he O l d l a nd s id e on t op of the n e w wi t h t he u pp e r ,
e d g e s e ve n ; don t g o b h b o o m d h e y a re
’
y t e t t e g e s as t ,
wo r n N ow m ark th e hol e You m a y l e ave the fr on t

. .
hol e for th e f oo t o f the b e a m t hi s t i m e Wh e n ho l e s .
a re d r i ll e d t h e n p u t a b o l t th r o u g h t he ho l e O f t he foo t
,
O f b e a m a n d l a nd s id e ; now p l ace t he p l ow on t he l a nd
s id e an d m e a s u r e 1 4 in ch e s fro m t he floo r u p t o t he
be am . I n t hi s po s i t ion m a r k t he fr on t ho l e O f th e foo t
O f th e b e a m I f the b e a m h a s b e e n sp ru n g u p you
.
wi l l now h a ve r em e di e d t h at S O m u ch a b o u t a n e w .
l a nd sid e O n t he o t h e r S id e i f the ol d l a nd s id e i s n ot
.
,
M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G 9 :
too m uch wor n t o b e u se d

h e n r e p a i r a s fol l ows
,
t
T a ke a pi e ce of 3/ é in ch thi ck fl a t i r on t he wid th O f t he
-
l a n d s id e a b o ut t e n in ch e s l on g C ut o n e e n d O ff di a g
.
on al l y t hi s e n d t o b e fl a t te n e d down
,
Why sho ul d t hi s
.
e n d b e c u t di a gon al l y ? T hi s pi e c e O f i r on i s t o b e
p l ace d on the inn e r s ide O f the l a nd s id e a n d a s far ba ck

a s t o c o ve r t he ho l e t h a t ho l d s t h e p l a t e N ow i f t hi s
.
,
i r on i s cut sq u ar e o ff a n d l e ft a l i ttl e t oo t hi ck on th a t
,
e n d i t w i l l c ut in t o t he l a nd s id e a n d w e a ke n i t ; b ut i f
,
c u t di a g on a l l y a n d d r a wn ou t t hin i t wi l l n ot w e a ke n ,
n or ca n i t b re a k wh e n cu t in t hi s m a nn e r T O b e sure
.
o f a g ood s t r on g w e l d u p s e t o ve r t he w el d
,
I ho l d .
t h a t thi s i s t he m o s t i m po rt a n t t hin g in m a kin g a n e w

N O hoo f n o ho r se —no l a nd s id e n o p l ow
“ ”
l ay.
, ,
.
T h e re a re on l y a fe w bl a cks m i th s r ec ognizin g t hi s fac t .
M o s t O f t he s m i th s wi l l S i m pl y t ake a pi e c e o f i r on
a bo ut h a l f a n in c h s q u a re a n d w el d i t on t op O f th e
poin t T hi s is the q ui cke st wa y b ut i t i s a l so t he

.
,
poo r es t wa y b ut th e y ca nno t ver y w e l l do i t in a ny

,
o t h e r w a y for i f you h a ve n o shin u p se tt er t o d re ss

,
a n d sh a p e t he sho u l d e r for th e p l a t e th e n i t i s q u i t e a
,
j o b t o r e p a i r a n y o t h e r w a y T h er e.a r e t h r e e r e a s on s
wh y a l a nd s id e ca nno t b e r e p a i re d wi th a p a t ch on t o p
o f t he poin t : 1 T he shin or s ho ul d e r in a n O l d l a nd s id e
,
i s wo r n down s o m e t i m e s t o a l m o s t no thin g a n d t he ,
onl y w a y to g e t st o ck e nou gh t o m a ke a g ood sho ul d e r

i s t o pu t a g ood s iz e d pi e ce O f i ron on th e in s id e b a ck
-
,
a n d be hind thi s s ho u l d e r I f a n e w p l a t e i s t o b e p ut
.
on a nd thi s i s n ot don e you wi ll h a v e t o d ra w down

,
t he p l a t e t o t he thi c kn e s s O f t h e O l d S ho ul d e r a n d in ,
such a ca se th e pl a t e wi l l a d d n o s t re n g th t o t h e S h ar e .
2, T he l a nd s id e i s, in m a n y ca s e s w orn down on the ,
b o tt o m to a t hin S h a r p e dg e a n d b y p l a cin g the pi ece

, ,
on t op the l a nd sid e wi l l be a s i t w a s on t he b o t to m
S id e wh e re i t o u g h t t o b e a s t hi ck a s ou a n m a ke it
, y c .
3 T h e w e a ke st p l a ce in th e l a nd s id e i s j us t a t the
,
s ho ul d e r O f t he S hin a n d b p l in t h pi on t o i t
, y ac g e e ce p
w i l l n ot r e a ch o ver thi s w e ak p l a ce a n d wi th a n e w ,
l on g poin t on the s t r a in wi l l b e h e a vi e r t h a n b e fo r e
, ,
a n d t h e l a nd s id e wi l l e i th e r b e nd o r br e a k I h a v e in .
m y e xp er i e n ce h a d t ho us a nd s O f p l ow s t h a t h a ve b e e n
b r o ke n o r b e n t on a cc o u n t O f a poo rl y r e p a i r e d l a nd -
s id e . B l a cks m i t h s wi t h on l y a fe w e x ce p t ion s a re a l l
, ,
m a kin g t hi s m i s t a ke .
T h e l a nd s id e i s t o the p l o w wh a t the f o u nd a t ion i s t o

t h e ho u s e N O a r chi te ct wi ll e ve r t hin k of b u i l din g a
.
s ub s t a n t i a l hou se wi tho u t a s ol id fo und a tion N O .
p ra c ti cal pl ow s m i th wi l l e v e r try t o m a ke a g ood p l ow

wi t hou t a s ol id l a nd sid e .
F or p r a i r i e o r b r u sh b r e a ke rs wh e re no p l a t e i s
,
u s e d i t wi l l b e a l l r i g h t t o r e p a i r t h e l a nd s id e by p l a c
,
i n g a pi e ce o f i r on on t o p O f it p r o v id e d i t i s n ot m u ch
,
wo r n a nd the p a t c h r e a ch e s ba ck fa r e no ugh t o
,
s tr e n g t h e n t he l a nd s id e B ut e ve n i n s uch ca s e s i t i s
.
b e tt e r t o l a y i t on the inn er s id e .
L A N D S I D E PO I N T FO R S L I PS H A R E
We h a ve now l e ar n e d how t o p re p a r e t he l a nd s id e
for a s o l id o r l on g ba r S h a r e We sh al l now l e ar n how
.
t o m a ke a l a nd s id e poin t for S l i psh a r e s T h e re are .

T he l a y wi l l n ot h a ve t he ful l stre n g th if i t don t

’
r e st
on the fr o g , an d i t wi l l not be ste a dy, a n d the p l ow wi l l

n ot ru n g ood , for in a fe w da ys t he S h a r e flops up a n d
down .
Wh e n a 1 4 in ch S h are i s fini sh e d the poin t fr om the

-
,
join t of the sh a re t o the e xtr e m e e nd O f t he poin t ,
S ho ul d b e 1 1 in c h es n ot l on g e r a n d for a 1 6 in ch l ay
, ,
-
,
1 2 in ch e s n ot l on e r T h poin t t l v e r on t h e
, g e . a c s a s a e
p l ow a n d i f i t is t oo l ong t he p l ow wi l l n ot wo rk g ood
, ,
a nd i t i s l i a bl e to b re ak S h a p e t he poin t S O t h a t wh e n
.
y o u ho l d i t u p g
a a in s t t he p l ow i t w i l l b e in l in e wi t h
t he b o tt o m O f t he l a nd s id e b ut a b ou t h al f a n in ch
, ‘
w id e r t h a n the l a nd s id e t o w e l d on I f i t i s a p l ow .
w h ere t he poin t O f the m o ul db o ar d r e st s on the l an d

s id e poin t a n d i t i s a doubl e S hin t h e n c ut ou t in t h e
l a nd s id e poin t for t he poin t O f the m

, ,
oul db oa r d t o re s t
in S e e N O 1 F i g ur e 9
.
,
T hi s wi l l be a g u id e for you
.
wh e n w e l din g the S h a re an d it wi l l S l ip on to the p l ow

,
e a s i er wh e n yo u c o m e t o fi t i t t o t he s a m e I thin k .
e no ugh h a s b e e n s a id a bo ut the l a nd s id e t o g i v e th e
be g inn e r a g ood id ea of how t o m ake o n e A n d i f t he .
—
l a nd s id e i s r i g h t i t co m e s e a s i er t o do t he res t
,
In .
m a kin g a p l ow sh a r e t h e r e a re ma ny t hin gs to r e m e m
b e r a n d on e m us t be on t he a l er t r i gh t a l on g for i t
, ,
wi l l g ive l o t s O f tr o ubl e i f a ny poin t i s o v erl ooke d .
We wil l now w el d a sh ar e t o a l on g b a r l a nd s id e .
T he l a nd s id e h a v in g b e e n fini s h e d a n d bo l t e d t o th e
be a m or i t s foo t or t o a s t a nd a rd t he s h a r e i s t o be
, ,
sh a p e d t o fi t H o l d th e sh a re up t o the p l ow
. F i rs t .
l oo k i f the a n gl e for t he poin t i s r i g h t in t he S h a r e ; if

h er ,
h e a t the sh are a n d i f u nder the a n gl e w a n te d
,
M O DER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G gs
p
u set up at join t ; i f o ve r the a n gl e w a n te d d r i ve
t he ,
it ba ck a t t he poin t . I n doin g t hi s ho l d the e d g e O f

the s h a r e o v e r a wood e n bl o c k in s t e a d of t he a n v i l s o ,
a s n ot t o b a tte r th e t hin e d e of th e s h a r e I f t h e
g .
S h a r e h a s b e e n u p s e t s o t h a t i t h a s a n a r r ow r i b a l o n g
th e poin t wh e re it i s t o b e w e l d e d d ra w t hi s down a n d
,
m ake i t l eve l I n m o s t bl a n k sh a re s the poin t sho ul d

.
be i d t o fit the l a nd s id e poin t s o t h a t wh e n the

r a se ,
sam e i s p l a ce d on t he floo r t h e e d g e o f t he s h a re w i l l
f ol l ow the floo r o r l e v e l in g bl o ck ( i f yo u h a ve i t) fr o m ,
t he h ee l r i g h t u p t o t he poin t t h e n i t w
,
i l l be e a s y t o
m a ke t he e d ge c o m e down t o th e s q u a re in fi n i s hin g i t
up . I f thi s i s n ot don e the e dge of t he s h ar e fr om t h e
t h r o a t ba ck wil l ge n e r a l l y b e t oo hi gh
,
.
I n F i gur e 9 t w o sh a re s a r e r e p re s e n t e d one wi t h t he
,
l a nd s id e poin t on r e a d y for w el din g . I n t hi s s h a r e the

p o in t o f t h e s a m e h a s b ee n r a i s e d s o t h a t the s ha re
9 6 M O DERN B L A C K SM IT H IN G
co me s d own to t he s qua re in the th r o at T he o th er is .
a bl a n k sh a r e s t ra i g h t in t he poin t b e t w e e n N O S 4 an d
,
.
5,
re s t in g on t h e e x t re m e h e e l a n d p oin t wi t h g p
a
be t we e n t he e d g e O f s h ar e a n d floo r a t N O 3 I n m o st . .
bl a n k sh a re s t he poin t i s t oo s tra i gh t a n d t he poin t ,
t oo m u c h b e n t down a t N O 4 B e nd t he s h a r e S O t h at
. .
the wh ol e l e n g t h fr o m h ee l t o poin t wi l l fo l l ow t he
floo r Wh e n the s h are i s h el d in a po si t ion a s S hown
.
in t hi s cut don t fit the sh a re t o t he b ra ce for in m o s t

,
’
O l d p l ow s t h e b ra ce h a s b e e n b e n t out of sh a p e F it .
t he s h a r e t o t he s q u ar e a n d t h e n fi t t h e br a c e t o the
,
s h a re ,
a n d you are r i gh t M a n y a bl a cks m i th wi l l
.
n e v e r think O f t hi s bu t i t i s im po rt a n t
,
.
N e x t join t the S h a re ; t h a t i s if t he join t d o e s n o t fi t

,
t he j oin t o f the m o u l d bo a r d m a ke i t fi t e i th e r b y fi l in g
,
o r g r indin g T hi s don e m ake the hol e s a n d wh e n yo u

.
, ,
ce n t e r p u n c h for s a m e d r a w t he ho l e s a t r ifl e ;
-
th a t
m e a n s m ake t he ce n t e r m a rk a l i t tl e t ow a r d s the inn e r
S id e O f t h e m a rk e s p e c i all y for th e ho l e n e x t t o t h e
,
point T hi s i s a l s o a n i m po r t a n t poin t o ve rl oo ke d by
.
m o s t bl acksm i th s T he ho l e s th a t ho l d t he j oin ts
.
t o g e t h e r sho ul d a ct a s a w e d g e I f th e y don t t hc
’
.
join t s wil l p ul l a p a rt a n d l e a ve a g a p b e t we e n wh e re ,
di r t a n d str a w wi l l g a t h e r a n d i f a sl ip sh a re the sh a re
,
wi l l s oon wor k l oo se a n d the p l ow wi l l fl op .
T he ho l e s h a vin g be e n p u n ch e d a n d c o un te r su n k ,
t he s h a re S ho ul d b e b o l t e d t o the b ra c e N e x t p u t on .
t he c l a m p .I t i s n ot n ece s sa ry t h a t t h e cl a m p s ho u l d
b e p ut on whi l e the S h a r e i s on the p l ow I n ever do .
that . I u se d t o for m an y y e a r s bu t th e re i s no n e e d ,
of doin g i t for i f the S h a re ha s the r i gh t a n l e i t m u st

, g
M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H I N G 97
c o m e t o i ts p l a ce wh e n e ve n wi t h t he poin t on the ou t
s id e a n d a c u t s ho ul d b e m a d e in t h e l a nd s id e j u s t a t
,
t h e p l a ce wh e r e th e poin t O f the m o ul d b o a r d r e s t s on
sa m e t hi s c ut wi l l a l s o b e a g u id e
,
.
N o w a fe w wo r d s c on c e r nin g th e cl a m p F i g ur e 8 .
,
N O 7 i l l ust ra t e s a cl am p for thi s p u r po s e

. T he s e t .
s cre w a t the b o t t o m s e r v e s t o ho l d t he l a nd s id e fr o m
l e a n in g o ve r or u nd er whi l e t he s e t s cr e w a t t he u pp er
,
e n d ho l d s the s h a re a g a in s t t he poin t I f t hi s cl a m p i s .
r i g h tl y m a d e i t wo rks S p l e ndid T he cl a m p s ho ul d b e
.
p l a ce d o ve r the p l ow s h a r e up a t t he join t b e ca u se t he ,
fi r s t h e a t or w e l d S houl d be on t h e poin t S o m e sm i th s .
w el l fo r a fa ct m o s t sm i th s— t ake the fi rst w el d u p

, ,
a t the join t T hi s i s w r on g
. T he poin t S ho ul d be
.
w el d e d fi rst T h e n you h a ve a ch a n ce to se t the S h a re

.
r i g h t a n d fi t i t s n ug t o t h e poin t the whol e w a y u p .
You ca nn ot m a ke a good w e l d i f the S h a re do e s n ot fit

s n u g a g a in s t th e l a n d s id e poin t t o p r e v e n t a i r a n d c in
,
d ers fr o m p l a yin g b e t w e e n F urth e r t he s h a r e S houl d

.
,
be u p s e t ov e r the w e l d wh e n t hi s i s n o t don e in the

,
bl an k s h a r e ; t he l ow e r co r n e r O f the S h a re wi l l p ro
t r ud e ov e r t h e l a nd s id e T hi s s houl d b e d r e ss e d down
.
s m oo t h T he n e x t w e l d s ho ul d be t ake n u p a t t he
.
j oin t F
. o r w e l din g c o m po u n d u s e st e e l b o r in g and
s
s cal e s fr o m e i th e r s te el o r i r on .
A ft e r you h av e m oi s t e n e d the p l a ce wh e re t he w el d
i s to be t a ke n wi t h b o ra x t h e n fil l in be tw e e n t he s h a re
,
a n d poin t wi t h s t e e l b o r in s a n d on t o o f t hi s l i t tl e
g p ,
a
s t ee l o r i ron s ca l e s D O n ot b uy a n y w e l di n g c om
.
po un d of a ny kind b e c a u se i f you l e a r n to know wh a t

,
u h ave i n t he sho wi l l fi d t h t h v w
y o
py o u n a t e r e n e e r a s
a w e l din g c o m po und m ad e to e x cel b ora x ste el scal es , ,
s te e l o r i ron b o r in g s a n d powd e re d g l a ss
,
A l l t h e se .
y o u h a v e wi tho ut buying .
I n h e a t in g g o sl ow I f you p ut on too s t r o n g bl a st
.
the sh are wi l l b u rn b e fo re t he i r on i s h ot e n o ug h t o
-
w e l d Wh e n r e a dy to w e l d l e t y o ur h el p e r t a ke w ith
.
a p a i r O f t on g s o v e r th e sh a re a n d l a nd s id e t o ho l d .
t h e m t i gh t t o g e th e r whi l e yo u s tr i ke th e fi rs t bl ow .
U s e a l a rg e h a m m e r a n d s t r i ke wi th a p r e s sur e on the
h a m m er t he fi rst bl ow s u n t il you are s ure i t s ti cks ;
,
t h e n c o m e down on i t wi t h fo r ce .
I h a v e m a d e i t a p r a ct i ce no m a tt e r how g ood t hi s
,
w el d s ee m s t o be t o al wa ys ta ke a s e cond w e l d T hi s
,
.
w el d t o be a l i gh t on e T he sh a r e a nd l a nd s ide a re
.
a fte r t h e fi r st w e l d s e t tl e d S O i t t ake s v e r y l i ttl e t o

,
w el d th e m th e n O n the o th e r h a nd t he fi rs t w el d
.
,
m i gh t l oo k t o a l l a pp e ara n ce s s o l id b ut i t i s n o t
,
,
a l way s Wi t h thi s p reca ut ion I n e v er ha d a S h ar e th at

.
r ipp e d op e n in t he w e l d whi l e i t i s a ra r e t hin g t o find

,
a s h a r e m a d e b y a b l a ck s m i t h t h a t do e s n ot r i p N Ow .
,
t h e n w e l d down t ow a r d t he poin t
,
T he poin t s ho ul d .
n o t b e a l l ow e d t o h a v e a n y t wi s t for i f i t do e s i t wi ll
, ,
t ur n t h e p l ow ov e r on the S id e N ow s e t t he e dge
.
r i gh t b e g innin g a t t h e h e e l
,
I f the S h ar e i s m a d e for
.
h a r d fa l l pl ow m g g i ve m o r e su ction th a n for a sha re

for s o ft S p r in g p l owin g G r ind a n d pol i sh be fo r e you
.
ha r d e n a n d a fte r i t i s h a rd e n e d t o u ch it u p l i gh tl y
,
wi t h th e pol i s h w h e el M u ch pol i s hin g or g r indin g

.
aft e r h a r d e nin g w i l l w e a r O ff the c a se h a r d e nin g .

M O DER N B L A C K SM I T H I N G 99
S L I PS H A R E
We sh al l no w w e l d a sl ipsha re Wh e n the poin t i s .
fini sh e d ho l d i t t o th e p l ow wi th a p a i r O f t on g s whil e
y o u fi t t h e S h a re W h e
. n t h e s h a re i s fi t t e d t a ke the
poin t O ff fr o m the p l ow a nd fa s te n i t t o th e sh are wi t h

“
t he c l a m p . A s I h a v e s a i d b e fo re t h e r e i s n o n e e d O f
,
fa s te nin g th e s h ar e t o t he l a nd s id e poin t wi t h t h e p l ow
a s a gu i d e .I f t he l a nd sid e a n d S h a r e a r e r i g h t t h er e
c a nno t b e a n y m i s t a ke a n d i t c o m e s e a s i er t o s c r e w
,
t h e m t o g e t h e r ov e r t h e a nvi l N o w p r o c e e d a s wi t h a
.
l on g ba r s h a r e a n d wh e n the w el d u p a t t he j oin t ha s
,
b e e n t ake n fi t th e s h a r e t o the p l o w whi l e h o t

,
S om e .
s m i t h s in p r e p a r in g th e l a nd s id e poin t for a sl i p sh a r e
wi l l pl a ce the sh a r e s o t h at t he poin t i s a l i ttl e t oo

S ho r t b a ck wh e re i t r e s t s a g a in s t th e e n d o f t h e p l at e .
T hi s i s a b a d id e a I t i s cl a i m e d t h a t in w el din g t he
.
, ,
l a nd s id e poin t wi l l s w e l l e no u g h t o m a ke i t r e a ch u p
a g a in s t t he p l a te T hi s i s t r u e i f the l a nd sid e poin t i s
.
,
on l y hi gh e no u gh ; b ut i f it i s l ow a n d yo u l o se a h e a t
in w el din g a s m o s t s m i th s do th e n y our l a nd s id e poin t
, ,
w i l l be b o th too l o w a n d t oo sho r t T ho u s a nd s O f .
s h ar e s a re mad e e v e r y y e a r t h a t h a v e t hi s fa ul t .
T h e re fo r e wh a te v e r yo u a r e doin g h a ve s t o ck e no ugh
,
.
I t i s e a sy t o c u t O ff fr o m t he l a nd s id e whi l e ye t h ot ,
b ut it i s di ffi c ul t t o re p a i r i f t oo s ho r t N o S h a re wi l l .
wo rk st ea di l y i f the poin t do e s not r es t r igh t a g a in s t

t he p l a te.
I n bl a cks m i thin g e v e r y be g inn e r a nd m a n y a n O l d

, ,
s m i t h m a ke s t h e m i s t a ke O f p r o v idin l e s s s t o ck t h an
, g
i s ne ede d fo r the w or k to be d on e I t i s e s se n ti al t o
.
ha v e m a t e r i a l tod r e ss down on ; an d i f a h e a t i s l ost ,
o r a w e l d i t wi l l m a ke th e s t o c k in t he a r t i cl e w e ake r
z
, ,
a n d t o m e e t t h e s e e xi g e n c i e s t h e r e m u s t b e m a t e ri al
fr om t he s tar t e no ug h for al l p ur po s e s
,
. T h er e i s a l so
a wid e di ff e r e n ce o f O pin ion a s t o wh e th e r th e s h are

sho u l d b e w e l d e d a t t h e poin t o r a t t h e join t fi r s t .
Whil e I w a s ye t a yo u n g m a n a n d e m pl oye d in a p l ow
fa ct o ry I h a d a n O ppo rt u ni t y t o se e th e di ffe r e n t id e a s
,
se t to a te s t .I n the facto ry t he p r a ct i ce was to w el d

’
l e a rn e d t hi s p a rt h e i r b us in e ss in so sho r t a t i m e
of t , ,
s u cces s ful l y .S t i l l I h a ve s e e n bl a cksm i t h s p ro s p e r

,
a n d h a v e q u i t e a re p u t a t ion a s p l ow m e n whil e for a , ,
fa c t th e y n e ve r m a d e a p l ow s h a re t h a t w a s fr o m the
, ,
s t a ndpoin t O f a p r a c ti cal p l o wm a n r igh t , .

C H A PT ER V I
H O W T O H A R DE N A PL O WS H A RE
h ar e i s of s o ft ce n te r stee l
t he S ,
h a r d e n a s fol l ow s : F i r st ,
h e a t t h e whol e poin t t o a
v e r y l ow r e d h e a t ; t h e n
t u rn the s h ar e fa ce
down wi th the h e el
,
o v e r t h e fire an d the
,
poin t in s uch a po si
t ion t h a t i t i s a bo ut t w o in ch e s hi gh e r t h a n t he h ee l .
T hi s wi l l d r a w t he fi r e fro m the h e e l a l on g t ow a rd s
the poi n t a n d t he whol e l e n g th of the S h ar e wi l l b e
,
h e a te d a l m o st in on e h e a t B e s ur e t o g e t a n e ve n
.
h e at for it wi l l w ar p or c r a ck i f the h e a t i s u n e v e n
,
.
Wh e n the s h a r e h a s a m od e ra t e r e d h e a t t a ke it ou t ,
a n d you wi l l no t i c e th a t i t i s S p r un u l on t h d
g p a g e e g e .
T hi s i s the r ul e but th e re a r e e x ce p t i on s a n d the s h a re

, ,
i s th e n S p r u n g down I n e i t h e r c a se s e t i t r i g h t ; i f
.
s p r un g u
p s e t i t down a l i tt l e u nd e r t h e s q u a r e ; i f
S p ru n g d own s e t i t a l i t t l e o v e r th e s q u a r e Yo u c a n
.
n ot wi th a n y s uc ce s s s e t i t b a t a bl e or l e v e l in g bl o ck
y ,
b e ca use t hi s wi l l fi rst c oo l O ff t he e d g e s e c ond i t

, , , ,
1 03
m u st be e i th e r o v e r nde r t he s q u a re a l i t t l e
or u .
T h e re f o r e you m u s t u se yo u r e ye a n d s e t th e sh ar e
,
wi th the h a m m e r o ve r t he a n vi l T hi s don e ho l d
.
,
t he s h a re o v e r the fi r e u n t i l i t h a s a l o w r e d h e a t a s ,
s t at e d b e fo re ; t h e n p l u n g e i t in t o a t ub o f h a r d e nin g
c o m po und s u ch a s i s s o l d by t he t r a ve l in g m a n
,
or ,
S p r in kl e t h e s h a r e wi th p r u s s i a t e O f po t ash a n d p l u n g e
i t in t o a b a rre l O f s a l t w a te r .
Y ou wi l l no t i ce t h a t t h e s h a r e wi ll w a r p or S p r in g
o u t o f S h a p e m o r e in th e h ea t in g t h a n i t do e s in t h e
c oo l in g if t he h e a t i s r i gh t
,
S o m e s m i th s n e v e r l ook
.
a t t h e s h a re wh e n h ot for h a r d e nin b u t s i m p l y p l un g e
g ,
i t in t o t he t ub a n d th e n t h e y s a y it w a r p e d in h a r d e n
,
i n g whi l e i t w a s in t h e h e a t in g
,
I f th e S h a r e i s t oo
.
hot i t w i l l w a rp in c oo l in g a l s o
. .
H O W T O PO I N T A S H A RE
P oi n t s a re o l d by d e al e r s in h a r dwa r e a n d
now s ,
e v e r y s m i t h know s how t h e y a r e s h a p e d T h e re i s .
,
how e ve r no ne e d o f buyin g t h e s e ; e ve r y sm i t hh a s O l d
,
p l ow sh ar e s fr om w hi ch poin t s c a n b e c ut p r ov id ed you ,
don t use a n O l d S h a re too m uch wo rn T he poin ts

’
.
s o l d a r e c ut wi t h t h e in te n t i on t h a t m o s t o f t he poin t
i s t o b e p l a ce d on t o p O f the pl ow poin t T h is i s a l l .
r i g h t in s o m e in s t a n c e s whi l e i t i s w r o ng in o th e r s
,
.
Wh e n you c ut a pi ece for a poin t m a ke i t t he s a m e

S h a p e a t b o t h e nd s N o w wh e n a p l ow n e e d s t he
;
,
m o st O f t he poin t on t op b e nd t he e n d t o b e on t op
l on g e r th a n t he e n d t o g o u nd e r n e a th a n d vi ce v e r s a , ,
S m i th s, as a dr a w out a r o und ba ck poin t

rul e , .
T h e y s e e m t o b e a fra id O f c o m in g down on t he poin t

wit h the h am m er for fe a r i t wi l l s p r in g t he poin t
t ow a r d s t he l a nd T hi s c a n be r e m e di e d b y u sin g a
.
w ood e n bl o ck for a n vi l T h e n you ca n se t the point

.
back w i tho ut bat te rin g the e dg e of th e S h ar e T he .
B EN C H FO R H O L D GP
IN L O WS WI T H O UT B EA M
s uc k o f a poin t sho ul d be i gh th of a n in ch D on t
on e - e .
’
S p l i t t he s t e e l O f th e p om t o f a S h are op e n an d w e d ge
a poin t in . M ake o n e l on g e no ug h to r ea ch a r o u nd
t he poin t s a y fr o m 8 t o 1 0 in ch e s l on g a n d you wi l l
, ,
h a v e a g ood s ub s ta n t i al j ob T h er e i s t oo m uch
.
e xp er i m e n t in g in p u tti n g on poin t s ye t b ut t he m e t hod

,
j us t d e s cr i b e d i s the on l y g ood o n e .
M O DE R N B L A C K SM IT H IN G 1 0 7
H O W T O S H A R PE N A PL O WS H A RE
I f the h a r e t o be s h a r p e n e d i s a h a rd e n e d S h a re a n d
S ,
i t i s t h e fi r s t ti m e i t i s s h a r p e n e d t h e n b e ca r e ful n ot
,
to h ea t i t t oo fa r t ow a r d s t h e j oin t s o a s t o l e a v e t h e
,
t e m p e r a s m u ch the s a m e a s po s s i b l e F o r m y p a rt I
.
,
n e ve r fol l ow thi s r ul e I h e at i t a s m uch a s i s n e e d e d

.
t o d ra w i t ou t g ood a n d t h e n h ar d e n i t o ve r a g a in
,
.
B u t b e g inn e r s c a n S h a rp e n a n e w S h a r e on ce wi t h o ut
h ar de nin g i t ove r i f t he te m p e r is not e n t i re l y out of
,
t h e s h ar e .T O sh a r p e n a S h a re wi tho u t s p r in g in g i t
s o m e i s a n i m po ss i b i l i ty . N O d e v rce w i l l p re v e n t t hi s ,
a n d th e on l y w a y t o s e t i t r i gh t i s t o h e a t i t a l l o v e r .
I n S h a r p e nin g a S h a re i t i s d r a wn out on one s id e a n d ,
i t i s n a t ur a l t h a t th a t S id e i s ma d e l on ge r a n d a s a ,
r e s ul t t he S h a re m u s t w ar p . I n a c i rcu l a r s a w i t t ake s
on l y a c oupl e o f bl ow s on one s id e t o g e t i t ou t of
s h a p e ; th e n wh a t e l s e c a n w e e xp e ct in a pl O s h ar e ,
wh e n al l th e h a m m er in g i s don e on one S id e ?
S o m e s m i t h s t u r n the b o t t o m S id e o f the s h are up
a n d h a m m e r on t h a t s id e ,
but thi s i s w r on g ; fi r s t ,
b e ca us e in S O d oin g you u n sh ap e the S h a re ; s e c ond ,
t he s ca l e s on t h e a nvi l wi l l m a rk t h e f a ce o f t h e s h a re
j ust a s b a d a s the h a m m e r s o no thin g i s g a in e d by
,
t hi s. Pl a ce th e s h a r e on the a n v i l face u p a n d u se a
, ,
h a m m e r wi th a big r o und fa ce a n d wh e n you g et us e d

,
t o t hi s t he b e s t r es ul t i s O b t a in e d D n t d r a w t he
’
.
,
e d e out t oo t hin T h e i s no n e e d O f a t hin e d g e on

g . e r
a p l ow t h a t h a s t o c u t r v l n d n b ut fo r od
g a e a s a g s ,
S
b re akin g a thin e d g e i s w a n t e d a n d th e sm i t h ha s t o
,
u se his b e s t j u d g m e n t e ve n in such a ca se .
H O W T O PU T O N A H EEL
C ut a pi e ce of st e el ab o u t e i gh t in ch e s l on g t h re e ,
in ch e s wide on on e e nd a n d poin t e d down t o a S h a r p

,
poin t on the o th e r D r a w out on e s ide thin t o noth

.
ing . N e x t d ra w ou t t h e h e e l O f t he sh a re
,
N ow .
p l a ce t he h e e l pi e ce on the b ot t o m S id e o f t he s h a re ,
a n d ho l d i t in p l a ce wi th a p a i r of t on g s a n d t on g r in g s .
T a ke t he fi rst h e a t a t t h e poin t e d e n d of t he pi e ce ,
n e x t h e a t a t the h eel S h a re dow n t h e n t ur n t he S h a r e

, ,
ov e r h e e l do w n ; go sl ow u se b o ra x fr e e l y a n d p l ace
, , ,
a l i tt l e s t e e l b o r in gs b e t w e e n t h e h e e l pi e ce a n d t he
s har e A ft e r a l i t tl e p r a c t i ce a l m o s t a n y s m i th o ugh t
.
t o be a bl e t o p ut on a h e e l whi l e now i t i s on l y a fe w
,
'
s m i t h s t h a t ca n do i t I n e ver pu t on a h e e l ye t b ut
.
~
t h e own e r O f t he p l ow wo ul d t el l m e t h a t o t h e r s m i th s
t e ll hi m i t c a nno t be don e Wh e n w e l d e d g ood b e s ure
.
t o g e t th e r i g h t s h a p e in t he sh a re G r i nd a nd po l i sh.
ca r e ful l y a s t h e di r t i s i n cl in e d t o s t i ck t o t h e S h a r e in
,
t hi s p l a ce m o r e e a s i l y t h a n in a n y o th er .
H O W T O R E PA I R A F L O PP I N G PL O W
Wh e n a p l ow i s floppin g or g oin g e v e r ywh e r e so th a t
t h e own e r don t know wh a t i s t he m a tt e r th e fa ul t
’
S ho ul d b e l oo ke d f o r fi xs t in t h e b e a m I f th e be a m i s .
l oo s e th e p l ow wi ll n ot r un s t e a d y b u t t he r e a s on for ,
t hi s t r o u bl e in m o s t c a s e s i s in t h e S h a r e
,
I f t he .
poin t h a s t oo l i t t l e suc t ion a n d th e e d g e of the sh a re

“
is t o o m u c h r ol l in g t he p l ow g e n e r a l l y a ct s thi s w ay
the t ug s wi th s m al l s iz e d hor se s T he poin t O f a S h a re

-
.
s ho ul d n e v e r b e b e n t u pw a r d s in o r d e r t o p re ve n t t h e
p l ow fr o m goin g t oo d e e p S e t th e s h a re r i gh t an d if
.
,
th e p l ow t h e n g o e s o ut O f i t s p r op e r w ay the fa ul t m ust
be fo und s o m e wh e re el se .
WH EN A PL O W T A K ES T O O M UC H L A N D
If a4 in
1 c h p
-
l ow t a ke s t oo m u c h l a nd t h e fa u l t i s
e i th e r in t he poin t of t h e S h a r e or in th e be a m T he .
poin t o f a sh are sho ul d s t and on e e i gh th O f a n in ch t o -
l a nd a n d t he b e a m S ho u l d s t a nd a b o u t th r e e in ch e s t o
,
t he r i gh t T hi s wi l l be r i g h t for a 1 4 in c h p l ow a n d
.
-
t w o ho r s e s I f f or a 1 6 in ch p l ow a n d th r e e ho r se s
.
-
,
the b e a m S ho ul d be in l in e wi th t he l a nd s id e .
H O W T O FI X A G A N G PL O W T H A T R UN S
O N IT S N O SE
Wh e n a g a n g or sul ky p l ow run s on i t s no s e a n d
s hov e s i t s e l f t h r o ug h t h e di r t t he f a ul t i s wi t h t he
,
s h a r e o r in t he b e a m I n m o st ca se s t hi s f a ul t i s a s e t
.
b a ck b e a m bu t i t m i gh t a l s o b e t he r e s ul t o f a b a d l y
,
be n t down a n d o ut O f S h a p e l a nd s id e poin t
- - -
I f i t is i n.
t he b e a m t a ke i t o ut a n d h e a t i t i n the arc h t h e n
, ,
b e nd i t f o r w a rd u n t i l t he p l ow ha s th e r i g h t s h a p e a n d ,
it wi l l r u n ri gh t .
M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G 1 1 1
W T O H A R DEN A M O U L DB O A R D
H O
T o h a r d e n a m o ul d b o a rd i s no e a sy j ob i n a bl a ck
sm i th s fo r g e a n d i t i s no u se t r yin g t hi s in a po r t a bl e
’
fo r g e b e ca u s e t h e r e i s n ot r oo m e no u gh for t h e fi re
,
re q u i r e d for t hi s p u r po s e F i r s t dig th e fi re p ot ou t
.
,
cl e a n t h e n m a ke a c h a rc o a l fi r e o f t w o b u s h e l s o f t hi s
,
c o al ,
h a ve s o m e dry ba s swood or wood l i ke i t a n d ,
wh e n t he c h arc o a l b eg in s to g e t r e d a l l o ve r t h e n pi l e
the wood on t h e o u ts id e c o r n e r s o f t he fi r e H e a t the .
poin t O f the m o ul d bo ar d fi rst be ca u s e t h i s be in g ,
s hinn e d i t i s t hi cke r a n d m u st b e h e a te d fi rs t or i t wi ll
,
n o t b e h ot e no ugh ; t h e n ho l d t he m o ul d bo a r d on t he
fi re a n d pi l e t he wood a n d hot c o al on t op o f i t K e ep .
i t on l y u n t i l r e d hot in t h e s a m e p l a ce t h e n m ov e i t ,
a r o u nd e s p e c i a l l y s o t h a t t h e e d g e s g e t t he f o r c e o f t he
,
fi r e or t h e y wi l l be ye t c o l d w hi l e the c e n t e r m i g h t b e
,
t o o hot .
H O W T O PA T C H A M O U L DB O A R D
Wh e n the m o ul d bo a r d i s r e d hot a l l ov e r s p r in kl e
wi th p r u ss i a t e o f pot a sh a n d p l u n ge in t o a b a rr el of
.
,
i c e o r s al t w a t e r A m o ul d b o a r d wi l l s t a nd a g ood
.
h e a t i f the h e a t i s e ve n ; o t h e r wi s e i t wil l w ar p or
c r a ck A not h e r w a y t o h e a t a m o ul d b o a rd : i f you
.
h a v e a b oi l e r t h e n fil l the fi re p l a ce wi th wood a nd
,
h e a t y o ur m oul d bo a r d t h e re T hi s wi l l g iv e yo u a
.
v e ry
g ood h e a t I f it i s a shinn e d m o u l d b o a r d the
.
poin t m ust be h e a t e d firs t in the fo rg e th e n p l a ce it ,
und e r the boi l e r fo r h e a tin T hi s m u s t b don e to

g e .
I I 2 M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G
in sure a g ood h ea t on the poin t whi ch i s thi cke r th a n

,
the m o ul d bo a rd a n d th e re fo r e wo ul d n ot be h ot e no ug h
in thet i m e th e o th e r p a r t s get hot .
Wh e n a m o ul db o a r d i s wo r n out on the poin t a p a tch

ca n be p ut on i f th e m o u l d b o a r d i s n ot t oo m uch wo r n
,
o th e r wi se C u t a pi e ce of s o ft ce n t e r s te e l t o fi t ov e r
.
th e p a r t to b e r e p a i r e d D ra w t hi s pi e ce o ut t hin
.
w h e re i t i s t o be w el d e d to fa ce o f m o ul d bo a rd H old .
N O . I .
FI G . 11
t hi s p i e ce in po s i tion whi l e t akin g t he fi rs t w e l d wi th ,
a p a i r o f t on g s .
We l d t he poin t fi rs t th e n the edge s , ,
l a s t t h e c e n te r
. T he p a tch s ho ul d b e w e l d e d t o fa c e
O f m o ul d b o a r d . Wh e n t he l a st w e l d i s t a ke n pl a ce the
m o ul d b o a rd f a ce u p wi t h s o m e l i ve c o a l o ve r i t in t he
, ,
fi r e ; u s e b o r a x fr e e l y a n d wh e n r e a dy t o w e l d w e l d
, , ,
th e p a t ch whi l e t h e m o u l d b o ar d I S 1 11 t he fi re u s i n g a ,
r o d O f r o u nd i r O n a s a h a m m e r wi t h on e e n d o f i t
b e n t fo r t hi s p ur po se . Wh e n t he p a t ch i s t h u s we l d e d
in i t s t hinn e s t p l a c e t h e n t a ke i t o u t a n d w e l d on the
a nvi l I n h e a t in g fo r the w e l d n e v e r p l a ce th e p a t ch
‘
down t ow a r d s t h e t uy e r for t h e re the bl a st wi l l m ake

,
C H A PT ER VI I
M O WE R S EC T I O N S
fi l l in g a si ckl e ba r t h e re a re tw o wa y s to
r e m o ve t he ol d se c t ion s . O ne w a y i s t o
p u n ch the r i v e t s out b ut in e ver y c a se
,
wh e re the ba ck O f the se ct ion s t i cks out

o ver the s i ckl e b a r t h e y ca n b e r e m o ve d
e a s i e r in t hi s wa y : j u s t op e n t h e v i s e e no ugh to re c e i ve
th e s e ct ion t h e n s t r i ke wi t h th e h a m m e r on th e b a ck
,
O f t h e s e c t ion ,
a n d t hi s bl ow wi l l cu t t h e r iv e t s O ff
. .
You c an c ut ou t t e n t o on e by thi s m e thod t o a n y o t h er .
S o m e t i m e s t h e S i ckl e b a r i s be n t o u t O f S h a p e in t he
fi tt in g T O s t ra i gh ten i t pl a ce the s i ckl e on t he a n vi l
.
,
s e c t io n s down ; now s tr i ke wi t h t he h a m m e r s o t h a t i t
wi l l t o u ch the b a r onl y on on e h a l f of i ts fa ce t he bl ow
,
to b e on the inn e r s id e O f t he cu rve .
B A B B IT IN G
Whe n a box i s t o b e bab bit e d the fi rs t t hing t o do i s

t o cl e a n t he b ox I f i t c a n b e p l a ce d ov e r the fi re t he
O l d ba bb i t wi t h m e l t o ut e a s i l y
. I f t h e b ox ca nno t b e
h el d o ver the fire th e n c hi se l t he O l d babbi t o ut A t
,
.
114
M O DER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G 1 1 5
ea c h e nd O f t h e b ox t h e re i s idg e t o hol d the b ab bi t

a r
in the box ; t h a t i s in c a st i r on b ox e s O n t op of thi s

,
.
r id g e p l a c e a s t r ip O f l e a t h e r a s t hi ck a s you w a n t t he
ba b b i t t o b e . T hi s don e p l a ce t he S h a ft in t he bo x
,
.
P o ur t he b a bb i t in l e vel wi t h t he b ox B e c a re ful
.
a b o u t h a vin g t he b ox dr y ; i f a n y d a m p n e s s i s in t he
b ox the ba b bi t wi l l e xp l od e N o w p l a ce a t hi ck p a p e r
.
on e a ch s id e of t he b ox a n d p ut on the t o p b ox wi t h ,
:
t he b o l ts in t o ho l d i t in p l a ce t i g h t t h e n c l o se u p a t
,
t h e e nd s wi t h p ut t y I n s o m e c a s e s i t i s b e st t o h e a t
.
the b ox a l i tt l e for if t h e box i s c o l d a n d t h e re i s l i t t l e

,
r oo m fo r th e b a bb i t i t wi l l c ool O ff b e fo r e i t ca n flo a t
a r o u nd . I n s u c h a c a s e the b ox e s s ho ul d b e w a r m a nd
t he ba bb i t h e a te d t o a r e d h e a t N ow po u r the b abb i t
.
in t h r o ugh the oil hol e .
I n c a s e s wh e re t h e r e a re woo d e n b ox e s a n d t he ,
babb i t I s t o r e ach o ut a g a in s t t he c ol l a r s t he S h a ft ,
m u s t b e el e va t e d o r h u n g on pi e ce s of b o a r d s on e a ch
s id e wi t h no t c h e s m f or the S h a f t t o re s t in U se p ut ty .
t o fil l u p a n d m a ke t i g h t s o t h a t t he b ab bi t m u s t s t a y
,
wh e re w a n t e d F or sl ow m o t ion ba bb i t wi th a l ess
.
c ool in g p e rc e n t a g e n ); fo r hi gh S p e e d m o r e c oo l in g
( ti ’
,
-
( )
t i n. G r oov e s m a y b e c u t in t h e b o t t o m b ox f or O i l .
Wh e n a sh a ft i s t o be b abbi t e d a l l a r ou nd in a s o l id
box t he s h a ft i s in cl in e d t o s t i ck in the b a b bi t T o .
p r e ve n t thi s s m oke t he S h a ft a l i ttl e a n d h a ve i t w a rm .
Wh e n c ool it wi l l co m e out a l l r i gh t O r wind t hin .
p a p e r a ro un d th e S h a ft the p a p er to be t i e d w i th
,
str ing s t o t he s h a ft .
M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G
A N N EA L I N G
B y g ra d ua l l y h e a t in g an d c oo l in g st e e l wi l l be s o ft :
en e d , b r i tt l e n e s s r e d uce d , a n d fl e xi bi l i ty in cre a s ed I n .
t hi s s t a te st e el i s to ugh a n d e a s i e s t d r i ll e d or fi l e d .
T oo l s t e e l i s S o m e t i m e s t oo h a r d t o d r i l l o r fil e wi t ho ut
fi rs t a nn e a l in g i t ; a n d the be st w a y t o do t hi s i s to
S l ow l y h e a t t o a r e d h e a t t he n b ur y the s t ee l in t he
,
C in d e r s a n d l e t i t c oo l S l ow l y T 0 h e a t a n d l e t t he
.
s t e e l c oo l e x po s e d t o t h e a i r wi ll do no g ood a s i t c ool s ,
O ff t oo q u i c k a n d wh e n c oo l t he s te e l i s a s h a r d a s
,
e ve r T hi s i s a i r t e m p er
. .
H O W T O R E PA I R B RO K EN C O G S
C o gs in se r te d in a c o g wh e e l in d i ffe re n t w a ys
can be .
I f the r i m o f t h e Wh e el i s t hi ck e no u gh a c og can b e
dov e t a i l e d in T h a t i s cut a s l o t in the r un fro m t he
.
,
r oo t o f t h e c og down t hi s s l o t t o b e w id e r a t t h e b ot
,
t om Pr e p a re a c og the e x a c t s iz e o f t he c o g s b u t j u s t
.
,
a s m u ch d e e p e r a s t h e s l o t B e for e yo u d r iv e thi s c og
.
in cu t ou t a chip on e a ch end of t he S l o t a n d wh e n the

, ,
c og i s d r i ve n in yo u ca n c l in ch the e nd s wh e r e yo u c ut
o ut . T hi s wi l l m ake a s tr on g c og a n d i f p r op e r l y ,
m a d e wi ll n e ve r g e t l oo se .
A no th e r w ay : I f the r i m i s thin t h e n m a ke a c og ,
wi th a S h a n k on or a b o l t c og I f the r im is wid e
,
.
m ake t wo b o l ts T he c og c an b e e i th e r r i ve te d or
.
fa s t e n e d wi t h n uts I f on l y on e sh a n k i s m a d e the
.
,
s am e m u st b e s u a r e u
q p a t t he c o
g or the co
g wi l l ,
i1 1 8 M O DERN B L A C K SM IT H IN G
o
a b ut o n e in ch up , l e t th e t e m p e r
n to h al f a n re t ur
I n ch fr o m th e fa ce t h a t i s d r a w t h e t e m p er a s m uch
, ,
a s yo u ca n wi t ho u t c h a n g in g t h e t e m p e r a t t he f a ce .
T h e r e i t s ho ul d be a s h a r d a s you ca n m a ke it Whe n .
h e a tin g the p e e n e n d ke e p a w e t r a g o ver the face t o

p re ve n t i t f ro m be co m in g hot T hi s e n d S h6 ul d not be .
te m p e r e d q u i te a s h ar d a s the fa ce .
H O W T O DR I L L C H I L L ED C A S T I RO N
hil l e d c a st i ron c a n be e a si l y dr i l l e d i f p rop e rl y

C
a nn e a l e d b u t i t c a nno t b e a nn e al e d s i m p l y b y h e at in
, g
a n d s l ow l y c oo l in g H e a t t he i r on t o a re d h e a t a n d
.
p l a ce i t ove r t he a nvi l in a l e ve l pos it ion ; p l a ce a pi ece

o f b r i m st on e j ust wh ere th e ho l e i s t o b e d ri l l e d a nd ,
l e t i t s o a k in I f i t i s a t hi ck a r t i cl e p l a c e a pi e c e on
‘
e ac h S id e ov e r t h e ho l e a s i t wi ll b e t t e r p e n e t r a te a n d
,
S o ft e n th e i r on N e x t h e a t i t ag a in u n t i l re d t h e n
.
, ,
b ury i t in t h e C ind e r s a n d l e t i t coo l S l owl y

,
T o h e at .
a n d a nn e a l chi l l e d i r on i s O f no a v a i l u n l e s s i t i s al l ow e d
t o r e m a in h o t fo r hou r s C hi ll e d i r on wi l l i f h e ate d
.
,
a n d a l l o we d t o c oo l q u i c k r e t a i n i t s h a r dn e s s,
T he .
onl y w a y t o a nn e al i s t o l e t i t r e m a in i n the fi re for

hours B r i m st on e wi l l h e l p c on s id e rab l y b ut e ve n
.
,
wi th th a t i t i s b e st t o l e t c ool a s S l owl y a s yo ur t im e
wi l l a dm i t .
H O W T O DR I L L H A RD S T EEL
F i rst , m a ke yo ur d r i l l o f g ood s t e el ov a l i n fo rm , ,
an d a l i t tl e h e a vi e r t h a n u sual on poin t a n d t e m p e r a s
‘
,
M O DER N B L A C K SM I T H I N G
h ar d aswi l l wi tho ut dr a win g the t e m p e r t he h e a t to

it ,
b e a l ow re d c h e r ry . D i l ut e d m u r i a ti c a c id i s a g ood
t hin g t o r o ugh e n t h e s ur fa c e wi th wh e re you w a n t t h e
hO l e .U s e ke r o s e n e in st e a d o f o il o r t ur p e n t in e
,
T he .
p res sure on the d ri l l s ho ul d be ste a d y S O t h a t i t wi l l

c ut r i g h t a l on g a s i t i s h ard t o s t a r t a g a in i f i t s t op s
c u t t in g b u t i f i t do e s a g a i n u s e di l ut e d m u r i a t i c a c id
, ,
.
T h e ho l e S ho u l d b e c l e a n e d a f t e r t h e u s e o f t h e a c id .
FA C T S A B O UT S T EEL
I h ave r e p e a te dl y w a r n e d a ga in st o ve rh e a t in g st ee l .
D on t h e a t t oo fa s t fo r i f i t i s a pi e c e o f a l a rg e d i m e n
’
s ion t h e o u t s id e c o r n e r s wi l l b e b ur n t whi l e t h e b a r i s
,
y e t t o o c oo l in s id e t o b e wo r ke d D o n .t l e t s t e e l
’
r e m a in for a n y l e n g t h o f t i m e in t he fi r e a t a hi g h h e a t ,
for b o t h s t e e l a n d i r on wi l l t h e n b e c o m e b r i t t l e T hi s .
i s suppo s e d by s o m e t o b e d ue t o th e fo r m a t ion O f O xid e

’
di sse m in a t e d t h r o ug h the m a ss of t he m e t al b ut m a n y ,
oth ers bel i eve t h a t a m o r e o r l e s s c ry stal l in e s t ru ctu r e

i s s e t u p u nd e r t h e infl u e n ce o f a s o ft e nin g h e a t a n d i s ,
the s o l e ca u s e O f the di m in u t ion I n s t r e n g t h a n d t e n a c

ity . T he fi b e r o f t he s te e l i s s poi l e d t h r o u g h ov e r
h e a t in g ; t hi s c a n t o s o m e e xte n t be r e m e di e d by
, ,
h e a vy forg in g if i t i s a he av y b a r ‘
S teel i s h a r d e r t o w el d t h a n i r on be cau se i t c on t a in s
,
l e s s C ind e r s a n d S l a g whi ch wi l l p r od uce a fu s i bl e fl u id

,
in i ron th a t wi l l m a ke i t w el d wi tho u t t r o ubl e S te e l .
c on t a in s fr o m 2 t o n t b on n d v i s in
5 p
2 e r c e c a r a ar e
,
q u al i t y a cc o r din g t o t he p e r c e n t o f c a r b on a n d i t i s ,
cl a i me d t h at th e re a re t we n ty di ff e re n t kind s O f s teel .
T O bl acks m i th s on l y a fe w kind s a r e kno wn a n d t he ,
s t u r dy s m i th di sc a r d s b o t h phy s i c a l te st s a n d c h e m “
i cal a n al y s i s a n d he thin ks h e know s j ust a s m uch a s

,
do t ho s e who w r it e v o l u m e s abou t th e se t e st s .
T O w el d t oo l s t eel o r st e e l of a hi gh p e r c e n t of c a r
,
bon b o ra x m us t b e u se d fr e el y t o p re ve n t b ur nin g a n d
,
p ro m o te fusin g S t e e l wi t h l e s s ca r b on or wh a t sm i t hs
.
,
s o ft s te e l s l e i gh s t e e l sho ul d b e w e l d e d wi t h
“ ” ” “
ca l l , ,
s a nd on l y T hi s s o ft s t e e l s t a nd s a hi gh e r h e a t t h a n
.
t h e h a r d er kind s .
G ood t oo l s te el wi l l b re a k e a sy wh e n c ol d if i t i s cu t
in t o a l i ttl e wi th a c ol d c hi se l al l ar o u nd a nd t heb a r ,
t h e n pl a ce d wi t h t he c u t o ve r t he hol e in th e a n vi l the ,
h e l p e r s tr i kin g di re ctl y ove r t he hol e I f i t i s g ood .
s te e l i t wi l l b r e a k e a s y a n d the b r o ke n e nd s ar e fi n e ,
g r a in O f a
,
l i gh t c o l o r I f i t S how s g l i s t
. e nin g o r l
g ti
t er in g q ua l i t i e s i t i s a b a d s i g n .
G ood s te el w i l l cr u m bl e u nd e r t he h a mm e r wh e n
whi te hot .
T o t e s t s teel d ra w o ut t o a S h a r p poin t h e a t t o a r e d ,
h e at c ool in sal t w a te r ; if i t cu ts gl a s s it i s a s t e e l o f
,
hi g h h a r d e nin g q ua l i t y .
F or a r m o r pi er c in g fr o gs t i l e s s a fe s a n d c r u s hin g
, , , ,
m a chin e ry a l l o y s t e el i s u se d
,
T hi s s te e l c on t a in s .
ch r o m i um m a n g a n e s e o r ni ckel whi ch r e nd e rs i t
, ,
in te n s el y h a r d T u n gs t e n is a no th e r a l l oy t h a t i s u se d
.
in ir on c utt in g t ool s be ca u s e i t doe s n ot l o s e i ts h a r d

-
,
n e ss by fri ction S m i t h s s ho u l d know m o r e a b o u t

.
s t e e l t h a n t h e y do a n d w e wo u l d h a ve s t e e l t o s ui t
,
e ve r y n e e d A s i t i s n ow a ny poo r s tu ff i s s e n t t o the
.
,
don e don m o un t t o a ny thin g S t il l , I h ave n ever

’
t a .
m e t a bl a cks m i t h ye t who c oul d n ot w el d ca st i ron,but,

a t the s a m e t i m e , I h a v e ye t t o m e et the m a n t h a t ca n
do i t ; a n d I wi l l g i ve t w e n ty fi ve dol l ar s t o t he sm i th
-
t h a t wi l l g i ve m e a r e c e ip t fo r we l din g c a s t i r on s ho e s -
t h at wi l l be u se ful wh en w e l d e d A l l re ce ip t s I h a ve
.
s e e n for t hi s p u r po se a r e S i m p l y b o sh .
M a l l e a b l e i r on i s a di ffe re n t t hin g M a n y s m i th s
.
w el d m a l l e abl e i r on a n d t hin k i t i s ca st i r on T he .
“
”
wi sh in s u ch a c a s e i s the fa t h e r O f the t hou gh t
,
”
,
“
,
b ut t o w e l d m a l l e a bl e i ron i s n ot m o r e di ffi c ul t t h a n t o
w e l d s o ft s te e l M al l e a bl e i ro n wh e n good a n d ste e l
.
,
wh e n s o ft a re a bo ut the s a m e t hin g I wo ul d t h er e
,
'
.
fore a dvi s e s m i th s t o s p e n d n o t i m e in w e l din g c a s t

i ron N o thin g wi l l b e g a in e d e v e n i f yo u shou l d s uc
.
c e e d i n s t i ckin g i t e no ug h t o h a ng t o g e t h e r I t wi l l in
.
m o s t c a se s be u sel e s s be cau s e i t w i l l n ot b e o f t he
,
s a m e s h a p e a s b e fo r e .
M O D ER N B L A C K SM I T H IN G 1 23
p u mp h a ndl e i s b r o ke n u se r o ck
s al t a nd powd e re d gl a ss
a s a w e l din g c o m po u nd .
S t i ck t he e nd s t o g e th e r in
t h e fi re . Wh e n th e y a r e
a bo ut r e a d y t o m e l t t ap
l i gh tl y on o n e e nd whi l e
y o u r h el p e r hol d s the
o th e r e n d s te a d y I n .
on e ca s e ou t of a h un
dre d i t wi l l s t i ck e no ugh
to h an g t o ge t her .
C A S E H A R D EN I N G
on an d s te e l m a y be ca se h ar d e n e d wi th Ei th er of
i
I r
t he fol l owin g co m po u nd s : Pr u ss i a t e o f po t a s h s a l ,
a m m oni a c o f e q u a l p ar t s . H e a t t he i r on r e d ho t a n d
S p rin kl e i t wi th t hi s c o m po u nd t h e n h e a t a a in a n d
, g
s p r in kl e a n d p l un e i t whi l e t h o t I n a ba t h O f sal t
, g y e
wat e r .
A no th e r : C ya nid e O f po t a ss i u m ; grind i t in t o a fi n e
powder a n d s p r in kl e ove r the i ron whi l e r e d hot a nd ,
p l u n g e in t o a b a t h O f s a l t w a t e r . T hi s powd e r wi l l ,
oa g ul a te h e l d a ga in s t the fi re so i t ge ts wa rm
if it i s .
B e c a r e fu l wi t h t hi s powd e r a s i t i s a s tr on g poi s on
,
.
I t i s t he be st t hing th a t I h a ve e v e r t r i e d for ca s e h a rd
e nin g i r on I t wi ll e a se h a r d e n the s o f te s t i r on S O t h a t
.
i t c a n no t b e t o u ch e d wi th a n y t ool I t i s a l s o g ood for

.
p l ow s e sp e ci al l y w he re i t is h a r d t o m ake a p l ow
, '
sco ur T he on l y O bj e ct ion i s t he pr i ce a s i t c o s t s m o r e
.
,
th a n p r u s si a t e O f po t a sh or o th e r h a r d e nin g co m
po unds
H O W T O H A R D EN S PR I N G S
H e ath e a t th a t wi l l be di s cern ed in the d a rk a s

to a
a l ow r e d h e a t Pl un g e in t o a b a th o f l u ke w a r m
.
w a te r S uch a h e a t ca nno t be no ti ce d in a l i g h t s unn y

.
d ay b ut it i s j u s t the be a t r e q u i re d
, .
A not h e r w ay : H e at t o a low re d h e at a n d b u ry the

s p r in g in c o l d s a nd A no t h er : H e a t t o a l ow re d h e a t
.
in the d ark a n d c ool in O il

,
.
T O M A K E S T EEL A N D I RO N A S WH IT E A S
SIL VER
T a ke 1 pound
h e s fr o m whi te a sh ba rk di s s ol v e
of a s ,
in s o f t w a te r H e a t your i r on re d a n d cool in t hi s
.
,
sol ut ion a nd the i ron w i l l t ur n w hi te a s S i l ve r

,
.
I 26 M O DERN B L A C K SM IT H I N G
TO WR I T E YO UR N A M E O N S T EEL
A K E of ni tr ic
ac id 4 0 28 .
mu r i a t i c a cid ,
oz M ix t o ge th e r
. .
N ow co v er the p l a c e
y o u wi s h t o w r i t e on
w i th b e e s w a x t h e ,
be e s w a x t o b e w a r m
when appl ied .
Wh e n i t i s c o l d ,
wr i te your n a m e
w i t h a s h a rp i n s t r u
me n t B e s ure t o w r i te
.
so th a t t he s t e e l i s di s
ce rn i bl e in t he n am e .
N ow a ppl y t he m ix tu r e
wi th a fe a t h e r w e l l fil l
,
ing e a ch l e t t e r L e t t he
.
m ix tu r e r e m a in a bo ut fiv e
m in ut e s or m o r e a c c o r din g
,
to the de p th d e s i r e d ; th e n w a s h O ff t he a c id ; w a t e r
wi l l s te p the p r o ce ss O f t he s a m e Wh en the w a x i s
.
re m o ve d t h e in scrip t ion i s p l ain

, .
C HA PT ER V III
H O W T O PA T C H A B O I L ER
B Y H . M O EN , M A C H IN I ST , C R ES C O ,
I O WA .
H EN the w e a k p l a ce in the
l e ak or
b oi l e r is fo und t a ke a r ippin g c hi s e l
,
a n d c u t O u t al l o f t he w e a k t hin a n d ,
c r a cke d p a rt s T hi s don e m a ke t h e
.
,
p a t ch T h e p a t c h m u s t b e l a r ge
.
,
n ot l e s s t h a n a n in ch l a p on a l l s id e s ,
but i f d o ubl e r ow s O f r i ve t s a re w a n t e d the l a p

S ho ul d be t w o in ch e s on a l l sid e s B e ve l o r s cr a p e the
.
p a t ch on al l e d g e s t o a l l ow c a l ki ng T he b e l t ho l e s .
sho ul d be a b o u t t wo in c h e s a p a rt a nd c o u n te r s u n k for
p a t ch bo l ts i f p a t ch b ol ts a re u se d N e x t d r i l l t wo
,
.
,
hol e s in t he boi l e r S h el l on e on e a ch S id e o f the p a tc h

, ,
a n d p u t in t he b o l t s T h e s e b o l ts s ho ul d b e p u t in t o
.
s t a y a n d ho l d the p a t c h in po s i t ion whi l e t he r e s t of
t he ho l e s a r e d r i l l e d a n d b o l te d Wh e n the b o l ts a re
.
al l in t a ke y o ur w r e n ch a n d t i h t e n t he b o l ts on e a ft e r
, g
the o t h e r h a r d er a nd h ar d e r s t ri kin g a t the s a m e
, ,
t i m e on t he p a t ch ar o u n d it s e d ge s A t l a st stri ke .
l i gh t on th e b ol t h e a d s wh e n you t i g h t e n a n d d ra w t he
bo l t un t i l i ts h e a d bre aks O ff T h e s e b o l ts a re m a d e
.
1 27
for t hi s pu r po se a n d in s uch h a p e th a t the h e a d w il l

a S
b r e ak a t a hi gh s t ra in T . hi s don e u se the cal kin g

i r on o n d t he p a t ch
al l a r u .
T he p a tch s ho ul d b e p u t on the in s id e o f t he b oi l e r ,
e sp e c i al l y if on th e b o t t o m O f a ho r izon t a l b oi l e r If .
the p a tch i s put on th e o ut si de i n thi s p l a ce the se di

m e n t o r s ol id m a tt e r whi c h t he wa t e r c on ta in s wi l l
q u i c kl y fill up o ver the p a tch a n d t h e re i s d an g e r O f
o ve rh e at in g the b oi l e r a n d a n e xp l o s i on m a y fol l ow .
H O W T O PU T I N FL UE S
T he t oo l s n ece ss a r y to fi rs t
r e t u be a n O l d b oi l e r a re , ,
a g ood e xp a nd e r O f th e p r op e r s i z e ; a r o l l e r e xp a nd e r
p re fe rre d ; a cr ow foo t or c al kin g i r on m a d e fro m good

‘
tool s t e e l A cutt in g O ff t oo l c an be m a d e t o do v er y
.
-
T UB E T O B E W EL D D
E
g oo d se rv ce ,i
in the fol l owin g m a nn e r : T a ke a pi e ce
o f st e e l s ay
,
x a b o u t t e n in ch e s l o n g D ra w o n e .
e n d o u t t o a sh a r p poin t a n d b e nd t o a r i gh t a n gl e O f a
l e n g t h j us t e no ugh to l e t i t p a s s in s id e O f t he fl u e t o be
cu t . A g a s pip e c an b e u s e d for a h a nd l e I n c u tt i n g .
the fl ue s s e t t hi s t ool j u s t in sid e t he fl u e S h e e t a n d

p r e s s down on t he ha nd l e I f t hi s t oo l i s p rop e rl y
.
m a d e i t c u t s the O l d fl ue s out w i th e a s e A f te r b o t h .
e nd s h a ve bee n c ut the fine s w i l l co me ou t .

1 3 0 M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G
on o th er r un th r o ug h the flu e wi l l b e fo und h a ndy

t he ,
for hol din g th e pip e s or li n e s t og e t h e r I n w e l din g .
th e se t o g e th e r don t t a ke t h e m ou t o f t he fi re a n d
’
s t r i ke wi t h a h a m m e r b u t t a ke a r o d
,
in c h r o und -
,
a n d b e nd o n e e n d t o s e r v e a s a h a mm e r S tr i ke wi th .
t hi s h a m m e r l i g h tl y ov e r t he l a p a t t he s a m e t i m e ,
t u r nin g th e fl u e a r o u nd in t h e fi r e U s e b o r a x t o p re
.
ve n t t h e fl u e fr o m s ca l in g a n d b u r nin g .
FO A M I N G IN B O I L ER S
Th er e a re m a ny r e a s on s fo r fo a m in g in b oi l e r s b ut ,
the chi e f r e a s on i s di r ty w a te r I n s o m e ca se s i t is
.
im p e r fe ct c on s t r u c t ion o f b oi l e r s uch a s in su ffi c i e n t
,
r oo m for t he st e a m a n d a t oo s m a l l s t e a m pip e o r do m e .
. Wh e n a b oi l e r i s l a rge e no ugh for the st e a m a n d cl e a n

w a te r i s u se d t h e re i s 11 0 d a n ge r of fo a m in g Wh e n .
m or e w a te r i s e va po ra te d th a n th e re i s st e a m r oo m o r
h e a tin g su r fa ce for th e n the b oi l e r wi ll fo a m Wh e n
,
.
a b oi l e r i s o ve r w o r ke d m o re s t e a m t h a n i t s c a p a c i ty
will a d m i t i s re q ui r e d a n d the e n g in e i s r un a t a hi gh
,
S p e e d th e s t e a m wi l l c a r r y wi t h i t m o r e w a t e r th a n
,
u sual .
Wh e n a b oi l e r fo a m s S h ut
h r o ttl e p ar t l y t o
th e t
c h e ck t h e o u t flow of s t e a m a n d l e sse n t he s u ct ion o f
w a ter b e ca use the w a t e r i s s ucke d u p a n d fol l ow s the

,
s id e s of t h e do m e u p .
I f t h e s t e a m pip e in th e do m e st i cks t h ro u g h the

fl a n ge a fe w in ch e s t he w a te r wi ll n ot e s ca p e S O e a sy .
A b oi l e r th a t i s in cl in e d t o f o a m S ho u l d n ot b e fi ll e d
M O DER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G 1 3!
too ful l w i th di rt y w a te r ; if i t i s i t i s be s t t o bl o w o ff a
l i t tl e
. F o ul w a t e r c a n b e cl e a n e d b y di ff e r e n t m e t h
o ds b e f o r e i t e n t e r s t he b oi l e r s o a s t o p r e ve n t f o a m
,
in g an d scal in g .
B L O WI N G O UT T H E B O I L ER
A b oi l e r s ho ul d n ot b e b l ow e d
nd e r a hi g h
ou t u
s t e a m p r e s s ur e b e ca u s e the c h a n g e i s s o s u dd e n th a t
,
it h a s a t e nd e n c y t o c on t r a c t t he i r on a n d if r e p e a t e d
,
o fte n the b oi l er wi ll l e a k I f i t i s don e wh e n t h e r e i s

.
br i ckwo r k a r o u nd t he b oi l e r a n d the s a m e i s h o t i t wi l l
in a s ho rt t i m e r u in t he b oi l e r I n su ch a c a se the.
boi l e r s ho ul d n ot b e bl ow e d o ut for h ours a fte r you

h ave cea sed fi r i ng .
D ES I G N A N D T R EA T M E N T O F H O I S T I N G
H O O K S
T he on s t ruct ion a nd t reat m en t o f a h o o k in t e n d ed

c
for a c ra n e o r hoi s t invo l v e s a p r o bl em d e s er vin g o f

ca r e ful c on s id e r a t ion T hi s fa c t ha s i m p r e ss e d i t s e l f
.
upon t he w ri t er fr o m his exp e r i en ce in l aw s u i t s a r i s in

g
fron d am age s ca us ed by t he fa i l ure o f a d e fe c t iv e
Il ool l
T o ma ke a hoo k s a fe fo r t he p urpo se fo r whi ch it i s
in ten d ed tw o i mpo rt a n t req ui s i t es mus t be ful fi ll ed
1 C o rre ct d es i gn
. .
2 P rop e r t r e a t m e n t
.
.
T he d e s i gn is guid ed t o a l a rg e ex t en t by t h e s e rvi c e
~
whi ch the hook i s t o p erfo rm ; t h at i s , w heth er the

31a M O DE R N B L A CK SM IT H IN G
hoo k wi l l be s ubj ect e d t o hi gh o r l ow , fre q u en t o r ra r e

s t re s s es a n d wh e t h e r t he hoo k is l i kel y t o be l o a d e d
,
a bov e i t s no rm a l c a p a c i t y .
H oo ks on s m a l l c ra n e s a n d hoi s t s , of abo ut 2 t o 3
t on s c ap a c i t y , m a y be l o a d ed t o ful l ca p a ci t y s e v e r a l
’
t i m es ev e ry day ; whi l e hoo ks on c r an e s o i 5 0 t on s

’ '
ca p a c i ty m a y c a r r y ful l l o a d a t r em o t e in t e r v a l s on l
y .
D ue t o t he r ep ea t e d s t re s ses on s m all hoo ks o ccur ,
r in g, po s s i bl y u nd e r ex t r e m e t em p e ra t u r es t he hoo k
, ,
m a y be co m e fat i g u ed a n d l i a bl e t o br eak I t i s , t h ere .
fo r e a dvi s a bl e t o ke ep t he s t re s s e s l ow in c o m p a r a
,
t iv e l y s m a ll hoo ks t o p r ovi de a fa c t o r o f s a fet y .
T hi s p r e ca ut ion c a n re a di l y be o bs e rv e d wi t h hoo ks
fo r s m a l l l o ad s , a s t he s iz e wo ul d s ca rc el y r end er t h em
u nwi e l dy B ut a s t he s iz e o f t he hoo k in c re a s e s i t
.
b ec o m e s n ec e s s a ry t o in cr ea s e t he s t r e s s ; t h at is , t he
l o a d p er s q u a r e in c h o r c r o s s s e ct ion in o rd er to ,
a void t he c on s t r u c t ion o f a c l u m s y hoo k A hi gh .
s t r e s s i s p e r m i s s i bl e wi t h hi gh l o a d s b ec a u s e t h ey a r e
a pp l i e d t o t he hoo k l es s fr e q u e n t l y t h a n in t h e c a se
o f s m a l l hoo ks a n d l i gh t l o a d s W e m ay c on s id er a .
s t r es s o f l bs p e r s q in a s s a fe fo r a 5 0 t o n
. . .
-
hoo k a s a s t res s of l bs p er s q in on a 1 0 t o n . . .
-
hoo k .
T he m a t er i a l fo r a hoo k m ay be o r din a ry s t e el , ca s t
s t e e l o r w r o u gh t i r on ; d ep e ndin g on t he l o a d t he hoo k
i s t o c a r ry Fo r s m al l l o a d s wh er e a hoo k o f a m p l e
.
s iz e y e t n o t bul ky , c a n b e c on s t ru c t e d c a s t s t e e l m ay
, ,
be u s e d B u t fo r h e a vy l o a d s a d uc t i l e m a t e r i al hav
.
,
in g p ra ct i ca l l y t he s a m e e l a s t i c l i m i t for co m p r es s ion
a n d t e n s ion s ho ul d be s e l e ct ed
,
.
M r F A W al d r on fo r m a ny y e a r s c onn e ct e d wi th
. . .
,
t he m a n u fa ct u rin g o f hoo ks in t he wo r ks o f t he Y a l e
T own e M fg C o m a d e ca r e ful o bs e r v a t ion s wi th
. .
,
di ff er en t m a t e r i a l s a n d his c on cl u s ion is t h a t t he on ly
, ,
r el i abl e m a t e r i a l for ho oks is a hi gh grad e p udd l ed

1 3I c M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H I N G
t h an to d ep en d on t h e o r et i ca l co m put at ion s I n the .
l a t t er m e t hod c ondi t ion s a r e a s s u m e d whi c h a r e h a r d

,
l y e v e r r e a l iz ed in a c t u a l p r a c t i ce I t is t h e re fo re .
, ,
a bs u rd t o a im a t m a t h em at i c a l p r e c i s ion a t t he exp e n s e
o f r el i a bi l i t y
.
T he ex a ct a n a l y s i s o f t he s t r e s s es in a hoo k is ba s ed
on t he t h eo ry o f c urv e d bea m s I n t he t h eo ry of .
s t r a i gh t b ea m s it i s a s s u m e d t h a t a ny c r o s s s e ct ion
w hi ch i s a p l a n e s e c t ion be fo re fl ex ur e wi l l r e m a in a
p l a n e s ect ion a ft er fl ex ur e a n d th a t t he d e fo rm a t ion
,
FI G . 2— T H E H O O K C O N S I DE R E D A B EA M WI T H T H E
L O A D A T P
i s p ropo rt ion al t o t he s t res s T he a n al y s i s o f a c u rv ed

.
-
be a m i s b a s e d on t he s a m e a s s um p t ion T h e r e i s how .
,
e v er , o n e i m po rt a n t di s t in c t ion whi ch ha s b e e n br o ugh t
out by r e c e n t inv e s t i ga t ion s .
C on s id er a s t ra i gh t bea m l o ad ed t r a n sv ers el y wi th
a l o a d P , a s s hown by F ig 2 O ri gin a l l y , t he fi bers
. .
—
bet w e e n t he cr o s s s ec t ion s a b c d a n d a b c d w ere
’ -
’ ’ ’
- - - -
o f t he s a m e l e n gt h W h en l o a d ed t he fi be rs in the
.
,
—
s t ri p b c b c,
’ ’-
a r e s ubj ec t ed t o c o m p r es s ion ; a n d t he
fi be r s in t he s t rip a d a d a re un d er t en sion ; co use

-
’
,
’
-
M O DER N B L A CK SM IT H IN G I 3I d
q ue t ln y t he upper fi ber s wi l l s ho rt en a n d t he l ow e r
,
fi bers wi l l l en gt h en S o m ewh e re be t w e e n b c b c .
-
,
’
-
’
an d a d a d t h e r e m u s t exi s t a l a y e r o f fi be r s whi c h
’ ’
- -
, ,
h a v e n e i th e r s ho rt en e d n o r el on ga t ed T he int"e r s e c .
” ” ”—
t ion o f t hi s l a y e r wi t h t h e s e c t ion a b c d ( t h e - -
po s i t ion o f a b —c d wh en t he bea m i s l o a d ed ) is a
’- ’ ’
-
’
”
s t ra i gh t l in e ( e f) c a l l e d t he n e ut r a l a xi s whi ch fo r “
, ,
s t r a i gh t bea m s c oin c i d e s wi t h t he g r a vi t y a xi s o f t he
c r o s s s ect ion .
I n a cu rv ed b ea m t he n e u t ra l a xi s x—y F ig 1 d o es , , .
,
n o t c oin c id e wi t h t he g ra vi t y a xi s x y F i g 1 bu t
’ ’
-
, , .
,
fal l s s o m ewh e r e be t w ee n t he g r a vi ty a xi s a n d t he t e n
s ion s i d e o f t h e hoo k T hi s i s du e t o t he fa ct t h a t t he
.
fi be r s on t he c onv ex s id e o f t he h o o k a re l on g er t h a n
t ho se on t he c on c a v e s id e a n d t h e r efo r e r eq u i r e l e s s ,
s t re s s t h a n t he s ho r t e r fi ber s fo r t he s am e a m o u n t o f
defo rm a t ion .
T he app l i c at ion o f t he t h e o ry o f c u rv ed bea m s is

s o m ewh a t c o m p l i c a t e d fo r p r a c t i c a l p u rpo s e s an d a ,
s i m p l e r fo rm c a n be u s e d ; p r ovi d e d t h a t c a r e i s t a ken
in a s s i gnin g t he l i m i t s o f st r e s s R e ferr in g t o F ig 1 . .
,
a s s u m e t he b e a m wi t h a l o a d P T he m o s t d a n ge r o u s .
s e c t ion is e vid en t l y a l on g X Y ; i t i s a ct e d u pon by a

, ,
-
di r e ct t en s ion s t re s s ( f P/ A ) a n d a fl ex u r e s t re s s
’ ’
”
( )
f du e t o t h e b e n d in g m o m e n t ( P X a ) ; t he c o m
”
b i n e d s t r e s s i s t he s u m o f f a n d f L e t f r ep r e s en t
’ ‘
t he c o m bin ed s t r e s s ;
t h en f
A ’
I
in wh ich A is the area o f the cr o s s s ect ion e t he dis
’
,
t a n c e o f t he n e ut ra l a xi s fr o m t he t en s ion s id e a n d I ,
t he m o m e n t o f in e rt i a o f t he s ect i on a bo ut t he n e u t r a l
a x1 s .
I f t he m at er i al ha s , p ra ct i ca ll y t he m e el a s t i c l i m i t
‘
,
sa
M O DER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G
/
1 3t e
fo r c o mp r e s s ion a n d t en s ion , t he n e ut ra l a xi s n e ed s n ot
be fa r fr o m t he g ra vi t y axi s ; o t h e r wi s e , it is a dvi s a bl e
t o d i s t ri but e t he m e t a l m o r e t ow a r d t he t en s ion s id e .
T he m o s t r el i abl e d a t a on t he c on s t ruct ion o f hoo ks ,

r e s ul t in g fr o m ex t e n s iv e e xp e r i m en t al a n d m a t he m a t
i ca l inv es t i ga t ion s , i s th a t giv e n by M r H en ry R . .
T own e in his t r eat i s e on c ra n e s .
T he fo ll owin g fo rm ul a e fo r d et e rm inin g t he dim en

s ion s o f t he v a r io u s po rt ion s wi l l iv t h t est
g e e g r e a
r e s i s t a n c e t o S p r e a din g a n d r up t u r e t h a t t he o ri in al
g
ba r wi l l p e rm i t . R e fe rrin g a ga in t o F ig 1 :
.
D . 5 A
H A
L A
U . 88 6 A
G . 75 D
F 33 A 85
I A
J A
K A
E 64 A
Q 0 4 A 1 6
I n t he abo v e fo rm ul a e t he di m e n s ion s a re in in ch es
A i s t he l o a d in t on s o f lbs .
H a vin g di s c u s s ed , t o s o m e ex t en t , t he d e s i g n o f t he
'
hoo k, w e m ay now c on s i d e r t he ca re whi ch s ho ul d at

t en d t he m a kin g o f a hoo k . A s a l r ea dy m e n t ion e d ,
t he w ri t er on s e v er a l o c ca s ion s g a v e exp ert t e s t i m ony
on l a w s ui t s befo re t he c o urt a ri s in g f r o m in j u ri es i n
c u r r ed a n d d a m a ge s c a u s e d by t he fa i l u re o f d e fect iv e
hoo ks .
T o inv es t i gat e t he s ubj ect t ho ro ugh l y , a s eri es o f

c a reful exp e r i m en t s w e r e m a d e t o d e t e r m in e how a
hoo k s ho ul d be m a de t o in s ur e r e a s on abl e s a fet y and

fa c i l i t a t e t he l o c a t ion o f r es pon s i bi l i t y in ca s e of
fa i l ure .
C HA PT ER I X
T H E H O RS E
H E hor se m u st h a ve be e n on e o f t he
fi rs t a ni m al s subj e cte d t o the use
o f m a n but t h e r e i s no r e c o r d m a d e
,
of it b e fo r e the t i m e of J o s e ph du r ,
in g t he g re a t fa m in e i n E g y p t wh e n ,
J o se ph ex ch a n ge d bre a d for ho rse s .
D u r in g t he e xod us ho r s e s w er e u se d
m o re e x t e n si v e l y a n d in con se q u e n t w a r s we find t he
,
ho r s e use d e s p e ci a ll y by gre at m e n a n d h e r o e s T hi s
no bl e a ni m a l ha s a l wa y s b e e n h e l d m hi gh e st e e m by
c i vi l iz e d p e opl e. I n w a r s a n d jo ur n e y s a n d e xpl oi t s ,
a s w el l a s fo r t r a n s po r ts the ho r s e i s o f i m m e a sur a bl e
,
v al u e. N o p e op l e ca r e d for a n d l o ve d t hi s a ni m al a s
did t he A r a b s T he c a r e a n d b re e din g of hor se s w a s
.
t h e i r m a in o c c up a t ion t h e re fo r e t h e i r ho r se s w e re
,
no te d for in t el l i ge n ce hi gh s p e e d a n d e nd u ra n ce
,
.
T h e E n gl i sh a n d A m e ri c a n t ho r o ugh b r e d h a s a n
in fu s ion of bl ood o f the A r ab ho r se whi ch h a s s e t t he ,
p r i ce on th e se a ni m al s Pe di gre e s we re fi rs t e sta b
.
l i s h e d b y th e A r a bs .
E a ch c o u n t r y has i ts own bre e d of ho r s e s . H o r se s

1 32
of a c ol d cl i m a t e a r e s m a l l e r in s iz e a s a l s o a r e t he
,
ho r se s o f t he t r opi c s T he b e s t ho r s e s a re fo u nd in
.
t h e t e m p e r a t e zon e. I n G er m a n y t he ho r s e s a re l a r ge,
w e ll fo r m e d a n d s tr ong N or w ay a n d S w e d e n h ave a
.
FI G .
3 .
ra ce of l i ttl e ho r s e s a n d n ot un t i l a few y ea r s ag o did

,
t he p e op l e of th e se c o un t r i e s kno w a n y thi n g a bo u t
p e di gre e s ; t h e i r ho rse s a re spir i te d a n d s t ron ge r in
o
p p r o r t i o n t o th e s iz e t h a n a n y o th e r r ace of ho r s e s .
I n S w e d e n a n d N o rw a y th e fa rm e r wi th wi fe a n d
,
chi l d re n,
w i l l wal k m an y m i l e s S u n d ay t o ch urch .
1 34 M O DERN B L A C K SM I T H IN G
w hi l e hor se s r o a m in the p a s ture or sta nd in the

the
s t a bl e S om e fa rm e rs wi l l n o t hi r e out t h e i r t e a m for
.
m on e y T he ho r se s of t h e s e c o un t ri e s are be tt er t aken
'
FI G .
51 .
—O
T E A N D S I DE WEI GH T AN D PL A IN RA C I N G PL A T ES , A S
M A N UFA CT U R ED B Y B RY D EN H O RS E SH O E C O .
c a r e ofh a n a nywhe r e e l se of c ou rse w i th

t ,
the e x ce p
t ion of A m e r i ca n r a ce ho r se s .
H O R S E- S H O E I N G
T he hor se in a wi l d s t at e n e e d s no sho e s t he w e a r ,
a n d t e ar t h a t t h e fe e t a r e s ubj e c te d t o whi l e t he ho rs e
i s h u n t in g fo r hi s food in a wi l d c o u n tr y on s o ft m e a d
ow s i s j u s t r i gh t t o ke e p t he hoo fs down in a no r m a l
,
c ondi t ion B ut wh e n t h e ho r s e i s in bond a g e a n d m u st

.
s e r ve a s a bur d e n ca r ry in g a ni m a l t r av e l in g on h a r d
-
,
1 3 6 M O D ER N B L A C K SM I T H IN G
al l ow ho rse sho e r t o p a s s a n e x am in a t ion merel y

a ny -
b e ca u se he ca n a n s w e r the q u e st ion s p u t t o hi m in
r e g a rd t o th e a n a t o m y of t he ho r se for a s I ha v e sa i d ,
be fo r e t h e se n a m e s a re e a s i l y l e ar n e d b ut p r a c t i cal
,
-
,
FI G . 53 .
-T 0E A N D SI D E W EI G H T A N D
”
P L A IN RA C I N G PL A T ES , A s
M A N U FA C T UR E D B Y B RY D EN H O R S E S H O E co .
ho rs e shoe ing i s n ot l e a r n e d in ho u rs ; i t t ake s ye a r s of

-
s t u d y a n d p r a c t i ce .
I t i s n ot m y in te n t ion t o t re a t on t hi s subj e c t I coul d .
n ot ; fi r st b e ca u se t h e r e i s n ot r oo m f o r s uch a di s
,
c o ur s e s e c ond t h e r e a r e n u m e ro u s b oo ks on the s u b
, ,
b h n I o l d w r i te a va i l a bl e t o e ve ry
j e ct e tt e r t a c u ,
ho r s e S ho e r
- h al l on l y g1 ve a fe w n ame s of s uch
. I s
p a r t s o f t he a n a t o m y a s i s e ss e n t i a l t o kno w W ha t .
the ho r s e S ho er w a n t s t o know i s t h e p ar t s of t h e foo t

-
c onn e c t e d wi t h t he hoo f a s hi s w o r k i s c onfin e d s ol el y

,
t o th e foo t .
FI G .
54 —. T O E A N D SI D E WE I G H T A N D PL A I N RA C I N G PL A T ES , A S
M A N U FA CT U R E D BY B R Y D E N H O RS E S H O E C 0 .
T H E WA L L
T he wa l l or ho r n y sh e ath in ca s ing the

c ru s t i s t he
e n d o f t he foo t in th e fr on t a n d on the S id e s f r o m t he
,
c o r on e t t o th e g r o u nd I t i s t h r ough t hi s cr us t the
.
n a i l i s d r i v e n an d i t i s u pon thi s c ru s t t he sho e re s t s

,
.
I n fr on t i t i s d e e p e s t t ow a r d s the q u a r t e r a n d h e e l i t
,
b e c o m e s t hinn e r I t i s o f e q ua l t hi ckn e s s fr o m t he
.
u pp e r e n d t o t he o nd r o m t op t o b o tt o m )
g r u ( f T h e .
whi te c orore d wal l i s the poo re s t whi l e the i r on col ,
ore d w al l i s the t o ugh e st T he gr ow th o f t he w al l i s

.
I 38 M O DER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G
di ffe re n t at d i ffe rent a ge s I t grow s m o re in a y oun g

.
hors e a nd co l t t h a n in a n ol d ho rse ; in a h e al thy foot

a n d s o ft th a n in a di se a se d foo t a n d h a r d
,
I n a yo u n g .
ho rse th e hoo f wi l l gr ow a b o ut th re e in ch e s in a ye a r
a n d e v e n m o r e whi l e i t g r ow s l e s s in a n ol d ho r s e
,
.
T he w al l i s fi b r o us t he fi be rs g oin g p ar al l e l to e ach
,
o th e r fr o m t he co r onet t o the gr o und .
T H E SO L E
T he ho rn y s o l e i s the b o t t o m of the f oo t T hi s s ol e .
i s fi br o u s l i ke t he w al l T he s o l e i s t hi cke s t a t t he
.
b o rd er wh e r e i t c onn e ct s wi t h t he wal l a n d t hinn e s t

, ,
a t the ce n t e r T he s o l e wh e n in a h e al t h y c ondi t ion

.
s cal e s o ff in fl a ke s T hi s s cal e i s a g uid e t o t he farr i er

.
wh er eb y h e c a n t el l how m u ch t o p are o ff T h e r e are .
di ffe r e n t O pinion s in r e ga r d to the p a r in g o f the s o l e ,
b ut t h a t i s u nn ec e ss ar y for n a t ur e wi l l t e l l how m u ch
,
t o c ut o ff in a h e a l t hy f oo t I n a di s e a se d foo t i t i s
.
di ffer e n t ; t h e n the ho r s e sho e r m ust us e hi s own g ood

-
j udgm e n t I t i s how e v e r in ve r y fe w ca se s tha t t he

.
, ,
s ho e r n e e d s to do m o r e th a n j u s t cl e a n the s o l e .
N a tur e do e s t he s ca l in g o ff o r p a r in g bu s in e ss b e tt e r
, ,
th a n a ny fa rr i e r .
T H E FR O G
T he f r o g i s S i t u at e d h e e l a n d ba ck p a rt o f the
at t he
hoo f wi thin th e b a r s ; t he poin t e x te ndin g t ow a r d s t he
,
c e n t e r o f t he s ol e i t s b a s e fi l l in g up t he S p a ce l e ft
,
b e t w ee n t h e i nfl e c t ion of t he w a l l T hi s b od y i s a l so .
fi b r ou s T he fr og i s ve ry e l a s t i c a n d i s e v ide n tl y
.
d e si g n e d for c on ta ct wi th t he gr o u nd a n d for t he pr e ,
v e n t i on of j ar s 1 n u r1 ous t o t he l i m bs
j .
11 40 M O D ERN B L A C K SM I T H I N G
toe . B ef re o th e t o e c al k is d r i ve n on t o
ho e b end th e S
i t a l i ttl e so a s t o gi v e i t t h e s a m e c u rve t he s ho e ha s ,
a nd th e co r n e r s o f t h e c al k wi l l n ot s t i ck ou t ov e r t he
e dge of t h e s ho e N ow p l a ce t h e sho e in the fi r e ca l k

.
,
up . H e a t t o a g ood l ow w el di ng h e at a n d u se s a nd ,
for w el din g c o m po u nd D on t t ake t he S ho e o ut of the

’
.
fi re t o dip i t in the s a nd a s m o st s ho e rs do fo r you , ,
wi l l t h e n cool i t off b y di gg in g in the col d s and of ,
whi ch you wi l l ge t t oo m uch on the inn e r s ide of the

c al k T he s a m e wi l l i f al l ow e d t o s t a y m a ke the c al k
.
, ,
l ook r o ug h You wi l l al s o h a ve t o m ake a n e w p l a ce

.
f or the sho e in th e fir e whi ch wi l l t ake u p a g ood d e al

,
of t i m e a s the n e w p l a ce i s n ot a t on ce s o h ot a s the
,
p l a ce fro m whi ch the sho e was t a ke n ; be sid e s t hi s ,
y o u m i gh t t e a r t h e c a lk o ff a n d l o s e i t W h e n h ot .
g i v e a c o u p l e o f g oo d b l ow s on t h e c a l k a n d t h e n d ra w
i t ou t D on t hol d the h eel s of t he S ho e t oo cl o se t o
.
’
t he a nvi l wh e n you d r a w o ut th e cal k for i f you do the ,
c a l k wi ll s t a nd u nd er a n d i t s ho ul d be a t a r i gh t a n g l e
,
wi th t he s ho e D o n ot d r a w i t ou t t oo l on g a s i s
.
,
m o s t l y don e Pu n ch the hol e fr om t he u pp e r s id e

.
fi r st M a n y firs t cl a s s ho rse sho ers p un ch on l y fro m

.
- -
t h a t s id e whi l e m o st s ho er s p u n ch fr o m b o t h s id e s
,
.
T h ere i s n o n e e d o f h e a tin g th e s ho e fo r p u n chin g

t he hol e s Pun c h t he hol e s n e x t t o the h e e l fi r st for
.
,
i f yo u p un ch the hol e s n e x t t o the t oe wh e n the S ho e i s _
hot the p un ch wil l b e hot up s e t a n d be n t

,
I f it is a
,
.
l a r g e sho e p u n ch on l y t w o hol e s on e a ch s id e for the

,
t oe c a l k h e a t T h e s e hol e s t o b e the hol e s n e x t to t he

.
t oe wh e n t h e S ho e i s h ot a n d th e n p u n ch t he o t h e r t w o
,
wh e n you dra w out the h e el cal ks a nd the sh oe i s hot ,

M O DERN B L A C K SM IT H IN G 1 4!
at t he h e el . T he h ee l
ho ul d be a s s ho r t a s you
c a l ks S
ca n m a ke t h e m ; a nd s o s ho ul d t he t oe c a l ks I kno w .
but a fe w ho r s e sho e r s t h a t a re a bl e to w e l d on a t oe
-
c a l k g ood . T he r e a s on for th e i r in a b i l i t y i s l a ck of
e xp e r i e n ce in g e n e r a l bl a cks m i t hin g M o s t s ho e.r s
kno w n ot how t o m a ke a fi re t o w e l d in T h e y a r e t oo
.
s tin g y a b o u t t he c o a l ; t r y t o w e l d in di rt a n d c ind e r s ,
wi t h a l ow fire t he sho e a l m o st t o uchin g t he t uye r

,
i r on I a d vi se a l l ho r s e sho er s to re a d m y a rt i cl e
.
-
a b o u t the fi r e .
I h ave m a d e a h a m m e r S p e ci al l y for ho r se s ho e in g -
wi t h a p e e n di ff e re n t fr o m o th e r h am m e rs Wi t h t hi s .
h am m e r t he b e g inn e r wil l h av e no t r o ubl e in d ra wi n g

ou t t he cal ks S e e F i g ur e 8 N o 8
. T he h a mm e r s a s
,
. .
now u se d by m o s t s m i th s are S hor t and cl um s y ; th e y

in t erfe re too m uch wi th t he a ir a n d g i ve a bu m p ,
i n s te a d o f a sh ar p c ut tin g bl o w t h a t w ill st i ck t o t he
ca l k .
T he ho e s ho ul d b e so sh a p e d a t t he h eel a s t o g i ve
S
-
p l e n t y of r oo m for the fr og ; the h e el s t o b e S p re a d ou t

a s wid e a s po s s i bl e T hi s i s i m po r t an t f or i f t h e s ho e
.
,
i s wid e b e t w e e n t he h e e l s t he ho r se wi ll s t a n d m o re
fi rm a n d i t wi l l b e t o him a c o m fo r t a bl e s ho e
,
T he .
sho e S ho ul d n ot be w i d e r b e t w e e n th e c al ks a t t he
e xp e n s e of s a m e a s i s don e by s o m e s ho e r s fo r
, ,
thi s i s on l y a h al f c a l k a n d t h e h e el i s no wid er
,
T he .
s ho e S ho ul d not b e fi tt e d t o t h e f oo t wh e n h ot a s i t ,
w i l l inj ure t he hoo f i f i t i s bur n e d t o t he foot .

H O W T O P R E PA R E T H E FO O T FO R T H E
SH O E
T he f oo t S houl d no ma t t er w h a t t h e fa ul t i s
b e l e ve l ,
wi th t he ho rs e T he hoof sho ul d n ot b e cut down
.
m o re t h a n t he l oo s e s c al e s wi l l a l l ow I n a h e al t hy .
c ondi t ion t hi s s c a l e i s a g u id e Wh e n t h e foo t i s di s

.
e a se d i t i s di ff e re n t a n d t he s ho e r m u st u se hi s own
,
j ud g m e n t .
T he fr o g n eve r g row s t oo l a rge I t sho ul d n e v er be

.
t r i m m e d m o re t h a n j ust t o r e m ov e a n y l oo s e s c a l e s .
T he f r o g in i t s fu n c t ion s i s v e ry i m po r t an t t o th e
We l l b e in g of t h e foo t
-
I n the u n s hod foo t i t p r oj e cts
.
be yond th e l e v e l o f t he s ol e a l w a ys in c on t a c t wi t h t he
,
g r o u nd ; i t o b v i a t e s c on c u ss ion ; s uppo r t s t h e t e ndon s
p re v e n t s fal l s a n d c on tr act ion T he ba r s a r e a l so of

.
i m po r ta n ce bra cin g the hoo f a n d sho ul d n e v e r b e cut

, ,
down a s h a s b e e n the p ra ct i ce for c ent uri e s by igno ~
r ant ho r se s h oer s
-
.
1 44 M O DER N BL A C KS M I T H I N G
increase it in fro nt . T h e re a re di ff eren t i dea s ab uo

the re medy for t hi s fa ult .
O ne method i s ho e h eavy fo rwa rd and li ght be

to S
hin d but thi s i s in my j udgmen t a poo r id ea al thougk

, ,
I t mi gh t h el p in s o me ca ses A no th er way is to S ho e
.
RI G H T FI T T I N G TO E TI P WRO N G FI T T I N G
with S i de w eight on the o uter side behind but it is not ,
sa fe becaus e it i s di ffi cul t t o get a ho r s e to th r ow the

,
foo t out to on e S id e eno ugh so a s to p a ss by t he fro nt

foo t ex cept in a hi gh t ro t .
T he best w ay to sho e a fo rger o r o ve rreachin g

ho r s e is to make a sho e for front o f medi um h eft not ,
l onger th an j ust wh at is n eed ed T he toe calk sho uld .

M O DER N B L A C KS M IT H I N G 1 45
be at inn er w eb of the S ho e o r no toe cal k at a ll

the , ,
o r t oe w ei gh t to m ake the ho r s e r each fa r th e r

, ,
.
I t wi ll s o m eti m es be fo und th a t the hind foo t i s

sho rt e r th an the fr on t foo t T o find thi s o ut m ea su r e
.
,
fro m t he co ron et to t he en d o f the toe T he S ho rt er .
the foo t the q ui cke r it brea ks ov e r I f it is fo und th at .
the hind foo t i s sho rte r th an the fron t foo t th en the ,
sho e S ho u l d be m ad e s o th a t it wi l l m ake up fo r thi s .
L et the S ho e sti ck out on the toe eno ugh to m ake t he

foo t of eq ual len gt h wi th the fron t foo t I t is w el l in .
a ny ca s e o f forg in g t o m ake t he hin d sho e l on g e r on

’
the toe I f the hind sho e is back on the foo t a s i s

.
,
o ften d on e it wi ll on ly make the ho rse fo rge al l the

,
mo re for it wi l l in creas e action behind

,
the ho r s e ,
breaks ov er qui cke r and s t ri ke s t he fron t foo t be fo re

,
it i s out o f the w ay S et the S ho e fo rw a r d a s fa r as

.
po ssible a nd m ake l ong h eel s T he l o nger the S ho e is

,
.
behin d the l on ger it take s t o ra i se the foo t and break

over .
C l ack fo rgin g i s m ean t by the h abi t o f cl ackin g the

hind and fo re S ho es t ogeth er T hi s kind o f fo rgin g i s .
not s erio us or h a rm ful ; it wi l l on ly t end t o w ea r o ff the
toe o f t he hind foo t an d a nnoy the d riv e r po ss i bly a ,
l i ttl e fati guin g to the ho rs e .
T he po si tion o f the feet a t the t i m e o f 1 e cla ck i s . .
di ff e rent fro m th at it i s suppo sed to be T he toe o f .
the hind feet i s gen e ra lly wo rn off whi l e no ma rk i s ,
made on the fron t feet Fr o m thi s you wi l l und erstan d

.
th at the hin d feet n ev e r t o uch t he h eel o f t he fr on t

feet but the S ho e
, J ust at the m o m ent the fo re foot
.
is rai sed up eno ugh on the h eel to gi ve roo m for the

1 46 M O DER N B L A C KS M IT H I N G
hin d foot to w edge in under it the hind foot comes

flying under the fo re foot and ,
the t oe o f the hind foo t
i kes
st r the w eb o f the t oe on the fr ont foot T hi s is
.
the on no ma rk is
r ea s s een on t he fr on t foo t whi l e the
,
hind foo t is badly wo rn o ff .
I N T ERFERI N G
I nter fe ri n g is a in a ho rse I t is the effect

ba d faul t .
o f a va ri e ty o f causes I n in ter fe rin g the ho rse bru sh e s

.
the foo t g oin g fo rw a r d a gain st t he o th er foo t S o me .
ho rs es stri ke the kn ee o thers above it the shin o r cor

, ,
on et but in mo st cases the fetl o ck

, .
C o lt s sel do m in ter fere befo re th ey a re sho d but ,
th en th ey s o m eti m es inter fe re beca use the sho es a re

too h eavy . T hi s t ro ubl e di sapp ea r s a s s oon as the
co l t i s a ccusto med to ca rryin g t he S ho es Weakn ess is.
1 48 M O D ER N B L A C KS M IT H I N G
weight not to reach ove r the center of the S hoe but to ,
be on ly on on e S id e . P ut t he sho e on wi th the w ei gh t
on the o ute r side I f the ho rse sti l l int er fe res giv e
.
,
m o re S id e w e i gh t t ot he sho e an d make the h eel on the

,
o uter s i de abo ut one a nd one qua rte r inch l on ger th an

-
the in sid e h eel ; giv e it an o utw a r d t urn T hi s h eel wi l l .
p rev ent the ho r se from turning the h eel in the way o f

the o th er foo t wh en it go es by so a s not t o st ri ke the fet
,
l o ck .
P rop erly mad e a nd appl i ed s id e w ei gh t wi l l s t0 p in

,
t e r fe ring a l m o st e v e ry t i m e I f the s i de w ei gh t i s h eavy

.
eno ugh it wi ll th r ow the foo t o ut a n d the t r o ubl e i s

,
ov erco me .
T h er e a r e on ly a few ho rs e sho e r s th at h a v e any

-
p racti cal experi en ce in m aking S i de w eight S ho es -

,
whi ch w e under stand fro m the a rti cl es in our t ra de

j o u r n al s
.
S o me ho r s e sho e r s in sho ein g to stop inter ferm g wi ll

-
make c o m m on S ho e s sho rte r th an th ey o ught t o be an d

se t th em fa r in und er the foo t s o th at the hoo f on the
‘
inn er side wi l l sti ck out ov er the sho e a q uarter o f an

inch T h ese th ey don t ra sp off and ev erybo dy know s
.
’
,
th at the hoo f a dh e res t o a n d rubs h a rd er a gain st the

l eg th an the h a rd s moo th sho e B ut foo l i sh a s it is
.
, ,
s uch sho er s s t i ck t o th ei r foo l i sh id ea s I call al l s uch .
fa d s fa i th cur es .
T he rul e i s to h av e the s id e w ei ght on the o uter s ide ,
whi le the ex ception is to have the S ide w ei ght on the

inn er s ide of the foot For ol d and poo r ho rses gro un d
.
feed an d rest i s better th a n any kin d o f S ho es I t wi l l .
iv e mo re s t ren gth and mo re fl esh to sp read the l egs

g .
C H A PT ER X
H O W TO SH O E A K N EE S PR U N G O R
K N U C K L ER
N EES PR U N G is the r es ul t di sea se th at

of
s o m eti m es i s br o ugh t a bo ut by ba d S ho e
ing . I n a h eal thy l eg the cen t e r o f g ravi ty

i s down th ro ugh the cen t er o f the l eg a nd
out at the h ee l s . T hi s i s ch an ge d in a case o f
kn eespr ung l eg s g ivin g the l egs a bow ed ap
,
p e a r a nce
. T hi s t r o ubl e a l w ay s c o m es on g r a d u a lly ; in
s o me ca ses it wi ll st op an d n ev er get wo rs e whi le in oth ,
e r s it wi l l keep on un t i l it r en d e r s the ho r s e usel es s . A

ho rse wi th stra i ght l egs will sl eep standin g but a knuckl er
,
canno t ; he wi ll fal l a s s oon as he g o e s to s l eep ,

on
acco un t o f the ce nter o f gra vi ty bein g th rown on a lin e
fo rw a rd o f the susp en so ry l i gam en t s . T he caus e o f
thi s t r o ubl e i s sp rain or in j ury t o the back t endon s o f
the l egs ; s o ren ess o f the feet shin s o r j oin t s
, . I n ol d
ca ses no thin g can be don e but j u st to r el i ev e t he s t ra i n
a l i ttl e by sho ein g wi th a l on g sho e an d hi gh h eel

cal ks wi th no t oe ca l k
, . I n cases not mo r e th an th ree
month s ol d cl ip the h a i r off the back t endon s wh en
th ere i s a ny so ren es s a n d show e r th em wi th co l d w a te r
,
1 49
1 50 M O D ER N B LA C KS M ITH I N G
sev eral times a day for w eek or tw o an d th en

a , tur n
the ho r s e out for a l on g run in the p asture .
C O N T RA C T I O N
C on traction is in i tsel f no o riginal disea se ex cept in s
a few ca s e s . I t i s m o stly t he e ffect o f s o me di sea s e .
FO O T PREPA RED FO R C H A RT I ER T I P FO O T SH OD WI T H C H A RT I ER T I P
C ontraction follow s sp rain s of the ten don s co rn s , ,
fo under and n avi cul ar di sease When cont raction is .
the re s ul t o f a l on g standing di sea se o f the foo t o r l eg

-
it wi ll be in on ly one o f the feet because the ho r se wi ll ,
re s t the a ffecte d l eg an d st and m o st of t he t i m e on the
h eal thy leg ; th us the h ealthy foot receiv es m o re p res

s u re than t he di seased a n d i s sp r ea d out m o re ; the
,
foo t beco mes much un ev en— th ey don t l oo k l i ke mate s

’
-
.
T hi s kind o f con t ract ion is gen eral ly the r esul t o f so me

ch roni c di sea se but in mo st ca ses con traction is the
,
5 2 M O DER N B L A C KS M I T H I N G
co ronet and quarter s

h orse out in a w et
,
an d n
tur the
p a st u r eB ut i f the ho rse m ust be used on the r oa d
.
,
p roceed t o sho e a s fo l low s : F i r st a s ce rta in if the fr o g ,
is h a rdo r s o ft I f s o ft put on a ba r sho e wi th op en

.
,
bar I h av e inven ted a S ho e for thi s pu rpo se

. S ee .
Fig 2 N O . I T he id ea o f sho ein g wi th an end less

, . .
bar sho e is w rong I n m o st cases cont raction i s

.
bro ught on by l ettin g the sho es stay on t oo l on g ,
whereby the hoof has been compelled to grow down
wi th the shape of the sh oe I f an open sho e has .
h elped to bring on contraction much m o re so will a ,
ba r sho e whi ch wi l l tie the hoo f to the sho e wi th n o

,
ch an ce o f sp reading no matter what frog p ressure is

,
p u t on M a ke t.he s ho e as l i gh t a s you ca n wi th v e ry ,
l ow o r no calks l et the ba r rest again st the fr o g ; keep

the hoo fs m oi st wi th hoo f ointment ; u se a n O p en ba r
sho e .
M ake a l ow box an d fill it wi th w et man ure mud or ,
cl ay a n d l et the ho r se sta n d in it wh en conv eni en t

,
to ,
so ften the hoo fs S p rea d the sho e a l i ttle ev ery w eek

.
to h el p the hoo fs out o r the sho es wi l l p rev en t wh a t

,
M O DER N BL A C KS M ITH I N G 3
the fr g o p ressure a i ms to d o but thi s sp readin g must

,
be don e wi th ca re I f the fro g i s d ri e d up a nd h a r d

. ,
d on t put on a bar sho e a s it wi l l do m o r e h a rm th an

’
,
g ood . I n s uch a ca s e m a ke a co mm on sho e wi th l ow
o r no cal ks ; m ake ho l e s in it a s fa r ba ck a s you c an
n ai l ; sp read th em wi th ca re a l i ttle ev ery w eek L et .
t he ho rs e st an d in a box wi th m ud o r m an ur e ev en ,
w a rm w ater for a few ho urs a t a time a nd keep the

, ,
hoo fs moi st wi th hoo f ointment I n eithe r case d o not.
l et the sho e s tay on l on ger th an fo ur w eeks at a ti m e .
I n ad di tion to the abov e p ack the feet wi th s o m e w e t

packin g or a spon ge can be app li ed t o the feet and
,
hel d in po sition by so me o f the many inv en tion s for thi s

p urpo se .
N o m an can c o mp reh en d how much a ho r se s uff e r s

fro m con t ra ction wh en hi s feet a r e hoo f bo und an d -
p ressed to gether a s if th ey were in a vi se T he p ain .
fro m a p ai r o f h a r d a nd t i gh t boo t s on a m an a re no t h
ing co mp a re d to the ag ony en d ure d by thi s nobl e a n d
s i l en t s uff e r er I t m ust be r em embere d th at th ere 1 s
.
no such a thin g a s sho ein g for con t ra ction C ont rae

'
tion is br o ugh t on by a r tifi ci a l l ivin g a n d s ho ein g A .
bar sho e for c on t ra c tion i s the m o st fo ol i sh thin g to

i magin e T he p ressure in tended 0 1 1 the fr og is a dea d
.
p ressure and in a few days it wi ll settl e i t self so th at

,
th e re is no p res s ure a t a ll I f a ba r S ho e i s to be u sed

.
it must be an O p en ba r S ho e l ike the on e r e fe r red to .
T hi s sho e wi ll giv e a l i ve p ressure an d i f m ade o f ,
stel l wi ll sp rin g up a ain st t he fr o t v y t p and

g g a e er s e
it can be sp read I wi ll say how ev e r th at I don t

.
, ,
’
reco mmen d sp read in fo it wi ll p a rt i f not d on e wi th

g r ,
ca re . I t is bette r to d riv e the sho e on wi th only four

or five nail s , a nd set th em ov er o ften C on t ract ion n ever
.
a ff ects hin d feet because of the moi sture

the they re
ceive T hi s sho ul d s ugge st to ev er sh oer th at

.
mO I S tui e
'
is better than sh oes .

1 56 M O D ER N B L A C KS M IT H I N G
s ho e is a good thin g as wi ll n ot sp ring a s much a s to

it
co me in con ta ct wi th the hoo f ov e r the co rn G l y c v e ry
.
l i ttl e fro g p re ss u re
. A n op en sho e can be u sed a nd in
suc h a ca se th ere sho ul d be no calk at the h eel . A ca lk
S ho ul d be w el d ed on di re ctl y ov e r the co rn an d ho e
t he s
w i ll not sp ring up again st the w a l l .

M O DER N B L A C KS M I T H I N G 1 57
Q U A R T ER A N D S A N D C R A C K S
Q ua rt er n d c racks
a nd sa a re cr acks in t he hoo f ,
usually r unnin g l en gthwi se o f t he fi be r s but s o me ,
t i mes th ey wi ll be r unnin g a cr o ss the fi ber fo r a n in ch
S a nd C r a ck C l a mp .
or mo re .
Q uarter c racks are cracks mostly on the
in side o f the hoo f because that S i de is thinn er an d
,
w ea ke r th an the o utsi de T he cause o f it is a h a rd

.
and bri ttl e hoo f wi th no e l a s t i ci ty bro u h t on by poo r

g
“
a s s i mi l at ion a n d a w a n t o f ood n ut r i t ion t o t h hoo f

g e .
H ot sandy or h a rd r o ad s a re al s o con d uciv e to th e se

,
cra cks . Wha t to do : I f the ho rse is sho d remov e the

shoes and cut off the w al l of the qua rter to t ake off
,
1 58 M O DER N B L A C KS M ITH I N G
the bea rin g on both S i d es of the crack . I f the c rack
g o e s o on et a nd i s deep cut o ff bo th side s

up t o t he c r ,
o f t he c r a ck t he who l e l en gth A bo ut one in ch bel ow

.
the co r on e t cut a d eep cut cl ea r th ro ugh eith e r wi th a

,
kni fe o r hot S h a rp i ron acro ss the c rack T hi s wi ll .
h elp to sta rt a new hoo f .
I f the fl e sh sti cks up betw een t he c racks l et a v ete r ,
ina rian burn it off I n sho ein g for thi s t ro ubl e it i s

.
,
best t o use a ba r sho e ( endl es s ) a nd sho e the ho rs e

o ften .
S EED Y T O E
Wh en sho es wi th a cl ip or a cap on the toe a re used

it s o m eti m es h app en s th a t the t oe i s brui sed a n d it
s tart s a dry rot e x tendin g up betw een the w a l l a n d the
l am in ae R em ov e the S ho e pa re aw ay the hoo f at t he

.
,
toe s o a s to ta ke aw ay the bea r in g fro m the t oe A ny .
whi te or mea ty substa nce S ho ul d be pi cked out A ppl v .
hot pin e ta r in t o the ho l e and dip a l i ttl e w a d o f t ow

,
in the ho l e to fil l up R eplace the S ho e but don t l e

.
,
’
‘
the cl ip to uch the w al l .
PR I C K I N G
P r i ckin g o ften h appen s in sho eing from a n ai l run ~
ning int o the q ui ck but the ho r se is o ften p ri cked by

,
S t eppin g on a n ai l o r a n ythin g th at wi ll p en et ra te the
s o l e a n d r un in to the q ui ck I f the h o rse i s p ri cked by

.
sho ein g pull off the sho es an d ex am in e each n a i l the ,

1 60 M O DERN B L A C KS M I TH I N G
I n s ome ca s es it is m i l d er ,
in other s m o re severe .
I n s o me ca ses it i s di ffi cul t to s ta rt the ho rs e H e wi ll .
j e rk u p on on e l eg an d th en on the o th e r but wh en ,
sta rted wi ll g o a l on g a l l r i gh t .
Fo r thi s fa ult th e re i s no cure because it is a n ervo us

a ff ect ion I f th e re is a ny l o cal di so rd er it is best t o
.
t reat thi s a s it m i gh t a llevi at e t he j e rk

, For the j e rk .
i ts elf bathe the hind qua rters on ce a day wi th co l d w a

I f thi s don t h el p t ry w a rm w a te r o nce a day for
’
t er .
,
two w eeks R ub the q uarters dry a fter bathin g

. .
H O W T O SH O E A K IC K IN G H O RS E
M ny
a devi ces a re now go tten
ho eing ki ckin g up for s
ho rses I t is no u se fo r a man to w restle wi th a ho rse

.
,
and ev e ry ho r se sho e r S ho ul d try to find out the best w ay

-
to h and l e vi cio u s ho rs es .
O ne s i mp l e w ay whi ch wi ll an sw er in mo st ca se s i s , ,
to put a twi s t on on e o f the ho rse s l ip s or on on e ear

’
.
T o make a twi st take a p i ece o f broo m h and l e tw ,

n
feet l on g bo re a h a l f in ch ho l e in one end and put a

,
-
pi ece o f a clo thes lin e th ro ugh so a s to make a l oop six

in ches in di am eter .
A no th e r w ay : M ake a l eath er s t rap wi th a rin g in ,
p u t thi s s t ra p a r o un d the f oo t o f t he ho r s e ; in t he r in g
o f t he s t rap t ie a rop e N ow br aid o r t ie a rin g in the .
ho r se s ta i l a n d run the r ope th ro ugh thi s ring and

’
back t h r o u gh the ri ng in the st rap th en p ul l the foo t ,
S e Fig 1 0 e
T he fr on t foo t ca n be h eld up by
. .
thi s de1 ice a l so by s i m p ly buckl ing the s t rap to the

,
M O DERN B L A C KS M IT H I N G 1 61
foot and h rowing

t the stra p up o ver the n eck of the
ho rse .
S ho ein g s tal l s a re al s o u sed but th ey a re yet too ,
exp en s i ve for s m all shop s .
N o ho rse sho er sho ul d l o se his temp er in handl in g a

-
nervo us ho rs e and abuse the animal ; for in nin e ca ses

“
out o f ten wi ll h ard treatm ent m ake the ho rse wo r se

, ,
a nd many ho rse own e r s wo ul d r ath e r be hit th em s el v e s
than to h ave anybody hit th ei r ho rse .
EA S Y PO S I T I O N FO R FI N I S H I N G
Don t ool
pati en ce and you l i ttl e
’
curse . B e c , use a ,
w i l l in m o st ca ses succeed T o a n ervo us ho rse you

, , .
sho ul d t alk n tl y o u wo ul d t o d hi l d
g e a s y , a s ca re c .
T he ho r se is the nobl est and m o st u se ful ani mal to

1 62 M O DERN B L A C KS M IT H I N G
man , but iso ften malt reated a nd abused . A m on gst

o ur dumb fri end s the ho r se is the best but few
, ,
rec ogniz e
thi s fact .
H O W TO S H O E A T R O T T ER
In shoein g a o
t r tter it i s no u se to fo l l ow a ce rta in
rul e for the a ngl e , because the a n gl e must v ary a l i ttl e
in p ropo rtion to the di ff erent shape o f the ho rse s foot ’
.
"I I I I I I I I JM I I I I I I II A
Every wn er of a t rotter wi ll test the speed by hav

o
ing S ho es in d i ff eren t S h ap es and S iz es a s w el l a s ,
h aving the feet t ri mmed at d i fferent an gl es and when ,
the an gl e i s fo un d th at w il l giv e the be st re sult s t he

own er wi ll keep a reco rd o f the same and giv e the ho rse
sho er di re ction s a nd poin t s in ea ch ca se .
FO U N DER
Fo un d er i s a di sease m ani fested by fever 1n the feet

in di ffe rent degrees fr o m a S i mp le congestion to a
s ev e r e infla mmation I t is mo stly e xhi bi ted in the
.
fo re feet bein g un co mm on in t he hi nd feet

,
T he .
r ea s on fo r thi s i s the h ar d er p re ss ur e a m uch greate r ,
am o un t o f w ei gh t co min g on the fr on t feet the st ra in ,
and p re ss ur e on the s o ft t i s sues h eavi e r T he di sea se .
i s ei th er a cute o r C h roni c in one foo t or bo th

,
,
Wh en .
bo th feet a re di seased t he hor s e wi ll put bo th feet for

w a rd an d rest upon the h eel s so a s to rel i ev e the p res
s u re o f the foo t I f on ly one foo t i s a ffecte d th at foo t
.
i s put fo rw a r d an d s o m eti m es kept in con tin ual m o tion ,
indi cati ng severe pam T he foot i s hot esp eci ally a ro und
'
.
,
t he c o r on a ry band T he di sease i f not ch ecked wi l l ren

.
, ,
der the ho r se u s el ess Wh en such a ho rs e i s bro ught to

.
y ou fo r s ho ein g i t wo u l d be be s t t o s end him t o a v e t

e r 1 n a r 1 an .
H ow ho e : L et the ho r se stand in a w arm mud

to s
p uddle for s ix ho urs th en put on rubber pa d s or com

,
m on S ho es wi th feet betw een the w eb o f the S ho e an d

the hoo f wi th sh a r p ca l ks t o t a ke u p the j a r
, I t wo ul d .
be bes t n ot to sho e at a l l but l e t the ho r s e l oo se in a wet

,
pa sture for a good whi le .

C H A PT ER x1
h apter the author desi res to give some

‘
N thi s c
hint s abo ut the t reatment for di seases mo st

c o mm on to ho rses .
CO L IC
T h ere a re tw o kind s of c o lic

, p asmo dic
s and
flat ul ent .
S p a sm odi c o li c is known by the pain s and cramp s be

c
ing sp asm odi c in whi ch th e re a r e m oments of rel i ef and

'
the ho rse 1 S qu1 et .
Fl atul en t co l i c i s known by bl o at in g sympt o ms and the

-
p a in i s c on t in ua l t he ho r se ki c
,
ks p a w s t r i es t o r
, o l l a nd ,
l ie on his back .
Fo r sp a sm o d i c co l i c gi ve V o un ce laud an um V2 2 ,
pin t whi sky V pint wate r ; mix w el l and g1ve 1 n one

, 2
do es . I f thi s do es n ot h elp rep eat the do se in h al f an

,
ho ur .
F or flatul ent co l i c g iv e V o un ce l aud an um V o unce

2 , 2
t urp en t in e , pint raw l in s eed oil o un ce ch l o ro ,
fo rm V pin t w ate r
, 2 M ix w ell a nd give in on e do se
. .
R ep eat in one ho u r i f the p ain i s not rel i ev ed .

1 66 M O DERN B LA C KS M I TH I N G
B O T S
S o meti mes h ere 1 3 no oth er symptom than the bo ts

t
s een in t he d un g a nd in m o st ca se s no o th e r t reatm en t
,
i s n eeded th an s o me purgat ive .
M A N GE
M nge is a di sea se o f the skin due to a cl ass o f

a
in sects that burr o w in the S kin p r oducing a te rribl e ,
i tch and scab the hai r fallin g off in patches and the
, ,
ho rse rubs again st everything A fter the affected part s .
hav e been w a sh ed in soap water q uite w arm dry a nd rub

-
,
in the fo l lowing : 4 o unces oil of ta r 6 ounce s sulph ur , ,
1 pin t l in seed oil .
L ICE
M ake a st r ong tea of o

t bacc o a nd w a sh the ho r se
wi th it .
WO RM S
T here are many kind s of wo rm s T h ree kind s of .
tap e wo rm s an d s ev en kind s O f o th er wo rm s h av e be en
fo und in the ho r s e T he tape wo rm s a re v ery s el do m
.
fo und in a ho r s e a nd the o th e r kind s ar e ea si ly t reated

by the fo l l owin g : O ne d ram o f cal o m el 1 d ram O f
/
t a rta r em eti c 1 d ra m o f sulph at e o f i r on 3 d ram s o f

, ,
lin s eed m eal M ix a n d giv e in on e do se fo r a

. few
days ; th en giv e a p urgativ e R epeat in th ree w eeks to .
g e t r i d o f t he yo un g wo r m s l e ft in t he bow el s in the fo rm
o f e gg s but whi ch h av e s in ce h at ch ed out
, .
1 68 M O DER N BL A C KS M I T H I N G
I n nea rly a ll ca ses of l amen es s

hind l eg the in the
s e at o f the di sea se wi l l be fo und to be in the ho ck
j oin t a l,tho u gh m a ny p e r s on s ( n ot h avin g ha d ex pe
ri ence ) l o cat e the di ffi cul ty in the hip s i m ply becau se ,
th ey canno t d et ect any sw ellin g o f the ho ck j oin t ; but -
in many of wo rst
t he ca ses h ere is not
t n
see a ny s w ell
in g or enl argem en t for a l on g ti me ,
a nd p erhap s
n ev er .
BO N P
E S A VI N
on e spa vin is a growth o f i rr egul ar bony matter from

B
the bon es o f t he j oin t and i tua te d on t he in sid e a nd in
,
s
fron t o f the j oin t .
C a us e —T he ca use s o f spa vin s a re q ui te n ume ro us

.
,
M O DER N B L A C KS M IT H I N G 1 69
but us ual l y th ey p rain s bl ow s h a r d wo rk and m

a re s , , , ,
fa ct, a ny ca u s e e x ci t in g infl a m m a tion o f thi s p a rt o f
the j oin t . H eredi ta ry p redi spo s i tion in ho rs e s i s a fre

quent ca use .
S ymp to s
m — T he ymp to m s va ry in d i ff eren t ca se s
s .
I n so me ho rse s the l am en ess co m es on v ery g rad ua l ly ,
whi le in o th ers it co mes on mo re rapidly I t is usual ly .
five to ei gh t w eeks be fo re a ny en la rgem en t app ea rs .
T h e re i s m arked la m en e s s wh en t he ho r se sta rt s o ut ,
but he u sua lly get s ov e r it a ft er d rivin g a sho rt di s

t an ce a nd
,
if a l l ow ed to sta nd fo r awhi l e wi l l s ta rt
, ,
l a me again .
T h ere i s s o meti m es a r efl ecte d act ion caus in g a l i ttl e ,
di ffe ren ce in the app ea ran ce ov e r the hip j oin t a n d i f ,
no en largem ent ha s ma de its app ea ran ce a p e r s on n ot ,
havin g ha d exp eri en ce is ve ry l i abl e to be deceiv e d in

rega rd t o t he t r ue l o cat ion o f t he di ffi cul ty T he ho r se .
wi ll stand on ei th er l eg in re stin g in the stable but ,
wh en he i s r estin g the l ame l eg he s tand s on t he t oe .
I f the j oin t beco mes con s o l idate d the ho r se wi ll be

sti ff in the l eg but m ay n ot h av e m uch p a in
, .
T r eatm e nt — T h a t it may n ot be mi sund er st ood in re

.
r d t o wh a t i s m ean t by a cu re wo ul d s a
g a y th a t to s t o p ,
the l a m en ess a n d in mo st cases to r em ov e the bun ch on

,
s uch ca ses a s a r e n ot p a st a ny rea s on abl e hop e s o f a
cure .
B do n ot m ean to be un d er stoo d th at in a ca se of
ut I
an chyl o si s i ff oin in o oin
( s t j t ) I c a n a g a r es t r
,
e t he j t t o
it s o ri gin al condi tion ; fo r thi s i s a n i mpo s s ibi l i ty ,
owing t o the union o f the tw o bon e s m akin g th em a s ,
one .N ei th er d o I mean that in any o rd in a ry cas e o f ,

bon e s pavin whi ch ha s beco me compl etely ossified ( that

i s the bun ch beco me s o l id bon e ) th at in s uch a ca se the
, , , ,
en l a rgem en t wi l l be rem ov e d .
I n a ny bony grow th s l i ke sp avin or ri n gbon e it wi ll

, ,
be ex ceedin gly di ffi cul t t o determ in e j ust wh en th ere i s

{
a s ufli cient d epo s i t o f pho s ph at e o f l i m e s o th at it i s
co m p l etely oss ified , for the reason tha t in s o me ca ses
the l i me is depo si ted faster th an in oth ers and therefo re ,
on e case may be co mp l et ely oss ified in a fe w m on th s ,
whi le in anothe r it wi ll be a s many yea rs .
T he cases whi ch are n ot co mpl etely o s sified are tho se

th at I cl a i m to r em ov e O ne o f thi s cl as s whi ch I hav e
.
s een r em ov ed w as; a l a rg e bon e sp avin o f fo u r o r five
yea rs stan di ng and I think th at a l arge per cen t of

,
ca s es a r e not ful ly o s sified fo r s ev e ra l m on th s o r year s .
I a m w el l aw are th at many good ho r s em en s ay th at

it i s i mpo s s ibl e to cure sp avin s a nd in fact thi s has
, , ,
1 7 2 M O DER N B L A C KS M ITH I N G
is s o ft a ndfl uctuatin g Y oung ho rses and co lts es

.
,
pec ia l l y i f d r i ve n o r wo rked h a r d a r e mo r
,e l i abl e t o h ave
thi s fo rm o f sp avin th an o l der ho r ses .
S PL I N T
hi s is a small bony enlargement and gen eral ly

T , ,
uat ed on the in s id e o f the fo re l eg a bo ut th ree o r fo ur
inch es bel ow the kn ee j oint and o ccurs frequently in

,
yo ung ho rses wh en th ey a re wo rked too ha rd .
S P RA I N
B y thi s is m ean t the s udd en s hi fting j oin

of a t fa rth e r
th an is n atural , but not S O to ro d uce d i sl o ca tion

as p .
M O DER N B L A C KS M I T H I N G I 73
Ev ery oin is l i abl e to

in by the ho r se s fal l in g ’
j t s p ra ,
s l ippin g o r be in g ov e rwo rked

,
T h es e ca se s cau se a .
r eat d e a l o f t r o ubl e o ft en t i m e s p r od ucin g l am e n es s

g , ,
p ain sw el lin g t end ern es s an d an un usua l a m o un t o f h eat

, , ,
in the pa rt .
T ea t en t
r m — En ti re rest sho ul d be giv en the ho r s e ,
a n d if the p a rt i s fo und hot a s i s u s ua l ly t he ca se ap pl y , ,
co l d w a te r c l o th s ch an gin g fre quen t ly

,
fo r fr o m o ne ,
t o th r ee d ay s un ti l the h ea t ha s s ubs i d e d wh en app ly ,
K end all s S p avin C ure twi ce o r th ree t i mes a day rub

’
, ,
bin g w el l wi th the h and .
I f the fev e r i s con s id e rabl e it m i gh t be w el l t o giv e ,
fi fteen drop s o f tin cture o f a coni te roo t th re e ti me s a ,
day for one o r t w o days whi le the co l d w at er cl o th s

, ,
a re bein g app l i e d A ll ow the ho r se a r est o f a fe w

.
w eeks esp eci a lly in ba d case s a s it is ve ry di ffi cul t to

, ,
cu re s o m e o f th es e ca ses un l ess t he ho r se i s al l ow ed to
,
rest .
S T A G G ER S
A di sease of ho rses r e sul tin g fro m s o me lesion o f

the bra in whi ch ca us es a l o ss o f con tr o l o f vo l un t a ry
,
mo tion A S it gen e rally o c cur s in fat ho r ses whi ch

.
ar e w el l fe d tho se s ub ect t o th es e a t tacks sho ul d not

j ,
be ov er fed T he ca use is a n und ue a mo un t o f bl ood

.
flowing to the brain .
T reatmen t — T he a im o f the t reatment shoul d be to

'
r emov e the cau s e I n o r din a ry ca s e s giv e h al f a

.
p o und o f ep s o m s a l t s an d r ep e a t i f n ece s s a ry to h ave

,
it phy si c an d be ca re ful abo ut ov e r feedin

,
g .
I n m ad wo uld be w el l to bl eed
s ta gge r s , it fro m t he
neck in addition to giving the ep som salts .
C ER T A I N C U R E FO R H O G C H O L ER A
T ake o owing ingredi ents w el l mix ed t ogethe r

the f l l ,
an d g iv e one t abl espoon ful d ai ly in foo d d urin g s i ck
nes s a n d a s a p rev en tat iv e t w o o r th r e e ti m e s a w eek

,
Powdered ch a rco al 1 po und
mand rake 2
r es in 1
s a l tp ete r 8 o un ce s
ma dder 8
bi ca rbon ate o f s od a
-
6 po un d s
T EN S I L E S T R EN G T H O F I R O N A N D O T H ER
M A T ER I A L S
P o und s requi red to t ea r a su nde r a r od one inch

s quare
C a st s teel
S o ft steel
S w ed i sh i ron
A meri can i ron
R uss i a n i ron
Wr o ugh t wi re
C a st i r on best,
C a st i ron poo r,
S i lv e r
G old
A pr i l o owin g y e a r A dd t o thi s the in te re st for

th e f ll .
t he m on e y you c o ul d h a v e u s e d in p a yin g d e b t s or ,
l o a n e d a nd i t wi l l a dd 4 p e r c e n t m o r e m a kin g it 1 1
, ,
p e r c e n t .
C o r n wi l l s hr ink m o r e t ha n wh e a t a n d pot at o e s ar e ,
v er y r i s ky t o kee p on a cc o u n t of t h e di s ea se s t h e y ar e
s u bj e ct e d t o ; t h e l o s s i s e s t i m a te d a t 3 0 p e r ce n t for
s i x m on th s .
VA L UE O F A T O N O F G O L D O R S IL V ER
A t on of g o l d is wor th in m on e y a t on
of S il ver ,
A G ES O F A N I M A L S
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G I 77
De er 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .
Wo l f
S win e
D og
H a re
S q ui rr e l
T i tl a r k
Q u e e n b e e
Workin g be e
RI N G WO RM
R in g w o r m i s on t a gio u s di s e a se a n d a t t acks a l l
a c
kind s of a ni m al s b ut i t o ft e n a r i s e s fr o m po ve r ty a n d
,
fi l th I t fi rs t a pp e a rs in a r o und b al d S po t the s cu r f
.
,
c o m in g off in s c a l e s .
C ure : Wa s h wi th s o a p w a t e r a n d d ry t h e n a pp l y -
,
t h e fo l l owin g on ce a da y M ix 2 5 g r a in s of c o rro s i ve .
s ubl i m a t e in h al f a p1 n t o f w a t e r a n d was h on ce a day
t i ll c ure d .
B A L K IN G
B al k in g i s t he ho r se i s o ve r
r e s ul t o f a b u s e . If a
l o a d e d an d t h e n whipp e d u n m e rc i f ul l y t o m ake t he
v i ct i m p e r fo r m i m po ss i b i l i t i e s he wi l l r e s e n t t h e a bu se ,
by b al kin g .
T h ere a r e m a n y cr u el m e t hod s fo r c u r in g ba l kin g

hor se s bu t kindn es s i s th e be s t D on t hi t ch him to
, .
’
a l o a d he canno t e a s i l y p ul l L e t t h e m a n t h a t i s us e d .
t o h a nd l in g h i m d ri v e hi m T ry t o di ve r t hi s m ind fr o m .
hi m s el f T al k to hi m ; p a t hi m ; g i ve hi m a h and ful
.
of o a t s o r s a l t B ut i f t h e re i s no t i m e t o w a i t p a ss a
.
c h a in o r r op e a ro u nd h i s n e ck a n d p ul l hi m a l on g wi th
a no th e r ho r s e T hi s don e on ce a l l t h e re i s n e e de d in
.
,
m o st ca se s i s t o p a ss t he r op e ar ou nd a n d the ho rse
,
wi l l s ta r t I t i s no use t r y in g to whip a b al kin g ho rs e

.
,
b e c a u s e b al kin g ho rs e s a re ge n e r a l l y ho rse s of m o re
t h a n c o m m on S pi r i t a n d d e t e r m in a t ion a n d t he y wi l l ,
r e s e n t a b us e e ve ry t i m e K indn e ss pa t1 e n ce an d
.
,
p e rse ve ra n ce are the b e s t re m e di es .
R A T T L E -S N A K E B I T E
Wh e n a ho rse h a s bee n bi tt e n b y a r a ttl e sn ake ,
c opp e rh e a d o r o t h e r v e no m o u s s e r p e n t g i ve t h e fol
, ,
l owin g : O n e h al f t e as poon ful o f h ar t sho r n 1 pin t

-
,
whi sky ,
pin t of w a r m w a te r M ix w e l l a n d g iv e .
on e do se R e p e a t in o ne ho ur if n ot r e l i e v e d
. B ur n .
t he wo u nd a t on ce wi t h a h ot i r on a n d ke e p a S pon ge ,
s o a ke d in a m m oni a o ve r t h e wo u n d for a c o up l e of
ho urs .
H O O F O I N T M EN T
R o sin , 4 o un ce s ; be e s wax , 4 o unc e s ; pin e t a r 4 ,
o u n ce s ; fi sh oil , 4 o un ce s ; m utton ta l l o w 4 o un ce s,
.
M ix an d a ppl y on ce a day .
PU R G A T I VE
A l o es, 3 d ra m s ; g a m b oge ,
2 dram s ; g gin er d r
,
a m ; 1
ge n t i a n , 1 d ra m ; m o l asse s ,
e no ug h t o c o m b in e t he
A DV I C E T O H O RS E O WN ERS
T is y t o a ni
cr u e l t
m al s t o r a i s e a c ol t
a n d n ot t r a in h i m
for s ho e in g a nd ,
t h e ho rs e sho er
m us t su ff e r fo r thi s
n egl e ct al s o M a ny a va l u a bl e ho r se
.
h a s b e e n cripp l e d or m a l t re a t e d a n d ,
tho u s a nd s o f ho r s e s ho e r s s u ff e r
h a r d ship s a n d m a n y a r e cr ippl e d
, ,
a n d a f e w ki ll e d e v e ry y e a r for th e ho r s e own e r s ca re
’
l e s s n e s s in thi s m a tte r A l a w S ho ul d b e e n a ct e d
°
m akin g t he own e r of a n ill bre d ho r se r e s pon s i bl e for

-
t he d a m a g e don e t o t h e ho rs e sho e r b y su ch a n a n im a l
’
-
.
E ve ry ho r s e r a i s e r s ho ul d b e g i n whi l e the c o l t i s on l y
-
a fe w d a y s ol d t o d r i l l h i m fo r t h e s ho e in g T h e fe e t
.
S ho ul d b e t a ke n o n e a f te r the o t h e r a n d h e l d in the
, ,
s a m e po s i t ion a s a ho r s e sho e r do e s a l i gh t h a m m e r o r
-
,
e ve n t he fi s t wi l l do t o t a p on th e f oo t wi t h a n d t he
, ,
fe e t sho ul d b e h a nd l e d a n d m a nip ul a te d in t he sa m e
m a nn e r t he ho r se s ho e r do e s wh e n sho e in g
- T hi s .
p ra c t i ce sho ul d b e ke p t u p a n d r e p e a t e d a t l e a st on ce
a w e e k a n d th e c ol t wh e n br o ug h t t o t he s h0 p for
M O D E RN B L A C K SM IT H I N G 1 81
s h oe ing w i l l suff e r no i ncon ve ni e n ce . T he ho rs e .
s ho er s t e m p er a s w e l l a s m u s cl e s w i l l be s pa re d a n d
’
, ,
a g ood fe e l in g a l l a r o u n d p re va i l s .
H orse r a i ser s r e me mbe r thi s

-
, .
A DV I C E T O YO UN G M EN
I n e ve ry p r o fe ss ion a nd tr a d e i t i s a co m m on t hin g
t o h e a r b e g inn e r s s a y : I know I kno w N o m a tt e r,
.
wh at you t e ll th e m t h e y wi l l a l w a y s a n s w e r I know
, ,
.
S uch a n a n s w e r i s n e ve r g i ve n b y a n ol d l e a r n e d or ,
e xp e r i e n ce d m a n b e c a use a s w e g r ow o l d e r a n d wi s e r
, ,
w e know th a t t h er e i s no s uch t hin g a s kn owin g i t a ll .
B e s id e s thi s we kno w th a t t h e re m i g h t be a be tt e r wa y
t h a n the w a y we h ave l e a r n e d o f doin g th e wo r k It .
i s on l y in fe w c a s e s th a t w e ca n s ay t h a t t hi s i s t he
b e s t w ay th e re fo re we sho ul d n e ve r s ay I know : fi rs t
, , ,
b e c a u se no y o u n g m a n e v e r h a d a n e xp e r i e n ce wid e
e no ug h t o c o ve r t he w ho l e t hin g ; s ec on d i t i s n e i t h e r ,
s e n s i bl e n o r po l i t e B e tt e r n ot s ay a n y thin g b ut
.
,
s i m p l y do w ha t you h a ve b e e n t o l d t o do
_ .
E v e ry y o u n g ma n t hin ks of c o urs e th a t h e ha s , ,
l ear n e d fr o m t he be s t m e n T hi s i s s e l fi s h a n d f oo l i sh
. .
Y o u m ay h a ve l e ar n e d fr o m t h e b i g ge s t b o t ch in the
c o un t r y B e s id e s t hi s no m a tt e r how cl e ve r y o ur
.
,
m a s t er w a s t h er e wi l l be th in gs t h a t s o m eb od y e l s e
,
h a s a b e t t e r w a y o f d oin g I h a v e h e a r d a n ol d g ood
.
bl a cksm i th sa y t h a t he h a d n e v e r h a d a h e l p e r b u t
,
wh at he l e ar n e d s o m e g ood poin t s fr o m him .
D on t t hink i t i s a sh a m e o r a n y thin g a ga in s t you

’
, ,
to l e ar n We w il l al l l e a r n a s l on g a s we l i ve u nl e s s
.
,
82 M O D ER N B L A C K SM I T H IN G
we are fool s, b e ca u s e f ool s l e a r n v e ry l i t tl e . B e tt er to

a s su m e l e ss t h an you kno w t h a n t o a ssu m e m o re .
T hou sa nd s of jo u r n eym e n go idl e be c a use m a ny a

m a s t e r wo ul d r a th e r hi r e a g r e e nho r n t h a n hi r e a
knowin g i t al l fel l o w D on t m ake y o ur s e l f o bn ox
“ ” ’
- -
.
iou s by a l wa y s t e l l in g how yo ur b o s s u s e d t o do t hi s or
t ha t Y ou m a y h av e l e a r n e d i t in th e be s t wa y po s s i
.
bl e b ut you m a y a l s o h a ve l ear n e d i t 1 n the m o s t

,
a wkwa r d w a y F i r st find our wh a t yo u r m a s t e r

.
wa n ts th e n do i t r e m e m b e r ing t h e r e a re s o m e t i m e s
m a n y w a y s t o a cc o m p l i s h t he s a m
, ,
e t hin g D on t b e
’
.
s t ubbo r n M a n y m e ch a ni c s ar e s o st ubb or n t h a t t h e y
.
wi l l n e ver ch a n ge t h e i r w ays of doin g t hin gs nor ,
i m p r o ve on e i th e r t ool s or id e a s .
D on t b e a on e id e a m an ; a n d r e m e m b e r t he m a xi m
’
-
,
”
A wi s e m a n ch a n g e s hi s m ind a foo l n e ve r ,
.
B e a l w a y s p u n c t u a l h a v e the s a m e in te re s t in doin g
,
g ood wo r k a n d in d ra win g c u s t o m e r s a s y o u wo u l d
w e re t he busin e s s yo u rs B e a l wa ys pol i te t o the .
c u st o m e r s n o m a t t er wh a t h a pp e n s
,
N e v e r l o s e y o ur .
t e m p e r or u s e p r o fa n e l a n g ua g e D on t t el l y o u r
’
.
m a s te r s c omp e t it O r s hi s w a y of doin g b us i n e ss or
’
wh a t i s g oin g on in hi s d e al in gs wi th p e op l e Y ou a re
-
t a kin g hi s m on e y fo r y o ur s e rv i ce s er ve a s you wo ul d ,
b e se r ve d .
I RO N C E M EN T
A m e n t for st oppin g cl e ft s or fissure of i r on ve s se l s

ce
ca n b e m a d e of th e f o l l owin g : T w o o u n ce s m ur i a te
of a mm oni a 1 o un ce o f flowe rs of s ul ph ur a nd 1
, ,
i n g ; thi s i s don e by S hi ft in g the t a i l s to ck t o on e s ide:

O r th e r e a re t h r e a d s t o b e cu t ; know j u st how to
-
ar r a n g e t he l a th e t o c ut a n y n um b e r of t h r e a d s t o t he
in ch .
N e x t t o care of l a t h e c o m e s car e o f t ool s Wh en

.
th e r e a re a fe w m in ut e s s p are t i m e see th a t t he t ool s
a re s h a rp p th e m sh ar p T h eywi l l do t he work
. K ee .
b e t te r fa s t e r a n d wi t h m u ch l e s s str a in on the m a chin e

,
.
A l l c u tt in g t oo l s sho ul d b e m a d e di am ond s h a p e ,
wi th e i th e r on e s id e or the oth e r d e p e ndin g on the,
w a y t he c a rr i e r i s t o m o ve m a d e a l i ttl e hi gh e r ; the
,
r i g h t S id e b e in g hi g h es t wh e n t h e c a r r i e r i s m ovin g t o
t h e r i gh t a n d v i ce v e r sa
,
T he S h a r p e d g e o f s m oo th
.
i n g t oo l s i s m a d e s q u a re a cr o s s l i ke a p l a n e b i t a n d
, ,
t h re a d cu t t in g t ool s S ho ul d be m a d e the s am e s h a p e a s
-
the t h r ea d t o be c ut .
M O D ER N B L A C K SM I T H I N G 1 85
Wat e r o r oil sho ul d be ke p t on the i r on o r ste el th a t

i s be in g t ur n e d I t ke e p s t he poin t of t h e t ool fro m
.
g e t t in g h o t wh e n h e a v y c hip s a r e t a ke n a n d i t m ake s
,
a s m oo t h e r j ob wh e n t he s m oo t hin g t ool i s u se d .
T h e re i s no n e e d t o u se e i t h e r wa te r O r oi l wh e n t um
i ng ca s t i r on .
T he t e m p e r in g of l a th e t ool s i s a ve r y p ar t i cul a r
pi e ce o f wo r k va r y in g con side ra bl e w i t h t he kind of
,
s t e el u s e d a n d the n a t u r e of t he wo r k t o b e don e ,
F or .
sl ow h e a v y t u r nin g t h e t oo l m u s t n o t b e t oo h a r d e l s e ,
i t wo ul d b r e a k ; whi l e for l i g h t s wi ft t ur nin g it S ho ul d

b e q ui t e h ar d F o r w a t e r t e m p e r in g the t e m p e r c o l o r
.
v a r i e s fr o m a d a r k bl u e t o a ve r y l i g h t s tr a w c o l o r ,
d e p e ndin g a s I h ave sa id be fo re on the n a tu re of t h e

, ,
w o rk to be don e .
B y w ay o f i ll us tra t ion of a pi e ce of wo rk th a t r e p t e
s e n ts a n u m ber o f l a t h e c o m b in a t ion s I wi l l t ake t he
,
fi tt in g of a s a w sh aft for our com m on woo d s a w s F i rst .
pl a c e the ba l a n ce wh e el in the l a th e ch uck b e in g su r e ,
t o g e t it in t he c e n t e r s o t h a t wh e n t he hol e i s d r i l l e d
in the w
,
h eel i t wil l b e in the e x a ct ce n te r T ake a .
d ri l l a s ix te e n t h of a n in ch s m al l e r t h a n t he ho l e t o be
m a d e a n d d r i l l out the ho l e
,
U se t he in s id e b o r in g
.
t ool t o m a ke t he hol e th e d e s i re d s iz e T ur n a s m oo t h
.
fa ce on th e hub of t he wh e el wh e re i t c o m e s a g a in s t
the b ox ; t h e n th e wh e e l i s r e a d y fo r t h e ke y s e a t T o .
c ut the ke
y s e a t in t h e w h e el u s e a k e y s e a t c hi
-
s e l t he
s a m e S iz e a s the m i l l in g w h e el u s e d to cut t h e ke y s e a t
i n t he S h a ft .
N e x t t a ke on e o f th e s a w c o l l a r s ; p u t i t in t he ch u ck ,
b e in g car e ful t o g e t thi s in th e c e n t e r a l s o wi t h t he .

I 86 M O DER N B L A C K SM I T H IN G
wid e s t S id e n e x t the ch u ck a n d d ri l l a hol e in it the

,
s a m e s iz e a s t h e ho l e in t h e s a w T u r n o ff t he e n d of
.
t he c o l l a r t o g e t i t s q u a r e P r e p a re t he o th e r c o l l a r in
.
t he sa me w ay .
N ow c u t h a ft o ff t h e l e n gth w a n t e d a n d t ur n
t he s ,
o n e e n d t o fi t t i g h tl y in t o t h e b a l a n ce wh e e l T ur n .
o ff a p l a ce n e x t t o wh e r e t h e wh eel c o m e s for t he b e a r
i n g o r b ox . N o w t u rn t h e S h a ft a r o u nd a n d fi t th e
o th e r e n d for the c o l l a r s T he c ol l a r th a t g o e s on the
.
in s ide o r s ide n e x t t he b e a r in g s ho u l d b e s h ru n k on .
T o do thi s l e a ve t he s h a ft a b o ut o ne S ix t y fo ur th O f a n -
in ch l a rg e r t h a n t he ho l e in t he c o l l a r t h e n h e a t the ,
c ol l ar t o a r e d h ea t a n d S l ip i t on to t h e s h a f t
,
I t .
S ho u l d n ot b e d r i ve n v e ry h a r d o r i t wi l l b r e a k in c oo l
,
i ng . L e t i t c oo l of i t s own a cc o r d Wh e n n e a rl y c ool
.
i t c a n b e p ut i fi to w a t e r a n d c ool e d o ff .
T he n e x t s te p i s t o t ru e u p t h e i n s id e o f the co l l a r ,
l e a vin g a b o u t on e in c h o f s ur fa c e t o c o m e a g a in s t t he
sa w N o w t ur n the s h a f t do w n t o the S iz e w a n t e d fo r
.
t h e t h r e a d e i th e r 1 in ch or 1 % in ch t h e n wi t h a c ut
,
- -
,
o ff t oo l a b o u t i n ch wid e c u t in n ex t t he S hou l d e r
-
,
t h e d e p t h o f t he t h r ea d I f t h e r e i s a di e a n d t a p h a ndy
.
t h a t wi l l be the q ui c ke s t w a y t o c u t t he t h re a d bu t i f ,
n ot h a ndy t h e n u se t he l a t h e N ow s cre w th e n u t on
.
a n d t u r n o ff the I n s id e o f the n ut F or fi tt in g t he l oo s e
.
c o l l a r th e re s ho ul d b e on h a nd a s h a ft a b o ut 1 4 o r 1 6
in ch e s l on g t ur n e d a v e ry l i ttl e t a p e rin g ; t h e n d riv e

,
th e c o l l a r on t o t hi s S h a ft a n d fini sh it up Wh e n r e a dy .
p u t t hi s c o l l a r in t o p l a c e on t h e s a w S h a f t a n d s c re w
th e n u t u p t i g h t N ow s m oot h o ff t he o u ts id e o f the
.
c o l l a rs for l oop s C ut the key s e at i n t he s h a ft an d

.
I 88 M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G
be r hi cko ry or m a p l e T a ke out t he ol d a xl e T he
. .
s ke1 n s wi l l c o m e o ff e a s y by h e a t in g t h e m a l i ttl e .
N o w c u t t he t i m b e r the e x a ct l e n g th o f t h e b r o ke n
a xl e .I n O r d e r t o g e t th e r i gh t pi tc h a n d g at h e r yo u ,
m u st cut o ff o n e h al f in c h f r o m th e b a ck s id e o f the
-
e n d o f th e t i m be r a n d o n e h a l f in ch fr o m t he b o t t o m
-
S id e thi s c u t t o r u n ou t a t the 1 u n e r e n d or co l l a r o f
,
the S ke in a s S hown in F i g u re 1 4
,
N e x t t a ke divid e r s
.
a n d m a ke a c i r cl e in t he e n d of t he a xl e t he s iz e o f the
ol d a xl e —i n ca s e n e w s ke in i s p ut on t he s iz e of th e ,
bo t t om of i in sid e T hi s ci rcl e m ust b e m a de

t he ske n .
s o t h a t th e l ow e r s id e o f i t wi l l g o down t o e d g e of t he
t i m b er a n d t he s id e s b e o f t h e sa m e di s t a n c e fr o m t he
,
e d ge s Yo u wi l l now no t i ce t h a t m os t o f the h e win g

.
wil l be don e on t O p s id e a s i t m us t in o rd e r t o ge t t he
,
r i g h t pi t ch a n d a s on e h a l f in c h h a s b e e n cu t fr o m t he
,
-
b a ck S id e i t wi l l t h r ow t h e fron t s id e of t h e wh e e l in a
l i t tl e ; thi s i s g a t h e r I f a wh e el ha s no g a th e r th e
.
wh e e l wi l l b e s p re a d out a ga in s t t he n u t of t he ske in ,
a n d t he w e a r wi l l b e in t h a t di r e ct ion a n d t he wh ee l,
wil l r a t tl e a s yo u kno w the s ke i n i s t ap e re d ; but i f t he

,
wh e el has g a th er the p r e ssu re wi ll be a ga i ns t the col

,
l ar of t he s ke in a n d the wh eel wi l l be t i g h t a s i t fo rce s

, ,
i t se l f u p a ga m st the col l a r a n d the wide r e n d of the

s ke in .
S om e wagon m akers
- w il l u se t h e ol d a xl e as a g u ide
a nd cu t t he n e w b y t he ol d . T hi s is not s a fe , a s the
ol d i s m o s tl y
p r un g o ut o f s h a p e
s .
I n h e win g t h e a x l e for t h e s ke in gr ea t ca re s ho ul d b e
t ake n n ot t o cu t o ff t oo m u ch ; b e t t e r g o S l ow b e c a u s e ,
i t d e p e nd s u pon t h e fi t t in g of the ske in t o g e t a g oo d

j o b . W h e n t h e a x l e i s fini s h e d o r r e a d y t o be dr i ve n
in t o the ske in b e sure to h a ve the a x l e st r on g ; t h at i s ,
a l i t tl e t oo l a r g e t o g o in e a s y N o w w ar m — or h ea t
.
,
i f you wi l l — t h e s ke in a l i t t l e n o t s o m u c h t h a t i t wi l l
,
bu r n a n d d ri v e i t on t o i ts p l a ce by a m al l e t
,
I n m ak .
i ng n e w w a g on s I t hin k i t wo ul d b e wi se t o p a in t t he
p ar t o f t h e a xl e t h a t g o e s in th e s ke in b ut in r e p a i r in g
,
I d e e m i t u nwi s e b e ca u s e i t wi l l h a ve a t e nd e n cy t o
,
w o r k l oo s e u n l e s s it wi l l h a v e t i m e t o dr y b e fo r e u sing ,
an d I h a ve no t i ce d p a in t t o b e s t i l l fr e sh in th e ske in
a ft er y ear s o f u s e T h e r e s ho ul d b e no ga p l e ft
.
b e t w e e n t he c o l l a r o f th e ske in a n d t he a xl e as wa ter ,
w i l l r un i n a n d rot the t i mber .

1 9 0 M O DERN B L A C K SM I T H IN G
H O W T O PU T IN S PO K ES
V ER Y w a gon -
ppo se d t o k no w
m a ke r i s su
how to p ut in spoke s S ti l l th e r e are .

,
s o m e ti m e s wag on m ake r s e sp e ci all y

-
,
b e g inn er s t h a t don t know F i rs t

’
.
,
cl e a n o ut t he sl iv e r l e ft of t he ol d
S po ke a n d m a ke the m o r t i s e d r y a n d
,
.
in e v er y ca s e u se gl u e I n a bu gg y .
wh eel t ake t he r i ve t o r r i ve ts ou t i f t h e re i s a ny a n d
, ,
b e s ure t o h a ve th e r i g h t sh a p e o f the t e non t o fi t t he

m o r t i se in t he hub s o a s to m ake th e S po ke s ta nd
,
p l um b S e t the t e non g oin g t h r ough t he ri m B e

. .
s ur e t o h a ve t hi s t e non re a c h t h r o u gh T hi s i s i m po r
.
t a n t in fi ll in g a w a g on w h e e l b e c a u se i f t he t e non s
, ,
don t re a ch t h r ough t he fe l l ow t h e n the h e ft wi l l r e st

’
a g a in s t t he s ho ul d er o f t h e t e non a n d wh e n t h e t i re i s
,
p u t on t i g h t a n d t h e w a g on u s e d in w e t r o a d s t he ,
fe l l ow wi l l s o ft e n a n d the s po ke s s e tt l e in t o t he r im .
T he t i r e g e t s l oo se a n d s o m e on e e i t h e r th e w a g on
, ,
m a ker or t he bl a cksm i t h wi l l b e bl a m e d— i n m o s t
,
ca se s th e b l acks m i t h .O f c o u rse the t e non S ho ul d n ot

,
be a b o ve th e ri m . A ft e r t he S po ke s h ave b e e n put i n
1 9? M O D ER N B L A C K SM IT H IN G
WE I G H T O F O N E FO O T IN L EN G T H O F
S Q U A R E A N D R O U N D B A R I RO N
S q ua re . R ound . R ound .
I N DE X .
A dvice to H orse O wners

A dvice to Yo ung M en
A na tomy of the H orse
A nneal ing
A nvi l T he , .
A x l e G a u ge
A xes a nd H at chets
B abbi tti ng
B an ds or oops H
B ack Di shed Wheel
B el t s P oin ts on
,
B l acks m i th s T ongs
’
B l owers
B l owing out the B oi l er
B ob S ho es
C a se H ar dening
C oal B ox , T he
C ol d
Dri ll ing I r on
Expan sion of the T ire
1 98 I N DE X .
Fire , T h e
Forge, T he
Forgi ng
Foa ming i n B oil ers
G her G auge
at
G ra in S hrinkage
H a mmer , T he
H in ts to B l acks mith s
H ints to H orseshoers
H orse T he, ,
H orsesho eing
H ow to M easure C orn i n the C rib and H ay i n the M ow
H ow to M ake a L ands ide

H ow to H ard en S pri ngs
H ow to Wel d C a st I ron
H ow to R ep ai r B roken I ron P ump H andl es
H ow to Rep a i r B roken C o gs
H ow to R esto re O verh ea ted S teel
H ow to Dress and H arden S ton e H ammers
H ow to Dril l C hi l l ed C as t I ron
H ow to Dri l l H ar d S teel .
H ow t o M ake S teel a nd I ron a s Whi te a s S i l ver

H ow to M end B roken S a ws
H ow to M end a B and S aw
H ow to Write Yo ur N a me on S teel
H ow to P a tch a B oi l er
H ow t o P ut i n Fl ues .
H ow to Weld Fl ues .
H ow to M a ke hoe
t he S
H ow to Prepare the Foo t for the S hoe
200 I N DEX .
H ow to H dena M o ul dboard
ar
H ow t o Pa tch a M o ul dboard
I nt erf eri ng
I ntemp erance
L a ndside Point for S l ipshare

L i terature
M ill Pi cks
M odern
Rel igion
R ock Dril l s
R ul es for S mi th a nd
S etti ng T i r e . .
S eeder S hovel s
S et H a mmer
S hoe, Ri ght Fi tting
S hoe, Wrong Fi tting .
S hop , T he
S l edge, T he
S li pshare
Wel ds
S pl i t
S t andi ng C o ul ters
S teel Facts about
,
S Wrench
T axation
T ensil e S trength of I r on and oth er M a teri a l s
I N DE X . 201
I ire i n
‘
T oe T l ps
T ool s , G rani te
T uyer on
I r
T wi s t Dri l l s
Vehicl es
Wagon M aking
Water T uyer .
Wel ding A xl es
Wel ding S teel
Wei ght of O ne Foot in L ength of S quare and Ro und

B ar I o
r n
Well Dril l s .
Dis ea s es of t he H orse .
H ydrop hobi a
B one S pavin
A ges of A ni mal s
Rin g Worms
B al kin g
Founder
an I N DE X .
H oof
H orse T he Wall
,
H o rse T he S ol e
,
H orse T he Frog
,
H orse T he
,
H orse T he Quarter
,
H ors e T he B ar s
,
C on traction
C orn s
Quarter and S and C racks
S eedy T oe
Pri cki ng
S tifled
S tring H al t .
B og S p avin .
S pl int
S prain
S taggers
H og C hol era, C ure for
6 CO NT ENT S
C H A P T ER I V .
H ow to draw out, har den and temp er an axe i

that w l l
l ve a heml ock knot —M ill p icks—B utcher knives
c ea
H ow to make gun r evolver t a p and al l fine sp r ings r
—Dirt p icks—L aying dirt p icks

, ,
Pages 7 3 to . 89
C H A P T ER V .
M i tools —A ir ha den ing steel f or l athe and p l aner

achin sts r
t ool s— H ow to a nn ea l a i har den in g steel— M illing

r
cutter s— T he u se of a sbestos and cl ay when ha r den
in g milling cutter s an d other tool s— H ar deni ng hol

l ow t ool s— T he har den i ng an d temp er i ng of hob
t ap s s tay bol t tap s an d s imil ar t ool s— H eatin g f ur
,
n a ces— H ea ted l ea d f or ha deni ng p ur p oses— B oi l er

r
maker s tool s— T he beading tool— Punches and dies

’
-
F l ue exp an de s— Dr i f ts r ivet sn a p s calking tool s
r , ,
an d chi sel s— H a r den i ng shea r bl a des P ages 9 0 to 1 1 5 . .
C H A PT ER V I .
Woodworker s and carp enter s tool s

’ ’
—L i
ay ng a car p en ter s
’
chi s el— T he scr ew dr iver— H ow to make a dr aw

knif e
C H A PT ER V I I .
ni
G r a te cut ter s too l s —
’
T h e g ra n i te d r ill— B u l l s ets an d
ll i l —
bu ch se s T he g a n i te bu s
r h h a m m er — T he gr an ite
ha mme — rG a
r n i te cu tt e s m as h h a
r m m
’
e r— T he gr an i te
l h
too s a p en ersr ha m m ’
er a n d a nvil s ta k e — M a bl e r
cutters
’
tool s P ages 1 22 to 1 30
C O N T EN T S 7
C H A P T ER V III .
L imestone cutters
’
t oo l s— P l a in
h chi sel s and an d t oot
p oin ts— P i tchi n g t ool — H a n d a n d ba ll dr il l s—T he

tooth axe— T he limeston e bush hammer— S an dstone
tool s— S ton e carver s tool s— P oli shin g boar d
’ ’
cutters
f or s ton ecutter s tool s— H ow to f or ge mallet head

’
t ool s— P un chi ng teeth in s tone cutter s t ool s— L athe

’
an d p l an er t ool s f or cutti ng s of t ston e —Dr es sing
tool s w i th the cuttin g edge bevell ed f r om one s i de

on ly
C H A P T ER I X .
T he ston ema son s

’
ls—C orrect and
hammer— M iners ’
too
incor ect shap es of miner s han d drills— T he cr oss or
r
’
machine d ill— T he b r eaking of dr ill s when dr illi ng

r
an d the cau se —T he r ock cuttin g r ea mer— Well dr ill s
P ages 1 46 to 1 5 3
C H A P T ER X .
H or seshoer s
’
tool s— H ow t o m ake an d dr es s a pair of
p in cers— M ak ng i a clin ch cutter —H ow t o m ake a
hors es hoer s kni f e— H ow to dr ess a vise—S harp en

’
ing p l ow shares — H ow to make s quar e h ol es in p l ow

shares Page 1 5 4 to 1 6 2
C H A P T ER X I .
H ow to make ha r n ess m aker s kn f e— H ow to make a

a
’
i .
l i
butcher s s tee — H a r den ng tool s w th five p roj ect ons
’
i i
— T he butcher ’s c ea er— H ow to dr ess a r a r oa d
l v il
p in ch bar— T he sp i ke maul— T he cl aw bar
P ages 1 6 3 to 1 7 3
8 CO NT ENT S
C H A PT ER XI I .
T he br i ckl ayer
,
’
s set —H ow to har den and temp er w ir e
nipp e rs or p li ers— H ow t o m ak e a r a z or — T o m a ke
a scr a p er— H a den ing j aw of p i p e vi se—H ar den in g

r
a n d tem p er i n g bl acksmi th s bol t cli p p er—T ool s f or

’
p u n ch in g or g u mm i n g cr o s s cu t saw s— T
-
h e scr a t ch
awl — H ar den i ng a n d temp er ing ci cul ar bl ades of r
i
p p e cu tte —
r H a den in g a tool accor ding to i ts shap e
r
— M akin g har den ing an d temp er in g an a lligator p ip e

,
wr en ch— H ar denin g an d temp er in g p r un i ng shear

bl a des— T he center p un ch— T he n a il s et —H ar den i ng
an d temp er in g s teel s tamp s— M aki ng a gouge
H ar den in g and temp er in g carp enter s augurs that ’
have come thr ough a fir e— C ase ha deni ng r
P ages 1 7 4 to
C H A PT ER X III .
T he corr ect meaning of a cherry r ed heat— H eating to

‘
har den a ccor din g z of the tool— C har coal

t o the si e
f or hea ti ng steel— T he sea lin g of steel a f ter h ar den

ing— Qua lity and quantity— Qui ck methods of w o k r
in g— C r a cks in s teel— S lighti ng tool s— T he r esul t of

bei ng a success f u l steelw o ker— H ar deni ng tool s that
r
a r e f o ged by a n other mechan i c— S a yi n gs a n d i dea s

r
of mechan i cs in ref er en ce t o steel— Why s ome t ool s
a r e s of t when p ut i n to use— R ea s on s why tool s b eak r
when in use— N eces sa y tool s— Wel din g comp oun ds

r
— H ar den in g comp oun ds—H ow to determin e the tem

p e r o f t ool s— O verhea ti n g t ool s— C u ttin g s te el when
col d— O il temp e i n g— D a w i ng the temp e
r r over the r
op en or bl a cksmi th s fi e— M or e p oin ts on hammer

’
r
in g steel— H ow to i mp r ove— T he bl a cksm i th hel p er ’

s
—T he danger of heating m ore of a tool when dress

ing, than what is to be f or ged or hammer ed— H ar den
ing very small or i

th n too l s— M or e in f ormati on about
I N T RO DUC T I O N
I n in t r o du cin g t hi s book t o my r ea d er s an d br o th er
mech ani cs i t has l on g been my aim t o br in g t hi s v o l ume
,
of in f o r m at ion bef o r e t h e s t eel wo r ker s a n d t oo l m a ker s
in gen er al an d t o p r es en t it in a cl ear s i mp l e w ay t h at
t he av er a ge m ech a ni c wi ll q u i t e r ea d i l y u n d er st an d .
A l t ho u gh t h er e a r e o t h er boo ks w r i t t en an d p ubl i s h ed
on thi s gr eat subj ect of st eel workin g the i n fo r m at ion
,
w hi ch t h ey con t a in i s n ot exp r es s ed in a cl ear l i gh t t h at

i s ben efi ci al t o t he o r d i n ar y r ea d er f or u n l es s t he
,
r ea d er is al r ea d y an exp er t s t e el wo r ker t h e boo k i s n ot
eas i l y u n d er s t oo d wi t ho u t a gr eat d eal of t ho u gh t an d
st u d y as s o m e a u t ho r s oppo se t h ei r own i d ea s o t h er s
, ,
a ga in d o n ot t ake u p t he en t i r e subj ect an d t he i n
fo rm at ion whi ch i s m o st p r ofi t abl e t o t he yo u n g m e

chan i c a n d a l s o whi ch i s m o s t i m p r ess i v e on his m in d
is l eft u nw r i t t en .
B ut t hi s book whi ch is en t i t l ed T he 20th C en t ury

,
T oo l smi t h an d S t eel wo r ker wi l l g i v e fu ll y a l l th e in

,
fo r m at ion an d know l ed ge of wo r kin g st eel in a cl ear

l i gh t s o t h at t he yo u n g m ech a ni c or a pp r en t i ce wi l l
r ea d i l y i mp r o v e i f h e wi l l bu t r ea d
,
. T he m et ho d s gi ven
and u sed as r egar d s t h e wo r ki n g of st eel ,
ar e of t he
most m o d ern si mp l e p r act i cal an d s ci en t ifi c n at u r e

, , , ,
11
12 I NTR O DU C T I O N
whi l e the in str u ct i on s a r e fr om the ex p er i en ce of a suc
c essfu l s t eel wo r k er of good r ep ut at ion a n d who has ,
s p en t y ea r s in h a r d wo r k r a n gin g in ex t en t fr o m t he
,
humbl e coun tr y bl acksmi t h shop t o t he l ar gest an d best

r a i l ro ad l o co m o t iv e a n d m a chin e sho p s a l s o st on e
, ,
,
y a r d s qu arr i es an d m in es of N o r th A m er i ca whi ch i s
, ,
t he on l y co r r ect w ay of g ath er in g t o get h er t he v ast
am o un t of know l ed ge con t a i n e d in t h es e p a ges an d
whi ch has co st t he autho r t housand s of dol l ar s in wid e

t r avel an d co l l ect in g v al u abl e i d ea s f r o m s o m e of t he
g r e a t es t l i v in g m ec h a ni cs a n d s t eel w o rker s th at A m er
i ca has p r o d u ced .
A l t ho u gh t h is book is chi efly in t en d ed f or bl a ck

s m i t h s t ool sm i ths a n d t ool dr ess er s it wi ll be fo un d in
, ,
v al u abl e t o ev er y m ech ani c conn ect e d di r ect l y or in d i
r e ct l y wi t h t he r ep a i r a n d m a n uf act ur e of s t eel in t o
t oo l s an d if the di r ect ion s ar e f o l l ow ed cl o sel y t he

, ,
a m at eur s t eel wo r ker wi l l beco m e an exp er t of t he hi gh
est d egr ee a s t h er e i s no t hin g m en t io ned

,
but t h a t ,
whi ch has been a cco mp l i sh ed by the author an d p r oven

by exp er i m en t t o be the gr eat est su cces s .
T hi s book is n ot m er el y w r i tt en f or the youn g me

ch ani e or a pp r ent i ce bu t l i kewi s e f or the ol d an d i t
, ,
d o es n ot si gn ify if the r ea d er has worked over the an vi l

:
l
-
. ,
for fo r ty y ears t h er e is in f o r m at ion t h at wi l l h el p him

,
og ereom e d i fficu l t i es an d o bst acl es conn ect ed wi th s t eel

-
.
,
A l thou gh t he in str uct i on s gi ven ar e p r in cip al l y in
,
r eferen ce t o he at in g s t eel in t h e bl a cksm i t h s or O p en
fir e an d whi ch i s m o stl y u sed t hi s book gi v es in fo rma ,

I N T R O DU C T I O N
A n d if I coul d have h ad t hi s book at the cl ose of my

a pp r ent i ceship it w oul d h ave saved me m any a t r oubl e
,
s o m e j ob m a ny a l o n g ho ur of stu d y a gr eat d ea l of
, ,
exp er i m en t i n g l ar ge s um s of mon ey an d p l aced m e

,
y ear s in a dvan ce of t he p r esent t i mes A n d s o I wi sh .
t o say t o the r ea d er a l tho u gh he m ay h a ve so m e goo d

,
i d eas t h at p er h ap s ar e equ al t o the autho r s whi l e on ’

,
the o th er h a n d he m ay h ave s o m e n ot as goo d r ea d thi s ,
boo k car eful l y fr o m beginnin g t o en d an d fo l l ow its ,
a d v i ce an d he wi l l be cr own e d wi t h su cces s a s a poo r ,
mech ani c or J a ck of al l t r a d es i s n ot w a n t ed in t h ese

d ays wh er e th er e is as mu ch comp et i t ion for the me
,
n
chan i c s j ob a s t h er e i s bet w een bu s in ess m en in a n y

’
mer cant i l e bus in ess A n d a gain I s ay t o the mech ani c

.
,
r ea d t hi s book car efull y f o l l ow t h e in st ru ct ion s cl o s el y

, ,
an d y ou w i l l ho l d y o ur j ob a n d t ake fi r s t p l a ce .
C H A P T ER I .
S teel , i ts n eces s ity

u se a n d
— C om
treat po s i t ion
— S u ccess fu l
— —
m en t D i ffe en t kin ds T he cra ckin g of steel wh en h ar d
r
eh in g a n d th e ca u se
— Ju dgin g a n d testin g .
S teel, I ts Use and N ecessity in A l l A rts, T rades and

Pr ofessi ons .
We coul d get al on g wi t ho ut a gr eat m any o th er ma

”
met a l s but w e m u st h ave st eel , it s gr eat
“
t er i a l s an d ,
n ecess i t y co m es fi r st in al l ar ts t r a d es, an d p r o f es s ion s

,
.
T he d o ct o r or sur geon mu st h ave fin e l a n cin g kni v es ,

t he d en t i st m u st h a v e f o r cep s a n d the scu l p t or mu st
-
,
h ave fin e chi sel s T he m a chini st boi l erm aker , st on e

.
,
cut t er br i ckl a y er an d the s t on e m as o n , mu st h ave t h ei r

,
t oo l s m a de f r o m st eel in o r d er t o p er f o r m t h ei r sk i llful
“
l abo r , l ikew i se, the kin g an d fo u n d a t ion of a l l m ech an

”
T he B l a cksm i th , he must in t he fi r st p l ace h a v e
“
i cs,
the a n v i l , h amm er s, chi sel s , f ul l er s, sw a ges, et c , t o d o .
hi s own w o rk an d m ake t oo l s f or o t h er s .
O ur cap i t o l s go ver n m en t bui l d in gs p al a ces cat h e

, , ,
dr al s t he gr eat r a i l r o a d sy st em s, l i kewi s e the d ef en se

,
of our c u o n tr yn avy and its gun s ar e al l br ou ght

,
t he ,
t o the st a ge of p er f ect ion by the u s e of s t eel a n d s o

,
w e can r ea d il y s ee t h at steel co m es fi r st an d fo r em o st
of all met al s an d t he m ech an i c who i s s o f o r t u n at e a s t o
,
becom e a goo d s t eel wo r ker is en t i t l ed t o a l l hon or and

,
shoul d be p r o u d of hi s ski ll .
15
16 TH E T WEN T I ET H CE NT URY
T he C omposi ti on of C ast T ool S teel .
I or d er t o u nd er st an d thi s subj ect ful l y it i s n eces

n ,
s ar y t o know s o m ethin g p er t a inin g t o the m a n u fa ctu r e .
B ut in a s i mp l e w ay of ex p l a inin g cast t oo l st eel i s ,
chi efly co mpo sed of bar or w r o u gh t i r o n al tho u gh ,
w r ou ght ir on is a ver y u s eful met al it is of t oo s oft a ,
n atu r e in its n at ur al st at e for the p urp o se of t ool m ak

in g C on sequ en t l y i r on i s p ut t h r o u gh a p r o cess by th e
.
s t eel m an u f a ct u r er a n d by t he u se of ch ar co al the i r o n
,
beco m es car boniz e d an d s o con ver t ed in t o st eel .
A gr eat d eal co u l d be w r i t t en on the m an ufactur e

of cast t oo l s t eel a s t he s t eel
,
aft er bein g m a
,
nuf ac
t ur ed m ay be of goo d or ba d qu al i t y an d a l s o bein g of
‘
di ff er en t d egr ees of h ar dn ess or t emp er T he qu al i ty .
of t he s t eel d ep en d s on t he q u al i t y of i r on u s ed in t he
m an uf a ct ur e whi l e the h ar d n ess of the st eel d ep end s

,
on the amoun t of car bon it con t a in s T he t emp er of .
s t eel i s cl as sed or m ea sur ed by t he p er cen t a ge of car bon
in the st eel f or ex amp l e 1 00 poin ts i s equ al t o 1 p er

,
cen t t o fu r t h er exp l a in st eel t h at i s r i gh t f or m ak in g

, ,
co l d chi sel s wi l l con s i st of 7 5 poin t s car bon whi l e st e el ,
u sed f or m achini st s l at h e or t ur nin g t oo l s whi ch i s r e

’
qu i r ed t o be mu ch h ar d er wi l l con s i st of 1 p er cent .
G oo d cast s t eel sho ul d be m an uf actur e d fr o m p ur e

S w edi sh i r on an d shoul d con t a in n ot l ess t h an 6 0 point s
car bon in o r d er t h at it wi l l r ea di l y beco m e ( a f t er p ass
i n g t h r o u gh t he v ar io u s p r o ces s es of t he st eel wo rker )

h ar d as gl ass t ou gh as wh al ebon e an d as s oft as l ea d
,
.
Wh en t ool m akin g a good qu al i ty of st eel shoul d al

,
w a ys be u se d but a s t o h a r dn ess it wi l l d ep end on how

, ,
t he t oo l is t o be u s ed an d wh at m at er i al t he t o ol i s to
18 TH E T WEN T I ET H CE NTURY
or l es s xp eri en ce I wi ll d es cr ibe the h eat s O f a p i ece O f
e ,
o r d in ary st eel 7 5 poin t s in car bon ( whi ch wi ll an sw er

a l l o r d in ar y p ur po ses ) in t he f o l l owin g m ann er a y el
, ,
l ow h eat f or f o r gin g ch er r y r ed f or h ar d enin g bl ood

, ,
r ed f or a nn ea l in g an d a whi t e h eat f or w el din g

, .
Forging .
F o r g in g is t he t ool sm i th
’
whi ch i s r equ i r ed to
s l a bo r
br in g or ch an ge a pi ece of st eel in t o any s h ap e or f o r m ,
by r ef er r in g t o t he f o r gin g h eat it i s at all t i m es n eé es

,
s a r y a n d ben efi ci a l t o h a v e a y ell ow or s o ft h eat t h en ,
t he st eel wi l l be wo rked cl ea r t h r o u gh an d esp eci a l l y ,
in h ea vy for gin g but the h eat mu st gr a du all y d ecr eas e

,
a s t he t oo l beco m es fini s h e d F or ex amp l e supp os in g

.
,
t he t oo l sm i t h h a s a p i ece of s t eel on e in ch s qu ar e a n d
it i s t o be f o r ge d d own t o a chi s el sh a p ed poin t i t is ,
h eat ed s l ow l y an d even l y t o a hi gh or y el l ow h eat the ,
t oo l sm i t h an d h el p er f o r ges i t in t o t he sh ap e r equ i r ed
u n t i l it is n ecessar y t o get a no th er h eat bu t the s econd ,
h eat wi l l n ot n ecessar i l y be so hot as it wi l l be suffici en t

t o fi ni sh the t oo l an d t he h ar d es t wo rk i s o v er wh en ,
t he st eel i s fi ni sh ed at a l ow h eat an d the l a st bl ow s

of t he h a mm er f al l on t he fl a t s id e T he s t eel is l eft
.
fi n er an d st r on ger t h an if fi ni sh ed at a hi gh h eat .
H a mmering .
H am meri n g st eel in fi ni shin g st a ge i s on e of the

the
g r ea t es t se cr et s of s u cc es s conn e ct e d wi t h f o r g in g t oo l s ,
i t i s at all t i m es n eces s ar y a s it t o u gh en s r efin es an d ,
p a ck s t h e s t ee l,
b u t i t i s chi efly f or t o ol s t h a t h av e a
fl at sur face O n too l s t h at have no fl at surf ace but ar e

.
T O O L SM ITH A N D S T EEL WO RKE R 19
e i th er r o un d or s qu ar e the bl ow s must n atur al l y f al l

,
on al l s i des al i ke con s equ en tl y the s t eel is l eft in it s

,
n atur a l s t at e B ut t oo l s th at ar e fl a t su ch as col d
.
,
c hi s el s or m i l l pi cks t he l a st bl ow s s a y 1 0 or 1 5
,
m u st ,
fa l l on bo t h fl a t s i d es ev en l y wh en a t a l o w h ea t but ,
be a r in m in d t h at n ot a bl ow is t o st r i ke t he e d ge a s i t
wi l l kno ck out all the t en a ci ty t h at ha s been put in the
s t eel by the bl ow s on t he fl a t s u r f a ce a n d do n ot ham ,
m er t he st eel t oo co l d a s it wi l l r u in t he s t eel I f t he .
h am m er in g is p r op er l y don e t he s t eel wi l l show a br i gh t

bl a ck gl o ss .
H ar deni ng .
T he p r o ces s f or h ar d enin g i s by heat in g t he st eel t o a

c er t a in h ea t t h en coo l in g O fi s u dd en l y in w a t er whi ch ,
wi l l i m med i at el y ch an ge the st eel fr o m its so ft n at ur al

s t a t e in t o t h at of a h a r d gl assl i ke s t at e an d wi l l s how
,
a whi t e a p p ea r a n ce wh en co m in g ou t of t he w at er B ut .
af t er co m ing t h r o u gh t hi s O p er at ion the st eel m ay be
p r op e r l y or i m p r op er l y h a r d en e d s t e el t h a,
t i s p r op er l y
h ar d en ed is fin er a n d str on ger t h an i mp r op erl y h ar d
en e d s t eel an d i f br o ken wo ul d p r es en t a fi n e cr y s t al
,
i z ed fr act ur e w hi l e on the o th er h a n d i m p r op er l y
, ,
h ar d en ed st eel wh en br oken w oul d p r esen t a co ar s e

fr a ct ur e r esembl in g a pi ece of hon ey co mb an d wi l l
br eak very easy . T he s ecr et of su ccess f or p r op er
h ar den in g l i es in the h eat th at is used the p r op er h eat ,
mu st be f ou n d ou t by exp er i men t in g A goo d w ay t o .
fin d out the p r op er h eat wi l l be t ake a sm al l pi ece of

, ,
s t eel an d on on e en d p ut d eep ni cks in it wi t h a chi sel ,
abo ut h al f an in ch a p ar t s ay f or t h r ee i n ch es ba ck
, , .
as s hown i n F i gur e 1 N ow p l a ce the en d t h a t has t he

.
nicks in the fi re an d h eat t he extr eme poin t t o a whi t e

,
or w el din g h eat t h en p l un ge in t o co l d w at er an d cool
off d ea d co l d
“
N ow p l a ce ov er t h e a n v i l c omm en c
.
,
in g at t he ex t r em e p oin t t h a t w as th e ho t t est an d br eak

O ff a t t he fi r s t ni ck t h en t h e n ex t an d s o on un t i l a l l
,
i s br o ken an d the r esu l t s wi ll be a s f o rm er l y exp l a in ed

, .
T he fi r st pi ece wh en br o ken wi l l show a co ar se h a r d ,
a n d v er y br i tt l e f r a ct u r e be in g v er y easy t o br eak a n d ,
'
a s th e o t h er p i e ces a r e br ok en t h e f r a ct u r e wi l l be n o
t i ced t o be g ett in g fin er an d h ar d er t o br eak u n t i l t he
Fi g 1 . . S h owin g p i ece of steel for h arden i n g test .
on e is ome
c to s howin g
y st all iz ed fr a ctu r e r e
a fin e cr
s em bl in g a p i e ce of gl a s s A no t h er w ay t o fi nd ou t .
t he p r op er h ea t f or h a r d enin g wi l l be t o h av e 3 or 4
t hin fl a t p i eces of st e el b eat t h em t o difi er en t h eat s
,
t h en br eak O ff t akin g p a r t i cul a r no t i ce of t he f r a ctur e ,
a n d ho w s o m e pi eces wi l l br eak m u ch ea s i er t h a n
o t h er s .
Wh en h ar d enin g st eel al w ay s bea r in m ind t o h ar d en

,
it at a s l ow a h eat a s i t wi l l be su r e t o h ar d en a t a s ,
p r op er h ar d enin g i s t he g at ew ay of su c ces s in m akin g

t oo l s t h at h ave t o ho l d a good cu tt in g e d ge .
T he H ar dening B ath .
I onn ect ion wit h the h ar d enin g of st eel the h ar d en

n c
in g bat h f o r m s a v er y i mp o r t a n t p ar t an d whi ch s h oul d

n ot be o v er l oo ke d I t con s i s t s chi efly of w a t er whi ch
.
,
must be cl e an an d f r ee fr o m al l oil y or gr eas y s ub

22 T H E T WE N T I ET H CE NTURY
n gul ar po si t ion it wi ll be very ap t t o w arp Wi d e fl at
a .
too l s wh et h er p art l y or who l l y h ar d en ed shoul d be

,
qu en ch ed in a p er f ectl y up r i ght po si t ion or t h ey w i ll

w ar p fl atw ise .
T empering .
A ft er h ar d enin g t he st eel it wi l l be t oo h ar d for

s o m e p u r p o ses an d s o t h e h ar dn es s m u s t b e r edu ced by
,
r eh ea t in g it t o a c er t a in d egr e e a ccor din g t o t h e wo rk

”
it i s t o d o whi ch i s t er m e d t em p er in g I f a pi ece
“
, .
O f h ar d en ed s t eel be po l i s h ed br i gh t t h en r eh eat e d dif , ,
f er en t co l o r s wi l l a pp ea r a n d ch a n g e as t he s t eel be
co m es h eat e d t o a gr eat er d e gr ee T he co l o r s wi l l ap .
p ear in t h ei r tu r n a s fo l l ow s co mmen cin g wi th the l east ,
d egr ee of h eat wi l l be a l i gh t str aw d ark str aw C opp er , , ,
r ed ,
p u rp l e d ark bl u e l i gh t bl u e an d gr ey an d by
, , ,
w at chin g the col ors the st eel worker r egul at es the t em

p e r O r h a r dn e s s O f t h e t oo l .
T em p er in g i s t he p r o cess t h at wi l l r ea di l y ch an ge
s t eel f r o m i t s h ar d en ed gl a ss l i ke s t at e in t o an el a s t i c
S p r in gy n at u r e r esem bl in g wh al ebon e F or i l l u st r a .
t ion t ak e a t hin p i ece of s t eel 3 in ch es l on g

,
in ch ,
wid e 1 1 6 t hi ck aft er h ar d enin g the who l e pi ece fr om

,
-
,
en d t o en d t h en t em p er in g t o a v er y l i gh t bl u e an d
a l l owin g i t t o coo l off on i t s own a cco r d it wi l l be ,
f o u nd t o be in a v er y el a st i c s t at e an d if ben t it wo ul d
i mm edi at el y com e back s tr a i ght a gain T emp er in g .
s ho u l d n ot be cl ass e d a s h ar d enin g or v i ce v er sa a s i s ,
O f t en the ca s e wi t h a gr eat m any m e ch a ni cs F or ex .
a m p l e a t o ol t h a t i s t o b e on l y h ar d en ed a n d no t em
,
p er d r a wn s ho u l d b e c
,
l as sed a s h ar d en ed and not ,
temper ed
’
.
TO O L SM IT H A N D S T EEL WO R KER 23
Wel di ng .
Wel d in g i s th e j p r o ces s
oinin g t w o pi eceor a r t of
s
of s t eel t o geth er s o a s t o f o r m on e s o l i d p i ece an d ,
whi ch f o r m s a v ery i mpo r t an t p art in st eel wor kin g

or t oo l m ak in g T her e a r e s ev er al er r o r s m a d e w h en
.
w el d in g st eel s o m e of t he m o st com mon on es bein g the

, ,
w ant of t he p r op er know l ed ge con cer nin g the n atur e of

s t e el a gr een or u n cl ea n fi r e con t a inin g sul ph ur a n d
,
o th er f o r ei gn m att er whi ch i s d an ger ous t o hot st eel

, ,
t he abs en ce of the p r op er w el d in g h eat an d i m p r op er ,
w ay s of uni t in g t he pi eces t o geth er F or t he ben efit .
of t h os e w ho h av e n ot ha d m u ch p r a ct i ce an d t ho se who
h ave on l y been p art l y su ccessful I wi l l gi ve th ese in ,
s t r u ct i on s whi ch if fol l ow e d cl o s el y wi l l in sur e su c

, ,
c es s . F i r st O f al l t he w el din g poin t in t he st eel t h at

is t o be w el d ed mu st be know n as t h er e ar e s ev er al ,
kin d s O f st eel s o m e wi l l r equ i r e a hi gh er h eat t o w el d

,
t h an o t h er s t he h eat v ar yin g a cco r d in g t o t h e h ar d n es s

,
of the st eel ;
F or i ll ustr at ion w e m ake a wel d by un i t in g tw o

,
p i e ces of s t eel t o get h er a n d w e h a v e h a d goo d s u cces s ,
a s t he w el d r ep r es en t s on e s o l i d pi ece N ow w e p r o .
ceed t o m ake a no t h er w el d an d in e x act l y th e s a m e ,
way as the fi r st w el d t he s am e w el d in g h eat i s u sed an d

,
t he s am e fi r e bu t thi s t i m e w e d o n ot m ee t wi t h s u cces s
,
f or as s oon as the hot st eel i s st r u ck wi t h t he h a mm er ,
t o f o r m t he w el d the st eel fli es t o pi eces ( I h ear t h e

,
r ea d er a sk t he r ea son why ) becau s e t he st eel w a s

, ,
h eat ed t o a hi gh er h eat t h a n wh at t he s teel wo ul d

st a nd an d t h e con s eq u en ce i s a l l t he l abo r has be en
, ,
l o st the f au l t l i es in n ot knowin g the w el d in g poi n t

, .
We coul d t ake w r ou gh t i ron and make ever y w el d at

t he sa h eat but n ot s o wi t h st eel on a ccount of it
me , ,
v ar yin g in h ar d n es s A n d s o in cases w h en the me

.
ch a ni e i s in d o ubt as t o the h ar d n ess or w el d in g poin t
in the st eel use thi s r ul e T ake a pi ece of the st eel th at

, .
is t o be w el d ed h eat it t o a y ell ow h eat t h en p l a ce it

, ,
o ver the ed ge of the an vi l an d str ike it a l i ght bl ow

wi th the h ammer if the st eel d o es n ot crumbl e or f all
,
t o pi eces keep in cr eas in g t he h eat un t il it d o es t hi s

, ,
wi ll en abl e anyon e to t est the st eel for h ard n ess an d ,
s o fin d t he w el d in g poin t or j u st how hi gh a h eat t he
st eel wi ll s t and bef o r e cr umbl in g or fl yin g t o pi eces
wh en m akin g a w el d .
B ut a l t ho u gh t he w el d in g h eat is w ell u n d er st oo d ,
t h er e ar e o th er t hin gs t o con s id er a s w e mu st h a v e a ,
cl e an fi r e wi t h the co al w ell ch arr ed an d al l gas su l ,
p h u r c
,
l in k er s a sh es e t c m u s t be t aken fr o m t he
, ,
.
,
fi r e t o in sur e a s o l id w el d
,
Wel d in g is mor e full y ex .
p l a in ed in a noth er ch ap t er of the book as in d i rt , ,
p i ck s .
A nneali ng .
T he chi ef O bj ect
nn eal in g st eel is t o so ft en it
of a ,
the p r o cess bein g a l mo st O ppo si t e t o t h at of h ar d enin g .
I n h ar d enin g the st eel i s cool ed ofi ver y qu i ckl y but

, ,
in ann eal in g the st eel is cool ed v ery sl ow l y S teel to

, .
a nn eal must be h eat ed in s o m ew h at t he s ame m ann er
a s t o h ar d en wi th the ex cep tion th at the ann eal in g

,
h eat must n ot exceed the pr op er h ar d ening h eat a ,
l i ttl e l ess h eat wi l l be best f or ex amp l e a bl oo d r ed , .
T he a d van t a ge t o be ga in ed by a nn eal i n g st eel is t o

make it soft in o r d er th at it may be easi ly fi l ed turn ed
, , ,
or p l a n ed Wi thout ann eal in g some st eel w i l l be t oo

.
har d f or t he m achini st s u se t oo l s t h at ar e for ged by

’
,
26 TH E T WEN T I ET H CE NT UR Y
ra n ge as t h at u s ed in a l ar ge ma chin e shO p as st eel ,
of 7 5 poin t s car bon wi ll a n s w er a l l p ur po ses in t he
bl a cksm i th shop but in the m a chi n e s hop st eel is us ed

,
of a mu ch hi gh er car bon r an gin g up t o 1 00 poin t s or

,
1 p er cent an d ev en hi gh er H igh car bon st eel i s u s e d

.
chi efly f or m ak in g l at h e an d p l a n er t oo l s w hi ch ha s ,
been fo un d out by p r act i cal exp er i en ce t o be p r ef er

abl e ow i n g gr eat l y t o t he r ea son t h at t h es e t oo l s do ,
t h ei r w ork by st ea d y p r essur e S ho ul d a co l d chi s el

.
be ma d e fr om hi gh car bon st eel s ay 1 p er cen t t he , ,
h ea d of the chi s el wo ul d be con t in u all y br eakin g an d

sp l i t t in g O ff H i gh car bon st eel is m o r e d i ffi cul t t o
.
w el d and wi l l h ar d en at a l ess h eat th an l ow carbon

st eel . T oo l s t h at a r e t o d o t h ei r wo r k by s tr i kin g wi th
a h amm er a s a co l d chi sel sho ul d al w ay s be m ad e fr o m
, ,
a m e di u m l ow car bon s t eel B ut in t h es e d ay s st eel c an

.
,
be ha d in any sh ap e or t emp er t o su i t any t oo l s o wh en ,
o r d er in g st eel fr om the man ufactur er al w ay s st at e wh at

kin d O f t o ol s th e st eel i s t o be u sed f or T he p er cen t a ge .
of carbon whi ch t he s t eel sho u l d con t a i n f or d i ff er en t
t oo l s wi l l be ful l y exp l a in e d t h r ou gho ut t he book as ,
e ach t oo l is d escr i bed .
T he C racki ng of T ool s When H ar deni ng and the C ause .
T he cr ack in g of t oo l s dur in g
h a r d enin g p r o cess t he ,
i s on e of the gr eat O bst a cl es t o be o v er co m e by the

s t eel wo rker an d whi ch i s t he cau se of the l o s s of a
,
gr eat amo un t of exp en s i ve t oo l s an d l abo r .
T he p r i m ary an d m a in cau s e f or t oo l s cr ackin g wh en

h ar d enin g i s over h eat in g of the st eel anoth er cause is
, ,
by un even h eat in g st i l l ano th er cau se wi l l r esul t f r om

,
fo r gin g and l eav in g st r a in s in the s t eel by i rr egul ar

heat in g an d h amm er in g an d al s o by i mp r op er ann eal
,
T O O L SM IT H A N D S T EEL WO RKER 27
mg . h eat ed in t he bl acksm i th s fir e i s
S t eel t h at i s
’
ver y l i abl e t o cr ack in h ar d enin g u n l es s gr ea t c ar e be

,
ex er ci s e d an d t he t en d en cy f or the st eel t o cr a ck wi l l
,
be in cr ea sed if the m ech ani c has on l y a l i m i t ed am o un t

,
of kn ow l ed ge as r egar d s the n at u r e an d v i r tu e of
s t eel . F or ill ustr at i on I wi ll gi ve t he w ay t h at a gr eat

ma ny who cal l t h emsel ves s t eel wo rker s h ar d en a pi ece ,
of st eel T hey w i l l t ake the p i ece of st eel p l ace i t in

.
,
t he fir e t h en turn on or bl ow a ver y st r on g bl ast s o a s

,
t o h eat it qu ickl y gett i n g on e p ar t at a w hi t e h eat

,
whi l e anoth er p art is bar el y r ed th en p l un ge it in t o ,
t he w at er any way t o cool O ff con sequen t l y it cra cks

, ,
an d the O p er at or bl ames t he st eel s ay ing it w a s no
g o o d ,
w h il e he h im s e lf w as t o b l am e L ayin g t he .
bl ame on the st eel i s the theory O f a gr eat man y bl a ck

s mi t h s an d st eel w orker s esp eci all y wh en t he t oo l d o es
,
n ot gi ve goo d sat i sf act i on B ut on t he o th er h and

.
,
s ho ul d t he t oo! d o go od w ork t h ey ar e r ea d y t o t a ke
a l l the p r ai se t o t h emsel ves by t el l in g o th er s about it ,
a n d I s t at e t hi s fr o m exp er i en ce as I h ave been in the
s am e p os i t io n bef o r e fi n d i n g out my m i st ake .
N ow l et us har d en a pi ece of st eel pr op erl y as it

s ho ul d be d o n e an d f or ex amp l e suppo s in g w e h av e
, ,
a fl at pi ece t o be h ar d en ed 2 i n ch es s qu ar e by
, i n ch
t hi ck Pl ace the st eel fl atw ay s on t op of the fir e h eat
.
,
s l ow l y an d v er y ev enl y t ur nin g the st eel over o cca

,
s i on al l y s o as n ot t o h eat in str eaks u n t i l t he w ho l e ,
p i ece b ec o m es h ea t ed t o a ch e rr y r e d or j u st en ou gh t o
h ar d en th en coo l ed gew ays fr om an up r i gh t p os i t ion

, ,
in cl ean col d w ater a l l owin g it t o r emain t h er e unt i l it

i s p er f ect l y co l d and it wi l l be p erfect l y h ar d en ed an d
,
fr ee fr o m all cr acks .
A n d t o m o r e f ull y i l l u st r a t e I wi l l r el at e a l i ttl e in
,
e i d en t in my own ex p er i en ce I t oo k a po s i t ion as
.
28 TH E T WEN T I ET H CE NTUR Y
t oo l smi t h in on e of hop s of the C hi ca go Ro ck
the l ar ge s ,
I sl an d an d P a ci fi c R a i l r o a d T he fi r st j ob I u n d er t o ok
.
t o d o w as t o h ar d en an d t emp er a gr eat n umber of fl at

,
t h r ea d cutt i ng di es a s I st ar t ed t o work the m achini st

,
f o r em an came al on g an d sa i d t o m e I w a n t you t o
“
,
”
h ar d en th ese di es with out l eavin g cr acks in th em A .
f ew d ay s af t er t he di es ha d been in us e I asked him ,
i f he f o un d any cr a cks in the d i es an d he r ep l i ed no

“
, ,
.
”
n ot on e . T h en he w ent on an d exp l a in ed t o me t h at ,
t he t oo l sm i t h who w as t h er e befo r e m e w as con t inu ,
a ll y l eav in g cr a cks i n t he d i es an d l ayin g th e bl am e
on the st eel sayin g it w as no goo d whi l e the di es w er e ,
n ot g i v in g goo d sat i sf a ct ion an d at the sam e t i me keep
in g a m a chini st bu sy m akin g n ew on es an d keepin g

o th er s in r ep ai r A few d ays l at er the m achini st ( who
.
w a s keepin g t he t oo l s in r ep a i r ) cam e a l on g t o m e an d
sa i d I a m n ot wo r kin g mu ch m o r e t h an hal f my t im e
“
,
s in ce y ou st a r t ed a s I h a v e n ot n ea r s o m a ny d i es t o
,
”
keep in r ep a i r . R ea d er I h ave n ot r el at ed thi s af
,
f a i r t o g i v e m y s el f p r a i s e but in st ea d t o p oin t out t o

, ,
y ou t h e di ff er en ce b et w een t w o m ech a ni cs a n d b o t h
cal l in g t h em s el v es t ool smit hs on e h a v in g ver y l i ttl e
,
know l ed ge con cer nin g t he n at ur e an d wo r kin g of st eel ,
w a s gi vin g p oo r s at i sf a ct ion s poi l in g a gr eat m any

,
too l s an d r esu l t in g in t he l o ss of hi s p o s i t ion .
T he o th er ha d a t ho r o u gh know l e d ge of st eel in
ev er y w ay a n d d id hi s wo r k in a hi gh l y s at i sf a ct o r y
m a nn er .
T he fi rst m an di d his wo rk by h eat in g hi s t oo l s t oo

f ast h av in g on e p a r t of a t oo l at a whi t e h ea t a n d
,
a no t h er p ar t s ca r ce l y r e d a n d wh en be in g coo l e d t o
,
h ar d en t h ey cr acked T he s econd m an did his wor k

.
by w at chin g car eful l y s o as t o h eat t he t oo l very

30 T HE T WEN T I ET H C EN T UR Y
sp l it an d h a l f an in ch down the s i d es T hi s
br ok en O ff .
r ep r esen t s a hi gh ca r bon s t eel of 1 e r c e n t whi ch i s

p ,
t oo h a r d f or chi sel u s e but wo ul d b e good f or l at h e

,
a n d p l a n er t oo l s T hi s w ay i s p er f ect l y r el i abl e wh en
.
te ll in g th e d i ff er en ce bet w e en h ar d a n d s o f t st eel Wh en .
f o r g in g s o f t s t e el wi ll g i v e mu ch m o r e r ea di l y u nd er
,
t he h a mm er an d wi ll ho l d the h eat mu ch l on ger t h an ,
h ar d st eel .
I f tw o pi eces of st eel on e h ar d t he o t h er s o ft ar e
, ,
h ar d en e d at t he s am e h eat the h ar d pi ece wi ll be s ca l ed ,
off whi t e whi l e t he s o ft pi e ce wi l l be on l y p ar t l y s c a l ed

,
O ff s howin g a bl ack an d whi t e a pp ea r a n ce

, .
H ow to T ell G ood fr om P oor S t eel .
T he fr act ur e g oo d s t e el wh
of e n fi r s t b r o k en wi l l ,
s how a s i l v er y whi t e a p p ea r a n ce cl e a r t h r o u gh t h e ba r ,
whi l e the fr a ctur e of p oo r st eel wi l l s how a dul l gr ey .
Wh en j u d gin g or t est in g s t eel by t he fr a ct ur e do n ot

a ll ow t he s t eel t o get w et or r u st y .
T esting S t eel A ft er H ar dening With a Fi l e .
Wh en h ar d enin g t ool s of an exp en s iv e n atu r e it is ,
a l w ay s bes t t o m ak e s u r e t h e st eel i s p r o p er l y h a r d en e d
befo r e u nd er t akin g t o d r a w th e t em p er by t est in g wi th ,
a good s h ar p fi l e in s o m e p a r t t h a t wi ll n ot in t er f er e
wi t h the cut t in g qu al i t i es O f t he t ool S hou l d t he fi l e .
r u n o v er t h e s t eel wi tho u t t ak in g a ho l d t h e st eel i s a l l ,
r i gh t but on t h e o t h er h a nd sh ou l d t h e fi l e t ak e a
, ,
hol d of it the t ool wi ll h a v e t o be h ar d en ed a ga in

, ,
h av in g a l i ttl e hi gh er h eat t h a n the fi r st t im e .

T O O L SM ITH A N D S T EEL WO RKER 31
I nstructi ons on T ool making T hat H ave to B e G iven

M any T imes .
I n g i v in g in s t r u ct ion s on t oo l m ak in g in t h e f o l l owi n g
ch ap t er s of t hi s boo k it wi ll b e n ecess ary t o gi v e t o a
cer t a in ex t en t t he s am e a d v i ce a s d i ffer en t t oo l s ar e
d es cr ibed A n d so I wi ll a sk the r ea d er t o bear thi s in

.
min d as wh at is t o l d m any t i m es wi ll be t h at whi ch

,
is m o st ben efi ci a l t ow ar d s m ak in g st eel wo r k a su cces s

an d a l s o whi ch I wi s h t o i m p r es s m o st d eep l y on t he
r e a d er s m in d in o r d er t h a t i t m a y be w el l r em ember ed
’
C H A P T ER I I .
T he b l acks m ith
’
s fi re — A n vil — —
T on g s M a ki n g a ha n d
h am m er .
T he B l acksmi th
’
s Fir e .
T he fir e is on e of the m o st
i mpo r t an t thin gs con ~
n ect ed wi th t he bl a cksm i t h s or t ool dr ess er s t r a d e a n d

’ ’
,
is the fi r st t hin g I wi l l d es cr i be t ow ar d t oo l m ak in g .
T he m a in poin t s of a fi r e t o be con s i d er ed i s t he fir e ,
sho u l d b e on a f o r ge l ar ge eno u gh t o en abl e t he fi r e t o
be eas i l y r egu l at e d t o any s iz e a ccor din g t o the wo r k

,
t h at h as t o be h ea t ed in i t an d h av e p l en t y of bl as t
,
whi ch can be w ell r egul at ed T he fir e shoul d al w ay s .
con s i st O f w ell ch ar r ed co a l bein g p er f ect l y f r ee f r o m

,
al l su l p h u r gas ,
a s h es cl in ker s
, an d t hi ck
,
s mo k e
bef o r e un d ert akin g t o h eat st eel in it .
I n r ef er en ce t o the s iz e of t he fi r e I wi l l i l l u str at e ,
suppo s in g w e h ave a l ar ge pi ece of st eel t o h eat ( s ay a
s t on e h amm er ) w e w an t t o h eat i t ev en l y a n d cl ear

,
th r o u gh t he fir e mu st be l ar ge eno u gh t o a cco mm o d at e
,
the h ammer S O t h at it W i l l n ot come in con t a ct wi th t he

bl a st f r o m the bl ow er or bel l ow s an d st i l l h ave a cer ,
t a in amo u n t of fir e o v er t he h amm er whi ch wi l l r e ,
qu i r e a fir e of about 6 in ch es d eep an d 8 in ch es acr o ss

t he sur f a ce but a smal l er fir e wi ll d o in cas e of sm a l l
,
t oo l s
.
T he autho r h as u s ed a fi r e t h at w as ba r el y in ch es
a cr o s s the who l e h ea t ed sur f ace but t hi s w a s m a de ,
es p eci a l l y f or h ar d enin g an d t emp er in g cer t a in p a r t s
32
34 TH E T WEN T I ET H C E N T URY
B l ow er s ar e u s e d d eal in th ese d ays ( th ey

a gr eat
t ake t he p l a c e O f bel l ow s ) whi ch ar e r un by h a nd in
,
sm a ll s hop s by t he u se O f a cr a n k or l ev er al tho u gh in ,
l ar ge shop s bl ow er s a r e run by s t eam pow er an d t he ,
s m i t h s i m p l y r e gu l at es hi s fi r e by m o vin g a l ev er t o
di ffer en t po s i t ion s I t m akes no di ff er en ce wh at p r o

.
du ces the bl ast s o l on g a s t h er e is p l en ty of it an d at ,
the sam e t i m e it ca n be w el l r e gul at ed .
T he A nvil .
T he an v i l is a t oo l u s ed in the bl acksm i th t r a d e or
shop whi ch i s p r act i ca ll y t h e f o u nd at ion of al l t oo l s f or ,
the f o r gin g a n d s h ap in g of a l l cl asses O f wo rk an d

mo r e p ar t i cu l ar in r egar d s t o t oo l m akin g T h er e ar e a .
g r ea t m a ny di fi er en t s iz es of a n v i l s as w ell a s a g eat
r ,
many di ff er en t m akes I n r ef er en ce t o the s iz e O f t he

.
a n vi l ,
s o m e sm i t h s w a n t on e s iz e s o m e a no t h er but , ,
for gen er al t oo l wo rk a n a n v i l w e i ghin g 225 pound s

i s abo u t r i gh t .
T h er e i s a gr e at d i fi er en ce in t he m ak e an d a l s o t he
qu al it y of anv i l s T he author has for ge d t ool s on
.
a l m o st ev er y m ake O f a nvi l m a n uf a ct u r e d in G r eat
B r i t a in or t he U ni t e d S t at es bu t t he kind t h at h as ,
g iv en t he m o st s at i sf a ct o r y r esu l t s a n d whi ch can be ,
r el i e d u p on i s known a s t h e H a y B u dd en
,
M anu f a c .
t ur e d by t he H ay B u dd en M a n uf a ctu r in g C o mp any ,
B r ookl yn N ew Y o r k U S A
, ,
. . .
T hi s m ake of a n v i l s i s f ull y gu ar a n t eed th ey ,
a r e m a d e f r o m t he v ery bes t m at er i a l a n d by ex p ert
wo r km en an d t he f a ce i s p er f ect l y h ar d en ed T h er e
,
.
a r e no s o f t s p o t s n e i t h er do t h ey s a g d own or get hol

,
l owin g in t h e f a ce a s in a gr eat m any o th er m akes

, ,
in cl ud in g t he P et er Wr i ght T hi s is n o h earsay .
,
T O O L SM IT H A N D S T EEL WO RK ER 35
ne i th er ho r f a vo r in g an y p a r t i cu l ar m anufa c
is t h e a ut
t u r er bu t t hi s a dvi ce i s f o u nd ed on ex p er i en ce whi ch
,
i s f or t he r e a d er s ben efi t a s in o r d er t o do good wo r k
’
,
a good a n v i l i s n ecessa r y whi ch i s p er f ect ly f r ee f r o m

,
a ll h ol l ow s an d s o f t s po t s T oo l s of a fl at sur f a ce su ch
.
,
a s co l d chi sel s m i ll pi cks ,

a x es et c m u st be d r esse d
, ,
.
,
on a h ar d a n d sm oo t h a n v i l f a ce t o obt a i n t he b est
r es u l t s Wh en d r ess in g wid e t ool s su ch a s an ax e a
.
,
r o u gh f a ce d a n v i l wi l l p r od u ce s t r a in s in t he s t eel ,
whi ch wi l l in cr ea s e t he t end en cy t o cr ack wh en h ar d

en in g .
T he h ei gh t O f the a n v i l wh en on the bl o ck d ep end s

upon t he t a l l n es s of t h e bl a cksm i t h who i s t o f o r g e on
it. I h av e no t i ce d ca s es wh er e a bl a cksm i t h w a s wo r k
in g o v er a n a n v i l s o hi gh a s t o b e u n abl e t o st r i ke a
goo d h a r d bl ow whi l e on t h e o t h er h an d a t a l l bl a ck
,
s mi t h w as wo r k in g o v er a l ow a n v i l t h at w a s m ak in g
him h um p back e d a n d r o u nd sho ul d er e d B ut a goo d .
r ul e t o g o by whi ch wi l l b e f oun d abo u t r i gh t f or a l l

, ,
is t o h av e t he a n v i l j us t hi gh eno u gh s o t h at t he bl ack
sm i t h m ay rea d i l y t o u ch t he a n v i l f ace wi t h hi s
kn u ckl es wh en cl a sp in g th e h ammer h an d l e an d st an d
in g in an u p r i gh t po s i t ion .
D on t h av e the a n v i l m er el y s i tt in g on a bl o ck t h at
’
i s con t in u a ll y j umpin g up an d d own wi t h ev er y bl ow

fr o m the h amm er bu t h av e i t w el l bo u nd t o the bl o ck
, .
”
B ut s ome wi l l s ay T h at st op s it fr o m r in gin g
“ “
,
or I ,
”
ca n t wo r k on a n a n v i l t h a t d o es n ot r in g R ea d er
’
,
.
t hi s i s a l l non sen se wh at has the r in gin g of t he a n v i l

,
t o do wi th the wo r k it m ay be al l r i gh t f or t he cl ass
,
t h at w a n t s t o m ake a l ot of noi s e t o l et o t h er s know

th ey ar e wo r kin g bu t it i s O f no u s e wh en it co m es t o
,
d oin g t he wo r k wi th eas e bo th for the bl acksm i th an d

,
hel per S o h ave a bl ock a l i ttl e l ar ger th an the base of

.
36 TH E T WEN T I ET H C EN T U R Y
t he a n vi l a good d ep th in the gr ou nd say

, or 4 f eet
,
( if it can t be m a d e sol id any o th er w ay ) p l a ce the

’
a n v i l on it a n d bo r e a ho l e t h r o u gh t he bl o ck 6 in ch es
bel o w the an vi l .
N ow make a bo l t fr o m r o un d i r on in ch es
l on ger th an the bl o ck a s shown in F i gu r e 2 at a M ake
, .
Fi g 2 . . I ns
ro to b in d a nvi l to bl ock .
tw o i r on s fr om s qu ar e a s b l eav in g t h em l on g
,
eno u gh s o t h a t t he ho l es in t he en d s wi l l ext en d o v er
t he bas e of t he a n v i l A ft er t akin g t he m easur e m ak e

.
t w o i r on s a s c whi ch ar e t o ex t end f r o m bel ow t he

, ,
bo l t in t he po st up t h r o u gh t he i r on s t h at r est on the
base of t he anvil b Pl ace al l t o geth er an d t i gh t en
.
38 TH E T WEN T I ET H C E N T UR Y
an d al s o on l y h al f t he w ei gh t of the or din ar y i r on
ar e
t on gs . T h ey a r e a p l e a su r e t o u se as t h ey ho l d p er ,
f ect l y fi r m wi th v er y l i tt l e h ar d p r es su r e becau s e t he ,
h andl es j u st come cl o s e enou gh t o geth er so a s t o k eep

t he h and f u l l in s o m ewh at t he s am e w ay as cl asp in g a
,
h amm er h and l e T h ese t on gs h ave been in us e a n um

.
ber of y ea r s an d a r e a s good a s n ew .
I n u s in g t on gs m a d e f r om st eel car e sho u l d be ex er

ci s ed t o keep t h em coo l ( an d esp e ci a l l y i f m a d e f r o m
c a st s t eel ) by o cca s ion a ll y p l ac in g t h em in w at er If .
br in e i s u s ed t o do t he h a r d enin g k eep t he t on gs ou t of
i t or t h ey wi l l r u st but sho u l d t h er e be o ccas ion t o p ut
,
t he t on gs in i t be su r e a n d r in s e O ff a ft er in cl ear w at er .
O n e O f the gr eat est f eat ur es in m akin g t on gs at the

p r esen t t i m e i s t o h av e t h em a dj u st abl e s o t h at on e ,
p a i r W l l l do t h e wo r k O f s ev e n or e i gh t o r din ar y p a i r s
O f t on gs I h av e t on gs in m y p o s s ess ion t h at wi l l h ol d
.
fr o m in ch s qu ar e u p t o in ch es s qu ar e or o ct a gon , ,
an d wi l l a l s o ho l d fl a t s iz es 2 in ch es by down t o
s qu ar e an d ho l d each s iz e v er y fi r m whi l e t he s iz e i s
, ,
r e gu l at e d by an a dj u st abl e j aw by m o v in g a sm al l bo l t
in t o di ff er en t ho l es in the j aw whi ch r equ i r es but a f ew

,
s econd s t o ch a n ge a s s hown in F i gu r e 4
,
S t i ll a no th er .
poin t wo r t hy of m ent ion is t o m ak e the h andl es h a l f

r o u nd . T hi s wi ll f o r m a sp r in g an d wi l l be v ery easy
t o ho l d but h ave t he h al f r o u n d a s wid e a s i s r eason
,
a bl e ; f or ex am p l e h al f r ou n d wi l l be r i gh t an d fi l l
,
the h an d bet t er t h a n 7 1 6 r o u nd F i gur e 5 i l l u st r at es

-
.
t on gs sp eci al l y a d ap t e d f or d r ess in g co l d chi sel s m a d e ,
wi th V sh ap ed j aw s whi ch wi l l r ea d i l y hol d r o und

-
, ,
s qu ar e or o ct a gon Wh en m akin g t on gs a s F i gur es 4

.
,
an d 5 f r om cast s t eel u s e a v er y s o f t s t eel of a bo u t 60

,
poin t s ca rbon an d s qu ar e in s iz e
,
A f t er f or gin g .
the j aw s, as show n in F i gur e 5 th e h and l es m ay be ,

T O O L SM IT H A N D S T EEL WO RKE R
En d vi ew O f j
a d u s ta b e l n
to g s
wh en h ol di n g s m a ll est s i z e.
S h owi n g h ow j l j w is
a d u s ta b e a
forged fl -
dotted l i n e i n d i c te
s a
wh ere to s p li t .
S h owi n g p i ece sp l it an d forg ed Fi g 4 . . j u st bl e ton gs

A d a
to s h a p e of j aw. r egu l t ed fo
a ho l ding
r
l a gest s i z e
r .
i
F gure howin g j aws m ade to
s
h d rol ou n d octagon or s qu are .
i l l u strat ing h ow j aws a e forged

r
an d ben t to sh ape .
42 TH E T WEN T I ET H C EN T U R Y
an d l ar ger iz es ar e us ed a cco r din g t o the cl ass of work

s
t o be don e . Wh en m akin g full er s or sw a ges u se a

s o f t car bon st eel of a bo ut 65 p oin t s T h ey wi l l n ot
.
r eq u i r e t o b e h a r d en e d or t em p er e d a s t h ei r wo r k i s
chi efly on h ot i r on or s t eel .
F i gur e r ep r es en t s a t op an d bo t t o m s w a ge whi l e ,
T op a n d bottom swa ges .
F i g ur e 7 s how s a s m al l s iz e of t op an d bo t t o m fu l l er s .
F i gu r e 8 i l l ust r at es a l ar ge t op ful l er F i gur e 9 indi

.
ca t es ho w l ar ge sw a ges an d a l s o l ar ge fu l l er s
,
as ,
Fi gur e 8 m ay be f o r ged bef o r e bendin g t o sh ap e

,
.
D o tt e d l in es a s ea , i l l us tr at e t he p r oj ect ion s cc ben t , ,
t o f o r m a ful l er . D o t t ed l in es a s bb il l u st r at es t he
, ,
p r oj ect ion s ben t t o form a sw age .

T O OL SM ITH A N D S T EEL WO R KE R 43
Fig 7
. . T op a n d bottom fu ll er s .
i b
,
L l
Fi g 8
. .ont vi ew of
Fr Fi g 9 . . H ow l a r ge fu ll e
r s an d
l a ge top fu ll e
r r. s wa ge s m a y be fo rged .
Fl att er s an d S et H a mmer .
T he fl att er i s t o the bl a cksm i t h wh at t he p l an e is to

the car p en t er bein g p r in cip al l y u sed f or t akin g ou t a l l
,
h amm er m arks an d s o l eav e a fi ni sh ed app ear an ce on

the work ,
bu t m a y be u se d f or s ev er a l o t h er p u r p os es .
F l att er s may be d i v id ed in t o t w o cl ass es, such as l i gh t

an d h eavy ( m o st bl a cksmi th s make use of on l y on e
fl att er whi ch i s gen er all y a h eavy one but a l i ght on e
, ,
can be u se d t o a d v a n t a ge in a gr eat m any cases ) an d ,
al t ho u gh t h ey ar e m a d e wi t h e i t h er r o un d or s quar e
ed ges t he r o und ed ged fl at t er i s p r ef er r ed f or gen er al

,
u se F l att er s a r e gen er al l y m a d e by up s ett in g the

.
s t eel t o f o r m t he f a ce t h en t he p r oj ect io n s of t he f ace

,
ar e sp r ea d wi t h a ful l er or o t h er wi s e m ay be d ri ven
d own in a s qu ar e so cket s am e s iz e as the bo d y of the

,
st eel B ut fl at t er s m ay be m a d e by s el ect in g a pi ece of

.
st eel t he s am e s iz e as t he f a ce of the fl att er i s t o be ,
th en f ull er in fr o m all f o ur s i d es of the steel an d d r aw

out aft er w a r d s cu tt in g O ff fr o m the m a in bo d y of the
,
s t eel a c co r din g t o t he t hi ckn ess or d ep t h of t he fa ce .
S et h amm er s a r e v er y u seful in m akin g s q uar e cor e
n er s an d ar e v er y conveni en t in accomp l i shi n g wo rk

in a w kw ar d p l a ces whi ch canno t be d on e wi th a fl att er .
F i gur e 1 0 i l l ust r at es a l i gh t r o u nd ed ged fl att er whi l e ,
F i gur e 1 1 show s a h eavy fl att er wi th s qu ar e ed ges an d ,
F i gur e 1 2 show s a s et h ammer .
T he H a mmer .
A goo d h amm er is a t oo l t o be p r iz ed by a bl acksm i th ,

an d p l ay s an i mpor t an t p art in wo rkin g st eel .
T he f a ce h ammer must be p rop er l y h ar d en ed

O f the
an d t em p er ed in o r d er t o p r even t it f r o m get t in g hol
,
l ow in t he cen t er or bein g t oo h ar d on the co r n ers th us ,
c au s in g it t o br eak an d t he f ace mu st be p er f ect l y

,
smoo t h s o as n ot t o l eave any n i cks or den t s in t he
st eel .
A gr eat ma ny bl acksm i th s t hin k al l th ey h ave t o do

46 TH E T WEN T I ET H C E N T U RY
in o r d er t o get a goo d h amm er is t o go t o the h ar dw ar e

st o r e a n d buy on e T h ey wi l l buy on e all r i gh t but
.
,
wh at ar e the r esu l ts I t is thi s aft er th ey ar e in u s e

.
,
a l i t tl e whi l e a p i ece wi l l br e ak ofi t he f ace whi ch i f ,
ex am in e d cl o sel y t he f r act u r e wi l l show a d ul l gr ay
a pp ear a n ce a sur e s i g n of poo r st eel

,
.
B y r ef er r in g t o buyin g h am m er s in the h ar dw a r e
st o r e I ha d a wid e ex p er i en c e d u r in g my fi r s t y ear s
,
Fi g 1 2
. . S et h am m er m a de from 1% in ch s q u are stee l .
at t he t r a de , an d t h r o u gh
i gno r a n ce a ft er p ur ch as in g
,
a h a mm er a n d it di d n ot gi v e good s a t i sf act i on I wo u l d ,
g e n e r a l l y g i v e t h e h a r dw a r e m a n a ca l l in g down f or
s el l in g it t o m e .A l tho u gh h e w a s n ot t o bl am e a s hi s
bu s in ess w as t o sel l an d n ot t o m an uf a ctur e an d a s ,
r e gar d s his kno w l ed ge con cer nin g goo d or ba d s t eel i t ,
w a s v er y l i m i t ed I am n ot st at in g thi s r ea d er t o
.
, ,
cr i t i ci s e t h e h a r dw a r e m er ch a n t or th e t oo l m an u f a c
,
t u r er or m a chin e m a d e t oo l s of any kind a s in a gr eat

, ,
T O O L SM IT H A N D sT Es L WO R R ER 47
many cas es t he m a chin e t oo l s ar e e qu al t o t ho s e t h at

ar e h an d m a d e B ut n ot s o in the cas e of
. a goo d h an d
fo r ged h ar d en ed an d t em p er e d h amm er
,
.
M aking and Dressing a H an d H a mmer .
I n m ak in g a h amm er ,
as to w e i gh t an d s h ap e ,
it i s
h ar d t o s ay wh at wo ul d
su i t a l l bl a cks m i t h s bu t f or a ,
fo r gin g h amm er f or m ak in g an d d r ess in g t oo l s t w o ,
poun d s in w ei ght wi l l be about r i gh t B ut in cas es .
su ch a s d r ess in g m i l l pi cks g r a ni t e t oo l s h a r,
p enin g ,
an d on j o bs of t oo l d r es s in g wh er e a h el p er is n ot
n eces s ary a h amm er of t h r ee an d on e qu art er poun d s

,
-
in w ei ght wi l l be best .
B ut l et u s t ake a p i ece of goo d st eel of abo u t 7 5 poin t

car bon 1 A in ch es s q u ar e a n d 4 in ch es l o ng whi ch wi l l
1
, ), ,
.
m ake a f o r g in g h amm er tw o pou n d s in w ei gh t H av e .
a goo d cl ea n fi r e an d p l en t y l ar g e eno u gh ; p l ace th e
st eel in t h e fi r e a n d h ea t s l ow l y t ur nin g it a r o u nd oc ,
c as i on al l y s o a s n ot t o o v er h ea t t he co r n er s whi l e t h e
cen t er i s ye t bl ack but h eat t o a goo d even y el l ow

,
h eat cl ear t h r o u gh T he h amm er m ay now be f o r ged

.
a s s how n a n d i ll u st r at e d in a b c F i gu r e 1 3 or a ny , ,
sh ap e t he bl a cks m i t h m ay choo s e I h av e known bl a ck .
smi ths who co ul d f o r ge a w el l sh a p e d h amm er e q u a l
t o the exp ert t oo l sm i th bu t wh en t h ey cam e t o t he

,
h ar d enin g an d t emp er in g of it wo ul d f a i l en t i r el y .
I wi ll st at e s o m e of the o bs t a cl es t h at bl a cksm i th s
h ave t o con t end wi t h whi ch r ed u ce t he ch an ces of
'
m akin g a good h amm er T h ey a r e afr a i d t o h ea t the

.
s t eel t o a hi gh f o r gin g h e at ; an d t o e xp l a in I r em em
,
ber wh en in m y a p p r en t i ceship I w a s h el p in g a bl a ck
s mi t h t o m ake a h amm er a n d a s w e w er e p r o c eedin g,
he w a s gi vin g m e in st r u ct ion s whi l e I w a s bl owing the

48 TH E T WEN T I ET H C EN T U RY
P i ece of inch s quare

s teel 4 i n ches lon g wi th
,
eye p u n ch ed to m a ke a
2 l b forgin g h a m m er
. .
I ll u stratin g how fu ll e in g
r
i s don e a fter eye is

p un ched .
S howing s i de view of h am
m er com p l ete d wi th ey e
s prea d a t c ( wh i ch i s
,
don e wi th a fu ll er wh i l e
th e eye p i n i s i n t h e e ye
of theh a m m er ) a n d fu l
l ered i n at e wi th a
,
l a ger fu ll er at th e fi n i sh
r .
I n di ca t i n g h ow h a m m er
i s forged .
50 TH E T WE N T I ET H C EN T UR Y
F or in st a n ce ,
qu a r e p i ece of s t eel is h eat ed very
if a s
hot an d f ast the co r n er s wi l l beco m e o v er h eat e d an d

i f st r u ck a bl ow wi t h the h a mm er on the co r n er s the
s t eel wo ul d fl y t o pi eces whi l e the st eel has l o st its
,
g ood q u a l i t i es an d is sp oi l ed in t he beginnin g T he .
ot h er ex t r em e i s t ryin g t o f o r ge st eel a t a l ow h eat ,
so m et i m es n ot a bo v e a bl ood r ed whi l e ever y bl ow th at ,
i s s t r u ck on t he s t eel i s p u t t in g s t r a in s in it Wh at I .
”
mea n by str a in s i s the st eel mu st be hot eno u gh so
“
t h at i t wi l l be wo r ke d cl e ar t h r o u gh a n d if t hi s i s n ot ,
don e the st eel i s l i abl e t o cr a ck in t he h ar d enin g I .
h ave known h am mer s t o cr a ck cl ear t h r ou gh the cen t er

of th e f a ce t h en a l l the l abo r i s l os t
,
.
B u t t o g et the best r esu l t s f or ge t he h ammer in the

,
beginnin g by h a vin g t he st eel a t an ev en y el l ow h eat ,
but l ow er the h eat as t he h a mm er i s fini sh ed ( al l t oo l s

s ho ul d be fini sh ed a t a l ow h ea t f or ex a m p l e a d a r k , ,
d ul l r ed in o r d er t o get the best r esul t s ) I f mu ch

,
.
fi l in g i s t o be don e aft er the h amm er is f or g ed it sho ul d

be a nn eal ed Wh en d r ess in g the fa ce en d of the ham
.
m er m ake t he co r n er s a l i t tl e r o u ndin g but o th er wi s e ,
h a v e the f a ce p er f ectl y fl at an d l evel an d the h amm er ,
i s r e a dy f or the fin al bl ow t he h ar d enin g
“ ’
,
.
H ar deni ng and T emperi ng a H a mmer .
A ft er ha r den in g t her e di ff er en t w a y s of t emp er

'
ar e ‘
i n g a h amm er a cco r din g t o t he s h ap e B ut f or i l l u s t r a

.
‘
t ion I wi ll h ar d en an d t em p er a h amm er a s in F i gu r e
,
1 3 but b ef o r e co m m en cin g i t mu st be u nd er s t ood t h at

,
t h e f a ce en d O f t h e h a mm er a t b i s t he p r in ci p a l en d
, ,
.
A f t er get t in g t he fi r e in goo d sh a p e t he co a l w el l ,
ch a r r e d an d f r e e f r om a l l s u l ph u r a n d t hi ck s m ok e ,
p l a c e t h e f a ce e n d of t h e h a mm e r in t he fi r e f r om a n
T O O L SM IT H A N D S T EE L WO R KE R 51
U rp i gh t po s i t ion ; now h eat sl ow l y an d ev en l y m ak in g ,
s u r e t h a t the co r n er s d o n ot get o v er h eat e d ; s ho u l d t he
co r n er s g et hot eno u gh t o h ar d en b ef o r e t h e cen t er s t o p ,
bl owin g t he fi r e u n t i l the cen t er has co m e up t o a ch er r y

r e d or hot eno u gh t o h a r d en even wi t h t he co r n er s ;
,
t h en p l u n ge t he who l e h amm er in the h a r d enin g ba t h

an d ho l d t h er e u n t i l st on e co l d N ow po l i s h t he f ace
.
en d ( t h at w a s h ar d en ed ) br i gh t t h en p l a ce t he r o u n d
,
or p en e en d of t he h a m m er in t h e fi r e in an u p r i gh t
p o s i t ion a n d h ea t v e r y s l ow l y a s whi
,
l e h ea t in g t o
h ar d en t he r o u n d en d the t em p er wi l l d r aw t o a bl u e
in t he f a ce en d if p r op er l y t i m ed or r egul at ed s o t h at ,
on e en d m ay be h ar d en e d an d t he O p po s i t e en d t em p
.
er ed in on e O p er at ion but be car eful t o w at ch bo t h

,
en d s of the h amm er a t the s am e t i m e I f the r o u n d en d

.
g et s hot eno u gh t o h a r d en bef o r e t he t em p er a pp ea r s

on t he o t h er en d st op bl owin g t he fi r e u n t i l t he t em p er
begin s t o show up . I t wi ll n ot m att er abo ut t he r o u n d

en d aft er h ar d enin g wh et h er any t em p er be d r a w n or
, ,
n ot as t h er e a r e no sh ar p co r n er s t o br eak off bu t t h e
, ,
t emp er m ay be d r awn by ho l din g o v er t h e fi r e an d

keep t u r nin g t he h amm er ar o u n d or m ay be d on e by
,
p l a cin g a h eat ed h eavy i r on ban d o v er t he en d .
B e ar in m ind t h at wh en h eat in gth e en d s of the ham

m er t o h ar d en d o n ot h eat t o a h ar d enin g h eat mo r e t h an
3
A of an in ch ba ck fr o m the en d an d at all t i mes n ev er
,
h ar d en the ey e A h amm er t h at is m a d e h ar d en ed an d
.
,
t em p er e d a ft er t h es e in st r u ct ion s wi l l n ot g et ho l l o w
in the cen t er or br eak off a t the co r n er s or the ey e .
T hi s i s the a ut ho r s f a vo r i t e w ay O f h ar d enin g a n d
’
t em p er in g a f o r gin g h a mm er an d wi l l be f o u n d v ery
s i m p l e by t he a v er a g e bl a cksm i t h wh en on ce t r i e d .
A l t ho u gh t h er e i s a n oth er goo d w ay whi ch i s v er y c on

ven i en t f or h amm er s t h a t h av e t w o f ace en ds s u ch as ,
52 T H E T WEN T I ET H C EN T UR Y
a hor s esho er s t ur nin g sl ed ge or a boi l erm aker s ham

’ ’
m er . F or ex amp l e aft er the en d s ar e h ar d en ed the

,
t emp er can be d r awn by p l a cin g a h eat ed h eavy i r on

band over t he en d of the h a mmer ( a s al r ea d y m en
t i on ed ) T hi s m etho d wi l l d r a w the cor n er s t o an y
.
t emp er ( say a p a l e bl u e ) whi l e t he cen t er wi l l r em a in

,
h ar d T hi s w ay wi l l gi ve goo d s at i sfa ct ion as the cent er

.
of a hamm er canno t be t oo h ar d u n l es s o v er h ea t e d but ,
t he co r n er s m u st be d r awn t o a v er y l ow t emp er T h es e .
in str uct ion s wi l l app l y t o al l o r d in ar y h ammer s an d

s l e d ges .
T he ol d f ashi on ed w ay of t emp er in g a h amm er i s by

-
h eat in g on e en d wi th the co r n er s hot enou gh t o h ar d en ,
whi l e the cen t er i s bar el y r ed it i s t h en coo l ed off ,
by di pp in g an in ch in to the h ar d enin g bath th en al l ow ,
i n g t he t emp er t o run d own t o t he d es i r e d co l o r C on .
s eq u en t l y the h ammer beco m es ho l l ow f a ced co ul d n ot ,
be o t h er wi s e as it d i d n ot h ar den in the cen t er of t he

,
f a ce at all becaus e i t w as n ot hot eno u gh an d wh en

, ,
t he t emp er cam e d own i t m a d e it st i l l s o ft er F or ex .
a m p l e s u ppo s in g a h a mm er f a ce ( un l ess i t be a v er y
,
s m a ll h a m m er ) i s h ea t e d v er y even l y th en h ar d en ed ,
by bein g di pp e d an in ch in t o t he w at er it is st i ll bo und ,
t o be s oft as the t emp er is sur e t o r un out at the cen t er

fi rst .
S uccessful Points to B e Remembered in M aking and
T e mpering a H am mer .
H av e the i gh t th r o u gh the h ammer and a

ey e st r a
l i ttl e sm al l er in the cen t er whi ch wi l l keep the h and l e

,
in the h amm er mu ch bett er aft er bein g w el l fitt ed an d

t h en w ed g ed A l w ay s h av e t he cen t er of the h ammer
.
f a ce as h ar d a s the co r n ers but the co r n er s must n ot ,

54 T H E T WE N T I ET H C E N T UR Y
a n gl e wh en t he p u n ch is in u s e an d al so keep the h an d
a w a y f r o m t h e h ot s t e el ) an d b e v er y sho r t an d h av e
,
p l en t y of t a p er
,
whi l e t h e co r n er s of t h e ex t r em e poin t
T he eye punch .
Fi g 1 5
. . T he ey e p in .
shoul d be p erf ect l y squ ar e an eye p u n ch of thi s de

,
!
s cr i p t i on wi l l n ot st i ck in th e h ol e an d wi l l n ot bend.
Wh en p u n chin g h ave the st eel a hi gh y ell ow h eat ,
then the pun ch wil l p en etrate it w ith more case than if

TO O L SM IT H A N D S T EEL W O RKE R 55
h eat ed t o bar el y a c h erry r ed and coo l O E the p un ch oc

,
c a si on all y
. A n ey e pin sho ul d be ma d e fr o m s q u ar e
s t eel
,
by f o r gin g it t ap er in g t o a smal l s quar e poin t ,
th en t o m ake o val h amm er d own tw o O ppo s i t e co r n er s

,
of t he s q u a r e a l i t t l e r o u n d in g whi ch wi l l gi v e t he
,
S h ap e r e q u i r e d
. T he ey e pin s ho u l d a l s o be sho r t an d
h av e p l en t y of t ap er t hi s wi l l m ake the eye a l ittl e
,
s m a l l er in t he c en t er wh en d r i v e n in f r o m O ppo s i t e
s id es whi ch wi l l keep a h an d l e in mu ch bett er if w ell

,
fi tted in then wedged .

C H A P T ER I I I .
T he ol d
c chi sel
— —
T h e h a rdy Dr ill s an d i in g
dr l l .
T he C ol d C hi sel .
A ol d chi sel is a t oo l us ed by ever y mech ani cal tr ad e

c
a n d bu s in es s wh er e i r on or s t eel i s u s ed or wh er ever ,
ma chin er y i s r ep a i r e d or m an uf a ctu r ed an d in t he ,
p r op er f o r in
g g h a r d,
enin g a n d t em p e r in g of a c o l d
chi sel l i es th e f o u nd at ion a n d s u cces sfu l st eppin g st on e
in m akin g al l ed ge d t oo l s wi th a fl at su r f ace a s a co l d ,
chi s el ho l d a goo d cu tt in g e d ge an d n ei t h er bend
or br eak .
B ut h ap e of the chi sel i s anoth er point th at must

t he s
be w ell und er s t oo d as a fin e chip p in g chi s el whi ch i s

,
m a d e v er y t hin f or u s e on s o l id a n d s o ft m a t er i al wo u l d
n ot d o f or a boi l er m aker who is wo r k in g on s h eet s t eel
whi ch v i br a t es a t ev ery bl ow f r om the h amm er T h u s .

,
t he v i br at ion of the s t eel wo u l d be v ery t r yin g on a t hin

chi s el ,
a n d wo u l d c on s e q u en t l y cau s e i t t o br eak a n d ,
s o a h eav i er a n d t hi cker ch is el m u st be m a d e a n d p ut
int o u se as shown in 1 2 3 4 F i gur e 1 6

, , , , ,
.
A co l d chi s el can be m a d e t o chi p al m o st an y kin d

of m a t er i a l a s t he autho r ha s m a d e chi s el s t o chip fro m
,
t he s of t est known m at er i al u p t o chi l l ed m et a l whi ch ,
w i l l s eem l i ke a f abl e t o a gr eat m a ny s im p l y becaus e

t h ey n ev er s aw it a cco mp l i s h ed I h ave known
.
m a chini st s who wo r e out a n umber of n ew fi l es p er

f o r m in g s o m e wo r k on chi l l ed m et al becau s e th ey ,
co u l d n ot get a co l d chi s el p r op er l y made t o chip it .
56
st eel th e mor e it is f o r g ed ,
on sequ en tl y as the t ool is
c
fini sh ed the t eeth of the fil e wi l l be in the cutt in g ed ge

of t he t oo l ( whi ch i s t o be u se d a s a co l d chi s el ) whi ch ,
wi l l br eak out or up set wh en put in u se .
I w i l l exp l a i n ho w the m aj o r i t y of bl acksmi th s

’
h ar d en and t emp er a col d chi s el A ft er t h ey h ave it .
fo r ged t o t he sh ap e fi ni shin g s o m et i m es wi t h a l ow
,
bl ack h eat o th er t i m es at a hi gh y el l ow h eat no m att er

, ,
wh et h er the l ast bl ow s f all on the ed ge or the fl at s i d e ,
whi ch ever is mo st con veni ent t o br in g the chi sel in t o

the d es i r ed sh ap e t h en fil e on the cut t in g ed g e now
, ,
f or the h ar d enin g a n d t em p er in g T h ey get t he chi s el

.
hot anywh er e fr o m of an in ch t o 2 in ch es ba ck fr o m
t he cutt in g e d ge d p in t o t e w at e 4 of an in ch ho l d
i,
h r 3
,
i n g it t h er e f or a m in u t e or so bri gh t en it u p a l i t tl e
, ,
t h en a l l owin g t he t emp er t o r un d own no matt er how ,
f a s t u n t i l a bl u e t emp er r each es the cutt in g e d ge t h en

, ,
it i s coo l ed O ff an d i s r ea dy f or t r i al N ow I wi l l point .
ou t t he d an ger o u s p r a ct i ces t h at t he chi sel has co m e
thr ou gh wh en bein g h ar d en ed
,
T he chi s el w as l ow er ed
.
in t o the w ater about 34 of an in ch and h el d p erfectl y

st i ll f or a s ho rt w hi l e now r i gh t th er e betw een the
,
h ar d en ed an d the u nh ar d en ed ( if the chi sel w as h eat ed

eno u gh t o h ar d en f ar eno u gh back ) is a d i v i d in g l in e
an d a st r a i n an d a gr eat m any chi s el s a r e br o ken O ff

,
t h er e f r o m t he cau s e of t hi s st r a in A g ain i f th er e .
,
was p l en ty of h eat l ef t in the st eel above the h ar d en ed

p art esp eci all y if h ar d en ed bar el y 1 in ch back fr om the
,
e d ge the t em p er wi l l r un d own v er y q u i ckl y s o t h at

, ,
wh en it r ea ch es the cutt in g ed ge th er e is on l y 14 O f ,
an in ch t h at s how s an y t em p er whi ch wi l l be a bl u e ,
the o th er co l o r s h ave h ar d l y been no t i ced on acco u n t

of t he t emp er runnin g down s o r ap i d l y T h u s t h er e .
is on l y of an in ch ba ck f r om t he cu t t in g ed ge of t he
c hi sel th at is t emp er ed whil e back of the t emp er ed

,
p ar t the st eel w i ll be extr em el y soft whi ch i s a p t t o ,
cau s e t he cutt in g ed ge t o ben d or br eak off an d sho u l d
the chi sel be thin the t en d en cy t o br eak or ben d wi ll

be in cr eased .
B ut l et us make a chisel as N o 1 F i gur e 1 6 t h at

, .
, ,
wi ll wh en fi ni sh ed cut the bar it i s mad e fr om an d n ot

ben d or br eak if u sed an y w ay l i ke a chi sel s ho ul d be
us ed . T ake a bar of in ch o ct a gon goo d st eel about
7 5 p oin t car bo n cut O ff 6 in ch es w hi ch wi ll m ak e a
, ,
chi s el abo ut th e r i gh t l en gt h T he en d t h at the ham

.
mer is t o str i ke upon sho ul d be d r aw n d ow n a l i ttl e

an d l eft s q u ar e or fl at on the en d t h en t he bl ow wi l l ,
fal l d i r ect l y on t he cen t er of t he bo d y O f t h e chi sel an d

be l ess l i abl e t o br eak it H ea t the st eel f or the chi s el
.
end t o a goo d y el l ow f o r gin g h eat d r a w i t d ow n n ear

,
t o t he r equ i r ed sh ap e m ak in g i t a poin t t o h ave i t a

,
l i tt l e n ar r ow er th a n j u st wh at is w an t ed wh en fi ni sh ed ,
an d w e wi ll fi ni sh the chi sel in a w ay n ot known t o t h e
or d inar y bl acks mi th N ow have the chi sel a l ow r ed

.
h eat s o t h at it may be n o t i ced t o be r ed wh en p l aced

in a d ar k p l ace T h en str i ke the chi sel fi ve or six goo d
. .
h ar d bl ow s on the fl at s i d e ( hol d in g the chi sel v er y

fir m a n d l ev el on the anv i l ) co mmen cin g abo ut 2 in ch es
,
back fr o m t he cutt in g ed ge t h en co m in g gr a d u a l l y
,
t ow ar d s the cutt in g ed ge w i t h ever y bl o w wh en th e ,
l ast b l ow has f al l en d i r ectl y on the cu tt in g ed ge t ur n

t he chi s el o ver an d h ammer t hi s s i d e the s am e w ay bu t ,
be car eful an d d o n ot hammer the st eel t oo co l d but ,
in st ea d h eat a gai n an d h ammer both s i d es evenl y a s

bef o r e . T h en it i s fin i sh ed an d r ea d y f or t he h ar d en
in g .
T he h amm er in g of the chisel on t he fl at s i d es w h en

at a l ow h eat r efi n es an d p a cks the steel l eavin g it ,
60 TH E T WEN T I ET H C EN T URY
dense mu ch st r on ger th an st eel in it s n atur al stat e,

an d
but r emember t hi s, not on e bl ow is t o be stru ck on the

e d ge of the chi sel as it w oul d knock out al l the
,
t en aci t y an d t ou ghn ess p ut in by the bl ow s on t he

fl at s i d e if t he ed ges sp r ea d out a l i ttl e u n even dur in g
,
the h amm er in g gr in d or fil e to the r i gh t sh ap e H am .
mer in g st eel aft er it get s co l d or bel ow a cert a in h eat is

in j ur io us an d m akes t he s t eel br i tt l e a n d fl aky a s p i e
cr u st an d wi l l n ever ho l d a goo d cut t in g e d ge un t il
,
cut O fi .When h ammer in g wi de chi sel s hammer in ,
t he f o r m of d o t t ed l in es in chi sel N o 1 co mmen cin g as .

,
indi cat ed an d O n bo th s i d es equal l y N ow w e wil l

, .
h ar d en an d t emp er the chi sel aft er bein g fo rg ed as ,
a l r ea d y ex p l a in ed h eat the chi sel t o an even ch err y

,
r ed h eat 1 14 in ch es bac k f r o m t he cutt in g e d ge t h en ,
d ip d eep in t he h a r d enin g bat h at l east I A? in ch es at

1
,
t he s am e t i m e r a i s in g an d l ow er in g s o a s t o f o rm no
d i vidin g l in e of s tr a in ( an d t hus the h ar d en ed p art
w i l l s often aw ay gr a du all y in to the u nh ar d en ed p ar t ) .
P o l i sh u p br i gh t wi th s o m e sand p ap er emer y cl o th ,
or p ol i shin g s t i ck a s m en t ion ed in the f o l l owin g p ages

, ,
but aft er po l i shin g t h er e m ay n ot be eno u gh h eat l eft

in t he chi sel t o dr i ve the t emp er d own t o the cu tt in g
ed g e an d s o d r a w t he t emp er by ho l d in g the chi s el
-
, .
ov er the fir e h eat i n g v er y sl owl y an d m ovin g ba ck

,
an d f o r w a r d s o a s t o get an even l i gh t bl u e t emp er a l l
o ver the h ar d en ed p ar t th en cool O ff A chi sel th at

,
.
i s f o r ged h amm er ed h ar d en e d an d t emp ered aft er

, ,
t h es e in str uct ion s wi ll g i ve the best of s at i sf a ct i on ,
an d can be p l a ced o ver t he ho rn of the an v i l a n d stru ck
qu i t e a h ar d bl ow wi th a h ammer fl atw ays on the ,
chi s el wi t h out d an ger of i t br eakin g or ben d i n g

,
T he .
r ea s on t h e chi sel s t a nd s t hi s abuse i s du e t o t h e h eavy
h amm er in g that w a s d on e on the fl at s i d e at a l ow heat ,

62 TH E T WE N T I ET H C EN T URY
t emp er in g ar e t he sa me as m en t ion ed in makin g

ol d a c
chi s el B ut the poin t s t o be con s id er ed wh en m akin g

.
on e i s h av e the sh an k t h at fit s in t o t he s qu a r e ho l e of
,
the an vi l fi t s n u g s o t h at it wi l l n ot t wi st r o und whi l e

, ,
the u p p er p ar t shoul d ex t en d w el l o ver the s i d es an d

sho u l d be l ev el s o as t o sit on the an v i l s o l i d
, .
S o met i mes it is n ecess ar y t o make a h ar dy t o go

in t he r ound ho l e O f the an v i l A h ar d y of t hi s kin d .
,
i s ma d e by sp l i tt in g t he st eel s o th at on e p ar t wi l l ,
ex t en d o v er th e s id e O f the a n v i l whi ch wi l l keep it in

i
p l a ce a s,
s h ow n i n F i gur e 1 9 at a H ar d i es of t hi s .
Fi g 1 7 . . O rdin ary h apes

s O f o n d n os e chi sel s
cap e a n d r u .
1 . T h e cap e chi sel . 2 . T he rou n d n os e ch i s el .
ar e u se d chi efly wh en sh ar p enin g

by t ool s miths
as t he s qu a r e ho l e i s o ccu pi ed by
t oo l s su ch a s a st ake whi ch r em a in s st a
A n d a s a h ar dy i s a l s o v er y n eed fu l it must ,
t o s it in the r ound ho l e whi ch i s the onl y ,
rem
H eavy, H ot, C ol d, and Rai l r oad C hi sel s .
h ave known a gr eat m any bl a cksmith s t o t ry and

I
do a l l th ei r wo r k w i th on e chi s el N ow an y r eas on abl e .
thinkinn m ech ani c wi l l know t h at a co l d chi s el w il l

r
Fi g 1 8
. . C orr ect s h ape of Fi g 1 9
. . H a r dy m a de t o s i r
h ardy . in rou n d h ol e O f a nvil .
T he bl acks m th i ’
s co l d chi sel .
l o s e its t emp er wh en co min g in con t act wi th r ed hot

i r on or st eel an d th at a p r o p erl y m a d e hot or s pl i tt in g
,
chi s el i s t oo t hin t o cut co l d s t eel an d s t an d t he su d d en
s ho ck by a bl ow fr o m a h eavy s l e d ge Y et a gr eat .
many wi l l wo r k aw a y t r y in g t o cut a p i ece of col d

steel whi l e the chi s el w i l l bar el y m ar k i t but in st ea d
, ,
the chi s el br u i s es up becau s e it has been u s ed on hot

,
mat er i al an d has l o st i ts t emp er B ut t he bl acksm i th .
do es n ot thin k O f thi s con s equ ent l y he p ut s the bl am e

,
on t he st eel whi ch the chi s el i s m a d e fr om an d t h en

d ecid es t o h eat the pi ece ( he is goin g t o cut ) so t h at ,
he m ay cut it ea s i er B ut it i s a poo r t h eo ry a s wi th a
.
g o od h e a v y c o l d c hi s el h e c o ul d c u t o ff co l d t h r ee ,
p ie ces ( up t o a cer t a in s iz e ) whi l e he is h eat in g on e ,
p i e ce . B u t a g r e at m a ny bl a ck s m i t h s t hin k i t i s n ot
po ss i bl e t o cut off t ool st eel wi thout h eat in g it .
B ut t o i mp r es s on t he r e a d er s m ind t he n ecess ar y
’
us e of good chi s el s w e wi l l t a ke a r a i l r o a d chi s el i f i t

, ,
is w el l m a d e an d fr o m g oo d st e el it w il l cu t a t l ea st ,
1 5 r a i l s whi l e I h ave known so m e t o cut 6 0 r a i l s wi th

,
out r e d r ess in g but t h ey did n ot co m e in con t act wi t h

,
hot m at er i al . A l tho u gh t h er e ar e t od ay a gr eat m any

bl a cksm ith s an d t ool dr ess er s who canno t m ake a chi s el
ou t t w o r a i l s whi ch ap p l i es al so t o the bl a cksm i t h s ’
,
I s a goo d bl acksmi th s h e avy co l d

’
hot ,
chi s O ff a t l ea st 1 20 p ie ces of in ch -
o ct agon st eel O f 7 5 p oin t car bon wi t hout grindin g .
,
When m akin g a bl a cksm i th s hot or col d chi sel u se ’
,
in ch s quar e steel whi ch wi l l be h eavy enou gh f or

a l l o r din ar y wo r k A b o t chi sel shoul d be m a d e v er y
'
.
t hin s o a s t o p en et r a t e t he hot m et al wi th ca s e bu t a ,
co l d chi sel must be l eft mu ch t hi ck er A h ot chi s el .

,
wh en d oin g a gr eat am oun t of cutt in g at on ce sh ou l d ,
be coo l ed off o ccas ion al l y t o avoid d ra win g the t emp er

fi l ed r oundin g at the cor n er s a s in F i gur e 22 whi ch

, ,
w i l l m ake th em mor e di ffi cul t t o br eak an d al so give

bett er s at i sf a ct ion I f the cutt in g e d ge i s t ap er ed in
.
fr o m t he s id es t o in ch es a cr o ss the cutt in g ed ge it ,
wi ll cut d eep er wh en str u ck wi th a sl ed ge or h amm er

a n d wi l l be m or e co nven i en t t o get in t he co r n er s of
T he ra il h i sel
roa d c .
the ra i l th an if the cutt in g ed ge w as the fu ll width of
the body O f the chi sel .
Dri l l s and Dril l ing .
Dr i l l s ar ed em and both in the m a chin e and

in gr eat ,
bl acksmith shop s but w her e drill i ng by hand pow er is

,
T O O L SM ITH A N D S T EE L WO R KER 67
p er f r m o
e d is wh er e goo d f a st a n d ea sy cut t in g d r il l s
, ,
a r e es p e ci all y n e cess a r y A s in m y fi r st y ea r s a t t he
.
t r a d e I h a d a gr eat d e a l O f p r a ct i ce d r i l l in g by h a n d
, ,
an d wi th d r i l l s t h at w er e a l w a y s br eakin g or bein g t oo
s o ft, c on s e qu en t l y p u t t in g t he ho l e t h r o u gh O ft en by
m ain s tr en gt h an d en er gy an d o t h er t i m es wi t h the
,
dr i l l squ ea kin g by l o s in g it s cutt in g ed ge on the co r n er s

of t he bit a ft er d r i ll in g a f ew ho l es .
A gr e at m a ny bl a cks m i th s p r efer u s in g m achin e

ma d e d r i l l s r at h er th a n m ake a fl a t d r i ll becau s e t h ey ,
s ay a fl at d r i l l wi l l n ot do t he wo r k O f a m a chin e d r i l l ,
an d if t h ey a r e a s ked t he r eas o n why t h ey wi l l s ay t h at
the on es t h ey buy in a h ar d w ar e st o r e a r e s ecr et

t emp er ed or gi ve s o m e o t h er r eason an d O f t en t h ey ,
wi l l r ep l y : I d on t know why ’
N ow I wi sh t o s ay
t o the r ea d er t h at the a utho r on ce m a d e a fl a t d r i l l
th at d r i l l e d 200 ho l es t h r o u gh a p l at e of h a r d met al
in ch thi ck an d 40 ho l es t h r ou gh a p l at e O f st eel at tw o
, ,
g indin gs wi t ho ut r ed r es s in g
r ,
Wi l l any m a chin e ma d e
.
-
d r i ll d o bett er ? I wi l l exp l a in al thou gh I m en t ion one ,
d r i l l th at d i d thi s amoun t of wor k I t w a s n ot t emp er ed .
t h r ou gh gu ess wo r k n ei th er did I st r i ke t he r i gh t
,
t emp er by a ccid en t a s s o m e r ea d er s ma y t hin k as I ,
w i l l m ake any fl at d r i l l d o the wo r k O f a m a chin e ma d e -
d r i l l an d I wi l l go on e bett er a s I wi l l m ake a fl at d r i l l
, ,
g o t h r o u gh h a r d m a t er i a l whi ch a m a chin e m a d e d r i ll -
w il l n ot p en etr ate R ea d er if y ou ar e a n o r d in ar y
.
,
mech ani c y ou can make a fl at dr i l l t o do a s w el l if y ou ,
w i ll fol l ow the in stru ct ion s gi ven in t hi s ch ap ter .
M aki ng a F l at Dri ll .
G oo d t ool steel of 7 5 poin ts car bon w i l l d o f or al l

.
ord in ary d r i ll s but for extr emel y h ar d dr il l i n g steel

, ,
of a hi gh er car bon say 90 poin t s or 1 p er cent w i ll be

, ,
b est Wh en makin g a fl at d r i l l f or ex amp l e

. in ch in
,
di am et er n atur al l y the bit of the d r i l l wi l l be for ged

,
by m akin g fl at t he en d of a r o u n d p i ece of st eel but ,
in fo r gin g the bit d o s o if po ssi bl e by st r i kin g the

, ,
bit e d gewi se a s l i t tl e a s po ss i bl e a n d n ev er t r y t o fo r ge
,
the cutt in g e d ge of th e bit but cut off at r i gh t a n gl es

,
wi t h a t hin hot or sp l i tt in g chi sel on a pi ece of fl at i r on

or copp er ( T hi s wi l l keep the chi sel fr om comin g in
.
c on t act wi t h t he h ar d f a ce O f t he a n v i l whi ch wo ul d ,
r ea di l y d ul l the cutt in g e d ge of t he chi sel ) N O W st r i ke .
t he fl at sur f ace of t he bit a co up l e O f h ar d bl ows on

e a ch s i d e whi l e st i l l at a l ow h eat .
T o h av e a f ast cut t in g d r i l l t he bit shoul d be bent

,
a l i t tl e at r i gh t a n gl es t o f o r m wh at i s know n a s a
l i p a s in Fi gur e 23 N o 1
, ,
D o thi s a t a l ow heat ( not
. .
Fi g 23 . . I ll u stratin g f on t a n d s i de vi ews O f
r fl a t dr ill s ,
for
h ard a n d s oft m ate i a l r .
e x ceedin g a l ow ch er r y r ed ) a ft er t he h ammer in g has

,
been d on e on t he fl at sur f ace by p l a ci n g i t a l i tt l e o v er

,
t he ed g e O f the a nvi l an d t h en s t r i ki n g it wi th t he ha m
m er T hi s sh ap e O f a b it wi l l cu t s o ft m et a l m u ch
.
qu i cker an d wi th gr eat er e as e th a n if l eft p er f ect l y fl at ,
a n d wi l l e qu al a ny t wi st d ri l l f or f as t cu t t i n g S ho ul d .
the bit be a littl e too wide for the r i gh t si z e of the dril l

70 T H E T WEN T I ET H C EN T U RY
t er Wh en d r i l l in g smal l hol es in sl at e make a dr il l

.
,
s o mewh at aft er t he s am e w ay as f or d r i ll in h a r d m et al
g
but t emp er t o a dark blue h av in g ver y l i tt l e cl ear a n ce
, ,
an d wh en d r i l l i n g cl ean the d u st out of t he ho l e O ft en

, ,
an d o c ca s ion a l l y di pp in g t he d r i l l in w a t er t o kee
p it
fr o m beco min g hot an d d r awin g t he t emp er .
H and- M a de T wist Drill s .
I t i s p oss i bl e t o m ake t wi st d r i l l s by bein g f or ged by

h and , but r equ i r es a l i tt l e ski l l B ut by fo l l owin g th ese
.
in st ru ct ion s th er e w i l l be no di fficul ty aft er makin g the

fi r st on e an d d r i l l s ma d e after the f ol l owin g metho d
,
wi l l be sup er io r and out w ear any t wi st d r i l l th at can

be p u r ch as e d in a h ar dw ar e st o r e .
T o m ake a in ch t wi st d r i l l t ake a pi ece of

-
,
in ch -
r o u nd s t eel ,h eat a n d fl att en out t o in ch thi ckn es s -
a n d a ll owin g it t o w i d en out 3 1 6 w i d er th an the s t eel

-
,
a n d t he s am e l en gt h a s the dr i l l i s t o be T he t wi st i s .
t h en p u t in by ho l din g it at a bevel on the a n v i l whi l e at

a d eep y el l ow h eat but be car eful n ot t o put in t oo
,
sho r t a t w i st ; bett er put in a l on g twi st a s i t wi l l g et

-
s ho r t er a s t he dr i l l i s fi ni sh ed N ow t ake a l ow r ed h ea t
.
t he en t i r e l en gt h of the twi st t h en w i th a ver y l i gh t

,
h amm er for ge the t wi st ed flut es ed gew ay s beginnin g at ,
th e back an d f ol l owin g gr a du all y t ow ar d s t he poin t .
B y thi s O p er at ion the flut es wi l l wi d en on the out s id e

whi l e the centr e wi l l r ema i n th in B y h ammer in g l i ghtl y.
at a l ow heat t he d r i l l w i l l co me t o the r equi r ed sh ap e
an d be p er f ect l y r oun d I f the hol l o w gr oo ves ar e mo r e

.
or l ess un e ven fi l e t h em out wi t h a s m all r o un d fi l e but

, ,
be su r e t h at t he co r n er s of t he bit wi l l cu t t he ful l s iz e
of th e d r i l l wh en gr ou nd .
H a r d en t he f ul l l en gt h of the t w i s t po l i s h br i gh,
t a n d ,
TO OL SM ITH A N D S T EEL WO RKER 71
d r aw the t emp er t o a p ur p l e by d r awing back an d forth

over t he fir e .
M aki ng a T wi st Reamer .
Of all the difi er ent kin d s an d sha p es of r eamer s , a
t w i st r ea m er p r op er l y mad e , t akes the l ea d f or f a st an d
easy cutt in g . B ut l ike a han d made t w ist

-
d r il l q i
r e u r es
Fi g 24
. . I ll ustratin g how ream er i s forged , before
bein g twi sted .
a l i ttl e sk il l . T o make
x amp l e in ch in
on e f
( ro e
di amet er ) t ake a p i ece of

,
in ch r oun d st eel F i rs t .
f o r ge the sh ank t o go int o t he br ace t h en d r aw d o wn ,
r o un d an d t ap er ed t o abo ut 3 i n ches in l en gt h h avi n g it ,
l
é in ch i n d i am et er a t t he l a r ge en d an d 5 1 6 i n ch at -
the smal l en d T h en fl att en out t o 4 i nch t hi ckn es s a t

.
1
t he l ar ge en d an d 4; in ch at the s mal l en d
1 T o put in .
the t wi st co mmen ce a t t he l ar ge end w hi ch w i l l be best
a
b a b a b a
Fi g 25 . . T he twi sted rea mer compl eted
d on e in a v se i by the
w r en ch but the twi st in
u se of a ,
the small en d can be d on e wi th t he h ammer by ho l d i n g

at a bevel on t he a n v i l th e n h am mer a s m en t ion ed in
,
makin g a twi s t d r i l l u n t i l the r eamer co mes t o the sh ap e

r eq u i r ed B ut bear in m ind t he t w i st i s put in t o the
.
l eft whi l e t o cut t he r eamer is tur ned t o the r i ght

, .
72 TH E T WEN T I ET H C EN T UR Y
T he in g ed ge of t he r eam er i s i ll ust r at ed by a
cu t t
,
”
a a a
, , ,
F i gur e 25 .B ut ba ck fr o m the cutt in g e d ge t o
”
t he gr oo v e S hown at b b b wh en fi l in g sho ul d be
“
, , ,
l eft a l i tt l e s m al l er whi ch wi l l a ct a s cl ear a n ce t hu s

a l l owin g th e ex t r eme cut t in g ed ge t o co m e i n cont act
m o r e r ea di ly wi th the wo rk .
H a r d en a s a t wi st d r i l l an d t emp er t o a p ur p l e .
S houl d t he t wi st be put in a r eamer a s in a t wi st d r il l

( whi c h i s p ut in t o t h e r i gh t ) t h e r e a m e
,
r wi l l d r a w in t o
the m at er i a l t oo f a st a n d be l i abl e t o br eak it
, A l so .
bear in m in d n ot t o g i ve t oo mu ch cl ear an ce or the cut

t in g ed ge w i l l t ake ho l d of t he m at er i a l t oo r ea di l y a n d
s t i ck f or a
,
in ch r eam er 1 3 2 cl ear an ce wi l l be p l en ty
- -
a n d f or s mal l er s iz es l es s wi l l d o Wh en fi l in g on the
.
cutt in g e d ge h av e a t hi n fl a t i r on p l at e wi t h di ff er en t
s iz e of ho l es in it t o f o r m a gau ge an d s o r egul a t e the
cl ear a n ce F i l e out t he ho l l ow gr oo ves very smoo th l y

.
a n d even l y s o a s n ot t o l eav e any t hi ck spo ts in the cut
t in g ed ge .
T he Pol ishi ng S ti ck .
A pol i shin g st i ck i s m ad e by t akin g a p i ece of p in e or

oth er soft wood, whi ch sh oul d be r oun d , about in ch es
in di amet er an d 1 5 in ch es l on g Wr ap a coar se sh eet .
of emery cl oth or sandp ap er ar ound it th en dr i ve in ,
t wo or th r ee car p et t acks t o h ol d it in p l ace T hi s wi l l

.
be mu c h h a ndi er t h a n a pi ec e o f l oo se s a nd p p
a er D O .
n ot u se s a nd p ap e r a ft er i t b ec o m es wo r n s m o o t h a s i t
,
i
w l n ot b g
l r i h t e n t h e s t ee l s at i s f a c t or y i n o r d er t o s ee
the cor r ect t emp er .

74 TH E T wE N T iE T H C E N T URY
a ft er gr in d in g it I t o l d hi m t o t ry it on al l the hem
l o ck kno t s he c o u l d fin d. B ut bein g a l i ttl e su spi cious
he a ske d m e if I woul d go t o the wood s wi th him whi ch ,
w as but a s ho r t di st an ce f r o m the shop an d I con sen t ed ,
t o go . A ft er r ea chin g t he wood s I f ound so me l ar ge

kn o ts an d t o l d him t o go ah ea d an d t r y his axe but he ,
h esi t at ed an d m a d e no o ffer t o do s o s o I t ook the a xe ,
fr o m him an d chop p ed in t o a kno t a n d a ft er st r i kin g ,
a f ew good bl ow s I h and ed him back the a xe T he .
fi r st thin g he d id w as t o ex amin e the cutt in g ed ge as he

was ex p ect in g t o s ee a pi ece m i ss in g fr o m it but it w a s ,
a l l th er e t he s am e a s i t l eft t he gr ind st on e I m a gin e .
his surp r i s e I s aw him a f ew d ay s aft er an d t he fi r st

.
t hin g h e s a id w a s : I h av e been u s in g t he a x e ev er
“
s in ce a n d cutt in g ev er y h em l o ck kno t I co u l d fin d an d
”
the a x e i s a s good as ev er R ea d er I a m n ot r el at in g
.
,
t hi s exp er i en ce t o fil l up an ex t r a p a ge in t hi s boo k bu t ,
t o i mp r es s on your m in d the ben efi t of m akin g good

t ool s an d in thi s ca s e esp eci a l l y an a xe
, .
I wi l l exp l a in t he w ay the o r din ary bl a cksmi th go es

abo ut t o d r aw ou t an a x e H e g et s a l ow h eat on the
.
bit a n d co mmen ces t o h amm er it an d en t i r el y on the

cut t in g ed ge I f the axe g et s t oo wid e he t ur n s i t u p
.
e d gewi se an d d r i v es i t back st r a i gh t a ga in s o met i m es ,
l oo s enin g the st eel but wo r ks a w ay un t i l t he ax e i s

,
fo r ged in t o a sh ap e t o su i t him N ow he h ar d en s an d .
t emp er s i t aft er t hi s f ashion h e p l a ces i t in the fi r e get s

, ,
on e co r n er at a whi t e h eat whi l e t he o th er i s bar el y r ed ,
dip s i t in a tub of di rty w at er about an in ch d eep ( but

i f it d o es n ot cr a ck in t he w at er it wi l l s ho r t l y aft er ) .
T h en the t emp er r un s down s o m et i mes on e co l o r o th er ,
t i mes ano th er whi l e on t he o th er h an d t he t emp er r un s

,
down s o r api d l y th at the cor n er s become soft an d only

the centre of the bit is t empered .
T O O L SM IT H A N D S T EE L WO RKER 75
T he cau ses f or t he in g
ax e cr ack r
a e—
by u n ev en a n d
ov erh eat in g w hi ch i s the ma in cau se whi l e a noth er ,
caus e wi l l r esul t f r o m i mp r op er f o r g in g or h am m er in g
t he st eel un ev en l y wh en at a l ow h ea t a n d s o d r awin g,
or wo r kin g the st eel on t he o ut s i d e whi l e t he in s id e ha s
n ot m o v ed an d bet w een t he t w o t h er e i s a s o r t of t ea r
,
in g O p er at ion g oi n g on whi ch wi l l in cr ea s e t he t en d en cy
t o cr a ck w h en h ar d enin g .
N ow l et u s d r ess an axe p r op er l y a s it sho ul d be d on e .
A n axe t h at i s r ath er t hi ck is best f or t he p r o cess a s it ,
g i v e s u s s t o ck t o wo r k on A f t e r p r.ep a r in g t h e fi re ,
h avin g the co al w el l ch arr ed an d l ar ge enou gh t o heat
Fi g . L n s ch opp i n g a xe dotted l i n es a a nd b
u m berm a
’
, , ,
i n di cate h ow to avoi d stra i n s i n th e steel wh en d es s in g r .
the n l y the ful l width of the bit or cutt in g ed ge

axe eve ,
heat even l y t o a d eep y el l ow ; n ow co m m en ce t o d r aw

ou t by h amm er in g b eginnin g a t t he cu tt in g ed ge oin g
, g ,
al l the w a y acr o s s t he bit a s in d i ca t ed by d o t t e d l in es

,
a F i gur e 26 t h en turn o ver goin g o ver thi s s i d e t he

, , ,
76 TH E T WE N T I ET H C E N T UR Y
s ame way unt i l t he h e at begin s t o g et l ow an d the ed ge

i s d r a wn a s t hin a s i s n ecess ar y f or an o r di n ar y cho p
p in g a x e . N ow w e wi l l t a k e a no t h er h ea t t hi s t i,
m e
‘
in ch es ba ck a n d t o a good y el l ow h eat but in st e ad of ,
g oin g ov er t h e e d g e a s b ef o r e g o, b a ck 1 1
4 in c h es f r om
t he cut t in g e d ge a s indi cat ed a t b F i gur e 26 a n d ham
, , ,
m er bo t h s id es t h e s a m e N ow the ax e h a s wid en e d ou t
.
,
but in s t ea d of tu r nin g it u p e d gewi s e a n d str i kin g i t

w i th t he h a mm er ou t i t O ff wi th a chi sel t o the p r op er
,
wid th .
( A l i t t l e n a r r ow e r wi l l b e b es t a s t h e a x e i s n ot
fini sh ed y et an d t he st eel wi l l com e a s wid e a s i s n ec

,
ess a r y in t he fini shin g s t a g e an d wi l l a l s o s av e fi l in g ) .
N ow h eat the a x e a g a in t hi s t i m e t o a v er y l ow h eat

, ,
j u st hot enou gh s o th at it wi l l be p l a i nl y s een t o be r ed

wh en p ut in a d ark p l ace an d h a mm er en t i r el y an d
,
ev en l y a l l ov er t he fl at su r f a ce a n d b ot h s id e s t h e s a m e
f or in ch es ba ck a ft er the sam e fashion as the fi r st

t i m e but t hi s t i m e h ol d t he a x e s o l id an d l ev el on t he
,
a n v i l an d do n ot h a m m er t he s t eel a f t er it get s t oo co l d ,
o th erwi s e the t en a ci t y th at i s bein g put in the st eel wi th

t he h am m er wi l l be d es t r oy e d T he a x e i s n ow d r a wn
.
out an d a ft er coo l in g O ff an d fi l in g t h e e d g es s m oo t h i t ,
i s r ea dy f or t h e h a r d enin g an d t emp er in g Wh en ham .
m er in g t h e ax e in t h e fini shin g st a ge a bo u t 1 5 g oo d ,
bl ow s on ea ch s id e wi l l be enou gh I f t h e h am m er in g i s .
p pr o er l y don e a t t h e r i g h t h e a t t h e s t e e l wi l l show a
br i gh t bl a ck gl o ss .
T o h ar d en the a x e h eat t he bit sl ow l y an d v er y

,
ev en l y n ot l ess t h a n 1 4 in ch es ba ck t o a ch er r y r ed or
1
,
j u st enou gh t o h ar d en dip d eep in t o the h ar d enin g bath

,
n ot l es s th a n in ch es r ai s in g an d l ow er in g s o a s t o
,
s o ft en g r a d u a l l y ,
t h us cau sin g no st r a in in t he s t eel .
P o l i sh t he h ar d en e d p ar t br i gh t bu t a s t h er e i s n ot ,
eno ugh h ea t l eft in the a x e t o f o r ce th e t emp er t o run

78 T H E T WEN T I ET H C E N T URY
on the m i l l er who is goin g t o u se th em r an gin g in ,
w ei ght fr om 2 t o 4 poun d s but the m ediu m s iz ed pi ck

,
-
of about 3 po u nd s w ei gh t i s m o st u s e d T h er e a r e al s o .
di ff er en t styl es of mi l l pi cks s om e h ave an ey e p un ch e d

,
in t h em for a h and l e whi l e o th er s ar e m a d e t o fit in a

,
s o ck et. T he m a in O bj ect how ev er i s t o h av e a m i l l

, ,
pi ck d r awn out thin a n d h ar d en ed p r op er l y in o r d er ,
t o do a gr eat a m ou n t of cutt in g a n d hol d a g ood cut

t in g e d ge wi t hou t bein g gr oun d O ft en or h a v in g the
,
c o r n er s con t in u al l y br e akin g O ff whi ch is d a n ger o u s t o

,
t h e m i l l er s h a nd s an d ey es
’
.
N ow su p po s in g s om e pi cks a r e t o be d r ess ed T he .
Fi g 27
. . C orrect s h ape O f m i ll p i ck .
fi r st t hin g t o do d r aw the h ar dn ess by h eat in g on e

is to
en d t o a l ow r ed bef o r e d r es s in g t he o t h er en d o th er
, ,
wi s e t h er e wi l l be a t end en cy of the en d h el d in the

t on gs t o br eak off wh en d r ess in g t h e O ppo s i t e end u n
, ,
l ess t he pi cks ar e v er y thi ck H eat t he en d t o be .
d r ess ed or d r aw n out t o a d eep y el l ow h eat ( so t h at the

,
st eel wi ll be w o r ke d cl ea r t h r ou gh thu s l eav in g no ,
st r a in s w hi ch wo u l d a fterw ar d s cau s e cr a cks ) d r a w i t ,
ou t t hin t o 3 1 6 of an in ch t hi ck on t he cu t t in g ed ge
-
,
t a p er i n g t o of an in ch t hi ck in ch back at the , ,
s am e t i me h avin g the cu tt in g e d g e b ar el y as wid e a s

TO O L SM IT H A N D S T EE L W O R KE R 79
the body of t he m i l l pi ck
h eat a ga in t o a l ow
. N ow
d ar k r ed h av e a h amm er w ei ghin g n ot l es s th an 3
,
p ound s ho l d the pi ck p erf ect l y so l i d an d fl a t on the

,
a n v i l wi t ho ut r a i s in g or l ow er in g it a n d s t r i ke 5 or 6 ,
good bl ow s on t he fl at s id e m a kin g su r e t h at the h am ,
mer wi ll f a ll on t he ex t r em e cut t in g ed ge t h en tu r n ,
over an d go over t h at s i d e the sam e w ay D O n ot .
s t r i ke ev er y bl ow in t h e s a m e p l a c e but g o o v er t h e
who l e fl at su r fa ce O f bot h s i d es ev en l y an d do n ot ham

mer t he st eel a ft er it beco m es bl ack but h eat a ga in t o a ,
v er y d u l l r e d an d s t r i ke 3 or 4 m o r e bl ow s on ea ch s i d e
ev en l y an d it i s d on e
,
I f t he ed g es h a v e s p r ea d out a
.
l i tt l e wid e or u n ev en d o n ot a t t em p t t o s t r i ke on e
,
bl ow on the e d g e but i f n eces s ar y t o h av e th em

,
s t r a i gh t fi l e or gr in d a l tho u gh i t m akes n o di ffer en ce

, ,
sho u l d t h e cu t t in g e d ge of t he m il l pi ck be a l i t t l e
w id e as a l l the m i ll er w a n t s i s t o h ave t h em out goo d

, .
N ow on e en d i s d r ess e d go o v er the o t h er en d ex a ct l y
,
t he sam e w ay ( bef o r e u n d er t aki n g t o h a r d en ) th e cut ,
t in g ed ge i s fi l e d on the sa me a s for an o r d in ar y co l d
ch i s el .
T o h ar d en a m i l l pi ck h eat even l y t o a l ow ch er r y,
r ed or j ust hot eno u gh t o h ar d en at l east in ch es

back fr o m the cutt in g e d ge t h en p l un ge in t o t he h ar d ,
en in g bat h an d coo l u n t i l en t i r el y co l d T h en h ar d en .
t he O ppo s i t e en d a ft er the s am e m et ho d but be c ar e ,
ful n ot t o d r aw an y t em p er in t he en d a l r ea dy h ar d
e n ed an d t he p i ck is al l r ea d y f or u s e
,
Do n ot d r aw .
any t emp er on m i l l pi cks as t h ey wi l l n ot be t oo h ar d
i f p r op er l y h ar d en ed When h ar d enin g m il l pi cks

.
,
har d en on e en d at a t i m e an d n ever t r y t o h ar d en bo t h
en ds at on ce T he r i gh t s iz e of st eel t o u se w h en mak
.
in g o r d in ar y m i l l pi cks wi ll be in ch es s quar e but ,
for smal l er s iz es in ches squar e w il l do .

TH E T WEN T I ET H C EN T UR Y
B ut cher K nives .
T h ere is a sayin g th at ha s been goin g the r ound s for

a l o n g t i me whi ch i s : A l w a y s u s e a fi l e t o m a ke a
“
,
”
but ch er kni fe but a ny bl a cksm i t h who bel i ev es in
,
t hi s s ayin g or t h eo r y d o es ver y l i tt l e t hin kin g f or him

s el f I h ave s een d oz en s of but ch er s kni ves m a d e fr o m
’
.
fi l es but wh at w er e th ey l ike ? T h ey w er e st i ff with

, ,
out an y sp r in g t o t h em w er e eas i l y br o ken an d wou l d

,
n ot ho l d a goo d cut t in g ed ge O n a cco u n t of t he t eeth , _
in t he fil e an d t o h av e a good butch er kni fe it mu st be

,
j ust the O p p o s i t e— it must hol d a keen ed ge an d in

s t ea d O f br ea kin g it must be v er y p l i abl e a s wh al e
, ,
bon e A l thou gh bu t ch er kni v es ar e m a d e al m o st eu

.
t ir el y by m achin er y m achin e or f act o r y m a d e kni v es

,
-
wi l l n ot hol d the keen cut t in g ed ge t h at a h an d m a d e -
kni f e wi l l wh en ma d e fr o m good st eel an d p r o p er l y

h a r d en ed an d t emp er ed A gr eat many ma chin e m a d e.
-
but ch er kni ves ar e m ad e f r o m poo r an d ch eap s t eel ,
c on s e qu en tl y t h ey a r e s o l d ch eap .
T o m ak e a bu t ch er kni f e u se st eel of about 7 5 poin t ,
ca r bon T he p r o p er s iz e of st eel t o use f or an o r din ar y

.
s iz e but ch er kni e wif l l be 4 by

3 in ch es A ft er the .
sh a p e of t he sh a n k ha s been d ecid ed on whi ch m ay be ,
fl at as a F i gur e 28 fo r ged or s quar e a s in F i gur e

, , ,
29 . N ow f or ex am p l e w e m ake a kni f e 8 in ch es l on g
, ,
in the bl a d e T he fi r st thin g t o d o ( aft er cutt in g off

.
t he st eel t he r i gh t l en gth ) wi ll be t ake a chi s el a n d cut ,
O ff at r i gh t a n gl es a s c in F i gu r e 28 t o f o r m the poin t
, , .
N ow cr oo k the st eel e d gewi s e in a c i r cul a r s h ap e as

F i gur e 28 the d ep th of the cr oo k bein g a bo ut
,
an
inch t h en get a d eep r ed h eat h al f t he l en gt h of the

,
bl ade an d d r a w t o a t hin ed ge at the s ame t i m e ham ,

82 TH E T WEN '
I I ET H C EN T URY
e d ge d own in t o t he h a r d enin g bath an d cool ent i r ely .
N ow i f the kni f e has been f o r ged an d h ammer e d even l y

,
t he who l e l en gth of the bl a d e it wi l l n ot co m e out of ,
t he h a r d enin g bath p er fectl y st r a i gh t but t h er e wi l l ,
be a cr oo k in it F or ex p l a n at ion w e wi l l s ay t h er e is
.
a cr oo k in i t N ow t ake a p o l i shin g s t i ck an d br i gh t en
.
on e s id e of t he kni fe T o d r aw the t emp er p l a ce fi at

.
,
Fi g 3 0 . . O rd in a ry bu tc h er ’
s k ni fe .
wi se over t he fir e ( do n ot p l a ce the kni fe di r ectl y on

t he hot co al s but in st ea d ho l d abo ut 2 in ch es abo ve )
, , ,
wi th the br i gh t en ed s id e up H eat v er y sl ow l y at the .

,
sam e t i m e m o v in g ba ck a n d f o r t h t o in sur e a v er y even
t emp er ; d r a w t o a p al e bl ue but befo r e coo l in g p l a ce ,
Fi g 3 1 . . S tra i gh t p ointed kni fe .
t he kn i f e on t he a n vi l an d t ake t he cr ook out by st r ik

in g it wi th a h amm er th en co ol an d it is r ea dy f or the
, ,
g r ind s t on e . T h e r ea s on t h at t h e cr ook w a s t aken ou t
s o eas i l y i s wh en th e kni fe w as bein g h ea t ed t oh a r den

,
on l y t w o thir d s of the width of the bl a d e w a s h eat ed

-
eno u gh t o h a r d en con s equ en tl y t he ba ck of t he kni f e

,
r em a in e d s o ft T hi s wi t h wh at h eat w as in t he kni fe
.
,
a ft er the t emp er w a s d r awn all ow e d the kn i f e t o ben d ,
w i tho ut S p r in g in g ba ck .
T o h av e good su ccess wh en m akin g but ch er kn i ves ,
be a r in m ind t o f o r ge a n d h a m m er ev e n l y on bo t h fl at
s id e s
,
h av e a y e l l ow h e a t wh e n d r a win g t he cu tt ing
W O RKE R 83
’
T O O L SM IT H A N D S T EEL
e d ge ,
an d a v ery h e at wh en h a mm er in g f or the l ast
l ow
t im e ,
an d n ev er a tt emp t t o s t r i ke the kni f e e d gewi s e i n
the l ast h a mm er in g R em ember th a t t h e h a r d enin g of

.
the kni f e mu st be ca r eful l y don e s o a s t o h ar d en the

ful l l en gt h of t he bl a d e wi thou t l eav in g any u nh ar d
en e d s po t s ; a l s o as mu ch p a in s mu s t be t aken wh en
,
t emp er i n g s o a s t o h av e it ev en l y d r aw n an d s o a voi d
h avin g h ar d or so ft p l aces .
H ow to M ake G un, Revol ver, T r aps and A l l Fine

S pri ngs .
S p r in gs p er fo r m y i m por t an t p art in mechani

a v er
ca l a p p l i a n c es a n d esp eci a l l y gu n s r evo l v er s an d t r a p s

, , ,
of a l l ki nd s bu t t o m ake a good sp r in g t he p r o cess

,
must be t ho r ou gh l y u nd er st ood Wh en m ak i n g s p r in gs
.
,
s t e el of a bo u t 6 0 p oin t s ca r bon i s best an d n ev er u se

,
st e el f or S p r in g m akin g t h at ex cee d s 7 5 poin t car bon ,
an d be ar in m ind wh en m akin g a s p r in g t o m ake i t a s
Wid e an d a s t hi n a s po ssi bl e a cco r d in g t o t he wo r k it i s

to d o .
Wh en makin g sp r in gs as gun sp r in gs in the first

, ,
p l a ce f o r ge t h e s p r in g p er f e ct l y s t r a i gh t b u t l ea v e
,
i t
a l i tt l e l ess t h an t he r i gh t wi d t h al s o l ea v e i t a l i tt l e
,
thi cker t h an t he sp r in g i s t o be wh en fi n i sh ed N ow .
h eat the who l e sp r in g fr om en d t o en d t o a v er y l ow

h eat ( say a d ar k dull r ed ) an d h amm er wit h h eavy
,
bl ow s ev enl y on bo t h fl at s i d es bein g ca r eful t o keep ,
the sp r in g v er y str a i gh t wi t ho ut h a mm er in g t he s p r in g
ed gew i se A s the h amm er in g of the sp r in g on th e fl at
.
s id es wh en a t a l ow h eat i s t o r efi n e an d p ack t he s t eel

, ,
whi ch is on e of the gr eat est s ecr et s in su cces sful sp r in g

ma kin g T o bend t he sp r in g h eat it t o a bl oo d r ed
.
,
( n e v er e x ce e d in g a l ow c h e r r y r e d ) w h e r e t h e,
b en d is
84 T H E T WEN T I ET H C E N T URY
t o be, th en bend t o t he p r op er sh ap e I f a t any time .
i t is n ecessa r y t o m ake a s p r in g wi th a cr oo k or ofi s et
in it ed gewi s e the cr ook must be put in the st eel befor e
,
t he l a st h a mm er in g i s d on e s o t h at t he st eel m ay be ,
r efin ed an d p a cke d by th e h a mmer t h us in cr ea s in g ,
t he t en a ci t y of t he sp r in g but do n ot h amm er th e ,
s t eel bel ow a cer t a in h ea t a s t he t en aci t y of the st eel

,
wi l l be r u in ed wh en h amm er ed t oo col d .
T h er e a r e di ff er en t w ay s of t em p er in g s p r in gs but ,
o nl y the s i mp l e a n d mo st succes sful methods ar e g iven .
T o h ar d en h eat the ent i r e sp r in g in the bl az e of the

,
Fi g 3 2
. . I ll u st ra t in g the
l
e a st i c s tr en gth O f a
wel l m a de s pri ng .
fi r e, v ery evenl y to a cher r y r ed or j ust enou gh to

h a r d en t h en p l un ge in t o the h ar d enin g b ath an d cool
,
off
“
d e a d co l d ”
T h en po l i sh it br i gh t
.
T o t emp er .
,
ho l d t he S p r in g ed gewi se 2 in ch es abov e the fir e an d

‘
d o n ot bl ow the fir e bu t h eat v er y sl owl y mo vi ng

, ,
t he sp r in g back an d f o r th an d o ccas ion al l y t ur nin g

over t o in su re a v e r y ev e n t e m p er w a t c hi n g
,
v e r y c l o s e
l y unt i l the sp rin g ha s d r awn t o a v ery pal e bl u e ai ,
o
m st g r ey D .o n ot c oo l o ff in w a t er a s o t h e r t oo l s a ft e r
t he t e m p er i s d r a w n b u t l a y,
i t down s o m e wh e r e a w a y
o
fr m a r a d f t o f c o l d a i r a l l owin g i t t o c oo l o ff s l ow l y
on its o w n ac c o r d T h i s .i s t h e a u t h o r s f a v o r i’
t e w ay
spr in gs ar e mad e in gr eat qu ant i t i es t h ey ar e h eat ed to ,
h ar d en in hot l ead or in a fur n ace whi l e the t emp er is

, ,
d r awn in boi l in g oil t al l ow or hot air T he d egr ee of

, , .
h eat r equi r ed t o d r aw the t emp er is r egi st er ed by a

pyr o meter conn ect ed w ith the vat or furn ace w hi ch in ,
su r es a ver y fin e an d ev en l y t emp er e d s p r in g .
Wh en m akin g tr ap sp r in gs or sp r in gs f or a s imi l ar
,
p u r po se a ft er t he fashion of F i gur e 3 2 h ave t he sp r in g ,
a t b a l i tt l e w i d er t h an t he rest of t he s p r in g an d
gi ve
it a S ho rt ben d whi ch wi l l i n cr ease t he st r en gth of the
,
s p ri n g . F in e fl at s p r in gs whi ch h av e a l on g gr a du al
ben d wh en in u s e ( esp ec i al l y f or ver y l i gh t p ur po ses ) ,
r eq u i r e n o h ar d enin g or t emp er in g as t h er e wi l l be
enou gh S p r in g t o t h em by s i m p l y h amm er in g t h em
,
equ al l y on bo t h S i d es wh en at a l ow h eat .
Dir t Picks .
A l l t oo l s of thi s d es cr i pt ion d a gr eat d eal by

ar e u s e
r a i l r o a d l a bo r er s f a r m er s a n d o t h er s who wo r k a m on g
, ,
g r a v e,
l h a r d g r o u nd e t
,
c D i
. r t pi ck s a r e p r in c i p a l l y
m a d e fr o m i r on whi l e t he end s a r e l aid wi th st eel
,
whi ch shoul d be good or din ar y t ool st eel of 7 5 poin t s

car bon . I n dr es s in g the end s f o l l o w the in st r u ct i on s
,
g i v e n i n m ak in g o r d r es s in g a c o l d c hi s el m a k in g su r ,
e
t o d ip d eep i nt o t he h ar d enin g bat h wh en h ar d enin g ,
s o a s t o give a f o un d at ion ba ck fr o m the cutt in g ed g e
an d keep t he poin t s or en d s f r o m bendin g an d m o r e
es p ec i al l y if th e p i ck i s d r a wn out v er y t hin t emp er t o ,
a l i ght bl ue .
F or l ayin g pi cks I wi ll gi ve so me in stru ct ion s t o in

,
su r e good r esu l t s an d S O p r od u ce a goo d w el d T he .
s t eel f or t hi s pur p ose shoul d be in ch o ct agon or -
s q u a r,e f o r or d i n a r y pi c k s bu t,
i f t he
p i c ks a r e o f a
TO O L SM ITH A N D S T EEL WO RKE R 87
l ar g e iz e l a r ger st eel shoul d be used I n w el d in g of

s .
t hi s kin d a l w a y s i n s er t t he st eel i nt o the ir on an d ,
d on t make t oo l on g a w el d as a short on e of r eas on

’
,
a bl e l en gth i s best an d mu ch easi er m ad e A l w ay s h av e .
p l en ty of st o ck w hen m akin g a w el d s o that the w el d ,
wi l l n ee d no u p sett in g in or d er t o br in g it t o the r i gh t
s iz e .
N ow d r a w d own t he en d of the s t eel t h at is t o be ih

s er t ed in t he i r on in f o r m in g the w el d t o a t a p er e d or ,
V sh a p e an d d r aw n t o a t hin s quar e ed ge an d h avin g

-
,
it at l east 14 of an in ch w i d er t h an the w el d is t o be ;
cu t a l i ttl e p i ece out of t he cen t er a ft er a V sh a p e an d -
p u t s o m e n i ck s in t he bev el e d p ar t of t he st eel wi t h t he
c o r n er of the chi s el m akin g i t v er y r ou gh a s N O 1

,
.
,
Fi gur e 3 4 C ut t in g a pi ece out of t he cen t er of the

.
Fi g 3 4
. . Ill u str at in g h ow e n ds a re forged w h en l a yin g d i rt
p i cks , in or der to m a ke a s u cces s fu l we l d .
st eel e n abl es it t o go w el l up in t o the i r on T ake the .
i r on p a rt whi ch is t o fo r m t he w el d a ft er h ea t i ng sp l i t
, ,
it wi t h a hot chi s el as f ar ba ck as r equi r ed O p en the ,
end s an d dr aw d ow n t o a t hin e d ge as N O 2 Fi gur e 3 4 .

, .
N ow t ake a goo d h eat on the i r on an d i n sert t he s t eel

whi l e at a l ow h eat in t o the op en in g of the i ron driv ,
ing the st eel w el l up in t o the ir on t h en h ammer the ,

e n d s of the i r on w ell down over t he st eel ( T he n i cks .
th at w er e p ut in the st eel w i l l en abl e it t o st ay in the

ir on much bett er dur in g the w el d ing h eat than if l ef t ,
p e r f ect l y s mo ot h ) T he pi c k i
. s n ow r ea d y f or t he
w el din g heat H ave the fir e cl ean w i th p l enty of w ell

.
ch ar r ed coal heat the p l a ce t o make the w el d t o a

,
c h er r y r ed t h en p l a ce p l en t y of fi n e pow d er e d bor a x
,
on it t h en h eat t o a w el d in g h eat as hi gh as the st eel

,
wi l l st an d but no mor e B r in g fr om the fire an d str ike

,
.
t he en d a gain st the s i d e of the anvi l or str i ke the en d

w ith the h amm er d r i vin g the st eel w el l up in to the
,
Fi g 3 5
. . H ow e n ds p l
areaced toge th er , s howi ng p l enty O f
stock to m a ke th e wel d .
i r on th en str i ke the fi rst f ew bl ows ( to m ake t he w el d )

,
l i ght l y a n d on t he fl at sur f a ces of the i r on th en ha m ,
mer h ar d and fa st an d fr o m al l S i d es al i ke un t i l the

w el d is comp l et ed I f the w el d is ma d e aft er t h ese di
.
r e ct io n s it wi l l be p er f ect l y smoo t h an d s o l i d an d w ill

,
show n o t r a ce or O p enin g wh er e t he s t eel w as in sert ed
in the i r on T he r eason it w il l S h ow n o op en ing in the

.
w el d is because the st eel was l eft wi d er th an the i ron

an d wh en bein g w el d ed was dr iven back fi ll i n g t he ,
op enin g t h at o t h er w i s e w oul d h ave been t h er e an d s o

,
l eavin g t he w el d p erf ectl y smo oth and as so li d as one

pi ece.
C H A PT ER V
M a chi n i st s tool s
’ — T he u se O f a sbesto s an d cl ay when harden:
—
i n g tool s B oil erm a ker s tool s ’
.
a chi nis ts T ools

’
M .
C onn ect ed wi th the m achini st s tr a d e is a w i d e r an ge

’
of fi n e an d c o mp l i cat e d t oo l s A m on g t h em bein g l at h e
.
an d p l a n er t oo l s m i l l in g cutt er s t ap s di es r eam er s
, , , , ,
et c . a n d t he t oo l s m i t h in a l ar ge S ho p who can f o r ge
, ,
h ar d en an d t em p er t h es e t oo l s s at i sf a ct o r y wi l l h a ve a
gr ea t m a ny f r i end s am on g t he machini st s but sh oul d ,
the t oo l s m i t h be o t h er wi s e t h er e i s no thin g t h at t r i es
,
t he t emp er a n d p at i en ce s o mu ch a s t o h ave a n umber

of m a chini s t s con t in u al l y a r o u nd th e fir e a n d ea ch on e
m akin g a com p l a in t t h at t he t oo l wou l d n ot d o thi s ,
an d it wo u l d n ot do t h at et c , .
Wh en m akin g l ath e an d p l an er t ool s th er e is no def ,

”
in it e r ul e t o go by as t o the sh ap e wi th the excep ,
t ion of a f ew st and a r d or o r din a r y t oo l s a s S hown in ,
F i gu r es 3 6 t o 46 as t he m a chini st has s o m any jo bs of

,
a di ff er en t n at u r e t h a t he r e qu i r es a t oo l of a s p ec i al
sh a p e t o su i t t h e w or k whi ch h e exp l a in s t o t he t oo l
,
s m i t h or g i v es him a d r awin g of it a n d s o m et i m es a ,
p at t er n of it m a d e fr om woo d S t eel of 1 p er cen t or

.
1 00 poin t ca r bon i s best f or m akin g l ath e an d p l a n er

t oo l s a s t h ese t oo l s do t h ei r wo r k by st ea dy p r es su r e
,
.
B ut n e ver t h el es s t h ey mu st be p r op er l y f o r ged h ar d ,
ene d an d t em p er ed in o r d er t o st a n d t he great st r a in
,
that is i ont inuall y beari n g a ga in st th em an d al s o t o ,
90
T O O L SM IT H A N D S T EEL WO R KE R 91
ho l d a good in g e d ge in o r d er t o s ave t i me an d d o
cu t t ,
wo rk of a v er y ex a ct an d ski l l ful n atur e esp eci al l y in ,
the fini shin g st a ge .
L a th e t oo l s of a fl at sur f a ce such as bent cutt in g O ff

,
t oo l s an d s i d e t oo l s mu st be f o r ge d t o sh ap e a n d t he
,
O ffs et p u t in bef o r e t he l a st h a mm er in g i s d on e When .
m akin g cutt in g O ff t oo l s an d o th er t oo l s of a s i m i l ar
n at u r e a l w a y s g i v e p l en t y of cl ear a n ce a s i l l ust r a t e d
,
in F i gur e 3 8 whi ch show s t he cutt in g ed ge a a l i ttl e

,
Fi g 3 6
. . T wo wa y s of orgin g a di am on d point l ath e tool
f .
wi d er t h an b al s o wi d er t h an c as S hown in fr ont
, ,
v i ew of t he s am e fi gur e a n d bear in m in d wh en f or g
,
in g the t oo l l eave it a l i tt l e wi d er at the cutt in g e d ge

th a n t he ex a ct wi d t h as the h amm er in g on t he fl at su r
,
f ace aft er the o ffs et i s put in wi ll br in g the cut t i ng

,
e d ge t o t he r i gh t wi d t h T o mo r e ful l y exp l ain l et u s

.
su ppo se t h e cut t in g e d g e of t he t oo l 1
i s t o be 4 of a n
in ch in width but in o r d er t o r efin e an d p ack the s t eel
, ,
w e wi l l h av e the cutt in g ed ge 5 1 6 of an in ch wid e be -
fore un d er t akin g t o h a m mer on the fl at sur f ace If .

t he h ammer in g d o es n ot fl att en the st eel t o ex actly the

r i gh t s i z e a n d s o l eav e t he cut t in
g e d g e a t r ifl e w id er ,
s o mu ch the bett er a s t he t oo l w i l l h ave a l i ttl e st o ck

,
f or gr in d in g .
A l l l a th e a n d p l an er t oo l s f or o r din ar y w o r k shou l d
be quen ch ed or h ar d en ed abo ut on e in ch back an d a o
Fi g 3 7
. . T he stra i gh t cutt in g O ff
, or part in g tool .
Fi g 3 8 . . T he l eft h an d bent cuttin g O ff to ol .
Fi g 39
. . T he r i ght h a n d bent cutti n g O ff tool .
c ro d in g t o the cutt in g ed ge as i l l u st r at ed by do tt ed
,
l in es in F i gur es 3 6 t o 4 5 an d t emp er ed t o a d ar k s t r a w
,
or copp er co l o r B ut sho u l d the t oo l s h av e t o ou t v er y

.
h ar d cast ir on or o th er ver y h ar d m at er i al h a r d en a n d ,
d ra w n o t emp er S h oul d the t ool st i l l f a i l t o cut the

.
H eat wl y
sl o v en l y u nt i l the whol e f ace of the
an d e
cutt in g en d is j ust hot enou gh to h ar d en t h en p l u n ge ,
in the h ar d enin g bath an d cool O ff O r din ary cor r u .
gat in g tool s r eq u i r e no temp er d r awn .
F i g 42
. . T he in s i de borin g tool .
A ir H ardeni ng S teel s for L athe and Planer T ool s .
C ast s t eel f or l ath ep l an er t oo l s is t o a cer t ain

an d ,
ex t en t don e a w a y wi t h in l a r ge S hop s by t he u s e of a ir
or s el f h ar d en in g st eel s
-
A cer t a in am o un t of t hi s
.
st eel i s m a n u fa ctur ed in s iz es so t h at n o f or g in g of the
t oo l i s r equ i r ed an d by th e u s e of a p at en t t oo l ho l d er
,
( m a d e e s p eci all y f or c er t a in s iz e s of t he s t eel ) i s su
F i g 43
. . T he i n s i de o di n a
r ry t hrea d tool .
p er ior t o a h and for ged t ool in so m e r esp ect s B ut the .
t oo l sm i th h as a n i mpo r t a n t wo r k t o do conn e ct e d wi th
a i r h a r d enin g s t eel a s h e i s c a l l ed u p on t o cut i t off in
,
l en gth s an d h ar d en i t bes id es A s t h er e is a l i m i t t o
,
.
the s iz es th at a r e m an u f actu r ed f or i mmedi at e us e the

T OO L SM IT H A N D S T EE L W O RK ER 95
s t eel must be f o r ge d t o theh ap e of the t ool whi l e t he s ,
f o r g in g an d h ar d enin g of a ir h ar d enin g s t eel is so m e

wh at of a d i ff er en t n atur e t o cast t oo l st eel A ir h ar d .
en in g st eel i s n ot as a r ul e u s e d f or a n yt hin g bu t for
r ou ghin g l a t h e a n d p l a n er t oo l s it bein g t oo h ar d t o ,
make in t o any t ool whi ch is t o d o it s wo r k by the u se
F i g 44
. . T he in s i de s q u are th read tool .
of a h amm er an d al s o t o make in t o an y exp en s ive t ool

su ch as m i l l in g cutt er s a s on a cco u n t of it s ex t r em e
,
h ar d n ess it cannot be machin ed or wo r ked s at i sfact o r y .
T h er e a r e s ev er al m akes an d br a n d s of ai r h ar d enin g
st eel but s o m e of the l ea d in g m akes m ay be m en t ion e d
,
a s S an d er s on s J es s op s N o v o M ushet an d B l u e C hi p
’ ’
, , , , .
F i g 45
. . T he br oa d no se or fi ni shin g tool
-
.
Wh en for gin g th es e br a n d s
in t o t oo l s do n ot h eat the
st eel abo ve a br i gh t y el l o w esp eci a l l y M u shet or S an ,
der s on s but the st eel mu st be h eat e d ev en l y cl e ar

’
,
th r o u gh t he bar an d u n l es s the t oo l i s t o be of a fin e
,
n atur e d o the f or gin g un d er the st ea m h ammer a s the ,
st eel i s t oo h ar d t o f o r g e wi t h t h e h a mm er a n d s l ed ge .
T he f o r gin g sho ul d be d on e a s qu i ckl y a s po ss i bl e ,

whi l e the h eat is in the st eel an d n ev er a tt emp t to ,
ben d or cr ook the st eel wh en a t a l ow h eat a s it wi l l ,
be a pt t o cr a ck or br eak in tw o S O be car efu l t o h ave ,
the s t eel a t l ea st at a d eep r ed h eat wh en it i s t o be

ben t .
Wh en any n ew br and comes in the S hop be car eful

t o l oo k a t t he di r ect ion s on the ba r a s so me br and s ar e ,
har d en ed a l i tt l e difi er en t fr o m o t h er s F or ex amp l e .

,
the cutt in g e d ge of a t ool ma d e f r o m B l u e C hip s i s

har d en ed by bein g h eat ed t o a whi t e h eat u n t i l it com
men ees t o mel t w h en smal l bubbl es or bl i st er s wi l l
,
Fi g 46 . . T he corr u gati n g tool .
form on t he st eel , p l a ced in a bl ast of col d

t h en it i s
ai r . T o har d en M u shet st eel h eat t o a d eep y el l ow an d
cool O ff in a bl ast of co l d a ir S a n d er s on s a n d J
’ ’
eS S O p s
,
aft er the s ame p r o cess N o vo st eel is h ar d en e d by h eat

.
in g it t o a whi t e heat t h en cool ed O H in a bl a st of co l d

,
ai r or may be qu en ch ed in oil .
Wh en har d en in g st eel with a bl ast of col d air h av e ,
the p ip e or n o z z l e ( whi ch con vey s the a ir ) as cl o s e t o

the fir e a s po ssi bl e a n d wh en cool in g O ff the t ool h a v e
, ,
s o m e arr an gem en t t o ho l d t h e poin t or cutt in g e d g e di
r ect l y in f r on t of t he bl ast I f thi s i s n ot don e t he t ool

.
is ap t t o beco me turn ed t o on e s id e by the fo r ce of the

bl ast . A l s o bear in m in d i f t he st eel i s h eat ed t o a
98 TH E T WEN T I ET H C E N T U RY
H ow t o A nneal A ir H ar deni ng S teel .
S o met i m es, hou gh s el dom the t ool smi th is cal l ed

al t
u pon t o a nn e al a ir h ar d enin g s t e el S O t h at i t m a
y be,
t ur n e d or p l a n e d T hi s cl a ss of st eel i s v er y di ffi cul t t o
.
a nn eal on a ccou n t of it s ex tr eme h a r dn es s I t mu st n ot .
be p acke d di r ect l y in S l acke d l i m e or ash es a s cast t oo l

s t eel a s it w i ll coo l O fi t oo q u i ckl y T o a nn eal a ir h ar d
, .
en in g st eel u s e a n air t i gh t h ea vy i r on box p l a ce t he

, ,
s t eel in s id e t he box t h en h eat a l t o g eth er t o a d ee

, p r ed
h eat th en p a ck the box d eep in t o S l a cked l i me or
,
a sh es I f an i r on box ca nno t be O bt a in e d u s e a h ea vy
.
,
i r on pip e or band l ar ge enou gh t o a ccommo dat e the
Fi g 47
. . H o hin g tool
eavy r u g .
st eel , wi thout h avin g the st eel p r oj ect out th r ou gh the

en d . A l s o h ave t w o h eavy fl at i r on p l a t es l ar ge eno u gh
t o co v er t he en d of t he p i p e P l a ce th e s t eel in the
'
.
pip e an d h eat the pi p e l i kewi s e the p l at es a s fo r mer l y

, ,
m en t ion ed t h en p ack the p i p e in t o t he l i me in an up

,
r i g h t p o s i t ion h a v in g on e of t he p l at es di r ect l y un d er
,
t he p ip e t he o th er on t op whi ch wi l l keep t he s t eel

, ,
fr o m co m in g in con t a ct wi th t he l i me B y f ol l owin g .
thi s meth od the st eel w i l l keep hot a v er y l on g t i me ,

T O O L SM IT H A N D S T EEL WO RKE R 99
a nd t h u s g i ve good r esu l t s . T o a nn eal a pi ece of 1 -

in ch
squa r e a ir h ar d enin g s t eel wi l l r e q u i r e fr o m 1 2 to 1 5
h ours t i me’
.
M l l l ing C ut t ers .
T h ese t ool s ar e ver y v al u abl e t o the ma chini st s ’
t r a d e a n d t he m akin g of t h em r e qu i r es gr eat S ki ll v al
, ,
n a bl e t i m e a n d g ood st eel whi ch m ake s t h em v er y ex

,
p en s i v e t O O l S I f t h ey a r e n ot p r op er l y fo r ge d a n d
.
h ar d en e d t h er e is a gr eat l o s s .
Wh en fo r g i n g a bl an k for a m i l l in g cutt er ( st eel of

a bo u t 9 0 p oin t c a r bon i s bes t ) be s ur e an d l eav e the
bl an k a l i tt l e l ar ger ever y w ay t h a n t he e x a ct s iz e of
t he m i l l in g cutt er wh en fini sh ed a s a m a chini st a l w a y s ,
p r e f er s a l i tt l e e x t r a s t o ck whi ch e n a bl es
,
h i m t o ma
chin e t he t ool wi t h gr e at er e a s e a n d l es s ca u t ion t h a n
if f or g e d t o t he ex a ct s iz e of the t oo l Wh en fo r gin g a .
m i l l in g cu t t er h eat t he st eel ev en l y t o a go od y el l ow ,
but d o n ot h e a t t oo f a st or t he o u t s id e or c o r n er s wi l l
be a t a whi t e h ea t whi l e th e in s id e i s ba r el y r ed a n d ,
by u n ev en l y h eat in g wi l l cau s e st r a in s whi ch wi l l p r o

du ce a t en d en cy t o cr a ck wh en h ar d enin g the m i l l in g
cut t er .
I f t he m i l l in g cu tt er i s l ar g e f o r ge i t t o h ap e u n d er
S
t he S t ea h am mer bei n g ca r eful t o

m fo r ge i t even l y
fr o m a l l S i d es a l i ke a n d s o wo r k t he s t eel cl ear
t h r ou gh bu t a s it beco m es fini sh ed r ed u ce the h eat
,
.
T oo l s su ch a s m i l l in g cu t t er s whi ch a r e ei t h er r ou nd or
al mo st O f an e qu al S iz e ca nno t be r efin e d a s th e st eel
, ,
wi ll r em a in at it s n atur al st at e con s equ en tl y it is n ot ,
d es ir abl e t o fi n i sh at qu i t e s o l ow a h eat a s tho s e O f a

flat sur f a ce B ut if the mi l l in g cutt er is v er y thin an d
.
1 00 TH E T WEN T I ET H C E N T URY
fl a t t h en t h e st eel m ay be re fin ed by us in g a fl att er on
t he fl a t sur f a ce whi l e at a l ow h eat .
A ft er f o r gin g the m i l l in g cut t er nn eal ed

i t mu st be a ,
whi ch O p er ation mu st n ot be n egl ect ed as the whol e ,
bl a n k mu st be h eat ed a gain sl ow an d evenl y t o a bl ood

r e d ( n ev er ex c eedin g a ch er r y r ed ) th en p a cked d eep ,
int o S l a cked l i me all owin g it t o r emain th er e unti l

,
co l d . H ave the a nn eal in g box l ar ge enou gh s o th at it

wil l cont a in p l en ty of l i me t o keep the h eat ed steel
aw ay f r o m the ai r I f t h er e h a ve been any S l i gh t
.
s tr a in s l ef t in t he st eel by f o r g in g the a n n eal in g wi ll
t ake th em ou t a n d m ak e t he st eel so ft s o t h at it can be

wo r ked wi th eas e by the m achini st .
T he h a r d eni n g of a m i l l in g cutt er a ft er it ha s been

m achin e d t o sh ap e i s the p r o ces s th at must n ot be over
,
l oo ked as in t he h a r d enin g t he t oo l sm i th must ei t h er

,
su cceed or s poi l the t oo l T he m i l l in g cutt er mu st be

.
h ar d en ed p r op er l y wi t hout cr ackin g s o th at w h en put ,
in t o u s e it wi l l do a gr eat am ount of cutt in g by ho l d in g

a g ood cu t t in g e d ge an d s o it i s n eces s ary t h at the
,
t oo l sm i th u se gr eat car e wh en h eat in g f or h a r d enin g .
I f t h er e is no h ea t in g fur n ace in the sho p an d the m i ll ,
i n g cutt er i s t o be h eat ed f or h ar d enin g in t he co al or

O p en fir e t oo mu ch ca r e ca nno t be u s ed
,
.
Wh en heat in g t o h ar d en in the O p en fir e h ave the

co al w el l ch a r re d an d the fir e p l en t y l ar ge eno u gh T he .
t op of the fir e sho ul d be p er fe ctl y fl a t and the who l e

su r f a ce a p er f ec t l y an d v er y ev en ly h eat e d m a ss p l a ce ,
t he cu tt er ( i f a ft er t he sh ap e a s b F i g ur e 48 ) fl atw ay
,
on the t op or sur fa ce O f the fir e now h eat ver y sl ow l y

,
an d ev en l y an d t u r nin g it o ver o cca s ion al l y u n t i l it is
he at ed t o a v er y ev en l ow ch er r y r ed or j u st en ou gh t o ,
h ar d en, then pl unge it into the h ar d enin g bath ed ge

1 02 T H E T WEN T I ET H C EN T U RY
t e et h a f t er t hi s m et ho d y car eful n ot t o br uise

,
be v er
t he fin e cu t t in g e d ges of the t eet h a ga in st the p i p e

. It .
is bet t e t
r o h a v e s o m e a r r a n g em en t t o ho l d t h e m i l l ing
Fi g 4 8
. . P l a in or ordin a ry m il lin g cu tters .
cutt er u p f r o m the
pip e A n i r on bar pl a ced th r ou gh
.
t he c en t er of the cu tt er wi t h a be ar in g u n der ea ch en d
wi l l keep the cutt er fr om co min g in cont act w ith the
i
p p e .
T O O L SM IT H A N D S T EEL WO RKER 1 03
T he Use of A sbest os and C l ay, When H ar deni ng M ill

i ng C utter s and O ther T ool s .
V er y O ft en a m i l l in g cutt er is ma d e with a t h r ea d
t h r o u gh the n t er of the too l whi ch must be kep t S oft
ce ,
whil e t he out si d e or t eeth ar e h ar d en ed an d t he w ay ,
t hi s p r o cess i s a c co mp l i sh ed i s by t he us e of a sbest o s ,
whi ch i s p a cked w ell int o the in s id e or th r ea d but ,
make sur e t h at t he o ut s id e en d s of t he t h r ea d ar e w el l
p add ed ov er w ithout al l owin g the a sbest o s t o co me in
con t act wi t h t he cut t in g e d ges O f t he t eet h of t he m i ll
in g cu t t er . T he asbest o s is kep t in p l a ce whi l e h ar d en

in g by the u s e of fin e p l i abl e wi r e w r app e d a r o un d the
,
t oo l A ft er the h a r d enin g has been don e an d the a sbes

.
t os t aken out fr o m the in s i d e th e t h r ea d wi l l be qu i t e

s o ft
. T he r eas on the t h r ea d h as r em a in ed s o ft whi l e
the t eet h ar e h ar d en ed i s becau s e t he w a t er cou l d n ot
co m e in c on t a ct wi t h t he t h r ea d wh en bein g qu en ched ,
on a cc o u n t of t he p r es en ce of the asbest o s .
I h av e s av ed a gr eat m any d el i ca t e an d exp en s i ve

mi ll in g cutt er s f r o m cr a ckin g wh en h ar d enin g by t he ,
u se of asbest o s T ake f or ex am p l e a n a n gl e en d m i l l
.
in g cutt er T h at is ma d e wi th a t hi n or d el i cat e p ar t
.
ex t end e d fr o m t he m a i n bo d y of the t oo l N ow al .
,
thou gh the t oo l m ay be ver y even l y h eat ed an d p r op

er l y h ar d en ed it is st i l l ver y l i abl e t o cr a ck an d in
, ,
s ome ca s es the thin or ext en d e d p art w i ll cr a ck O E in
a s o l id r i n g T O st op a mi ll in g cutt er O f t hi s kin d fr om
.
cr a ckin g fil l the ho l l ow in t he en d a s in F i gur e

, ,
w ith asbest o s bein g car eful n ot t o cover any of the

,
cut t in g e d g es of th e t e et h an d ho l d th e a sbest o s i n
pl ace by the u s e of fin e wi r e whi l e h ar d enin g T he

,
.
r eason t he t oo l wi l l n ot cr a ck i s wh en qu en chi ng t o
,
1 04 TH E T WEN T I ET H C E N T URY
h ar d en on l y the t eeth s i d e comes in cont act w ith the

w at er whi ch h ar d en s whil e the oth er s i d e is kep t S oft
,
a s t he a sbest o s keep s the w at er fr o m com i n g in con t act
wi th the hot st eel .
A no th er examp l e : T ake a p i ece of st eel 3 i n ch es l on g

an d 1 in ch t hi ck n ow an in ch on each en d i s t o be
,
h ar d en ed whi l e the r emai nm g 1 11 011 in the cent er is t o

,
be kep t so ft an d t o a ccomp l i sh t hi s p r o cess w r ap the

, ,
cen t er w el l wi th asbest o s keepin g it in p l ace by win d

,
in g so me fin e w i r e ar o un d it or in st ea d of us in g asbes
,
t os w r a p the s t eel a r o un d wi th cl ay keep in g it in

, ,
p l ace b y t he u s e of a t h in pi ece of sh eet m et al w o u n d
Fi g 4 9
. . T he a n gl e en d m illing cutter .
ar oun d it th en h eat t o h ar d en
,
an d the r es u l t s wi l l be
a s f o r mer l y exp l a in e d .
H ar dening H ol l ow T ool s
.
Wh en h ar d enin g m i l l in g cutt er s a s a F i gur e 48 ,
s p r in g t h r e a din g d i es o r an y s i m i l a r t o o l a l w a y s ,
qu en ch th em fr o m a v ert i cal or up r i gh t p os i t ion whi ch ,
wi l l al l ow the st eam an d w at er t o co m e u p th r ou gh the

t oo l a n d cau se the st eel t o be h ar d en ed m or e ev en l y .
S ho ul d t h e t oo l b e q u en ch e d f r o m a ho r izon t a l p o s i t i on
1 06 TH E T WEN T I ET H C E N T U RY
T o d r aw the t emp er aft er bein g h ar d en ed as j ust men

,
t i on ed ho l d th e en d or th r ea d p ar t of the t oo l abo ve
,
t he fi r e a n d d r a w t he t emp er v er y S l ow l y a n d ev en l y
( by keepin g the t oo l t ur n ed ar oun d ) t o a d ar k st r aw

co l o r .
T he H ar dening and T emperi ng of H ob T aps, S tay

B ol t T aps and S imil ar T ool s .
I n fo r gin g,
nn eal in g an d h ar d enin g O f l on g s l end er
a
t oo l s su ch as hob t a p s s t ay bo l t t ap s et c t oo mu ch
, , ,
.
,
ca r e c a nno t be ex er ci s e d al t hou gh a s a
,
r ul e th es e
t oo l s do n ot h av e t o be f o r ged a s t he st eel i s gen er all y
,
O bt ain ed fr om the m an u f actu r er the ri gh t s iz e t o al
l ow i t t o be m a chin ed in t o t he t oo l H ow ev er the st eel .

,
s ho ul d be w el l an d ev en l y a nn eal ed shoul d it co me di ,
r e ct f r o m t h e m an u f act ur er or s h ou l d it be f o r ged by
the t oo l sm i th .
I n a nn ea l in g a s w el l a s h a r d enin g l on g sl en d er t oo l s
th ey mu st be car eful l y h a nd l ed wh en the t oo l is h eat e d
the who l e l en gt h of i ts el f or it wi l l w a r p eas i l y a l s o ,
p ack the t ool ver y car eful l y wh en ann eal in g so th at it

wil l h ave an equ al bear in g .
Wh en h ar d enin g get the t ool t o a v er y even h eat ,
eno u gh t o h a r d en t he who l e l en gt h of the t h r ea d an d ,
wh en qu en chin g d ip d eep in the cen t er of the h ar d en

in g bath fr o m a p er fect l y u p r i gh t po si t ion al l owin g it ,
t o r ema in in the bath unt i l p er f ectl y co l d B ear in .
m in d t h at wh en qu en chin g a l on g sl en d er t oo l any ,
var i at ion fr o m a p er fect l y u p r i gh t po s i t ion wi l l h av e a
t en d en cy t o w ar p the t oo l Wh en h ar d enin g d o n ot
.
'
h ar d en the sh ank as al l t h at is r equi r ed t o be h ar d en ed

,
is t he cutt in g t eet h or t h r ea d .
T o d r aw the t emp er po l i sh br i gh t the gr oo ves in the

,
TO O L SM IT H A N D S T EE L WO R KE R 1 07
th r ea d f r o m en d to en d, h av e
o u p l e O f h e a vy
a c
wr ou gh t i r on pip es or ba nd s H eat bot h in the fi r e t o

.
a l m o s t a w hi t e h eat t h en r em o ve on e f r o m t h e fir e a n d
,
p u t i t in a c on v en i en t p l a ce p l a c e,t h e t a p in t h e h e at e d
pip e an d d r aw the t ap back an d f o r th t o in sur e a ver y
ev en t emp er f r o m en d t o en d I f on e p ip e i s n ot su ffi
.
c i en t t o d r a w t he t emp er r ep l a ce wi t h t he hot p i p e
,
t h at i s in t he fi r e th en coo l O E t h e t oo l
,
F or al l kind s
.
of t ap s d r a w t he t em p er t o a d ar k st r aw co l or B e su r e .
wh en d r awin g the t emp er n ot t o u se t oo s mal l a pip e ,
or t he ex t r em e fi n e poin t s of t he t h r ea d wi l l d r aw t oo
qu i ckl y F or a ll o r d in ar y t ap s u se a p ip e about five

.
in ch es l on g an d 3 in ch es in s id e di am et er whi l e t he ,
thi ckn es s of th e p ip e s ho u l d n ot b e l es s t h a n a n in ch
or it wi l l coo l O E t oo qu i ckl y .
S o m et i m es wh en h ar d enin g a l on g sl en d er t oo l on l y
a cer t a in p ar t of it i s t o be h ar d en ed F or ex a mp l e
.
,
suppo s in g w e h a ve a l on g sl en d er t oo l 1 8 in ch es l on g
an d 1 in ch t hi ck . N ow 6 in ch es in t he cen t er i s t o be
h ar d en e d whi l e 6 in ch es at each en d is t o be kep t s oft
, .
I n a c as e of t hi s kin d t ake a n i r on pip e 7 in ch es l on g

a n d 2 in ch es in s i d e d i am et er bu i l d the p ip e in t o t he
,
fir e a l i t tl e abo v e t he su r f a ce of the f o r ge an d h eat the ,
pip e evenl y all ar oun d an d fr om en d t o en d N ow p l ace .
the t oo l t h r o u gh t he pip e h av in g t he p ar t whi ch i s t o

,
be h ar d en e d di r e ct l y in t he h eat e d p i p e whi l e the en d s

,
whi ch a r e t o be l eft unh ar d en ed wi l l p r oj ect fr om ea ch

en d of t h e p ip e whi ch wi l l p r ev en t t h em fr o m be com
,
in g hot eno u gh t o h ar d en T o keep t he t oo l f r o m w ar p

.
in g or bendin g ( whi l e bein g h ea t e d ) p l ace s o m ethin g

und er each en d cl o s e t o t he pip e t o f o r m a bear in g an d
a l s o t o keep t he t oo l in t h e c ent er of t he p ip e I f the .
too l i s t o be h ar d en ed t o a very ex a ct l en gth w r ap w i th

1 08 T H E T WEN T I ET H C EN T URY
a sbest os nds of the p ar t whi ch i s t o be h ar d

at t he e !
en e d a s t h e a sbest o s wi l l p r ev en t t h e st eel f r o m be
,
co m in g h ar d en e d whi l e bein g qu en ch e d T o i l l u st r at e .
t hi s mo r e cl ear l y a a F i gur e 5 1 r ep r es en t s t he a s
, , ,
best os b t he p ar t of t he t oo l whi ch i s t o be h ar d en ed
,
an d c c t h e u nh a r d en ed end s .
C
F ig 5 1
. . I ll u stratin g h ow certa i n p art s O f tool s a re h ardened .
H eat i ng Fur naces .
I n l ar gehop s an d f a ct or i es wh er e t oo l s ar e m ad e in
S
g r e a t q u a n t i t i es f u r n a ces a r e u s e d t o h eat st eel bu t

, ,
p r in cip al l y for h ar d enin g p urpo ses an d in a gr eat ,
m a ny r esp ect s a fur n ace i s s up er ior t o an op en fir e a s ,
st eel can be h eat ed in a f urn ace v er y even l y an d wi t h
l ess da n ger of i t beco min g o ver h eat ed th a n if h eat e d in

an O p en fir e T oo l s of a l on g sl en d er sh a p e su ch a s
.
,
s t ay bol t t a p s an d t O O l S of a v er y wid e an d fl at sur f a c e

,
su ch as m i l l in g cut t er s ar e best h eat ed in a fu r n ace , .
DiEer ent kind s O f fuel ar e us ed f or h eat in g fur n a ces .
T he p r in cip a l on es u se d a r e gas an d oil G as how ever .

, ,
i s p r ef er r ed as the fur n a ce can be v er y r ea d i l y r egu

, ,
l at e d in o r d er t o h eat t he st eel t o any d egr ee of t em

e r a t u r e T h e r e a r e m any d iEer ent makes of fur n a ces
p .
a n d diEer en t m et hod s of op er at in g t h em .
H eat ed L ead for H ar deni ng P ur poses .
T he l ea d bat h is n s i vel y used for h eat in g st eel

ext e
when har d eni ng, an d has man y ad vant a ges that a fur
110 T H E T WE N T I ET H C E N T U RY
B oi l er makers T ool s .
B oi l erm aker s t ool s al thou gh n ot S O m any in num

’
,
-s
ber or of so co mp l i cat ed a n atur e as machini st s t oo l s ’

,
s ho ul d be w el l u n d er st oo d in o r d er t o f o r g e h ar d en ,
a n d t emp er t h em su ccessfu l l y T he p r in cip a l t oo l s u se d

.
by boi l er m a ker s a r e bea din g t ool s p un ch es an d di es , ,
r i v et s n ap s flu e exp a nd er s d r i ft s ca l kin g t oo l s an d
, , ,
chi s el s
.
T he B ea di ng T ool .
Thi s i s a too l whi ch t he aver a ge t ool smi th do es n ot

u nd er st and esp eci a l l y t he h ar d enin g a n d t emp er in g
, .
B ea din g t oo l s ar e p r in cip al l y ma d e fr o m in ch o ct a -
gon st eel of 7 5 p oin t carbon A fter f or gin g th en fil

.
,
ing or gr i n d in g t o the p r op er sh ap e a s in F i g ur e 5 2 ,
Fi g 5 2. . C orrect sh ape O f bead ing tool .
h ar d en as indi cat ed betw een the d ott ed l in es t h en

, ,
t emp er t o a l i gh t bl u e A gr eat m any t oo l d r esser s

.
-
h ar d en the w ho l e en d of the t oo l fr o m a t o b and the ,
r esul t s in a gr eat many su ch cases ar e t h at t he t oo l
br eaks O E at c N ow I w i sh t o say t o the aver age t oo l

.
s m i t h t h at t he poin t a ct s on l y a s a gu i d e f or t he t oo l
an d it S houl d be kep t s o ft a s on l y t he ho ll ow in the

,
t oo l a t ( 1 do es t he wo r k a n d on l y t he p ar t t h at r equ i r es
t o be h a r d en ed an d t emp er ed .
T O O L SM IT H A N D S T EE L W O RK E R 11
Wh en a gr eat m any of t h es e t oo l s h ave t o be h ar d

en e d an d t em p er e d a t on e t i m e a goo d w ay t o do t hi s
,
wo r k is by h avi n g a very sm al l fi r e j ust l ar ge eno u gh

,
t o h eat t he p ar t t o be h a r d en ed T he fi r e sho ul d n ot be
.
any wi d er t h a n in ch es a cr o ss the sur fa ce an d the ,
w ay t o bu i l d a fir e f or t hi s p ur po s e i s a ft er the fir e i s ,
ni cel y st art ed bui l d up wi th w et co al wi th t he ex cep ,
t ion of a v er y sma l l p l a ce ex act l y in the cen t er whi ch ,
s ho ul d be kep t w el l fi l l e d u p wi t h fin e cr u sh ed co k e or
ch ar r ed co a l keep t he bl ast bl owin g g en t l y a s t h e fir e

,
is bein g bu i l t u p B y t hi s m ethod a fir e m ay be ma d e
.
v er y sm al l .
Wh en on l y a f ew bea d in g t oo l s a r e t o be h ar d en ed at
on e t i m e an d i t i s n eces sar y t o h eat t h em in th e o r di
n ar y fi r e keep the poin t of the t ool f r o m h t o 0 w el l

,
coo l ed O E in w at er D O n ot al l o w i t t o beco m e a whi t e

.
h eat befor e coo l in g it O ff C oo l it O ft en n ot al l owin g it

.
,
t o beco m e ho tt er t h a n a l ow d u l l r ed I n t hi s m a nn er .
t he poin t w i l l be kep t s o ft whi l e t he p ar t bet w e en a

,
an d c i s h e a t e d t o a ch er r y r ed s o a s t o h a r d en Wh en .
qu en chin g d ip in the h ar d enin g bath down as f ar as a .
T O d r a w the t emp er l et it r un d ow n v er y S l ow l y or ,
what i s bett er d r aw t he t emp er o ver the fir e

,
To Ob .
ta in the best r esul t s fr o m t em p er in g t he who l e s p a ce

betw een the d o t t ed l in es S ho ul d S how a l i gh t bl u e .
Punches and Di es .
Wh en h ar d enin g p un ch es an d di es ( for p er f or at in g
boi l er p l at e O r i r on ) an d wh en a gr eat m any O f th es e
t oo l s ar e t o be h ar d en e d at on e t i m e t h er e i s no thin g
,
bett er t o h eat th em in t h an h eat ed l ea d but a s m o st of ,
shop s ar e wi t ho ut t hi s con v eni en ce l i kewi s e a h eat in g
fur n a ce w e mu st r es o r t t o t he O p en fir e
,
H ow ever .
,
1 12 TH E T WEN T I ET H C EN T URY
s p eed wi l l be acqui r ed an d t i me saved wh en h ar d enin g

an d t emp er in g in l ar ge n um ber s if t he f o ll owin g m eth
od i s p u t in t o p r a ct i ce : H ave t he fir e l ar ge and fl at
an d w el l h eat ed a cr o ss t he s ur f ace N ow p l a ce a p l at e
.
of i r on or boi l er p l at e whi ch shou l d be abou t 9 in ch es
in wi dth d i r ectl y on t op of the fir e ban k the co al up

, ,
a r o u n d the e d ges O f the p l at e t o abo ut 3 in ch es hi gh
a n d in the fo r m of a ci r cl e l eavi n g t he ci r cl e or O p en
,
S p a ce on t he p l at e abo ut 5 or 6 in ch es acr o ss N ow .
p l a ce a s m any p u n c h es o r d i es o n t h e h ot p l at e in s id e
the ci r cl e wi th t he cut t in g ed ge up as i s con veni en t .
T h en p l ace anot h er p l at e o ver t h em al l o w in g it t o r est ,
O n t he ban k of co al whi ch wi l l fo r m a furn a ce T ur n .
on t he bl ast sl ow l y an d as the p un ch es or d i es beco me
hot enou gh t o h ar d en qu en ch th em an d r ep l ace w ith

,
oth er s un t i l al l ar e har den ed .
T o d r aw the t emp er po l i sh br i gh t an d p l a ce th em on
,
a hot p l a ce w i t h the cut t in g edge upw ar d s an d al l ow
t o r ema in un t i l the n eces sar y co l o r a pp ear s on t he cut

t in g ed ge . T h en coo l O E F or a p un ch al l ow the t em
.
p e r t o d r aw t o a l i gh t bl u e F or a d i.e a d ark st r aw
wi l l be goo d Wh en heat in g smal l p un ches an d d i es
.
for h ar d eni n g as Fi gure 5 3 h eat the whol e t ool and ,
quen ch from a vert i cal p osition .
Fl ue Exp anders
‘
When h ar d enin g l on g flu e exp and er s pin s a s F i gu r e ,
5 4 f o ll ow t he in st r uct ion s as g i v en in h ar d enin g hob

,
t ap s st a y bol t t ap s et c but h ar d en t he who l e l en gt h

, ,
.
,
of the t ool fr om a t o b w hi l e the t emp er must be

,
d r awn t o a d ark bl u e if the r i gh t kind of st eel is u sed ,
w hi ch shoul d be about 7 5 point s carbon l i kewi se al l ,

Drift s, Ri vet S naps, C al ki ng T ool s and C his el s
.
Wh en makin g a boi l er m aker s d r i ft it must n ot be ’
h ar d en ed or t em p er ed or it wi l l br eak ea s i l y I t shoul d .
be f o r ge d t o a l on g gr a d u al t ap er v er y r ou nd an d
s m oo t h. F or a h a l f in ch d r i f t t ake a pi ec e of r o u nd
or o ct a gon s t eel d r a w i t down t o 4 of a n i n ch at t he

,
1
sm al l en d a n d t a p er in g ba ck t o at t h e l ar ge en d ,
Whi l e the l en gth is in ches .
Fi g 5 5
. . T he bo il e r m a ker ’
s dri ft .
R i vet sn ap s whi ch ar e u s ed f or r ou ndin g the h ea d s

,
'
of r i v et s wh en r i v et in g ar e m a d e
,
fr o m o ct a gon
s t e el
. T he en d as m ar ked a F i gur e 5 6 i s m a d e by up
, ,
s ett in g th e st e el whi l e the ho l l ow in t he en d i l l u st r at e d

,
by d o tt ed l in es i s gen er a l l y m a d e by a m achini st by
tu r nin g it t o sh ap e in t he l ath e H ar d en an d t emp er .
it aft er the fa shion of a co l d chi sel d r a w the t em p er ,
even l y t o a l i gh t bl u e by gr a d u al l y a n d sl ow l y tu r nin g
t h e t ool ar ou n d abov e the fi r e .
C al kin g t oo l s ar e m a d e so m ewh at l i ke a co l d chi sel ,
wi th the ex cep t ion th at the bevel of a cal kin g t ool i s on

on e s i d e on l y t he o t h er S id e bein g p er f ect l y s tr a i gh t
,
wi th t he bo dy O f the t ool .
B oi l er m aker s chi sel s wi l l be f o un d m en t ion ed in a n

’
oth er p ar t O f thi s book .
H ar deni ng S hear B l ades .
Wh en h ar d enin g bl ades t o sh ear boi l er p l at e or i r on ,
h eat the cutt in g e d ge on l y ( s ay f or 1 in ch back ) by

d r awin g b ack an d fo r th th r ou gh the fir e m akin g sur e ,
t o g et a v er y ev en h ea t fr o m en d t o en d t h en qu en ch ,
m the h a r d enin g bat h fr o m a v er t i cal p o s i t ion an d cool

TO O L SM ITH A N D S T EE L WO RKE R 115
off e Wh en t emp er in g pol i sh br i ght an d d r aw

n t i r el y .
,
t h e t emp er t o a p ur p l e by m o v in g ba ck an d f o r t h o v er
t h e fir e or on a h ot p l at e of i r on bein g ca r eful t o g et a
,
v er y ev en t em p er t h en coo l O ff
, S o m et i m es a l thou gh
.
,
sel do m a S h e ar bl a d e i s m a d e wi th t w o cu tt in g e d g es
in s t ea d of on e S O in a ca se O f t hi s kin d h ea t the who l e

, ,
t oo l ev en l y fr o m en d t o en d wh en h ar d enin g aft er ,
w ar d s t emp er in g a s a l r ea d y m en t ion ed .
C H A P T ER V I .
Woodworker s ’
a n d carpe nters ’
to ol s .
O f t he gr eat est s ecr et s O f su cc ess conn ect ed wi t h

ne O
woodwo r ker s t ool s, is t o be abl e t o m ake th em S O t h at

’
t h ey wi ll hol d a keen cutt in g ed ge Woodwor ker s .

’
t oo l s a r e m a d e now a l m o st en t i r el y O f st eel wi t h a f ew ,
e x cep t ion s su ch a s a c a r p en t er s chi sel whi ch i s m a d e

’
, ,
f r o m i r on an d l a id wi t h st eel B u t wh en l ayin g a ca r
‘
p en t er
’
s chi s el o r a n y s i m i l a r t oo l don t s el ect a n y
’
pi ece O f s cr ap st eel th at mi gh t ch an ce t o be h andy ,
s u ch a s an O l d fi l e becau s e it i s of a fl at sh a p e but g et ,
t he best s t eel of abo ut 7 5 p oin t s car bon I f th er e i s .
no fl at pi ece of goo d s t eel in the shO p n ear the sh ape of

t he chi s el f o r ge a p i ece of o ct a gon down fl at t o n ear
,
th e sh a p e th e chi s el i s t o be a s it is a l w a y s bett er t o
,
do a l i ttl e h ar d wo r k ; sp end a l ittl e ex t r a t i me an d

p r od u c e a g ood t oo l in,
o r d er t o get a good r ep ut at ion .
C hi sel
’
L ayi ng a C ar penter s .
Wh en m akin g the w el d u p s et t he i r on an d s t eel in

o r d er t o h av e p l ent y O f St o ck an d wh en for gin g the
,
s ca r f f or a s ep ar a t e w el d h a ve i t a l i t t l e r o u ndin g as a ,
i
F gu e r 5 8
,
b u t do n o t l ea v e a n y ho ll ow s in t he s ca r f ,
a s b F i gur e 5 8 f or d i r t an d s l a g t o g et i nt o
, ,
B ef o r e .
t ak g in t h e w e l din g h ea t p r ep a r e t h e fi r e b y h a v i n,g t h e
c o a l w e l l c h a r r e d a n d t h e g a s a n d S u l p h u r t a k e n o u t .
N ow h e a t t h e i r on t o a r a w h ea t a n d t a k e a g o o d b o r a x
116
cu t t in g ed ge
h a s a fr amin g chi s el F i gur e 5 9 for ge
, su c
, ,
t he bev el t o sh ap e as indi cat ed by a whi ch wi l l s a ve a ,
g r ea t a m oun t O f fi l in g or gr indin g an d the t oo l wi l l be ,
j u st as goo d if it is h ammer ed wh en at a l ow h eat on

t he fl a t a n d bevel e d su r fa ces on l y H ar d en a n d t em p er .
a l l o r din ar y woodwo r ker s chi s el s at l eas t i nch es

’
,
back fr o m the cutt in g ed ge .
Fi g 5 9 . . T h e fram ing ch i sel .
T he S cr ew Dr iver .
A goo d w dr i ver is a tool whi ch i s p r iz ed by ai

s cr e
m ost ev er y m ech a ni c who u s es on e but mo r e esp eci a l l y ,
by woodwo r k er s an d t h er e ar e v er y f ew bl a cks m i th s
,
or t oo l d r es ser s cap abl e O f m akin g on e t o g i v e p er f ect
s at i sf a ct ion a s the s cr ew d r i v er wi l l gen er al l y br eak

,
or t wi st wh en co min g in c on t act w i th h ar d scr ew dr iv .
in g .
Wh en m akin g on e s el ect goo d st eel of 75 poin ts car .
bon . A ft er it i s f o r ged t o the co rr ect s h ap e f or an or .
din ar y scr e w d r iver as F i gur e 60, str ike it a few goo d
Fi g 6 0
. . C orrect sh ape of or d inary screw driver
with out h an d l e .
bl ow s on eacid e O f the s cr ew d r i vin g ed ge whil e

h fl at S
a t a l ow h ea t T h en h ar d en an d all ow the t emp er t o

.
dr aw t o a gr ey coo l O E an d y ou wi l l h ave a s cr ew
,
d r iver th at w i l l g i v e u n l i mit e d sat i sfa ction ,

T O O L SM IT H A N D S T EEL WO R KER 119
H ow to M ake a Dr aw K nife .
A d ra w kni fe is a ver y h an d y t oo l for w oo dw o rker s ,
an d i s a l s o u s e d a gr eat d ea l in g en er al bl acksmi t h
S hop s . A l t h ou gh d r a w kni ves ar e m a d e al m o st excl u

sivel y in l a r ge t oo l f act o r i es t h ey a r e a s a r ul e in f er io r
,
t o on e ma d e p r op er l y by h a n d an d f r o m goo d st eel .
Dr aw knives v ar y in sh ap e an d siz e ac co r din g t o the

w o rk t h ey ar e t o d o but al s o a gr eat d eal d ep en d s on
,
the f a n cy of the w oo d wo r ker who i s t o u s e it .
T o make a d r a w kni fe f or o r d in ar y use an d whi ch

w i l l a n sw er mo stl y al l p ur p os es t ake a pi ece O f st eel of
7 5 poin t s ca r bon 9 in ch es l on g
,
t hi ck an d
,
wi d e .
T o fo r ge fi r st of a l l h eat an d bend the st eel e d gewi s e

,
in a ci r cul a r S h ap e a s in F i gur e 6 1 t h en d r aw d own ,
the cut t in g e d ge f r o m the in s i d e O f the ben d t o wi thin

an i n ch of each en d in d i cat ed by a a whi ch wi ll
, ,
br in g the kni f e ba ck s tr a i gh t a g a in N ow ful l er in a s

.
i l l ustr at ed by d o tt ed l in es a, a t h en dr aw d o wn t he
‘
end s t o f o r m t he S h a n ks a s b b ,N ow d r aw t he bev el
.
on the ba ck O f the kni f e whi ch wi ll cr ook the kni fe

e d gewi s e a ga i n , but it d o es n ot s i gni fy a s the kni fe ,
wi l l co me str a i gh t a ga in befo r e it i s fini sh ed N ow w el d .
on pi eces t o t he s h an ks t o f o r m t he h an d l es but in ,
st ea d O f w el d in g on st r a i gh t t h en ben d in g t ake a
, ,
p i ec e o f s m a l l r o u n d i r on t hi ck u p s et t,
he en d o f t he
i r on and w el d as i ll ustr at ed at c 0 A ft er w el d in g
,
.
,
bend the h a n dl es up a l i ttl e at r i gh t a n gl es in o r d er t o

a l l ow the d r a w kni f e t o b e fini s h e d ( as it mus t be d on e
in the op en fir e ) T o fini sh the kni fe h eat the whol e

.
,
l en gt h O f t he cut t in g e d ge O f the kni f e t o a l ow dul l

r ed th en h amm er the who l e fl at sur f a ce of t he cut t in g
,
ed ge fr om end to en d t h en tur n ov er the kn i fe and

,
h ammer the ot h er s id e the s am e w ay N ow t ake an .
ot h er v er y l ow h eat a s bef o r e but in st ea d of h amm er

,
in g di r ect l y on the cu tt in g e d ge h a mmer in the cen t er

,
of t he bl a d e a n d on bo t h s id es t he sam e A f t er ham .
mer in g t he kni f e has com e st r a i gh t a ga in but if it i s ,
n ot ex a ctl y st r a i gh t an d in st ea d t h er e i s a l i tt l e ful l
n es s in the cut t in g ed ge it wi l l be b ett er t h an i f p er
fect l y str a igh t Wh en m akin g an o r d inar y dr aw kn i fe

.
have t he un d er s id e v er y fl at .
T O h ar d en the d r a w kni f e h ave t he fir e wi d e or i n a

,
l o n g sh ap e wi t h t he co al w el l ch ar r ed an d l oo s e Pl ace
,
.
the kni f e in t he fir e wi t h t hecut t in g e d ge d ownw ar d s ,
t ur n t he bl a st on v er y sl ow a n d m o v e the kni fe ba ck
an d f o r th t h r o u gh t he fi r e t o in su r e a v er y ev en h eat
the ful l l en gt h O f the cut t in g ed ge T h en q u en ch by .
p l un gin g in t o the h ar d enin g bath wi th t he cutt in g ed ge

d ownw ar d s an d coo l O ff en t i r el y I f the kni fe w as w el l
, .
f o r ged an d h ammer ed even l y on bot h S id es the kni fe

wi ll co me out of the h ar d enin g bath p er fectl y st r ai gh t ,
but o th er wi s e th er e wi l l be a cr oo k in it fl atw ise H ow .
ev er su ppo s in g t h er e i s a cr oo k in it pol i sh on e s i d e
, ,
br i gh t an d d r a w the t emp er t o a l i ght bl ue by ho l d

in g t he kni fe fl at w i se o ver t he fir e an d mo vin g ba ck
a n d f o r th in o r d er t o g et a v er y even t emp er
“
but be ,
”
f o r e coo l in g O E p l a ce the d r a w kni fe on t he an vi l an d
t ake the cr oo k out by st r i kin g it wi t h the h a mmer T he .
r ea s on t he cr oo k is t aken out S O ea sy i s becaus e onl y
t w o t hi r d s of the kni f e w as h a r d en e d t he back of the

-
,
kni f e r em a inin g u nh ar d en ed whi ch a l on g w i th the

,
heat bein g in the kni fe al l ow s the h ar d en ed and t em

,
e e d p a r t t o ben d wi t ho ut s p r in gi n g ba ck n ow cool
p r ,
O E an d th e kni fe is r ea d y t o gr in d .
A ft er the t em p er in g i s d on e t o ben d the hand l es t o

,
shap e h eat t o a dul l r ed bei n g careful not to dr aw the

, ,
C H A PT E R V I I .
S tonecutter s ’
too ls for gran ite an d m arbl e .
T he m akin g an d s h arp enin g of st on ecutt er s tool s is ’
a v er y i mpo r t a n t br a n ch of the t ool sm i t h s a rt

’
an d ,
fi rst cl ass t ool d r es ser s of st on ecutt er s t oo l s ar e scar ce ’

.
A l thou gh the gr eat est o bst a cl e t o be o ver co m e in con

n ect i on wi t h st on ecut t er s t oo l s a ft er h avin g a t ho r
’
,
ou gh kn ow l ed ge a s r egar ds the natur e of st eel is t o ,
know the sh a p e an d wh at t em p er t o g i v e B ut o t h er .
wi s e the st eel is wor ked p r a ct i cal l y the same a s in

m ak in g a col d chi s el or any o th er fl at t oo l whi ch i s
,
t o h av e a cutt in g ed ge .
T h er e a r e m any br an ch es t o the st on e cut t er s tr a d e ’

,
whi ch var i es acco r din g t o the cl a ss of ston e or r o ck the

st on e cu tt er is t o cut or wo r k on a s s o m e cl a ss es of
,
s t on e a r e mu ch h ar d er t h a n o th er s co n sequ en t l y t h er e
,
is a gr eat di ff er en ce in the w ays of cutt in g d i ffer en t

cl as s es of st on e ,
a n d a l s o a s mu ch di ffer en ce in t he
sh ap e a n d t em p er of t he t oo l s T he mo st co mmon
.
c l a s s es of st on e whi ch a r e cut an d u s e d f or bu i l din g
u r po ses a r e gr a ni t e m a r bl e l i m es t on e an d s a nd st on e
p , ,
.
G r anit e C utters T ool s .
T he t ool s p r in cip all y u s e d t o cut gr a ni t e ar e po in ts ,

chi s el s, bu sh h ammer s , m a sh h ammer s, gr ani t e ham c
mer s, bul l s et s an d bul l c hi sel s .
1 22
TO O L SM ITH A N D S T EEL WO R KE R 1 23
I n F i g 62 i s i l l ust r at ed t he
. o h ap e of a point
c r r ect s
a n d chi sel whi ch ar e d r a wn down ver y thin at the

,
ex t r em e cut t in g ed ge bu t wi t h a v er y s ho r t t a p er .
Wh en d r ess in g chi s el s keep a v er y co ar se fil e on h an d

,
t o st r a i gh t en t he cu tt in g e d ge a ft er h a mm er in g P oin t s .
a n d chi s el s a r e m a d e a s a r ul e f r o m o ct agon st eel ,
but poin ts w i l l be bet t er if m a d e fr o m s qu a r e a s a ,
p oin t m a d e f r o m s q u ar e s t eel wi l l be h el d m u ch ea s i er
t o the st o n e an d w i l l n ot t wi st r ou n d in the han d s o

,
easy a s i f m a d e fr om oct agon st eel .
Fig 6 2
. . C orrect shape of g a
r ni te poi nt an d ch i sel .
Wh en har d eni n g poi nts an d chi sel s it i s n ot n eces ,
s ar y t o h eat t h em hot en o u gh t o h ar d en any f ar t h er
back t h a n in ch but be car eful wh en h eat in g s o as

,
n ot t o get the ex t r em e t hi n cut t in g e d ge t oo h ot .
Wh en quen chin g t o h ar d en d ip d eep in t o t he h ar d enin g

bath t o at l east on e in ch so t h at t he t emp er wi l l d r a w
,
ver y sl ow l y t o a d ar k st r a w whi ch is goo d f or a l l

,
o r d in ar y gr ani t e t ool s B ut if the gr ani t e is excep

.
~
t i on al l y h ar d d r a w n o t em p er on t he chi s el s
, .
1 24 TH E T WEN T I ET H CENT URY
T he G ranit e Dril l .
Fi g 63 .i l l ustr at es fr ont an d s id e v i ew s of a gr a ni t e
h and d r i l l whi ch a r e u se d a l m o st ent i r el y in qu ar r y
,
in g gr a ni t e an d i s m a d e f r o m 37; o ct a gon st eel

, T he .
s h an k of t he d r i ll i s d r a wn down t o in ch r ou nd
an d in ch es l on g T he bit is for ged t o a s qu ar e
.
or di a m on d fl a t poin t bein g l eft 1 1 6 thi ck on t he

,
-
cut t in g e d ge a n d wid e whi ch gi ves the d r i l l a good

,
cl ea r a n ce an d en a bl es it t o cut m u ch bet t er a n d f a st er ,
a n d wi ll n ot get f ast in t he ho l e H ar d en a n d t em p er .
a s a poin t or chi s el a l r ea dy m en t ion ed A d r i l l f o r g ed .

,
F ig 6 3
. . T h e gra nite h a n d d i ll ill u strati n g
r
,
fl at an d s i de
vi ews of th e bit .
h ammer ed h ar d en ed an d t emp er e d p r op er l y w i l l d r i l l
, ,
t w o ho l es in ch es d eep I hav e ha d th em put in a s

.
m any a s f our hol es in ch es d eep bu t a d r i l l im ,
p r op er l y h ar d en ed or ov er h eat e d wi l l n ot put in on e
hol e bes id es t i r in g the d r i l l er mu ch qu i cker
,
.
B ul l S et s and B ul l C hi sel s .
B hi s el s a r e d r ess ed an d h ar d ene d as a
u l l s et s an d c
st on e h amm er wi th the ex cept ion that on l y on e en d

,
i s d r ess ed the o t h er en d b ein g a chi s el h ea d whi ch i s

,
l eft unh a r d en e d f or t he sl ed ge t o s t r i ke u p on A bul l .
s et i s m a d e t he s a me s h ap e a s t h e f a ce en d of a s t on e
hammer T he bul l chi s el r esembl es the fl at or t a p er ed

.
1 26 TH E T WEN T I ET H CENTURY
t w o bo l t s goin g th r o u gh the bl a d es an d al s o th r o u gh
the h ammer T he bl a d es ar e t aken out t o sh ar p en , a s
.
s hown at a Fi g 64 the cutt in g ed ge of t he bl a d e

, .
, ,
whi ch con si sts of a v er y shor t l evel fr o m each s id e i s ,
f o r ged or h amm er e d t o sh a r p en w hi l e t he co r n er s ar e ,
l eft s o mew h at r o u ndin g w hi ch keep s t h em fr o m br ea k

,
in g off a s shown in fi gur e at b Wh en sh ar p enin g be

,
.
car ef ul t o keep t he bl a d es p er f ect l y st r a i gh t an d h av e
t he cutt in g ed ge bev el ed equ al l y fr o m bo th s id es a l so

'
bear in m ind th at t he bl a d es s houl d al l be ex actl y t he

s a me l en gt h aft er bein g sh a rp en ed an d r ep l a ce d in
the h amm er a s i ll ust r at ed by do t t ed l in e at c o t h er

, ,
wi se shoul d t he bl a d es be un even the h amm er wi l l n ot

d o good wo r k whil e the bl a d es wi l l h ave a t end en cy
,
t o br eak a t t he cut t in g ed ge .
I n o r d er t o m ake t he co r n er s r oun din g wh en sh ar p

en in g ,
s t r i ke a bl ow on the co r n er s ed gewi s e bef o r e
h amm er in g on t he bevel ed sur f ace T h en the st eel wi l l .
be r efin ed an d the cut t in g e d ge sh ar p en ed by st r i kin g

ev er y bl ow on the bevel ed sur f a ce A ft er h amm er in g .
,
fil e the ed ges s t r a i gh t wi th a co ar s e fil e .
A s t he cut t in g ed ge of the bl a d e is v er y t hin an d

wi d e be ver y car eful wh en h eat in g t o h ar d en by ha v
,
in g a v er y even h eat H eat hot enou gh t o h ar d en

.
abo ut of an in ch ba ck fr o m t h e cutt in g e d ge bu t ,
wh en qu en chin g dip the bl ad e t o at l ea st 1 in ch d eep ,
t h en pol i sh on e s id e br i gh t an d d r a w th e t emp er o ver

the fi r e mo v in g the bl a d e s id ew a y s ba ck an d f o r th
,
t o in sur e a v er y even t emp er d r aw t o a l i gh t st r aw , ,
th en coo l off .
S o m e bu sh h amm er s di ffer sl i gh t l y fr o m o th er s ow ,
in g t o the n u mber of bl a d es t h ey con t a in T he on e .
i l l ustr at ed in F i g 64 is con s i d er ed a co ar s e cutt in g

.
h ammer .
TO OL SM ITH A N D S T EEL WO RK ER 1 27
T he G rani te H mmer
a .
A gr ai te hammer r es embl es an o r d in ary stone ham

n
mer w i th the ex cep t ion th at bo t h en d s of a gr anit e

,
hammer is d r awn d own ver y t ap er i n g t o an ex t r eme

s h ar p cutt in g ed ge a s F i g 6 5
,
A ft er h ar d en in g t em
. .
,
p e r t o a l i gh t s t r a w .
Fi g 6 5 . . T he gra ni te ham m er .
G ra nit e C utters
’
M ash H mmer
a .
When makin g a gr an it e cutt er s m ash h ammer use ’

,
g ood s t eel o f 7 5 p oin t carbon a n d 1 3

4 in ch e
,
s s q u ar e .
Wh en f or gi n g d o n ot put in a l ar ge oval ey e as ot h er
,
hammer s but in st ea d p un ch a s mal l r o un d ey e n ot

,
ex ceed i n g 34 of an in ch in d i amet er whi ch is about ,
t he r i gh t s i z e T he en d s of a m ash h amm er a r e bev el ed

.
d ow n fr om the eye on the t op an d s i d es the bo tt o m ,
s i d e i s l eft p erf ectl y fl at T he f a ce at each en d i s

.
a l s o on a bevel w hi ch sho ul d be dr es sed a l i tt l e fu l l in

,
t he cen t er an d the co r n er s l eft v er y r ou n di n g H ar d en .
bo th en d s as m ent ion ed in makin g h a mm er s in a no th er

ch apt er of t hi s boo k but a ft er p r op er h a r d enin g it
,
is not n eces sar y t o d r aw an y t emp er as t h er e a r e n o

sh ar p c o rn er s t o br ea k off F i g 6 6 i l l u st r at es the cor
. .
rect shap e of a mash h ammer .

1 28 TH E T WEN T I ET H CEN TURY
T he G rani t e T ool S harpener

’
s H mmer
a and A nvi l
S take .
Wh en sh ar p enin g gr a ni t e t ool s the t o ol sm i th shoul d ,
use a bev el f a ce h amm er an d a n v i l s t ake a s F i gur es ,
Fi g 66 . . G r an ite cutters ’
m a sh h am m er .
T he gran ite tool s h arpeners ’

hamm er .
67 an d 68 . h ese t oo l s ar e a gr eat a dv ant a ge over

T
an o r d i n ar y fl at f a ce h a mmer a n d t he p l a in a n v i l an d ,
a ft er a l i t t l e p r act i ce in u s e t he wo r k wi l l be p er f o r m ed
much eas i er qu i cker an d n eat er

, .
1 30 TH E T WEN T I ET H CE NTURY
s t eel in ch es s qu ar e T o h ar d en an d t emp er fol l ow

.
t he d i r ect ion s g i v en in H ar d enin g an d t emp er in g a

“
”
ha mmer in ano t h er ch ap t er .
M arbl e C ut t ers T ools .
T ool s f or cu tt in g m a r bl e ar e in a gr eat m any w ay s

t he s am e a s tho s e u s ed t o cut gr a ni t e wi th the excep
,
t ion th at the t emp er i s l eft a l i ttl e h ar d er say a ver y

, ,
Fi g 6 9
. . M arbl e l etter in g too l .
l i gh t st r a w . in g t ool s ar e d r awn out v er y t hin

L ett er ,
a s F i g 6 9 but owin g t o t he t hinn es s be v er y car efu l

.
,
wh en h eat in g an d ma ke sur e wh en d r essin g t o al w ay s

,
s t r i ke t he l as t f ew bl ow s on t he fl at s i d e on l y wh en a t ,
Fi g 7 0
. . M arb el tooth chi sel .
a v er y l ow h eat T oot h or o r din ary p l a in chi s el s ar e

.
n ot d r a wn ou t s o t hin a s l ett er in g t oo l s Wh en m akin g .
or d r ess in g t oo t h chi sel s t he t eet h a r e fi l ed in aft er

,
t he h amm er i n g 1 s d on e .
C H A PT E R V I I I .
S ton e ool s contin ued for l i m estone an d sa n dstone

’
cu tter s t ,
“ :
S ton e l ath e a n d p l a n er tool s .
L imeston e C utt ers T ool s .
A s l i m est on e i s oft n atur e t he t oo l s used t o

of a s ,
cut it a r e of a v er y di ff er en t sh a p e a n d t emp er t o
t ho s e u s e d f or h ar d s t on e su ch a s gr a ni t e or m a r bl e .
I n cu tt in g s o ft st on e of an y d es cr ip t ion woo d en m al
l et s ar e used con s equ en t l y the h ea d s of the t oo l s a r e
,
m a d e br o a d an d a l i tt l e r o u ndin g s o as n ot t o cut or ,
br u i s e the m al l et a s i l l us t r at ed in F i g 7 1
,
T hi s cl ass . .
of t oo l s i s known a s m a l l et h ea d e d t oo l s
“
.
T he t oo l s u s e d p r in cip a ll y f or cu tt in g l i m est on e ar e
p l a in an d t ooth chi s el s poin ts pi t chin g t ool s h a n d an d
, , ,
bal l d r i l l s t oo t h a x es an d bu sh h amm er s
,
-
Wh en m ak .
in g any of t h es e t oo l s u se st eel of 7 5 poin t s car bon .
Pl ain and T oot h C hi sel s and Poi nts .
C hi sel s an d poin t s ar e ma de
chi efiy fr o m 4 o ct a gon 3
st e el. Wh en m akin g ch is el s if the chi sel i s t o be n ar

,
o
r ow f or ge t he h ea d fi r st but sho ul d the chi s el n eces

,
sa r i l y h ave t o be m a d e wid e the chi sel en d sho ul d be ,
f o r ged fi r st a s wh en f o r gin g wi d e chi sel s the st eel wi l l

,
h ave t o be up set ( accor d in g t o the wid th of the chi s el )

befo r e d r awin g down t o a t hin cutt in g e d ge T he .
t eeth a r e p u t in t oo t h chi s el s wi t h a p u n ch m achin e ,
a ft er t h e h a mm er in g is don e on t h e fl at surf ace an d

,
th en fi l ed t o an ex t r em e sh ar p point ,
1 31
1 32 TH E T WEN T I ET H C ENTURY
Wh en h ar d enin g chi sel s be car eful t o get a ver y
ev en h ea t a l l al on g t he cut t in g e d ge an d d ip in t he
h ar denin g bat h n ot l ess th a n one in ch ; po l i sh br i gh t

an d d r a w t he t emp er t o a ver y p al e bl u e whi ch i s t he ,
r i gh t t em p er f or a l l l im est on e t oo l s .
Fi g 7 1
. . P lain an d o
to th hi se l s for l i m estone
c .
P oin t s dr awn d own t o al m o st a s qu ar e point

ar e .
Wh en h ar d eni n g dip d eep int o t he ba th an d dr aw the ,
t emper s o that i t m ay be seen at l eas t of an in ch
back from the cu m

edge oth erw ise shoul d the t em
,
dr a win g ou t as h an d d r il l t hus h av in g a dr i l l at
a ,
e a ch en d . B ut bear in m ind th at the d r il l on on e en d

sho u l d be the o t h er A bal l dr i l l is us ed f or
d r i ll in g by r ai sin g it up th en al l owin g it t o drop
,
down fr om a vert i cal p osi tion the l ar ger dr il l on on e

,
en d bein g t o st ar t the h ol e an d the sm al l er on e at the

,
op p os it e en d bein g used t o fini sh T hu s the l ar ge dr i l l

.
g i v es c l ea r a n ce t o t he sm al l er d r i l l whi ch p r even,t s i t
f r o m st i ckin g in the ho l e A ft er h ar d enin g d r a w the
.
,
t em p er t o a p al e bl u e .
T he T ooth A xe .
T he t oo th axe is a t oo l u s e d a gr eat d eal by l i me

st on e cu t t er s , an d whi ch h as t he cu t t in g t eet h at e a c h
en d as i l l us t r a t e d in F i g 7 4 . . T o m ake a t oo th a xe
151g 7 4
. . S dei a n d en d vi ews of o
to th axe.
TO O L SM IT H AN D S T EEL WO RKER 1 35
t a ke pi ece of st eel
a by an d in ch es l on g .
A ft er the ho l e i s p u n ch ed wh en d r a win g d own t he

,
end s a l l ow t he s t eel t o gr a d u al l y wi d en ou t t ow a r d s
t h e cutt in g ed ge Dr a w d own bo t h en d s t o a fl at an d
.
sh a r p cutt in g e d g e bef o r e u n d er t akin t o c u t in t h e

g
t eeth .
B efo r e cutt in g in t he t eet h h av e a bl o ck of woo d or

,
s om e o t h er con v eni en ce t o r es t on e en d of the t oo t h
a x e on whi l e cu t t in g t he t eet h in t he O ppo s i t e en d
a n d s o keep t he cut t in g e d ges of t h e t oo t h a x e fr o m
beco m i ng ben t or br u i s ed up A s s o m e t oo th a x es h av e
.
m o r e t eet h in on e en d th a n t he o t h er m ea sur e off an d ,
ni ck in a l itt l e wi th a sh ar p co l d chi s el wh er e t he t eet h

h ave t o be cut in N ow t ake a d eep r ed h eat an d cut
.
in wi th a t hin sp l it t in g chi s el a s d eep as is n eces sar y

a t t he n i cks as m ea su r e d off a f t er w ar d s cutt in g the
,
p i e ces o u t a t r i gh t a n d l ef t a n g l e s a n d t h e s h a p e of
t he t eet h w i l l be f o r m e d B u t bea r in m in d wh en
.
cutt in g t he t eet h m ake su r e t h at t he o u t s id e t eet h

“
as ,
a a F i g 7 4 a r e a l i tt l e t he l a r gest or h eav i est whi ch

.
,
.
, ,
w i ll a dd str en gt h an d keep t h em fr o m br eakin g off

( owin g t o t he ex t r a h ar d u sa ge ) wh en in u s e .
F ini sh a t a l ow h eat by p l a cin g a fl a t t er on the fl at

sur f a ce a n d l et the h el p er st r i ke it a f ew good bl ow s ,
whi ch w il l str ai gh t en the t eet h a n d a dd st r en gt h and

ten a ci t y t o the st eel al l ow t he t oo t h a x e t o coo l off
, ,
th en fil e off a l l r o u ghn es s betw een t he t e et h by u s in g a

th r ee co r n er e d fi l e a l s o fil e t h e t eet h t o a n ex t r em e
-
,
sh a r p poin t m ak in g su r e t h a t a l l t he t eet h ar e in a
,
st r a i gh t l in e an d ex a ct l y t h e s a m e l en gt h .
Wh en har d enin g h eat a l l t he t eet h ev en l y bein g

, ,
car eful n ot t o o v e r h ea t t he co r n er or o u t s id e t e et h ,
dip t o qu en ch in the bath t o about 1 4 in ch es d eep a n d

1
,
dr aw the t emp er over the fir e mo vin g back an d fo r th ,

in a s id ew ar d m o t io n t o in sur e a v er y ev en al
p e bl ue
t emp er .
T he L imestone B ush H mmer

a .
T o m ake a bush
h ammer th at is t o gi v e goo d sat i s
fa ct ion r e qu i r es gr eat ski l l an d ca r e in fo r gin g h a r d
, ,
en in g a n d t em p er in g but if t h es e in st r u ct ion s a r e f ol
,
l ow ed cl o sel y good r esul t s wi l l f o l l ow T o m ake on e .

,
u s e st e el 2 in ch es s qu ar e an d 7 in ch es l on g ; aft er
p un chin g the ho l e whi ch shoul d be sm al l an d al mo st

,
Fi g 7 5
. . T he li m eston e bu sh h amm er .
r ou n d ( s ay in di amet er ) n ow bef or e cutt in g in the

.
,
t eeth h a ve t he en d of t he h amm er p er f ect l y s q u a r e an d

fl at an d t o f o r m the out s i d e of t he t eeth t he h amm er
,
shou l d be bevel e d e q u al l y on al l f o ur s id es a s shown
in Fi g 7 6 B ut r emember th at aft er the en d of the

. .
h amm er is fo r ged an d t he t eet h ar e t o be cut in n ev er

, ,
h ea t above a br i gh t ch er r y r ed oth er wi s e if a v er y , ,
hi gh h eat is u s ed wh en cutt in g in the t eeth t he t eeth ,
wi l l n ot hol d a good cutt in g ed ge as th er e is no w ay ,
t o r efin e t he st eel .
B u sh h a m m er s di ff er s o m ewh a t by h avin g diEer ent ,
number s of t eet h whi ch r a n ge f r o m 1 6 t eet h or 4 cut s

,
t e et h t he s am e l en gth . d at e t ool shop s

I n l a r ge up -
to
-
t he t eeth ar e p u t in by t he u s e of a p l a n er bu t in sm al l ,
or o r din a r y s ho p s t he t eet h must be pu t in by th e u s e
of a chi s el an d fi l e .
Wh en h ar d enin g h eat t o a very even h eat ust

, e,
eno u gh t o h a r d en bein g car eful t h at t he co r n er s d o

,
n ot beco m e o v er h eat e d by h eat in g t oo f a st an d al s o ,
w atch the ext r eme point s of the t eeth f or f ear t h ey

beco me o ver h eat ed A l thou gh on l y the t eet h ar e
.
n ecess ar y t o be h ar d en ed it i s al w ay s best t o
,
have p l en t y of h eat ba ck of the t eeth in the

ma in bo d y of the h ammer ( whi ch shoul d n ot be hot
enou gh t o h ar d en an d s o s ho ul d n ot ex ceed a l ow
,
bl oo d r ed ) whi ch is n eces s ar y t o d r iv e down the t em

,
p er as the t emp er on t he in s id e t eet h canno t be d r awn

,
over the fir e un l ess ex t r eme gr eat car e is ex er ci sed .
A ft er h ar d enin g by dip p in g v er t i cal l y in t he bath t o

the d ep th of a l m o st on e in ch m o v in g up an d d own a ,
l i t tl e a t the s ame t i me in o r d er t o s o ft en gr a dua l l y ,
t h en po l i sh up br i gh t a s w ell as po ss i bl e an d a l l ow
t he t emp er t o r un d o wn in the t eet h t o a v ery l i gh t
bl ue .
Wh en h ammer s as a rul e the t eeth

t emp er in g bush , ,
in t he cen tr e ar e ap t t o d r aw the t emp er fi r st whi l e ,
t he co r n er t eet h ar e y et h ar d T o o v er co m e t hi s dif
.
fi cul ty t ake a sma l l p i ece of w et r a g or spon ge f ast

,
en ed t o a pi ece of wi r e co mmon l y kno wn a s a sw ab

, ,
a n d a s soon a s t he t emp er in the cen t r e t eet h d r aw s t o
a l i gh t bl ue p l a ce t he w et s w ab di r ect l y on t he t em
,
p er ed p art T hi s wi l l hol d t he t emp er in ch eck in

.
t he cen tr e t eeth un t i l the o ut s i d e t eeth d r aw t o the

p r op er t emp er .
H ard en an d t emp er both en d s of the h ammer the

T O O L SM ITH AND S T EE L WO R KER 1 39
same, wh en h ar d en in g an d t emp er in g the l ast

but en d
be ca r eful n ot t o d r aw t he t em p er in the O ppo s i t e en d
( whi ch i s a l r e a d y h a r d en e d a n d t em p er ed ) whi ch , can
be o v er co m e by d ippin g in w at er o cca s ion al l y .
S andst one C T ool s

’
utter s .
S an d st on e, hou gh of a s oft n atu r e d i ffers som e

al t ,
wh at fr o m l i mest on e it bein g of a v er y s an d y co mpo s i

,
t ion whi l e l i m eston e i s in t h e n at u r e of v er y h a r d cl a y

, .
T ool s p r op er l y m a d e f or l i m est on e wi l l r em a in s h ar p a
l on g t i m e but t oo l s f or s an d st on e w ear a w a y v er y
,
f a st T he t oo l s u s ed t o cu t s an dst on e a r e p r a ct i cal l y
.
the s ame as t ho s e f or cu tt in g l i m est on e t he poin t s an d ,
p l a in chi s el s bein g the s am e bu t t oo t h chi s el s d i ff er

,
s o mewh a t a s t he t e et h a r e l ef t fl a t a s s hown in Fi g , .
7 7 whi l e t oo t h chi sel s f or l i m est on e a r e fi l ed t o a

,
Fi g 7 7. . S h owin g sa n dstone tooth chi sel and sp li tting tool .
sh ar p p oin t T he t eet h in sa n d ston e t oo t h chi sel s ar e

.
p u t in wi t h a p u n ch m a chin e aft er t h e l ast h amm er in g

is don e .
Wh en dr essin g p l a in or t ooth chi sel s for s an d ston e ,
be car eful t o l ea v e t h em a l i tt l e r oun d in g in the cut t in g

1 40 T H E T WE N T I ET H C ENT URY
e d ge as th ese t oo l s wh en cutt in g s an d st on e are natur

,
a l l y in cl in e d t o beco me ho ll owin g in the cen t r e an d ,
mo r e esp eci al l y in wid e chi sel s Wh en t emp er in g san d

.
s t on e t oo l s l et t he t em p er d r a w t o a l i gh t bl u e but ,
wh en t emp er in g v er y wi d e chi sel s be car eful an d do

n ot a l l ow t he t em p er t o r un out at t he c en t r e whi l e
t he co r n er s a r e a t a s tr a w co l o r a s al l w id e t oo l s of
,
an i rr e gul ar sh ap e ( esp eci al l y wh en n ot bei n g h ar d
en ed v er y f a r ba ck f r o m the cut t in g e d ge by n ot bein g
dip p ed v er y d eep in the h ar d enin g bath ) h ave a t en

d en cy t o d r aw the t emp er in the cen t r e fi r st s o h av e ,
a s mal l s w ab whi ch con s i st s of a smal l pi ece of w et
r a g or s pon g e a t t ach e d t o t h e en d of a pi e ce of wi r e ,
an d wh en t h e t emp er in t he cen tr e O f t he chi sel r ea ch es
a l i gh t bl u e p r ess t he w et sw ab d i r ectl y a ga in st i t
, ,
w hi ch wi l l ho l d t he t emp er in ch eck unt i l the corners

ar e d r aw n t o t he p r op er col o r .
S t one C ar vers T ool s .
A ll n
st o e car v er s
’
t oo l s ar e m ad e v er y m in an d fin e,
but as t he bl ow s th at f al l u pon th em x ceed in gl y ar e e
l i gh t it i s n ot n e ces s ar y t o d r aw an y t emp er a s t h ey ,
wi l l st an d an d gi ve goo d r esul ts if p r op erl y h ammered,
an d h ar d en ed .
Pol ishing B oard f or S t one C utters T ool s

’
.
Wh en t emp er in g ston e cutt er s t oo l s an d a gr eat ’
m any a t on e t i me h ave a shor t pi ece of bo ar d n a i l ed

,
or f ast en e d in a con v eni en t p l a ce cl o se t o the f o r ge ,
an d h ave so me fi n e cl ean s and t o p ut on the bo ar d .
T he boar d i f bevel ed a l i tt l e up w ar d s wi l l ho l d the

, ,
o
c r r ect s h ap e of th ese t oo l s ar e shown in Fi g 7 9 which .
,
i ll ustr at es both die an d p un ch ma d e wi th a bev el T hi s .
s t y l e of p u n ch an d di e wi l l p u n ch th e t eet h v er y ea sy
a n d t he p u n ch wi l l n ot br ea k s o ea sy an d wi l l keep
t he chi s el str a i gh t w h en p u n chin g in t he t eeth T he .
op enin g in t he die at 3 shoul d be a l i ttl e l ar ger on

.
t he und er s id e whi ch w i l l a ct a s cl ea r an ce
,
T he .
cu tt in g ed g e of t he p u n ch sho ul d fit t he O p enin g v er y
cl o sel y it bein g a l i t tl e t hinn er ba ck f r o m t he cu tt in g

,
e d ge in o r d er t h a t it wi l l m o v e up an d down th r o u gh
”
the O pe n in g in t he die wi t h ease T he bevel ed cut
“
.
Fig 7 9 . . Pun ch a nd die for teeth pu n chin g m achi nes .
t in g e d ge of the punch al l ow s it t o p un ch the t eeth by

a gr a d u al cut and w hi ch wo rks mu ch e as i er t h an i f i t
,
wa s ma d e w i th a p erf ect l y str a i gh t cutt in g ed ge .
T he t eeth w i l l p un ch bes t w h en the st eel i s j u st a

l i ttl e w arm Wh en p un chi ng be car eful t o ho l d the
.
chi sel p er fectl y l evel on the bevel ed sur f ace of the di e ,
oth er w i se the chi sel w i l l ben d I n cases wh er e the

.
t eet h ben d aft er p un chi n g do n ot un d er t ake t o

,
s t r a i gh t en a ga i n wh en co l d a s t h at w i l l t ake out a l l
,
the t ou ghn es s an d t en aci t y fr o m the s t eel ( th at w a s
p ut i n t h e s t eel w h en h ammer in g at a l ow h eat ) and

the chi s el or t he t eeth w i l l br eak ver y ea sy wh en in
T O O L SM IT H A N D S T EEL WO RK ER 1 43
use, but w h en i ght enin g aft er bein g p un ch ed h eat

str a
t he chi sel t o a l ow h eat .
H ar d en the p u n ch a s any or d in ar y fi at t oo l and d r aw

the t emp er t o a d ar k bl u e T o h ar d en the die h eat
.
the who l e t oo l ev en ly enou gh t o h ar d en t h en coo l off ,
en t i r el y aft er w ar d s d r awin g the t emp er o v er t he fi r e

,
or on a pi ece of h eat ed fl at i r o n Dr aw the t emp er.
to a d ark str aw .
L athe and Pl aner T ools f or C utting S oft S tone .
I n l ar ge a n d up -
to-
d at e
on e y ar ds a gr eat am ount
st ,
of st on ecutt in g i s d on e by machin er y an d whi ch br in gs ,
i n t o us e s t on e l ath e an d p l an er t oo l s T h er e ar e a
“
gr eat many t oo l s of thi s d es cr i p t io n u sed an d al mo st ,
every one i s of a d i ff er ent s h ap e var y i n g acco r d in ,g

to the w o rk th at i s t o be d o n e S o me of t h ese t ool s
.
ar e ma d e fr o m h eavy st eel a s fin i shi n g t oo l s sho w n i n

,
8 0 whi ch ar e ma d e fr om 1 by 4 in ch fl at st eel
,
-
,
Fi g 80
. . F ini sh in g too l for st on e pl aner ,
whi l e the in g ed ge is about 6 in ch es wi d e T o
cut t .
make a fini shin g t ool a s i l l u st r a t ed t he st eel wi l l h ave ,
t o be u p set t h en d r a wn or fl at t en ed out u n t i l it is the

,
p r op er s iz e H eat t o a good y ell ow h eat wh en for gin g

. .
T he cut t in g ed ge is d r awn d own on a bev el p r in cip al l y

fr om on e s i d e a s i l l ust r at ed by a i n fi gur e l eav in g
, .
,
t he o th er s i d e b p e r f ectl y fi at
, ,
A ft er t he cutt in g .
e d ge i s d r aw n out ( as j ust m ent ion ed ) t h en ham ,
mer ed at a l ow h eat t o r efin e t he st eel the cutt in g ed ge ,
at 0 s ho ul d be ben t up a l i ttl e fr o m the fl at s i d e ,
wh i ch w i ll en abl e the t ool t o be cut mu ch bett er .
Rou ghi n g too l s i l l ustr at ed in F i g 8 1 ar e ma d e s o me .
Fi g 8 1. . R ugo hing tool forsto n e p l aner .
what aft er t he s am e metho d, but fr om mu ch smal l er
st eel ; al s o the in g ed ge of a r oughin g t ool is m ade

cut t
r oun d i n g M o ul din g t ool s a r e f o r ge d a s n ear t o the

.
co r r ect sh ap e as p o ss i bl e a ft er w a r d s bein g gr o un d
, .
T o h ar d en h eat the cut t in g e d ge about t h r ee f ou r th s

,
-
of an in ch ba ck enou gh t o h ar d en ,
a ccor din g t o the ,
s h ap e bu t d ip d eep in t he bat h an d d r a w t he t em p er
,
t o a l i gh t st r a w co l o r F or fini shin g t oo l s it is n ot
.
,
necess ary t o d r aw any t emp er wi t h t he ex cep t ion of
t he ex t r em e co r n er s a s indi cat e d by do tt ed l in e of
,
fi gur e w hi ch shou l d be d r awn t o a l i gh t s tr a w by

, _
hol d in g o ver the fir e .

C H A PT ER I X .
T he s tonem a son ’
s n a mm er—M i ners ’
tool s .
T he S t onemason ammer
’
s H .
A st one h ammer is the mas on s f avo r i t e t o ol and ’

,
w hi ch ahn ost ever y gen er al bl a cksmi th is cal l ed upon

t o d r ess but t her e ar e v er y f ew who u nd er st an d the
,
p r o c es s t ho r o u gh l y s o a s t o g i ve g oo d s a t i sf a ct i on ,
a n d kn owin g t h at al mo st ever y gen er a l bl a cksmi th
woul d l ike t o be cap abl e of d oi n g t hi s wo rk success

ful l y I w i l l gi ve t h es e in st r u ct ion s a n d if f o l l ow ed
, ,
cl o sely the tr oubl e w i th s t on e hammer s w i l l be o ver .
H a ve a l ar ge fir e w i th t he co al w el l ch ar r ed ( as it is
p o o r po l i cy t r yi n g t o h ea t a s t on e h am m er in a s m a l l
fir e ); n ow p l ace the f a ce en d of the h ammer in the
fir e and heat sl o w l y t o an even yel l o w h eat cl ear
t h r ough the hammer f or inch es back B e careful .
n ot t o heat t oo f ast s o t h at t he co r n er s wi l l be at a
whi te heat whi l e t he centr e is al mo st bl ack Uneven .

'
heat i n g of thi s d escri p t i on w i l l caus e st r a in s in the

s t eel an d hav e a t en d en cy t o cr ack wh en h ar d eni n g .
Wh en d r essin g a st on e h ammer al w ays fini sh at a

l ow d ul l r ed h eat . A ft er the fa ce en d i s d r essed go
over t he fl at en d in the sa me w ay w i t h the ex cep t i on ,
t h at the l ast bl o w s shoul d fal l on the fl at s id es on l y

w hen at a ver y l ow h eat T o form the cutt in g ed ge
.
on the fl at en d of a st on e h ammer it can be for ged t o

sh a p e wi th t he h a n d h ammer or cut t o sh ap e w i th a
thi n sp l i tt in g chi sel .

T O O L SM ITH AN D S T EEL W O R K ER 1 47
N ow t h at bo th en ds d r essed r eturn the f ace en d

ar e ,
t o the fir e ; h eat car eful l y an d sl ow l y u n t i l the who l e

fa ce i s a ch er ry r ed N ever a ll o w t he co r n er s t o get
.
a bo ve a ch er ry r ed wh en h eat i n g t o h ar d en an d sho ul d
the co r n er s r each the n ecess ar y h eat t o h ar d en bef o r e

t he cen tr e of the f ace st op bl o w in g t he fir e w hi ch
, ,
w i l l ch eck the h eat in t he co r n er s an d al l o w the cen t r e

t o com e up t o the r equ i r ed h eat T o h ar d en p l un ge
.
,
t he who l e h ammer d eep in t o t he h ar d enin g bat h an d

coo l off ent i r el y at t he same t i m e ke epin g t he w at er
,
a gi t at ed s o t h a t it w i l l keep coo l an d a ct on the hot
st eel much qui cker . H eat an d h a r d en the o t h er en d

in the s ame w ay but be car eful n ot t o dr aw any t em
,
er i n t he en d a l r ea d y h ar d en ed whi ch c a n b e over
p ,
co m e by o cc as ion al l y d ippin g t he h ar d en ed en d in
w at er whi l e h eat in g the ot h er en d for al l or d i nary ,
st on e h amm er s n ever d r a w an y t emp er .
A s al mo st ev ery bl acksmi th or t ool dr es ser who has
Fi g 8 2. . T he stone hammer .
d ressed one hammer s has had mor e or l ess experi

st
en ce by h av in g t h em cr ack bear t hi s in m in d t h at i t
, ,
i s n ot the w at er whi ch cau ses t h em t o cr a ck as a gr eat ,

”
many m ay sup p ose but ins t ea d by the fir e
,
for if ,
a st on e h amm er beco mes o v er h eate d in the fir e esp e ,
ci al ly wh en h eat in g t o h ar d en ther e wi ll be cr acks in

,
1 48 T H E T WEN T I ET H CENT URY
i t, an d don t show up the fir st t ime after
if t h ey
’
quen chin g t h ey w il l the n ext an d this informat ion

, ,
l i kewi se a pp l i es t o o th er t oo l s S o met i mes when wo r k .
in g on so ft st on e s o me m ason s p r ef er a st on e h amm er
,
m a d e wi th a ho l l o w f ace as in di cat ed by d ott ed l in es

,
in F i g 82 . .
M iners T ool s .
A s th er e is a g ea t
r am u o nt of mi n in g g oin g on
th r o u ghou t the co u n t r y fi r st cl as s s h ar p en er s of m in
,
-
t o ol s ar e in gr eat d em an d a n d l i kewi se r eceiv e

’
er s ,
hi gh w a ges T he p r in cip al t ool s used by miner s ar e

.
d r i l l s whi ch m ay be d ivi d ed i nt o two cl asses as the

, , ,
h a nd dr i l l and the cr oss or machi ne dr ill .
T o make a go od f ast cutt in g h an d d r i ll no ti ce the ,
s h a p e of the d r i l l in F i g 83 I have ha d d ril l s of thi s

. .
Fi g 8 3 .
. C orrect sh ape of m in ers han d dril l for hard
’
o
r ck.
d es cr ip t ion d r i l l a hol e inches d eep th r ough har d ,
gr a ni t e at on e sh arp enin g an d f or a who l e d ay at a ,
time I have had th em aver a ge 1 4 inch es t o ea ch sharp

en i n g but y et how m any d r i l l sh ar p en er s a r e t h er e
,
th at can ma ke a d ril l aver a ge 6 in ch es in h ar d gr anit e

wi th out r esh ar p en in g ? T he r eal s ecr et of success in
or d er t o m ake a good f a st cutt in g h an d d r i ll is this :
T he d r i l l mu st be p r op er l y h ar d en ed but not ver y far

back fr om the cutt in g ed ge and h av e p l en ty of cl ea r ,
an ce on the corn er s of the bit T he cuttin g edge is .

Wh en f or gin g or dr ess in g the bit of a mach in e dr i l l ,
make sur e th at the cen t r e of the bit i s ex a ctl y in th e

c en t r e of t he d r i l l s o a s n ot t o h ave on e p ar t of the
,
bit l on ger t h a n ano t h er an d h av e t he bit p er f ect l y

,
s qu ar e an d a l l t h e cu t t in g e d g es ex act l y t he s a m e
l en gth ; al so h av e a goo d cl e ar a n ce on the co r n er s .
A l though machin e d r i l l s ar e us e d chi efly in min es t h ey
Fi g 8 5 . . I l l u stratin g s i de an d en d vi ews of a m ach in e

or cros s dr ill .
Fig 8 6. . S howi ng the sh ape of a m achin e d ill bit befo e cutti n g r -
bevel to fo m cutti n g e dge

r .
ar e al s o us e d in
on e qu ar ri es but wh en m akin g a
st ,
m a chin e d r i l l f or s o ft r o ck su ch a s l i m est on e t he bit ,
s ho u l d be m a d e t hin n er an d s ho u l d al s o h a v e a l on ger
b evel t o f o r m the cut t in g e d ge t h an a d r i l l whi ch i s,
t o d r i l l h ar d r o ck .
Wh en ha r d enin g a ma chin e dr i ll h eat the wh ol e ,
bi t ev en l y bu t n ot ex ce ed in g 4 of a n in ch ba ck f r o m
3
t he cu tt in g e d ge th en p l u n ge in t o t he h ar d enin g ba t h
,
an d coo l off en t i r el y D r i l l s t o cu t har d r o ck r equi r e

.
T OO L SM ITH AND S T EEL W O R KE R 151
n o t em p er d r awn but a m a chin e d r i l l

, to d r i l l s o ft
r o ck shou l d be d r a wn t o a d ar k bl u e .
T he B r eaking of Dril l s when Dri l l ing and the C aus e .
T he m a in ca u s e f or dr i ll s br eakin g i s due t o
over
an d un ev en h e at in g a n d a l s o by h a v in g t oo l on g a
h eat wh en h ar d enin g but a gr eat m any t i m es the d r i l l

,
wi l l br eak a n d a l t hou gh the br oken fr actu r e show s a

ver y s o l i d fi n e an d cl o se gr a in in t he s t eel r ep r esen t in g
,
a p i ece of gl a s s ( a su r e S i g n t h a t t he s t eel w a s p r o p er l y
h ar d en ed ) th er e must be s om e o th er c aus e an d in
, ,
ca s es of t hi s kind I u se d t o bl am e t he d r i l l r un n er
f or car el es sn ess wh en at the s am e t i m e I w a s the on e

,
t o bl a m e f or n ot m a kin g t he d r i ll t he co r r ect s h a p e
by n ot gi vin g the d r i l l eno u gh cl ea r an ce on t he co r n er s .
I t sh ou l d be r em em ber e d t h a t if a d r i l l ha s n ot
eno u gh cl ear a n ce a n d bind s in t he ho l e i t i s v er y eas i l y
br o ken a l tho u gh it m ay be p r op er l y h a r d en e d
, A n .
o th er cause for d r i ll s br eakin g i s wh en dr i l l in g r o ck ,
t h at h a s s ea m s or cr a cks r u nnin g t h r o u gh i t but t hi s ,
i s a n a t u r a l ca u se a n d c anno t a s a r u l e be r em e d i ed ,
al t ho u gh i t m ay be p ar t l y o ver com e wh en d r i l l in g
wi t h a hand d r i l l by m akin g the d r i l l p er f ect l y s t r a i gh t
,
in the bit Wh en d r i ll in g hol es 1 2 or 1 5 f eet d eep

.
,
t he ho l e is a l w ay s st a r t e d wi t h a l ar g e d r i l l but a s ,
the ho l e i s d r i l l e d d eep er t h e d r i l l wi l l h a v e t o be
ma d e s m all er an d l on ger A good r ul e t o go by so
.
as t o r egu l at e t he s iz e of t he d r i l l f or d eep d r i l l in g i s ,
t o m a ke t he bit or cutt in g e d g e 4; of a n in ch s m a ll er
1
t o ev er y 2 f eet in l en gt h of t h e d r i l l T o fu r t h er ex
.
p l ain sup po s in g a ho l e i s t o be d r i l l ed 1 6 f eet in d ep th

, ,
th e fir s t d r il l or s t ar t er wi l l be 2 4 wid e in the bit

1
,
whi l e the l a st on e t o fini sh t he hol e wi l l be 4 in ch es

1 1
Wi de in the bit . G e n er al l y
gau ge i s kept on
a h an d
f or the p ur p o se of r egul at in g t he s i z e of the drill ,
w hi ch con si st s of a pi ece of t hin fl at i r on havin g the

d iEer en t s iz es cut in it .
T he R ock C utt ing Reamer

-
.
S o met i mes a ft er dr il l in g ,
it is foun d n ecessary ( by
the m an who d o es the bl a st in g ) t o br eak the r o ck a
cer t ain w ay but as s at i sfa ct or y r esul ts canno t be ac

,
co mp l i sh ed by the o r d in ar y r o un d d r i l l ho l e the ho l e ,
i s cut in t o an o v al sh ap e an d in a d i r e ct ion whi ch is

mo st l i kel y t o caus e t he n ecess ar y r esul ts T hi s w ork .
is known as r eam in g the h ol e

“
.
T he r e amer i s m a d e a s a r ul e fr om o ct a gon st eel ,
by up set t in g acco r din g t o t he s iz e of t he d r i l l h ol e t o

be r eam e d a n d fo r ged t o an o val sh ap e
,
T he l on g .
w ay of the o va l cutt in g f a ce shoul d be a l i t t l e r o und

i ng whi l e the en d s a s i ll ustr at ed a a F i g 87 sho ul d
, , , .
,
Fi g 8 7 . . T he o
r ck cutt ing reamer .
be f o r ged t o a sh ar p poin t, an d the cutt i n g ed ges, as

b b, sho ul d be p er f ect l y s q u ar e an d sh ar p T he r eamer .
shoul d be w el l t ap er ed ba ck fr om al l si d es of the
cut t in g f a ce t o gi ve a cl ear an ce .
T o h ar d en h eat the cut t in g fa ce enough t o h ar d en

,
abo u t of an in ch back t h en p l un ge in t o the bath

,
”
and coo l off
“
d ead col d and dr aw no temper Unl ess .
C H A P T ER X .
H orseshoers ’ —
T ool s H ow to dres s a vi s e
— S harpeni n g p l ow
sh ares .
’
H orseshoer s T ool s .
A ft er co s n i d er in g n umber of horsesho er s th er e
t he
ar e it i s saf e t o s ay t h at n ot on e in a h u n d r ed can m ake
,
or d r ess t h ei r own t oo l s a s t h ey sho u l d b e d on e I h ave .
been in a gr eat m any ho r s esho ein g shop s wh er e I h ave ,
s een m en wo rkin g by m ain st r en gt h an d en er gy s i mp l y
f or t he w a n t of good t oo l s .
T he m a jo r i t y of ho r sesho er s buy t h ei r t oo l s in a h ar d
w ar e sto r e u sin g th em un t i l t h ey become dul l t h en
, ,
t h ey a r e th r own a w a y becau se the ho r s esho er do es n ot

,
know how t o fix t h em B ut a s ev er y h or s esho er l i kes t o

.
hav e good s h ar p t oo l s I wi l l gi ve t he f o l l owin g in str uo

,
t ion s on d i ffer en t t oo l s whi ch if p ut in t o p r a ct i ce i t ,
w i ll be n o l on ger n ecess ary t o w o rk wi th d ul l t oo l s .
H ow to M ake and Dr ess a Pair of Pincers .
To m ake a p a i r of p in cer s t ake a p i ece of

,
i n ch -
s qu ar e st eel whi ch s ho u l d b e 7 5 poin t s ca r bon f o r ge ,
an d ben d t o s h ap e a s i ll u st r at ed in F i g 88 l ea vin g t he .
,
j aw t h e f u ll wi d t h of t h e s t ee l a n d t a p er in g t ow a r d s
t he cutt in g ed ge but be sur e an d l eav e the j aw h eavy

,
a n d s t r on g a s indi cat e d by a in F i gu r e 8 8 A f t er t he .
j a w i s b en t t o s h a p e s t r
,
i k e t h e fl a t s u r f a ce of t he cut
t in g ed ge a f ew goo d bl ow s by p l acin g t he j aw on ehe

nar r ow or fl at en d of t he a n v i l T he h and l es m ay be
.
1 54
T O O L SM I T H AND S T EEL WO RKER 1 55
F i g 88
. . I ll u stratin g horseshoer s
p in che rs a n d h ow j aw i s forged
an d n
be t to sh ape .
156 TH E T WEN T I ET H CENT URY
drawn d or hal f r oun d as su it s the man who is

out r oun
t o use them but w il l be much eas i er on the h an d an d be

,
a p l easur e t o us e if the han d l es ar e ma d e in ch h al f -
r oun d A ft er bot h p ar ts ar e f o r ged fit t o geth er an d

.
d r i l l the ho l e for the bol t or r i vet A st eel bol t i s pr e .
f err ed t o a r i vet as t h en the pin cer s can be t aken ap art

,
ver y easy w h en ever n ecessar y .
T o h ar d en heat at l east 1 in ch back fr om the cuttin g

,
e d ge and d r aw t he t emp er t o a l i gh t bl u e T o d r ess .
p in ce r s ho o f
, cu t t er s or n a i l nipp ers wi thout t akin g ,
out the r i vet h eat t he w hol e j aw s t o a br i gh t ch er r y

,
r ed th en cl o s e in or ben d t o sh ap e N ow h ave a v er y
, .
l ow r ed h eat an d str i ke a f ew bl ow s on t he fl at surf a ce

on l y of each cuttin g ed ge al thou gh i t i s al w ays best t o
,
r efi n e the st eel by h amm er in g equa l l y on bo t h fl at s i d es ,
pin cer s can be h amm er ed on on e s i d e on l y aft er bein g

ben t t o sh ap e whi ch wi l l be d on e fr o m t he outs i d e T o
,
.
h ar d en h ave the cutt in g ed ges cl o se t o geth er so as t o

, ,
h eat both at on ce in t he fir e about 1 in ch ba ck from

e ach cut t in g ed ge T h en p l un ge in t o the h ar d enin g
.
bath an d coo l off en t i r el y N ow po l i sh the in s i d e of the

.
cu t t in g ed ges t h en d r aw the t emp er ver y s l ow l y a n d

,
even l y o ver the fi r e t o a l i gh t bl u e .
M aking a C l inch C utter .
T o make in ch cutt er t ake a piece of goo d or di

a cl ,
n a r y t oo l st eel 1 in ch wi d e i n ch t hi ck an d 5 in ch es
,
l on g ful l er in a s shown in F i g 8 9 th en d r aw out the

,
.
,
p art t o form the h an d hol d N ow for ge the ed ge for .
the cl i n ch cutt er m akin g it a poin t t o fi ni sh by ham

,
m er in g on the fl at s i d es of the cutt in g ed ge whi l e at a

l ow h eat Dr aw out the p u n ch al m o st s qu ar e bear in g
.
,
in mind t o str i ke the l ast two or three bl ow s on the flat

s i d e wh en at a l ow heat .
158 TH E T WEN T I ET H CENTURY
H ow to M ake a H or seshoer s K nife

’
.
T o m ake hor s esho er s kni fe f ol l ow the in struct ion s

a
’
,
as gi ven f or m akin g but ch er kni ves m en t ion e d in an
oth er ch ap t er wi t h the ex cep t ion th at the hor sesho er s

,
’
kni f e mu st be ben t t o sh ap e a ft er the h amm er in g i s

don e whi l e at a l ow r ed h eat an d the t emp er dr awn t o ,
a d ar k bl u e .
H ow t o Dr ess a V ise .
I t is ommon o ccur r en ce wh en ent er in g a bl a ck

a c
sm i t h shop t o fin d t he bl a cksm i t h doin g s o m e wo r k
wi th the v i s e an d at the s am e t i me bl am in g it f or n ot ‘
gr ippin g t h e wo r k fi r m eno u gh on acco un t of the t eet h ,
be in g wo r n sm oo t h in t he f a ce an d the wo r k t ur n s or
sl ip s wh en in t he v i se B ut if the bl acksm i th kn ew
.
how he coul d r ep ai r t he v i se in a coup l e of ho ur s t i me ’
an d m ake i t gr ip a s fi r m as wh en t he v i s e w a s n ew In .
o r d er t h at the j ob may be p er f or m ed su ccessfull y an d

wi t h eas e f oll ow t h es e di r ect ion s : T ake the vi se ap ar t
,
an d p l a ce a j a w in th e fi r e I f the j aw i s wo r n ver y ba d
.
l y on t he co r n er s h eat t he j aw t o a y el l ow h eat an d
t h en f o r ge t o the p r op er sh ap e I f t he vi se is n ot wo r n
.
ba d l y j u st h eat eno u gh t o d r a w the t emp er

,
A f t er .
bo t h j aw s ar e d r essed p l a ce the v i s e t o geth er t o s ee if

the j aw s fi t a s th ey shoul d be p er f ectl y l evel an d
,
s tr a i gh t N ow h av e a v er y s h ar p co l d chi sel a n d cut in

.
the t e et h at a n a n gl e a cr o s s t he f a ce beginnin g a t on e ,
co r n er a n d goin g t o t he o t h er T h en co m e ba ck cut
.
t in g a t t he O pp o s i t e a n gl e a s F i g 9 1 B e car eful n ot t o
,
. .
cut t he t eet h in t oo d eep or t oo f ar a p ar t .
T o h ar d en l ay the j aw on the fi r e wi t h the f a ce or

,
t eeth s id e u p ; h eat s l ow l y t o a l ow r ed h e at T h en t ur n .
over an d h eat the who l e f ace t o a v er y even ch err y r ed ,

T O O L SM I I H
' ‘
AND S T EEL WO RK ER 1 59
but be car efu l overh eat the cor n ers an d al s o

n ot to
bear in m in d t o h ave the cen t er of the f a ce as hot a s is
n ecessary t o h ar d en T h en p l un ge i nt o the har d enin g
.
bath an d coo l off entir el y Po l i s h the f ace br i gh t an d

.
,
t o d r aw the t emp er h ave the s urf ace of the fir e p er o
f ect ly fl at w i tho ut any bl az e ; l ay t he j aw of the vi s e

on the fir e t eeth s i d e u p an d al l ow the t emp er t o d r aw
, ,
ver y sl owl y wi thou t bl owin g the fir e wi th the excep t ion

, ,
of j ust enough t o keep t he fir e fr om dying out A l l ow .
Fig 9 1
. . S howin g how teeth s houl d be cut in a vi se .
the t emp er t o d r aw t o a d ark bl u e th en cool O ff an d , ,
the vi se wi ll h ol d the work ver y f ast an d firm bein g ,
e qu al t o any n ew v i s e .
I f the j aws of the vi se ar e ver y s quar e t he t eeth may

be cut in co l d wi t ho ut h eat in g t he V i se a t all an d ,
whi ch w il l answ er the p urpo se ver y w el l in a t empor ar y

w ay M ake a co l d chi sel f or cutt in g h ar d met al ( a ft er
.
t he d i r ect ion s a s are a l r ea d y g i v en in a n ot h er ch ap t er

of t hi s boo k ) an d cut in t he t eet h a f t er th e m et ho d a s
i l l u st r at ed bein g car eful t o keep the cutt in g ed ge of

,
t he chi s el w el l gr o un d .
S har penmg Pl owshares .
T her e is a gr e at a mou n t of t h is
work don e thr ou gh
h
ou t t e c o u n t r y e s p
,
ec i a ll y i n p r a i r i e S t at es or P r o v e
inc s
e a n d whi c h in ce r t a i n s e as on s o f t h e y ea r f o r m s a
1 60 T H E T WEN T I ET H CENTURY
gr eat p art of the cou n tr y bl a cksm i th s wo rk but t h er e ’

,
a r e v er y f ew bl a cksm i t h s who u nd er s t an d t hi s wo r k a s
it sho ul d be un d er st oo d in o r d er t o gi ve t he f armer the

best r esul ts .
T he st yl e or sh ap e of the sh ar e var i es a ccor d in g to

the l an d wh i ch i s t o be p l ow ed as the l a n d m ay be
,
so cal l ed st ony san d y or cl a y l an d

-
,
.
T he fi r st an d f o r emo st poin t in bein g abl e t o sh ar p en

a sh ar e t h at w i l l g i ve goo d r esul t s i s t o h av e a t ho r
ough know l ed ge of the n atur e an d the w orkin g of

s t eel an d bein g wi t ho ut t hi s know l ed ge i s t he cause of
sh ar es br eakin g ben d i n g or h avin g s o call ed w at er

,
-
cr a cks in t h em .
Wh en sh ar p enin g a sh ar e h ave the h ammer f ace very

s moo t h wi t h t he co r n er s a li t tl e r o undin g s o a s n ot t o
, ,
l eav e any d eep m ar ks in the st eel an d al so h ave t he ,
a n v i l f ace sm oo t h o t h er wi s e t he sh ar e wi l l gi v e t r o ubl e
,
by not cl eanin g wh en p l owin g in st i cky or cl ay l an d ,
un l ess the marks ar e al l gr o un d out or the s h ar e p ol
i shed aft er it i s s h ar p en ed Wh en h eat in g s o as t o d r aw

.
the cutt in g ed ge al w ay s h eat the st eel t o a br i gh t y el

,
l ow h eat but al w ays be car eful n ot t o o v er h eat Wh en

,
.
f or gin g the cut t in g ed ge h amm er even l y an d equ all y

,
on both si d es but fini sh fr om t he un d er s i d e B y doin g

,
.
the l ast h ammer i n g f r o m the u n d er s i d e it wi l l h ave a

very smooth sur f ace on the t op s i d e of t he sh ar e if t he
a n v i l i s smoo th ; an d al w a y s bear in m in d t o fi ni s h ham
m er in g wh en the st eel is at a l ow bl ack r ed h eat t h us ,
r efin i n g the st eel a n d m akin g it t ou gh Do n ot h ammer .
t he st eel aft er it beco m es bl a ck a s h amm er in g st eel be

l ow a cer t a in h eat m akes it fl aky a n d br i tt l e an d easi l y
br oken .
( T hi s in f or m at ion wi l l app l y t o f arm er s an d
o th er s who t ry t o sh ar p en t h ei r own sh ar es by h amm er
i n g th em wh en co l d ) S h ares t o be u sed in stony l an d
.
gr ass an d cau se p l o w t o r un out of the gr oun d

the .
A l s o h ave the cutt i n g ed ge in a str a i ght l in e fr o m

the win g d t o the p oin t a s o t h at if p l a ced on a l evel
,
floor the cuttin g ed ge w oul d come in contact and r est

even l y on t he fl oo r the en t i r e l en gth of the sh are
, .
P l ow sh ar es f or br eakin g p l o w s ar e ma d e w i th a v er y
s h ar p poin t a s i l l ust r at ed by do t t e d l in es in fi ur e
g .
H ow to M ake S quar e H ol es i n Pl owshar es .
A gr ea t m any bl acksmi t h s wh en m akin g p l ow sh ar es

h ave m o r e or l ess t r o ubl e t o m ake p r op er sh ap e d ho l es,
in o r d er t h at the bol th ea d wil l fit p r op er l y an d n ot
tur n a r o un d w h en th e sh ar e i s bein g t i gh t en ed up fi rm
l y t o the p l o w h ea d T o d o t hi s wo rk co r rect l y aft er
.
the ho l e i s d r i ll ed an d co u n t er sun k a n d t he ho l e i s ,
t o be ma d e f or a s q u ar e co r n er ed p l ow bo l t ,
make a s qu ar e d r i ft or p un ch as Fi g 93 h avin g it j ust .

,
Fi g 9 3 . . Pu n ch for s q u ar in g hol es in pl owsh ares .
a t r ifl e l ar ger th a n th e s q u ar e of t he b l t o h ea d ,
al s o
h ave the cutt in g f ace p er f ectl y s q u ar e an d fl at, i t
s ho ul d be a l it t l e sm a l l er back of t he cu tt in g f a ce t o
gi v e cl ear a n ce H . ar d en t he p un ch an d d r aw t he t em
p er to a bl ue .
T o m ake the ho l e s qu ar e p l a ce t he sh ar e on the

,
a n v i l ho l din g i t fi r m th en p un ch the ho l e as al r ea dy
,
d r i ll ed fr om the O p po si t e s i d e of the coun t er s in k B y

, .
f o ll owin g thi s m ethod a n d ho l d in g the p un ch d i r ectl y

an d even l y o v er t he ho l e t he co r n er s w i l l be cut out
'
l eavin g the ho l e very squar e an d n eat .

C H A PT ER XI .
H ow to m a ke a h a rn es sm a ker ’
s —
kn u e B utc hers ’
tool s x
Rai l oa d
r to ol s .
H ow to M ake a H arness maker ’

s K nif e.
T m ake ha r n es sm aker kni f e wi l l ill of

’
o a s tr y the sk
t he xp er t t o it s ful l ex t en t l eav in g as id e an amat eur

e ,
‘
st e el wo r ker bu t if t he a m at eu r wi l l f o l l ow t he d ir ec
,
t ion s v er y cl o s el y he wi ll m eet wi t h t he best of su ccess .
T o make on e u se sh eet cutl er y s t eel of 7 5 poi nt s car

,
bon an d 3 3 2 of an in ch thi ck but the s iz e of the st eel

-
,
t o be used wi l l d ep en d on the s iz e of the kni f e t o be

mad e T he S i z e of t he kni fe d ep en d s a gr eat d eal
.
who is goin g t o us e it as som e kni ves ar e m a d e a s ,
wid e as 6 in ch es whi l e o th er s do n ot ex ceed 4 in ch es

, ,
an d in a gr eat m a ny ca s es s m all er A f t er gett in g st eel .
the p rop er wi d t h d r a w a n o ut l in e of t he kni f e on the

,
st eel a cco r d in g t o t he s iz e of t he kni f e t o be m a d e ,
but bear in m in d n ot t o cu t the ful l s i z e of the kni fe

a s t h e cutt in g e d ge i s y et t o be d r awn out bu t cut out ,
3 1 6 sm all er a s indi ca t e d by do tt e d l in e a a a F i g
-
, , , , .
94 I f t he s t eel i s n ot l on g or wi d e eno u gh t o cut the

.
f u ll l en gth of t he s h a n k it m ay be cut a s ,
indi cat ed by d o tt ed l in e a t b a n d t h en d r awn out t o

s h ap e a n d in ext r em e s car ci ty of st eel t he sh an k m ay
, ,
be w el d e d on a t c bu t t hi s i s a d i ffi cu l t j ob owin g t o
,
t h e s t eel bein g s o wi d e an d t hin but it can be d on e ,
wi th car e .
A f t er bein g cu t t o sh ap e fr o m the st eel an d t he

S han k f or m ed f o r ge t he cu t t in g e d ge of the kn i f e by
,
1 63
t akin g a d eep h er r y r ed h eat and commen cin g t o

c ,
h am m er at t he poin t m ar ked f h ammer in g equ al l y

,
fr o m bo th s id es un t i l al l t he cutt in g ed ge is dr awn out ,
Fi g 9 4
. . T he h arn essm a ker ’
s kn i fe .
al t hough i t may be n eces s ar y t o t ake tw o or t h r ee

heats before al l the cutt in g ed ge is dr awn out .
1 66 TH E T WEN T IE T H CE NTURY
w h en gr indin g, but if the kni f e cr ooks a gr eat d eal
wh en h ar d enin g y et n ot enou gh t o cr a ck the st eel it
, ,
wi l l h ave t o be h ea t ed a ga in str a i gh t en ed and an ,
n eal ed H ow ever i f t h es e di r ect ion s ar e f oll ow ed

.
,
cl os el y t h er e wi l l be no d a n ger of t h e kni f e cr ook in g

,
of an y a cco u n t an d t he kni f e wi l l ho l d a ver y keen

,
e d ge on t h e h ar d est of l ea t h er T he do tt e d l in es at .
e,
e e r ep r es en t s a n o u t l in e of th e h and l e
, ,
T o en .
a bl e t he s h a n k t o s t ay fi r m in t he h a nd l e it sho u l d be
f ea th er e d wi t h a v ery sh ar p co l d chi s el a s i l l ustr a t e d , .
H to M ake a B utcher S teel

’
o
r r
a s .
B h er s st eel s a r e p r in ci p al l y m ad e by m a chin ery

ut c
’
,
a s t h e know l e d g e f or m akin g a good bu t ch er s s t eel by

’
h a nd i s u nknown by m o st of t he bl a cksmi th s or t oo l
m aker s al tho u gh a st eel p r op er l y f or ged an d h ar d
,
e n ed by h a nd wi l l o ut w ear a n y t h a t can be p u r ch as e d
in a h ar dw ar e st o r e T o m ake on e t ake a p i ece of .

,
r o u nd t oo l st eel s ay in ch di am et er after full er in g -

,
in a t a F i g 95 t o f or m t he sh ank an d a l so fu ll er in g a
, .
,
Fi g 9 5 . . T h e butch er ’
s stee l .
l i tt l e at b, f o r ge t he y r o un d
s t eel t ap er in g an d v er .
T o p ut in t he t eeth m ake the s t eel fi r m by p utt in g t he

,
s h an k in a v i se now h ave a co ar s e sh ar p fi l e p l a ce i t
, ,
s q u ar e a cr o s s t he s t eel p r ess h ar d an d d r a w l en gth

,
wi s e of the st eel fr om en d t o en d an d equ al l y all

ar o u nd t w o fi l es wi ll be f oun d m o r e con veni en t t h a n
,
on e on a cco un t th at t he t eet h can b e u t in t w o id e

, p s s
of the st eel at o n ce whi ch i s d on e b ho l d i n t h n d s

y , g e e
T O O L SM IT H AND S TEE L WO RK ER 67
of the fi l es in t he h an d s wi t h the st eel betw een the

fi l es .
F o r ge the sh an k l on g an d s qu ar e an d f eat h er it ( as
i l l u str at ed in F i gur e s o t h at i t wi l l st ay fi r m in
the h a n d l e T o h ar d en s ee in st r u ct ion s f or h ar d enin g

.
,
t oo l s wi t h fin e p r oj ect ion s .
H ar dening T ool s With Fine Pr oj ect i ons .
T o h ar d en t oo l s of t hi s
d es cr ip t ion I wi l l s el ect a ,
bu t ch er s st eel a s the t eet h a r e v er y fin e S ho u l d t hi s

’
, .
t oo l be h eat ed t o h ar d en in t he O p en fi r e as o t h er t ool s ,
t he t eet h wi l l l o s e t h ei r fi n e cutt in g e d ges an d whi ch

i s es p eci al l y r eq u i r ed on a st eel in o r d er t o sh ar p en
kni v es T o o ver co me t hi s d i fficul t y u s e the f o l l owin g
. .
co mpo un d : T ake equ al p ar t s of wh eat flo ur an d sal t ,
a l so a l i t t l e w at er t h en m i x t o get h er t o t he con s i st en cy
,
of s o ft mu d H a v e the s t eel p erf ectl y dry an d cl ean

.
,
t h en r o ll it in the compou nd co v er i n g t he t eeth of the

st eel w el l f r o m en d t o en d t h e n h eat t o a goo d ch er r y
,
r ed t h e who l e l en gt h of t he t oo l ( ex cep t in g t he s h an k ) ,
t h en p l u n ge ver t i ca ll y in the h ar d eni n g bat h all owin g ,
i t t o r em a i n t h er e u n t i l p er f ectl y co l d t h en cl ean off , ,
but d r a w n o t emp er a s t he st eel wi l l n ot be t oo h ar d

, .
V er y fin e fi l es m ay a l so be h ar d en ed aft er thi s metho d

an d al l o t h er s im i l ar t oo l s .
T he B utcher C l eaver
’
s .
A but ch er s cl eaver i s ma d e f r om fl at s t eel

’
in ch
in t hi ckn ess but t he wid t h of t he s t eel wi ll be a cco r d
,
in g t o t he s iz e of t he cl eav er t o be m ad e Wh en f or g .
in g a cl e av er a s F i g 96 w el d on an i r on s h a n k t o t he
,
.
,
s h ap e a s i ll u st r at ed
,
s o t h at it wi ll be s t r on g
,
T he .
cutt in g ed ge of the cl eaver i s f o r ge d by d r awin g d o wn

1 68 TH E T WE N T I ET H CENT URY
the st eel to a v ery s qual l y fr om both si d es

h ort bevel e
whi l e t he st eel i s at a goo d y el l o w h eat t h en fi ni sh ,
by h amm er in g at a l ow h eat on the bevel ed ed ges an d

ba ckw ar d s a sho r t d i st an ce on the main bo d y of t he
t o ol . T o h ar d en heat the w h ol e cutt i n g ed ge ba ck
,
w ar d s about of an in ch t o a ch err y r ed by movin g
ba ck an d f o r th t h r o u gh the fir e so a s t o h eat even l y ;

t h en qu en ch aft er w ar d s d r awin g the t emp er t o a l i gh t
,
bl ue by movi n g it back an d fo rt h o ver the fir e .
F ig: 9 6 . T he butch er ’
s cl eaver .
B h
ut c er w i l l be f ound ful l y exp l ain ed
kni ves and
ill ustr at ed in ano th er ch ap t er of t hi s book .
H ow to Dr ess a Rail roa d Pinch B ar .
Wh er ever r ai l r o ad cars ar e t o be moved by h an d it ,
i s o ft en fo und n ecessar y t o t ake the pin ch bar ( as t hi s

i s the t oo l p r in cip all y used f or thi s wo rk ) t o the bl ack
sm i t h t o h av e it d r essed or s h ar p en ed but t hi s wo r k ,
i s v er y l i ttl e un d er st oo d by the aver a ge bl a cksm i th

an d s o t he t oo l f a i l s t o g i ve goo d r esul t s it be in g t oo ,
so ft or o t h er wi s e t he h eel wi l l br eak O ff .
T o d r ess h eat t he who l e en d of the pin ch bar t o a

,
g o od y el l ow h ea t bu t n ot n ecess a r i l y v er y f a r ba ck a n d ,
t h en d r ess t o the sh ap e of F i g 9 7 T o h ar d en h eat

. .
,
the f ace of the t ool f r om h eel t o poin t t o about 1

170 T H E T WE N T I ET H CENTUR Y
st eel t o the shap e of F ig 99 , th en f or ge t o
. h ap e s . T he
i ll ustr ation as F ig 9 9
. wi l l al so appl y wh en m akin g n ew
pin ch bars .
T he ordin ary sh ape of p inch bar .
Fi g 9 9
. . S howin g s teel u p s et to forge h eel on p u n ch bar .
T he S pike M aul .
Wh en bu i l d in g or r ep a i r in g r a i l r o a ds the sp i ke m aul ,
or s p i k e h a mm er i s gr eat l y u s ed i t s p r in ci p al u s e
,
bein g t o d r i v e s pi kes in th e t i es T o m ake on e t ake a

.
,
p i e ce of 2 in ch-
s q u a r e s t eel a n d a f t e r p u n chin g t h e ey e
f o r ge t o the sh ap e a s i l l ustr at ed in F i g 1 00 as wi l l be .
,
Fi g 1 00
. . T he s p i ke m au l .
see n on e en d is d r awn d own ver y small t o about of an
in ch acr o ss t he fa ce bot h end s ar e d r essed a s

,
an o r di .
T O O L SM ITH AND S T EEL WO RKER 171
n ary h amm er T o h ar d en h eat the l ar ge en d of t he

.
,
S pi k e m a u l fi r st t o a ch er r y r ed a b o ut 3
4 o f an in ch
ba ck fr o m the f a ce h a v in g t he cen t er of the f a ce at an

,
even h eat w i t h t he o ut s i d e or co rn er s in o r d er t h at i t
wi l l h ar d en p r op er ly th en d ip in t he h ar d enin g bath t o
,
abo ut in ch es d eep T h en pol i sh the f a ce an d al l ow

.
t he t emp er t o r un d own t o a l i gh t bl u e I f t h er e i s n ot .
eno u gh h eat in the S pi ke m au l t o d ri ve d own t he t em
p e r i t c a n be d r awn by ho l din g t h e en d o v er t h e fi r e ,
an d S l ow l y an d con t in u a l l y t u r nin g it a r o u n d un t i l t he
t emp er i s d r a wn t o t he d es i r e d co l o r H ar d en an d t em
.
p er bo th en d s t he s am e w ay but be car ef ul n ot t o d r a w
,
t he t emp er in t he en d w hi ch i s al r ea dy har d en ed an d
t em p er ed whi l e h eat in g t o h ar d en the s econ d en d .
H ow ever if the l ar g e en d is h ar d en e d an d t emp er e d

,
fi rst t h er e wi l l be no d an ger of the t emp er d r awin g in

,
t he o t h er en d a s the s m al l en d can be h eat ed s o mu ch

,
qu i cker an d s o the h eat has n ot t i me t o run t o t he l ar ge

en d eno u gh t o d r aw the t em p er but in cas es wh er e
,
t h er e is d a n ger of t he t emp er d r a win g coo l off the t em ,
p er ed en d in w at er A spi ke m aul i s n ot s o apt t o get

.
hol l owin g in the cen t er of the f a ce as an or d in ar y ham

m er bu t in st ea d i s m o r e ap t t o br eak off a t the cor
, , ,
n er s s o wh en d r essin g make the co r n er s r oun d in g but

, ,
n ot t oo mu ch .
T he C l aw B ar .
I n rai l r o a d con stru ct ion the cl aw bar is ver y ex t en

,
s ivel y u sed ,
it s p r in cip al u s e bein g t o p u ll spi kes .
D r ess in g cl aw bar s wh en ba d l y br o ken is s o mewh at of

a di ffi cu l t t ask an d r eq u i r es ski l l t o f o r ge t h em t o the
p r op er sh ap e T o dr ess a cl aw bar as S ho wn in F i g
.
, .
1 01 wh en bad l y w o r n or br oken h eat t o a d eep y el l ow

, ,
h eat th en f or ge t o sh ap e a s il l ustr at ed by S i d e vi ew
, ,
172 TH E T WE N T I ET H CE NTURY
in fi gur e th en cl o s e t he cl aw s a s a a fr on t vi ew in
, , , ,
fi gur e to w i thin
, of an in ch ap art at t he ex tr eme
en d s N ow h ave a ful l er as F i g 1 03 whi ch sho ul d be

. .
,
Fro t n view .
E n d view
.
S i de V i ew.
F i g 1 01
. . I ll u strati n g cl aw bar .
wi d er th an the body of a r a i l r o a d spike and dr ive ,
t he ful l er d own bet w een the cl aw s T hi s wi l l str a i gh ten .
t he cl aws an d br in g t h em t he r i gh t wid th a p ar t N ow .
Fi g 1 02
. . S i de view of oppos ite end of cl aw bar .
h ave a s m al l g ou g e an dw s fro m the

gou ge out t he cl a
fr ont S i d e the ex tr eme en d s S ho ul d be ver y thin ( as

,
shown in en d vi ew of fi gur e in o r d er t o go un d er t he,

C H A PT ER XI I .
M i scel l aneou s —
tool s C a s e h arde ing n .
T he B ri ckl ayer
’
s S et .
A br i ckl ay er s s et has a ver y wi d e cutt in g ed ge

’
,
w hi l e the sh ank or h an d l e is o ct a gon or s qu ar e t o ,
m ake on e t ake a wid e pi ece of fl at st eel f ull er in th en

, ,
dr aw out the h an d l e after whi ch the cutt in g ed ge is

,
f o r ged B ut in ca s e a pi ece of st eel a s j ust m en

.
,
t i on ed canno t be ha d t he on l y w ay t o f o r ge t he cut
, ,
t in g ed ge ( whi ch S ho u l d be abo ut 3 i n ches wi d e ) is by
Fi g 1 04
. . T h e br i ckl ayer s ’
s et .
u p sett in g pi ece of o ct a gon or s quar e st eel as the case

a
m ay be t h en fl at t en out u n t i l wid e eno u gh

,
T o p ut .
on the cutt in g ed ge fil e onl y fr om on e s i d e the oth er ,
S id e bein g l eft p er f ectl y s q u ar e an d fl at .
H ar d en as a ny s i m i l ar fl a t t oo l an d d r a w the t emp er
t o a d a r k bl u e A l l t oo l s f or cu t t in g br i ck S ho ul d be
.
t emp er ed t o a l i gh t bl u e
TOO L SM ITH A N D S T EE L WO R KE R 175
H ow to H ard en and T emper Wir e N i ppers or Pl i ers .
H eat j aw s back a l i ttl e p ast the cut t in g bl ad es a s

t he ,
in d i cat ed by dott ed l in e a F i g 1 05 t o a v er y ev en
,
.
,
ch er r y r ed t h en dip in t o t h e h ar d enin g b at h t o do tt ed
,
l i n e b abo v e t he r i vet N ow po l i sh t he u p p er s id e
.
Fi g 1 05
. . T he w i re ni ppe rs .
an d d r a w t h e t e m p er o v e r t h e fi r e v e r y S l ow l y
a n d ev en l y t o a l i gh t b l u e m
,
ak in g s u r e t h a t t h e cu t t in g
ed ges or t eet h a r e p r op er l y t em p er ed T h es e in str u c
.
t ion s wi l l a pp l y t o a l l s i m i l a r t oo l s .
H ow to M ake a Raz or .
T o make or d in ar y r az or use steel 3 1 6 by 7 1 6 of

an - -
abo ut 7 5 poin t s car bo n A ft er the sh ank i s f ul l er ed

.
i n a l i ttl e f or the fi n ger h ol d t h en f o r ged t o sh ap e the

, ,
bl a d e is f o rmed in t o sh ap e by bendin g t he st eel a l i ttl e

e d gewi s e aft er wa r d s bei n g f o r ged
, h amm er ed an d ,
h ar d en ed as i s exp l ai n ed in mak in g but ch er kn i ves

,
Fi g 1 06
. . T he ra z or .
( whi ch w i l l be foun d
in anoth er ch ap t er of thi s book) ,
d r aw the t emp er to a p ur p l e A r azor is h ol l ow gr ound

.
after bei ng t emp er ed an d whi ch shoul d be d on e by an
exp ert if a r azor i s mad e aft er th ese in str uct ion s an d

,
the h ol l ow gri n d in g d on e wi th out d r awin g the t emp er ,
it w i ll h ol d a very keen ed ge whi ch w i l l equ al any ,
r a z or man u f actur ed End vi ew F i g 1 06 i l l ustrates

.
,
.
,
S h ap e of r az o r bl a d e bef o re bein g ho l l ow gr oun d .
To M ake a S craper .
A S cr a p er f or t akin g O H p ain t , g ease, etc

r .
,
off boi l er
p l at e ot h er mat er i al an d l eave a br i ght smooth
or any
s u r f ace i s chi efly m a d e f r o m o ct a gon st eel t he s iz e of

, ,
s t eel u sed acco r d in g t o the wid t h of s cr a p er r equ i r ed ,
a l tho u gh f or an o r d in ar y s cr ap er o ct a gon wi l l do .
T o make on e f o r ge t he st eel p er f ect l y fl at 4; t hi ck an d

,
1
a bo u t 3 in ch es in l en gth an d 1 in ch wid e T he end of .
the t oo l i s l eft p er f ect l y s qu ar e t he s cr apin g or cut ,
t i n g ed ges bein g the co rn ers w h ich ar e gr o un d very ,
S h arp .
H ar dening and T emperi ng B l acksmiths B ol t C lippers

’
.
A good s et of bo l t ip p er s i s a t oo l p r i z ed v ery much

cl
by t he gen er a l bl a cks m i t h an d y et v er y f ew bl ack

,
sm i t h s a r e ca p abl e of r ep a i r in g t h em p r o p er l y wh en
t h ey get out of o r d er th e gr eat est t r o ubl e l yin g in the

,
h ar d enin g an d t em p er in g .
A f t er the cl i p p er s a r e d r ess ed a n d the cut tin g ed ges

m a d e t o fi t p r op er l y an d cl o s el y t oget h er h eat t he ,
whol e cutt in g ed ge t o a v er y even ch er r y r ed t h en ,
qu en ch in the h ar d enin g bath fr om a n up r i gh t p os i ti on

t o abo ut on e in ch f r o m t he cut t in g e d ge P o l i sh t he
.
cu t t in g e d ge br i gh t a n d d r a w t he t em p er s l ow l y an d
ev en l y o v er the fi r e t o a l i gh t bl u e T h es e di r e ct i on s
.
f or h ar d enin g an d t emp er in g bo l t cl i pp er s a pp l y t o
the kind t h a t a r e u s e d p r in ci p a l l y now a d ay s whi ch ,
h a ve a l on g S h ap ed bl a d e a n d by di pp in g in t o the h ar d
en in g bat h ( a ft er t h e f as hion o f h a r d enin g a c ol d
chi s el ) on e in ch b ack f r om t h e cu t t in g e d ge wi l l en abl e ,
t he t emp er t o be d r a wn m o r e a ccu r a t e an d ev enly wi th

no d an ger of t he t emp er r unnin g out a t any p art of
t he cutt in g ed ge if the l east car e i s ex er ci s ed wh en
dr awin g the t emp er o v er the fir e H ow ev er s om e bol t
.
,
cl i pp er s a r e m a d e wi t h a s ho r t bl a d e whi ch i s h el d i n
p l a ce by a s et scr ew or som e oth er con tr i v an ce t he kni fe ,
or bl a d e n ot ex ceed in g on e in ch in l en gt h I n a case of
.
t hi s kin d h eat the who l e bl a d e t o a v ery even ch erry

r ed t h en q u en ch t he who l e t oo l in t he h a r d enin g bat h
,
an d coo l off en t i r el y aft erw ar d s d r awin g t he t emp er

,
on a pi ece of hot i r on or by hol d in g it o v er the fi r e .
B o l t cl ipp er s ar e m a d e ex cl us i vel y f or cutt in g i r on

bo l t s or r i v et s an d m u s t n ot be us e d t o cut cast st eel if ,
u se d on cast s t e el t h e cl ipp er s wi l l l o s e t h ei r S h ar p cut
t in g ed ges or wi ll br e ak .
T O O L SM ITH A N D S T EE L WO RKE R
T ools for Punching or G ummi ng C ross C ut S aw s

.
A p un ch an d die f or gummin g cr o ss cut saw s ar e

m a d e a gr eat d eal a ft er t he sam e p r in cip l e as a p u n ch
a n d di e f or p un chin g t eet h in st on e cut t er s chi s el s
’
,
wi th t he ex cep t ion t h at the s aw t oo l s ar e n ot bevel ed

O ff
,
but in st ea d a r e l eft p er f ectl y fl at t he h ar d enin g ,
a n d t em p er in g b ein g t h e s am e S ee p u n chin g t eet h in

.
”
s t on e cut t er s t oo l s in a noth er ch ap t er of t hi s book
’
.
A l l p u n ch es f or s a w set s a ft er h ar d enin g sho ul d be

, ,
t em p er ed t o a l i gh t bl u e .
T he S cratchawl .
A s cr at chaw l f or s cr at chin g or markin g cast i r on ,
boi l er p l at e et c is a s a r u l e m a d e f r o m sm al l r o un d
,
.
,
s t ee l
,
the p oin t bein g d r a wn out v er y l on g an d thin .
T o h ar d en h ea t t o a bo ut
,
in ch back fr om t he poin t ,
but owin g t o t he fin en es s of the t oo l be v er y car efu l

n ot t o o v er h eat t h e ex t r em e poin t t h en q u en ch an d coo l ,
off en t i r el y ,
d r aw no t emp er a s the p oin t i s r equ i r ed
,
t o be very h ar d M o st m ech ani cs who h ave u se f or

.
a s cr at chaw l p r ef er t h e oppo s i t e en d fl a t t en ed an d
ben t t o sh a p e as F i g 1 09 . .
Fi g 1 09
. . T he scratch awl .
H ard eni ng and T emperi ng C ir cul ar B l ades of Pipe

C utter .
To h ar d en ci r cul ar bl ad es of pi p e cutt er h eat the ,
who l e bl a d e t o a very ev en ch err y r ed h eat t h en ,
qu en ch t he whol e t oo l an d coo l O ff en t i r el y A ft er .
1 80 T H E T WE N T I ET H CENTURY
w ar d s dr aw the t emp er t o a d ark bl ue on a pi ece of
h eat ed fl at i r on S houl d th er e be a gr eat many of th es e
.
t oo l s t o be h ar d en ed at on ce a n d t h er e i s no h eat in g f ur
n a ce in the s hop p l ace a pi ece of fl at i r on on the sur
,
f a ce of t he fir e h eat it t o a d eep r ed h eat t h en p l ace

, ,
t he bl a d es on it as the bl a d es ar e of a fl at sh ap e it wi l l
,
n ot t ake l o n g f or t h em t o h eat hot eno u gh t o h ar d en .
P l a ce 5 or 6 of th e bl a d es on the h eat ed p l at e at on e
t i m e but w a t ch c ar eful l y a n d k eep tur nin g t h em o v er
,
f or f ea r s o m e of t h em S ho ul d beco m e a l i ttl e over h eat ed

or h e a t ed in str eaks A ft er q u en chin g d r awthe t em p er
.
a l s o on a hot i r on .
Fig 1 1 0
. . F l at a n d en d vi ews of ci rcul ar bl ade for pi pe cutter .
H eat ing a T ool A ccor ding t o I ts S hape.
When h eat in g t o h ar d en t oo l s of an i rr egul ar sh ap e

,
a s an eccen t r i c r in g F i g 1 1 1 the h eavy or t hi ck s i d e

,
.
,
Fi g 1 1 1 . . A n ecce ntric ring.

- /
l
1 12. S howi n g how a lliga Fi g . 113 . T he co m
tor pip e wrench i s m ade .
pl eted wre n ch .
H ar dening and T empering Pruni ng S hear B l ades .
I f t he bl ad e is h ort h eat t he whol e bl ad e t o an even

s ,
ch er ry r ed h eat , t h en qu en ch l n the h ar d enin g bat h

a bo ut an in ch ba ck fr o m the cut t in g ed ge an d in an
u pr i gh t p o s i t ion aft erw a r d s po l i sh an d d r aw t he t em

,
p er o v er t h e fi r e t o a l i gh t bl u e S ho u
. l d t he bl a d e be
l on g s ay 6 in ch es or mo r e h a r d en a n d t emp er as a
, , t
but cher kn if e mentioned els ewh er e in t hi s book

,
.
TO O L SM IT H A N D S T EE L WO RKER 1 83
T he C ent er Punch .
A cent er n ch f or m ar kin g or cen t er in g h ol es th at

p u
have t o be d r i l l e d in i r on st eel et c ar e d r a wn d own

, , .
,
t o a ver y sh a r p poin t a s s how n in F i g 1 1 4 A ft er . .
har d enin g a l l ow the t emp er t o d r a w t o a d ar k bl ue

, ,
Fi g 1 1 4
. . T he ce nter pu n ch .
whi ch wi l l do f or p u n chin g all o r din ar y m at er i al b ut ,
f or p un chin g ver y h a r d m et al t he t emp er m u st be r egu

l a t e d a cco r din gl y S ee in st r u ct ion s a s i s gi v en in t em
.
p er in g a co l d chi sel in a not h er ch ap t er of thi s book .
T he N ail S et .
A n ai l set d r i vin g n ai l s d eep in to t he woo d i s gen

f or
er a l ly ma d e fr om o ct a gon or s qu a r e st eel T he en d .
Fi g 1 1 5
. . T he na i l s et .
f or ikin g u pon the n a i l i s t ap er ed t o

str at t he poin t .
H ar d en n ot l es s t h a n of a n in ch back fr o m the poin t
a n d d r a w the t em p er t o a l i gh t bl u e .
H ar deni ng an d T emperi ng S teel S t amps .
S t am p s f or l ett er in g or o l d i r on st eel et c
m ar kin g c , ,
.
,
ar eh ar d en ed as a n y o r din ar y t oo l by be in g h ea t e d a n d
qu en ch e d about on e in ch f r o m th e st ampin g en d an d ,
1 84 TH E T WE N T I ET H CENTURY
a ft er w ar d s dr awin g the t emp er t o a p ur p l e S t amp s .
f or m ar k in g h ot i r on or st eel wi l l be best t emp er ed t o a

l i gh t bl u e Wh en st ampin g co l d m at er i al be sur e t o
.
,
a l w a y s h av e t h e st am p p er f ect l y l evel and fi r m on t he
m at er i al t o be st am p ed ot h er wi s e the t oo l wi ll be a pt
,
t o br eak .
M aki ng a G ouge .
T o m ak e a go u ge f orin g hot i r on or st eel it

cut t ,
m u st be fi r st m a d e as a n o r din ar y hot or sp l i t t in g
chi s el ,
but t he cut t in g ed ge s ho ul d be l eft a l i t tl e
wid er t h an t he body of the chi s el t h en it is p l a ced ,
ov er a bo tt om sw a ge an d whi l e at a ch err y r ed h eat

t ake a fu l l er a n d p l ace it ex a ctl y in the cen t er of the
chi s el an d di r ect l y o v er t h e cen t er of t he sw a ge t h en ,
s t r i ke t he f u l l er a good bl ow or t w o wi t h t he s l ed ge ,
whi ch wi l l set or fo r ce the chi s el down in t o the sw a ge

a n d f o r m t h e go u g e B ear in m ind t h a t a c er t ain s iz e
.
of sw a ge an d f ul l er m u st be u sed a cco r din g t o t he
s iz e of go u g e t o b e m a d e f or ex am p l e an d t o h a ve t he
, ,
best su ccess supp o s in g a go u ge i s t o be m a d e t o cut a

,
c i r cl e of on e in ch t he sw a ge m u st be on e in ch an d
,
the f ul l er of an in ch in s iz e T hi s m ethod wi l l al s o
.
a p p l y t o m a k in g a c ar p en t er s g o u g e A gou ge f or
’
.
cut t in g co l d i r on or s t e el m u st be l ef t t hi ck er t h a n on e
m a d e t o cut h ot m at er i al a n d whi ch wi ll r e qu i r e a
s m all er s iz e of f ul l er wh en m ak in g on e A l so bea r in .
m ind t o h av e the st eel a t an ev en ch err y r ed h eat ( but

no hott er ) wh en bendin g a gou ge t o S h ap e oth er wi se ,
sho ul d i t be ben t whi l e a t a whi t e or hi gh y ell ow h ea t ,
t he h a m m er in g whi ch i s don e a t a l ow h ea t ( bef or e

ben d in g ) i s a l l t aken out an d it wi l l n ever ho l d a keen
cut t i ng e d ge or o t h er wi s e i f t he go u ge sho u l d be b en t
at a very l ow or bl ack r ed h ea t there wi l l be str ain s put

c as e h ar den ed p r op er l y F or a gr eat n umber of p ur
.
p o ses m a chin er y s t eel t oo l s wi l l t ak e t h e p l a ce of t oo l s

m a d e fr om cast st eel an d i s l ess ex p en s i v e as t he st o ck
,
i s ch eap er and t he t oo l s ar e mu ch mo r e eas i l y m a d e an d

w i l l l ast j ust a s l on g wh en p r op er l y t r eat ed .
Wh en case h ar d enin g p ar t s or en ds of too l s su ch as ,
s et scr ew s t he p r o ces s i s t hi s : H eat th e en d of th e s et

,
s cr ew t o be h a r d en e d t o a br i gh t ch er r y r ed t h en r o l l ,
t he h eat ed en d in t o powd er ed p r u ss i at e of p o t a s h an d
r et ur n t o t he fi r e an d h eat t o a br i gh t ch er r y r ed t h en ,
p l u n ge in t o co l d w at er an d coo l off en t i r el y wh en it ,
wi l l com e out of the w at er p r es en t in g a whi t e a pp ear

a n ce an d wi l l be f o u nd t o be v er y h ar d i f t est ed wi t h a
fil e T hi s m et hod wi l l app l y t o al l sm al l t oo l s t h at ar e
.
t o be cas e h ar d en ed a ll o v er but no t t o a gr eat d ep t h

, .
Wh en cas e h ar d enin g a gr eat m any too l s at on ce

wh er e the who l e sur f a ce is t o be cas e h ar d en ed an d
t o a gr ea t d ep t h p a ck in a n i r on box wi t h any case
,
h ar d enin g comp ou nd su ch a s gr an ul at ed or ch ar r ed
,
bon e ch ar r e d l eat h er ch ar co a l an d p o t a sh
, ,
B ut in .
p a ck in g t he p i ece s or t oo l s in t h e b ox be sur e t h at t h ey
do n ot come in con t a ct wi th the surf a ce of the box or
wi t h each o th e but keep at eas t 5 in ch ap ar t by
r ,
l 1
,
p a ckin g the ca s e h ar d enin g com p ou nd betw een T he .
box S ho ul d be m a d e air t i gh t an d t h en p l a ced in a fur

,
n a ce or h eat in g oven whi ch m u st be l eft t h er e l on g

eno u gh a cco r din g t o t he d ep t h t h a t t h e con t en t s ar e t o
be ca s e h ar d en ed I f t he fu r n ace i s kep t at a br i gh t
.
ch er r y r e d h eat ,
t he con t en t s of t he box wi ll b e ca s e
h ar d en ed t o the d ep t h an d r a t e of 1 1 6 of an in ch p er -
hour A ft er w ar d s the con t en t s a r e t aken fr om the box

.
a n d q u en ch e d imni edi a t el y in c o l d w at er a n d coo l e d
O H en ti rel y Wh en quen chin g pi eces or tool s to be cas e

.
har dened the p r oc ess is the s am e a s cas t s t eel for ex

, ,
T O O L SM ITH A N D S T EEL WO RKE R 1 87
amp l e, t ak e a pi ece of i r on or s oft st eel 6 in ch es

fl at
s qu a r e by 1 in ch t hi ck i t m u st b e q u en ch e d by p l u n g
in g in t o t he w at er e d gewi se an d f r o m an u p r i gh t po s i
t i on a l so l on g s l en d er pi eces ( f or exp l an at i on 1 in ch
,
s qu ar e an d 6 in ch es l on g ) m u st b e q u en ch e d f r o m a
p er f ectl y up r i gh t po si t ion an d n ever a t an a n gl e ot h er

,
wi s e if the pi eces ar e qu en ch ed at an an gl e th ey w i ll be
ap t t o w arp .
C H A P T ER X I I I .
G neral in form ati on p ointers an d i dea s

e ,
in nce to steel
refere
—
work an d tool m a ki n g C on cl u s i on .
T he C orr ect M eani ng of a C herry Red H eat .
We oft en h ear bl acksmi th s an d o th er m ech ani cs

wh en in con v er s at ion abo ut s t eel s ayin g su ch a t oo l
or p i ec e of s t eel s ho u l d b e h eat ed t o a ch err y r ed t o
h ar d en or t em p er but al thou gh th eir a dvi ce m ay be

,
qu i t e t r u e how m any ar e th er e who know the corr ect

h eat an d m eanin g of a ch er r y r ed h eat ? I f ever y bl a ck
s m i t h an d o t h er m ech a ni cs who cl a i m t o know a l l abo ut
s t eel w er e j u d ged a cco r d in g t o t he cl a s s of t oo l s t h ey
m ake t h en I am afr a id t h er e wo ul d be a gr eat m any

,
who do n ot un d er st and the cor r ect h eat or m ea nin g of

a ch er r y r e d h eat I p er s on all y know s o m e bl a cks m i t h s
.
a n d t ool dr es s er s who wi l l t el l m e t h ey kno w a gr eat
d eal about s t eel an d it s n atur e who wh en th ey ar e

, ,
h ar d enin g a p i ece of st eel wi l l o ft en h eat the st eel t o a

br i ght y el l ow h eat wh en t h ey t hin k i t is a ch err y r ed ,
whi l e oth er s a ga in wi l l n ot h ave t he st eel h eat ed abov e

a d ul l r ed h ea t ,
con s e q u en t l y t h e s t eel i s h ea t e d t oo
mu ch or n ot eno u gh t o h ar d en B ut f or t he ben efi t of
.
t ho s e who wi sh t o know an d ar e a nxio us t o l ear n t he

r ea l m ea nin g of a ch er r y r ed h eat I wi l l exp l a in
,
A .
ch er r y r ed h eat i s the l ow est h eat at whi ch a pi e ce of
s t eel con t a in in g 7 5 p oin t s ca r bon wi l l h ar d en suc

c essfull y . B ut wh en h a r d enin g a pi e ce of s t eel con
t a inin g 1 00 p oi nt s or 1 p er cent of car bon a l ow er heat
1 88
1 90 TH E T WEN T I ET H C EN TURY
C har coa l f or H eati ng S t eel .
A sayin g th at I h ave h ear d a gr eat m any t i mes is al ,
w ays u s e ch ar co a l t o h eat st eel whi l e a noth er s ayin g

,
i s st eel i s t o u gh er wh en h eat ed in ch ar co al
,
I t has .
been f o u nd out by p r a ct i cal an d sci en t ifi c exp er i en ce

t h at sul ph ur i s on e of the gr eat est en em i es t o be a void ed
wh en h eat in g st eel an d whi l e ch ar coa l i s f r ee fr om
,
su l p h u r it i s t h e on l y a d v an t a ge conn ect e d wi th ch ar
co a l t o h eat st e el by B ut a s t o t o u gh en s t eel by h eat

.
i n g it in ch ar co al i s a s ayin g en t i r el y wi tho ut f o u n
,
d at ion a s t h er e i s not hin g t h at wi l l t ou gh en st eel ex

,
cep t by h amm er in g it at a cer t a in h eat an d h ar d enin g
it a t the p r o p er h eat .
I n r ef er en ce t o h ea t in g st eel by t he u se of ch ar co al it ,
do es n ot m att er wh at kind of fu el i s u sed so l on g as it

i s fr ee f r o m s u l ph ur an d t he n eces s ar y h ea t can be ob
t a in ed wh et h er i t be ch ar co al co ke co al bar k or co r n
, , , ,
cobs . N ow r ea d er n ever a dop t any ol d sayin g or

, ,
p r oces s u n l ess y ou h ave fo und out by exp er i m en t or

t r i a l t h at i t i s t r u e
. S o m e m ech ani cs ar e t oo r ea dy t o
pi ck up qu ack th eor i es by h avin g h ear d s om e on e s ay
s o an d con s e qu en t l y wh en t he a d vi ce i s p ut in t o p r a e
,
t i ce the r esul t i s f a i l ur e R ead er t h er e ar e t oo m any

.
,
mech ani cs who bel on g t o thi s cl ass y ou must bel on g ,
t o the cl a ss who d o th ei r own t hin kin g whi ch i s t he ,
su r e r o a d t o su cces s A ga in n ev er t u r n a d ea f e ar
.
,
t o a n y on e who h as a su ggest ion t o m ak e no m att er ,
who the m an is or wh at kind of cl oth es he w ear s the ,
a utho r ha s p i ck ed u p s o m e v er y v a l u abl e in f o r m at ion
i n t hi s w ay f r o m s o m e of t he m o st i l l i t er at e m en who
on ly ex cell e d in on e p oin t an d whi ch has been foun d
out by ex p er i m en t t o be r el i abl e .
T O O L SM ITH A N D S T EEL WO R KER 1 91
T he S cal ing of S teel A ft er H ardening .
T he i
s cal n g of h ar d enin g a s a rul e is
st eel a ft er , ,
n ever o bs er ved by the aver a ge st eel wo r ker but t o the ,
exp er t it m ean s a gr eat d ea l B y the w ay the s t eel

.
s cal es O ff a goo d st eel wo rker i s en abl e d t o t el l goo d
or poo r s t eel al s o h ar d or s o ft st eel h ar d st eel con t a in

, ,
in g 1 00 poin t s car bon if h eat e d t o a ch er r y r ed wi l l

'
scal e O ff cl ean l eav in g a whi t e su r f a ce w hi l e a pi ece

, ,
of m ed i um car bon st eel of 7 5 poin t s of goo d q u al i t y
an d h eat e d t o a ch er r y r ed wi ll s ca l e off in s po t s l eav
in g a S p eckl ed bl a ck an d whi t e su r f a ce but t he scal es ,
l eft on wi l l be v er y t hin a n d l i gh t B ut i f a pi ece of .
st eel of m ed i um c ar bon an d of poo r q ual i ty be h ar d
en ed t h e s ca l es l ef t on wi ll be of a t hi ck a n d h eavy n a
,
t u r e an d s t eel v er y l ow in car bon an d of poo r qu a l i ty

,
wi l l n ot scal e off at al l un l ess h eat ed t o a br i ght ch erry

r ed ( a l m o st y el l ow ) T hi s cl as s of s t eel i s wo r t h l ess f or
.
m akin g goo d t oo l s T he t emp er of a t oo l m ay al s o

.
be r e gul at ed by the w ay t he st eel s cal es ofli F or i ll u s .
t r at i on if a co l d chi s el ( f or o r d in ar y wo rk ) aft er h ar d
,
en in g S ho ul d be p ar tl y s ea l ed off t he t emp er sho ul d ,
be d r awn t o an o r din ar y l i gh t bl u e but sho u l d it S cal e ,
off p er f ectl y cl ean a n d whi t e al l ow the t emp er t o d r a w
t o a v er y l i gh t bl ue bo r d er in g on a gr ey
,
.
S o met i mes wh en h eat in g st eel in a co ke or sm oky

fir e the st eel wi l l s cal e off a s al r ea dy m en t ion ed but in ,
s t ea d of l eav in g a whi t e sur f a ce i t wi ll p r es en t a v er y
d ar k sur f a ce an d un l ess o bs er ved cl o s el y it wi l l be

h ar d t o t el l wh et h er the st eel has s cal ed off or n ot .
T he scal in g of st eel how ever i s on l y in r ef er en ce t o

, ,
t oo l s t h at a r e h ar d en ed a ft er bein g fini s h ed a t the

a n v i l a s t oo l s t h a t a r e gr o u nd br i gh t on a gr in d st on e
,
or ot h er wi s e m achin e d wi l l n ot s ca l e off .
B y t he s cal in g of st eel a good st e el wo rk er can t el l
if the t oo l has been o v er h eat ed wh en h a r d enin g, as the
s ur f a ce of ov er h eat ed
wi l l show a v ery br i ght
s t eel
whit e col or the best w ay how ev er t o l ear n t he di ff er

, , ,
en ce a s r ega r d s t he s ca l in g O H of a p i ece of o v er h eat e d
st eel an d of s t eel t h at w a s h ar d en ed a t the p r op er
h eat t ake tw o p i eces O f st eel fr om the sam e bar of

,
g ood q u a l i t y a n d m e di u m c a r bon t h e n h e a t on e to a
,
ch err y r ed an d t he o t h er t o a d eep y ell ow or w hi t e .
Quali ty a nd Quantity .
I f t oo l s can be m a d e i d ver y qu i ckl y an d in

or r ep a r e
g r ea t q u a n t i t i es by a t oo l s m i t h or a n y m ec h a ni c p r o ,
du cin g a t t he sam e t i m e ex cell en t qu al i t y it wi l l be a ,
gr eat s a vin g of t i me but th er e ar e v er y f ew who h av e

,
su ch goo d abi l i t y B ut t o the o r d in ary t oo l sm i th or

.
s t eel wo r k er I wi sh t o g i ve t hi s a d v i ce L et qu al i ty at
“
,
a ll t i m es be p r ef er r e d t o q u a n t i t y a n d al w a y s s ee how
,
w ell y ou can m ake a t oo l befo r e s eein g how fa st you can

m ake i t sp ee d wi l l n at ur all y co m e bu t qu al i ty mu st be
,
p r a ct i ce d in t h e b e g innin g F or i l l u st r a t ion
. w e wi ll ,
t ak e tw o diEer en t t ool sm iths who a r e m akin g co l d

chi s el s on e m ay be abl e t o m ake in hi s own w ay 5 0
,
chi s el s whi l e t he o t h er m an i s on l y m ak in g 25 bu t t he ,
on e who m ak es 25 i s h av in g a mu ch ea s i er t i m e an d i s
a l w a y s u p t o his wo rk a l t ho u gh he ha s a s m a ny m e
,
ch e ni es t o keep at wo r k a s th e m an w ho m akes 5 0 bu t ,
how i s t h at the r ea d er asks ; i t is because he p r efer s

qu al ity fi r st T he o th er m an is workin g a s h ar d a s he
.
ca n he n ev er ca t ch es u p t o hi s wo r k becau s e he p r ef er s
,
qu an t i t y fi r st T he s l ow man in act ion bu t n ot in wor k

.
m an shi p m akes on e chi s el th at d o es as m u ch wo rk a s

thr ee chi s el s m a d e by t he s wi ft m an con s equently ,
ar e t a k e n a w a y t o b e h a r d e n e d ,
bu t do n o t t r u s t t h e
h el p er to h eat th em t o the r i ght h eat as the t ool sm i th

”
,
w
mu st at c t h h e h a r d e nin g h ea t hi m s e l f a s h e i s r es p o n
i
s bl e f o r t h e q u a l i t y o f t h e t oo l W. i t h a g ood h e l p e r ,
the aut ho r h a s d r e s s e d ,
h a r d en e d a n d t e m p e r e d f r o m
1 5 t o 20 fl at co l d chi sel s p er ho ur a ft er the m et ho d a l
r ea d y exp l a in e d an d ever y chi s el gu ar an t ee d t o g i ve
,
t h e b est of s at i sf a ct ion by chippin g a s h ar d st eel as ,
t he chi sel i s m a d e fr o m .
Wh en dr ess in g gr ani t e cutt er s t oo l s keep 3 or 4 in ’

,
the fir e gr a d u al l y h eat in g an d as on e beco m es hot

eno u gh t o d r es s d r es s it an d r etur n t o t he fi r e t o h ea t
,
f or h ar d enin g ( as gr ani t e t ool s d o n ot r equ i r e to be

h eat ed very f ar ba ck fr om the cutt in g ed ge wh en h ar d ,
en in g th ey can be h eat ed v er y q u i ckl y ) wh en hot eno u gh ,
t o h ar d en q u en ch i t d e ep in t o t he h a r d enin g b ath t h en
, ,
ru b it acr o ss t he sa nd bo a r d t o br i gh t en aft er war d s

,
p l acin g it on a p i ece of S h e et i r on or t in att a ch ed t o a

t u b of w ater ( n ot the h a r d enin g bath ) an d al l ow the
t em p er t o d r a w on t he t oo l by it s own a cco r d a s gr a n ,
it e t oo l s do n ot r eq u i r e m u ch t emp er v er y l i t t l e h eat,
l ef t in t he t oo l a ft er q u en chin g wi ll be s u ffi ci en t t o
d r aw the t emp er t o the d es i r e d col or a n d a s the t em ,
p er b ec o m es d r a wn in a t oo l p u s h i t o fl? in t o ’
t h e w a t er
t o cool off A ft er a l i t tl e p r a ct i ce an d h a vin g al l the

.
t oo l s et c p l a ced in a v er y conv en i en t p o s i t i on 5 0 t o 60
,
.
, ,
t oo l s su ch a s p oin t s chi s el s an d sm a l l d r i l l s c an be
, ,
d r ess ed h ar d en ed a n d t em p er ed in on e h our
, , .
Wh en h ar d enin g an d t em p er in g a gr ea t m any sm al l
m a chini st s or r iv et in g h am m er s h ar d en bo t h end s at
’
,
on ce by h ol din g the h am m er in an up r i gh t p o s i t i on an d
r ev er s in g t h e end s of t he h am m er ba ck a n d f o r t h in t o
t he fi r e ( t h u s h ea t in g t h e end s hot en o u gh t o h ar d en ,
bu t keepin g t he ey e of the h amm er s o f t ) t h en p l un ge ,

TO O L SM IT H A N D S T EE L WO RKER 5
the who l e h amm er i nto the h ar d enin g bath and cool

O ff en t i r el y th en po l i s h br i gh t
, T o d r aw the t emp er .
h eat a l ar ge i ro n bl ock ( s ay 6 in ch es squar e and 4

in ch es thi ck) t o a d eep y ell ow h eat now p l ace the ,
h ar d en ed h ammers a cro ss t he corn ers of the h eated

bl ock h a vin g the ey e d i r ectly on the bl ock an d s o al
,
l owi n g the en d s to p r oj ect out fro m t he h ea ted bl ock

as sh own by dotted l in es F ig 1 1 6 B y thi s metho d of
, . .
I
c/
Fi g 1 1 6
. . I ll us tratin g q u i ck way of tem perin g s m al l h ammers .
t emp er i n g sma ll h ammers ,

d r aw in the
the t emp er w il l
ey e fi r s t if t he h a mm er is t ur n e d o v er o ccasion al l y aft ,
er w a r ds the t emp er wi l l d r a w in the en d s by keepin

g ,
4 hammer s on the bl ock at on ce t h ey can be t emp er ed

v ery q u i ckl y I f on e end of a hamm er sho ul d dr aw
.
t he t emp er bef o r e the o th er coo l it off but n ot a ny fur ,
th er back t h an t he eye th en p l ace on the h eat ed bl o ck

,
a ga in un t i l t he t em p er is d r awn in t he o th er en d .
When fo r gi n g too l s keep y our h an d tool s w el l ar

,
r an ged in a v er y con v eni en t p l ace cl o s e t o t he an v i l

.
a n d s o be abl e t o p u t y o u r ha n d on t he t oo l at on ce
( wh i ch is r eq u i r e d ) a nd s av e l i ft in g or movi n g a gr eat
m any o th er unn eces sary t oo l s .
196 TH E T W EN T I ET H CENT URY
C racks in S teel .
Anyon e who has had any ex peri en ce wo rkin g steel

or ma kin g t o ol s has no t iced c r a cks in t he s teel as
shown in t he col d chi s el Fi g 1 1 7 T hese cr a cks ar e

,
. .
”
oft en ca l l ed w a t er cra cks an d so me wi l l say the
“
w at er w as t oo co l d but the r eal ca us es ar e h avin g the

,
st eel t oo hot wh en h a r d enin g a n d un even l y fo r gin g t he
t o ol at t oo l ow a h ea t an d i f t he t oo l has been f or ged

,
at a v ery l ow h ea t th en o verh ea t ed wh en h a r d enin g ,
cr a cks in the st ee l a r e a l m o s t s ur e t o be t he r esul t .
A n y to ol th a t has a cr a ck in it no m att er how smal l , ,
w i ll br eak v ery easy wh en put in use .
S l ighting T ool s .
A ny who w an t s t o d o go od wo rk in or d er
t oo l sm i th
th at he may gain a goo d r ep ut at ion canno t a ff o r d t o
be car el ess or sl i gh t the t oo l s he is t o m ake or r ep a i r ,
but S ho ul d a t a l l t i m es d o t he wo rk t o t he best of hi s
a bi l i ty Wh en d r es sin g col d ch isel s as the on e i l l us
.
t rated in F i g 1 1 7 ( or any S im i l ar t ool ) do not att empt

.
F ig 1 1 7
. . S howin g cracks in cutt ing edge of a col d chi s el .
to d r es s it by l eav i n g the cr acks in it, but cut off the

en d of t he c hi s el as f ar ba ck as the cr acks a r e v s i i bl e
in the s t e el .
A o r ker shoul d n ev er get in t he habit of d oin g

s t eel w
'
mu ch t a l ki n g whi l e a p iece of s t eel is h eat i n g in the

fire and more especial ly if the steel S h oul d be heating
,
p a ny he is em p l oy ed wi th but a s avin g of a gr eat,
am o un t of unn ecess a r y wo r k an d t r o ubl e t o hi ms el f .
A fi r s t cl as s t oo l sm i t h wi l l k e ep a mu ch l a r ger gan g of
-
m ech ani cs at wo rk wh en p l a ce d bes i d e a t ool sm i th

,
who s e know l ed ge con cer nin g st eel wor k or t oo l makin g

is v er y l i m i t ed .
H ar dening T ools T hat A re Forged B y A nother

M echani c .
N o bl a cksmi th w orker S houl d assume the r e

or st eel
S p on s i bi l i t y of h ar d enin g t oo l s ( esp eci all y i f exp en

s iv e ) t h a t a r e f o r g ed by a no t h er m ech a ni c f or i f t he ,
t oo l sho ul d cr a ck wh en h ar d enin g ( or in a ny o th er
way n ot p r o v e s at i sf a ct o r y ) t he bl am e wi ll f all on t he
m ech ani c who h ar d en s t he t oo l a l thou gh t he on e ,
who d eser ves the bl am e is the m an who f or ged the

t oo l a s he l eft st r a in s in t he st eel by i rr egul a r h eat in g
,
a n d i r r egul ar h a m m er in g I t d o es n ot s i gni fy how

.
ex p er t t he h a r d en er m ay b e as t he st eel i s s t i l l bo un d
,
t o cr a ck if n ot f o r ge d p r op erl y .
S ayings and I deas of M echani cs in Reference t o S teel .
S t eel is on e of the gr eat est and j f avor i t e

f or sub ect s
di scu ss ion am on g m ech ani cs an d the con sequ en ce is a

,
g r e a t m a ny di f
f er en t t h e o r i es sayin gs a n d id eas ar i s e
,
in th ei r m in ds as t o wh at t h ey think is the best w ay of

wo rkin g it an d the t oo l sm ith i s in a po s it ion t o h ear
,
t he i d ea of each m ech a ni c wh en w a n t in g a t oo l ma d e or
r ep a i r ed . B ut t he t oo l sm i th mu st do as he thinks
r i gh t a s r egar d s th e wo r k in g of t h e st eel but a s t o t he ,
S h ap e of t he t oo l h e m u st f o l l ow th e m ech ani c s in
’
s t r u c t i on s .F o r ex a m p l e I w i
,
l l gi v e a f ew of t he s ay
T O O L SM IT H A N D S T EE L WO R KE R 1 99
in gs an d i d ea s whi ch I h av e gat h er ed up at the t ool

fi r e al t ho u gh o t h er s ayin gs ar e m en t ion ed in t hi s boo k
,
.
S o m e m ech ani cs h av e a h abi t of t r yin g a t oo l w i th a

fi l e bef o r e u s in g i t a n d n ot l on g a go I m a d e a chi sel
,
f or a m a chini st A ft er I ha d it m a d e he t ook it aw a y
.
a n d in a f ew m in ut es r et ur n ed wi t h th e chi s el fi l e d t o
an e d ge H e cam e up t o m e an d s a i d T hi s chi s el is
“
,
.
”
no goo d because I can fil e it ! I asked him if he ha d
t r i e d it H e sa i d N o t h er e i s no u s e of m e t ry in g
“
, ,
.
”
it wh en I can fil e it s o easy ! I t o l d him t o go an d t ry
it. H e w en t an d t r i e d it a n d w a s con v in ced t h at the
chi s el wo u l d ho l d a goo d ed ge a l t ho u gh he w as abl e t o
fil e i t . N ow I wi sh t o s ay t o a nyon e who uses a co l d

chi s el al t ho u gh a chi sel wi l l chip cas t s t eel a n d a t t he
,
sam e t i m e ho l d a goo d ed ge it can be v er y eas i l y fi l ed ,
t o an ed ge wi t h t he u se of a n ew or S h arp fi l e .
A n i d ea w it h a gr eat m any s o cal l ed st eel wo rkers i s -

,
t h ey wi l l s ay i t d o es n ot m at t er li ow hot s t eel is h eat ed

,
( s o l on g a s it i s n ot bur n t ) wh en h ar d enin g if it is ,
p u t in t h e w at er at a c h er r y r ed N ow I wi .sh t o s ay
in r efer en ce t o t hi s i d ea al t ho u gh the r esul t wi l l n ot
,
b e as ba d n ei t h er wi l l the s t eel be s o l i abl e t o cr a ck

,
as wh en q u en chin g t he st eel at a d eep y el l o w or w hi t e
heat but t he st eel wi l l n ev er be in a fin e cry st al i z ed

,
s tat e or hol d a keen cutt in g e d ge as a pi ece of st eel
h eat ed t o the p r op er h ar d enin g h eat whi ch is men ,
t i on ed s o o ft en in t hi s book A ga in s t eel s ho ul d n ever

.
,
be h el d in the a i r t o coo l O H aft er it l eaves t he fi re

wh en it is t o be h ar d en ed s o bear in min d wh en h ar d
,
en i n t ee l t o q u e n ch i t in t h e h a r d enin g b at h d i r ect l y
g s
a ft er it l ea v e s t h e fi r e a n d h a v e t h e h a r d enin g b at h a s
,
cl o s e t o t h e fi r e a s p os s i bl e an d in a con v eni en t p l ace .
F o r ge s t eel a t a l ow h e at is an ol d s ayin g of a gr eat

many an d l i kewi se a gr eat many bl acksmi th s bel ieve
,
it an d S O f o r ge the st eel h er r y r e d h e a t I h a v e
at a c .
al r ea dy m en t ion e d abo u t the d a n ger o u s p r a ct i ce an d
har d wo rk of f o r gin g s t eel a t a l ow h e at but f or the ,
ben efi t of a ny r ea d er who i s conn ect e d wi t h t he wo rk

in g O f st eel I wi l l gi ve t hi s in f or m at ion tru st in g it
, ,
wi l l be w el l r em ember e d F or g e cast st eel in t he be

.
g innin g a t a d ee p y e ll ow h e a t a n d i,
f t h e s t ee l i s h ea t e d
to a whi t e h eat ( s o l on g as it i s n ot bur n t ) i t wi l l be
a l l r i gh t bu t l es s en t he h ea t a s th e t oo l n ear s t he fi n
,
ished s t a ge a l l t oo l s s ho ul d be fini sh e d at a v er y l ow
,
heat esp eci al l y al l ed ged t oo l s h a vin g a fl at sur f ace

,
.
N ev er up set ca st s t eel i s a not h er ol d s ayin g of S o me

st eel wo r ker s an d w hen t h ey a r e a ske d t he r ea s on why
,
th ey wi l l gen er al l y r ep l y I t op ens t he gra in an d

“
,
”
s poi l s t he st eel an d I h ave known s o m e bl acksm i th s
,
w ho r efu s e d t o ma ke cer t a in t oo l s s a yin g t o t he cu s ,
t o m er the st eel w as n ot l ar ge eno u gh wi t hout up s et

in
t g a n d t h a t wo u l d s p 0 1 l t h e s t ee l R ea d e r u p s ett in
, g
S p oi l s t h e s t e el i s an ol d s ayin g but t h at i s a l l t h er e i s
’
t o i t a s t h er e i s p r act i call y no f o u n d at ion in the t h eo r y

,
a n d t h er e i s po s i ti v el y no gr a in in s t eel S o m et i m es
.
t h er e h a p p en s t o be s eam s l en gthwi se in t he ba r but

t h at i s a f a u l t of t he m a n uf a ctur er A p i ece of goo d
.
s t eel m ay be s a i d t o r esembl e a p i ece of p u tt y whi ch ,
ca n be wo rke d in any w ay an d s t i ll p r od u ce t h e s am e
r esul t s s o f a r a s t he gr a in i s con cer n e d T he a ut ho r

.
ha s u p s et st eel t o t h r ee t i m es it s o r i gin a l s iz e an d wh en
fini sh ed gave as goo d s at i sfa ct ion a s if i t ha d n ot
b een up s et at al l B ut t o m o r e f u l l y ex p l a in t ake a
.
,
p i ec e o f o ct a gon st eel an d m ake it in t o a chi s el an d

wh en m a d e the chi sel is f ou nd t o cut fi r s t cl a s s now ,
wh at is t o hind er u s fr o m m akin g a chi s el on t he O p “
i t e en d T h er e i s s i m p l y no t hin g at a ll
“
p o s . a n d y et
,
we ar e up s ett in g it a s d r a wi n g t he st eel out on one

,
ot h er r eason f or t ool s br eakin g i s the r esul t of p uttin g

t oo l s t o a u s e f or whi ch t h ey w er e n ot in t end ed F or .
exp l a n at ion I h a v e ha d m ech ani cs br in g m e br oken

,
co l d chi sel s ( an d h av in g m a d e t h e chi s el s m y self I ,
co u l d cer t i fy t h a t t h ey w er e f o r ged h ar d en ed a n d t em ,
p er ed co rr ectl y ) an d wh en I woul d make in qu i r i es t o

a s cer t a in how t he chi sel s w er e br o ken th e m ech a ni c ,
woul d s ay he w a s u sin g th em for w ed ges V er y oft en .
the t oo l sm i t h wo rr i es an d s o keep s himsel f i n hot w at er

wh en br oken t oo l s co m e t o him t o be d r es sed as he ,
t hin ks he i s t o bl am e becau s e he t hin ks he did n ot

make t he t oo l s p r op er l y T hi s is a gr ea t m i st ake on
.
the t ool smi th s p ar t f or in a gr eat m a ny ca s es the m e

’
,
chan i c who i s u s in g t he t oo l s i s t o bl am e f or if a t oo l ,
i s p ut in t o a u s e for whi ch it is n ot in t end ed or u s ed

car el ess l y it do es n ot s i gni fy how w el l t he t oo l s ar e
f o r g ed h ar d en ed or t emp er e d t h ey wi l l br eak j ust the

, ,
s am e an d f or t he be n efi t of ev er y bl a cksm i t h or t oo l
,
s m i t h who ch a n ces t o get a copy of t hi s boo k I s a

y ,
f o l l ow t he in str u ct ion s cl o s el y con cer nin g ea ch t oo l ,
an d t h en if t he t oo l s a r e br o k en wh en in u s e 9 ca ses
out of 1 0 the f aul t wi l l l i e wi t h the m ech ani c who w as
u s in g t he t oo l Wh en a t oo l is br oken l o ok at t he
.
f r a ct ur e of t he br eak if it p r esen t s a cl o s e gr a in r e
,
s embl in g a pi ece of gl a ss t he t oo l has b een h ar d en ed
p r op er l y B ut in st ea d shoul d the br eak p r esen t a

.
, ,
v er y co a r s e f r act u r e r es embl in g s o m ewh at a p i ece of
hon ey comb the t oo l has been i mp r op er l y h ar d en ed by

,
over h eat in g and in a cas e of thi s kind t he t oo l sm i th

,
is t o bl ame f or t he t oo l br eakin g T oo l s u se d in v er y
.
co l d an d fr o sty w eat h er wi l l br ea k mu ch ea s i er t h an in
w arm w eat h er especi al l y if us ed o uts id e in the O p en

,
ai r .
T O O L SM I T H A N D S T EEL WO RKER 203
N ecessary T ool s .
I h ave o ft en str o l l ed in t o a coun tr y or gen er al bl ack

sm i t h s ho p a n d f o u nd t he bl acksm i t h t r yin g t o f o r g e
a p i e ce of n ea t wo r k by u s in g s i m p l y a h am m er a n d
,
t he an v i l . I t i s q u i t e po s s i bl e t h at a gr eat am o u n t of
wo rk can be a ccomp l i s h ed wi th on l y a h amm er an d
t he a n v i l but t he wo r k i s l i m i t e d a n d v er y o ft en a ft er
,
f o r gin g the a r t i cl e a s n ear t h e s h ap e a s i s po ss i bl e t h e ,
bl a cksm i t h wi l l o ft en w ear ou t a n ew fi l e by fi l in g t he
a r t i cl e t o t h e fini sh e d s h ap e whi l e t he m on ey t h a t he
,
p ay s ou t f or fi l es wo ul d s oon am ou n t u p enou gh t o buy

him a good o u t fi t of a n v i l t oo l s or p ay him f or t he
t i m e it wo u l d t a k e t o m ak e t h em B y h av in g a good
.
o ut fi t of t oo l s a gr eat m any jobs can be d on e in h a l f

,
t he t i m e a n d g iv e a mu ch n ea t er a pp ea r an ce T he .
m o st n ecessar y t oo l s r equ i r ed in t he o r din ar y bl ack

s m i t h S hop ,
a s id e f r o m a g ood a n v i l an d h a m m er a r e
t on gs f or ho l din g d iEer en t s h a p es an d s iz es fu l l er s ,
a n d sw a g es r a n g in g in s iz e f r o m 14 in ch t o 2 in ch es a ,
fl at t er s et h am m er a hot an d co l d chi s el a n d a
, , ,
h ar d y O f co ur s e t h er e ar e a gr eat m any u sefu l t oo l s

.
t h a t I co u l d m en t ion s u ch a s a r e u s e d in l a r g e a n d up
,
t o d a t e shop s but in a sm a l l s hop i t wou l d n ot p ay t o

-
,
keep t h em a l l on h a nd H ow ev er t he on es a l r ea dy
.
,
m en t ion e d s ho u l d a l w ay s b e k ep t on h a nd A n y bl a ck .
s m i t h who i s em p l oy e d in a l ar g e m a chin e l o co m o t iv e , ,
or a ny l a r g e s ho p s ho u l d a l w a y s be on t h e l oo ko u t t o
,
h ave a s good an o ut fi t of t ool s as a nyon e el s e in t he

s ho p an d s o sav e bo rr owin g f r o m a no t h er fi r e A l a
.
,
t ho u gh in s o m e c a s es i t i s n eces s a r y t o bo r r ow bu t ,
wh en bo r r owin g t oo l s fr om a no th er fi r e bear in min d

t o t ake t h em ba ck a s s oon as po s s i bl e o t h er wi s e it m ay ,
cau s e t r o ubl e .
TH E T WE N T I ET H C EN T U RY
Wel ding C ompounds .
T h er e ar e a gr eat m any di ffer en t kin d s of w el din g

co mp o u nd s but t h e k ind t h at i s m o st ex t en s i v el y u s e d
,
an d m o st co mm on l y known i s bo r ax T he bo r a x .
s ho u l d be cr u s h e d t o a fin e p ow d er t o h ave the bes t
r esu l t s a n d i f w r o u gh t i r on d r i l l in gs ( t h at ar e v er y
,
fin e an d f r ee f r o m oi l ) b e m ix e d i t wi l l in cr eas e t he
w el din g qu al i t i es of the bor ax by caus in g the st eel t o
un i t e m o r e r ea di l y .
A l t ho u gh a l l t he in st r u ct ion s t h at I h av e gi ven in
the p r ev io u s ch ap t er s ( in r ef er en ce t o w el d in g ) i s wi th
t he u se of bo r a x t h er e a r e o th er co mpou nd s w
,
hi ch I
h ave u sed wi th gr eat su cces s A w el din g comp oun d .
t h at I wi l l r eco m m end t o th e r ea d er i s t he C l i m ax ,
m an u f a ctu r ed by the C or tl a nd Wel din g C omp ou nd

C o C o r t l a nd N Y
.
, ,
T hi s com po u nd i s v er y v al u abl e
. .
wh en w el din g st eel esp eci al l y wh en t akin g s ep ar a t e

,
h eat s a s t he st eel wi l l u ni t e ver y r ea di l y an d n ot sl ip

,
a w a y a s i s s o m et i m es t h e cas e wh en u s in g p l a in bor a x .
Wh en u s in g the C l im ax Wel din g C o m pou nd be sur e

a n d f o l l ow t he di r ect ion s g i v en by t h e m a n u f a ct u r er
an d a l s o t h e in s t r u ct ion s t h a t I h a v e g iv en in t hi s boo k
in r ef er en ce t o t he w el din g h eat of s t eel .
H ar deni ng C ompounds .
T h er e ar e o mp ou n d s u s ed f or h ar d
m a n y k ind s of c
en in g s t eel a n d m o s t of t h em a r e of no v a l u e S om e .
»
bl a cks m i t h wi l l h ave a cer t a in co mp o und whi ch he

s a y s wi l l t o u gh en t he s t eel a no t h er wi ll s ay he ha s
,
s o m et hin g t h a t wi l l i m p r o v e th e s t eel whi l e o th er s ,
t hin k no m a tt er how t he s t eel i s wo r ke d or h eat e d if i t

,
i s on l y dip p e d in s o m e wond er f u l l iqu id k ep t in a

l ook l i ke a fi sho ry t o the r ea d er but n ever th el es s it
st ,
i s q u i t e t ru e an d I co u l d r el at e o th er su ch h ap p enin gs .
N ow r ea d er t h er e i s p o s i t i v el y no wi t ch cr aft or
, ,
c o mm on sen s e conn ect e d wi t h h ar d enin g co m p o u nd s ,
a s t h ey n ei t h er t o u gh en or i mp r o v e t he st eel ; n ot on l y
a r e t h ey of no v a l u e but t he bl a cksm i t h wo u l d n eed

,
a l mo st a d r u g s t o r e t o m ix s o m e of t h em whi l e t he ,
bl acksm i th works t oo h ar d f or his m on ey t o sp end it on

s u ch r ubbi sh T he bes t h ar d enin g co m p o u nd i s s i m p l y
.
c l ea n co l d w a t er a n d s a l t t o f or m a br in e ; the w a t er
s ho u l d con t a in a s m u ch s a l t a s t h e w a t er wi l l s o ak up
or di s s o l ve . T hi s i s t he best co mp o u nd y et di sco v er e d
t o h ar d en s t eel at a l ow h eat a n d r e a d er bea r in m ind
, , ,
t h at the l ow er t he h e at whi ch s t eel can be h ar d en e d a t

t he t o u gh er it wi l l be an d t hi s i s on e of t he gr eat est
,
s ecr et s conn ect ed wi t h t o u gh enin g st eel K eep t he .
h ar d enin g bath a s cl ea n an d as co l d as p o s si bl e Wat er .
a n d br in e a r e the on l y t w o h ar d enin g co mpo un d s us ed
by t he autho r .
H ow t o Det ermine the T emper of T ool s .
A S mu ch in fo rm at ion coul d be gi ven r egar din g the

s h ap e of t he t oo l a s t he t emp er an d if t ool s a r e t o be , .
m a d e t o cut or w o rk on m at er i al th at is n ot m en t ion ed
in thi s book it woul d be best to fin d out wh at h ard n ess
,
t he m at er i al i s al so if the t ool is t o do its wor k by

s t ea d y p r essu r e a s a l ath e t oo l or by a bl ow f r o m a
h amm er a s a co l d chi s el I f the t oo l i s t o d o it s wo rk

.
by str i kin g it wi t h a h amm er i t mu st be a s cer t a in ed ,
how h eavy the bl ow i s t o be F or ex amp l e if the t oo l .

,
i s stru ck v er y l i gh t l y a l tho u gh t he t oo l i s t o chi p very

,
h ar d m at er i al it can be d r awn out v er y t hin but if the

, ,
bl ow is v er y h eavy t he t o ol m u s t be m a d e h eavy an d
t hi ck a cco r din gl y t o st and t he f o r ce of t h e bl ow
,
.
T O O L SM IT H A N D S T EE L W O R KE R 207
Wh en m akin g t ool s t o wo rk on str an ge m at er i a l i t ,
w i ll be best t o m ake th em on the thi ck an d t emp er

t h em on t he s o ft S id e a f t er whi ch the h ar d n es s of the
,
t em p er can be in cr e a s ed a n d the t hi ckn ess of the t oo l

r ed u ce d t o wh a t ev er g i v es t he w o r km a n ( who i s t o u s e
it ) t he best s at i sfact ion I f it S ho ul d be o t h er wi se by

.
h avin g the t oo l s d r awn out t oo t hin an d t he t emp er

l ef t t oo h ar d cau s in g the t oo l s t o br eak v er y ea sy
, ,
t h er e wi l l be a good m any ch a n ces t o on e if the bl a ck

s m i t h or t oo l d r es s er do es n ot l o s e h i s j ob ,
SO m ake
s u r e an d be on t he sa f e s i d e in t he be ginnin g .T o mor e
f ull y exp l a in : I h av e known bl a cksm i th s t o t ake j o bs
s h ar p enin g gr a ni t e cu t t er s t oo l s a n d a l tho u gh t he
’
,
t oo l s w er e h ar d en ed a n d t emp er e d fi r st cl ass t h ey w er e
d r awn out t oo t hin con sequ en t l y the t oo l s w er e eas i l y
,
br o ken a s the h amm er s u s ed by o r d in ar y gr ani t e cut

,
t er s ar e v er y h eavy an d l i kewi se t he bl ow s th at ar e
,
s t r u ck u pon t he t oo l s a r e v er y h ea vy an d a s gr a n
“
,
i t e t oo l s r e q u i r e a h a r d t emp er in o r d er t o cut or chip

t he st on e t he on l y m et hod t o f a l l back on f or s af ety is
,
t o in cr ea s e the t hi ckn es s of the t oo l by n ot d r awin g it

ou t s o thin .
T h er e ar e t i mes ho w ever wh en it is q ui t e a d i fficul t

p r obl em t o d et erm in e the co rr ect t emp er T ak e f or .
ex am p l e the t oo l sm i t h who i s m akin g or d r es s in g t he

,
c hi s el s i n a l a r g e l o c o m o t i v e s hop wh ,
e n a l a r g e n u m
ber o c f hi s e l s i s b r o u g h t t o h i m t o b e d r ess e d a t o n e
i
t me h e ,
d o es n o t k now i f a c e r t a in c hi s el i s g oin g t o
be us e d in t h e e r e c t in g d ep ar t m e n t o r a t t h e m o t i o n
be c n h .
A c hi se l u s e d in t h e e r e ct in g d e p a r t m en t h a s
t o st a n d a gr eat a m o u n t o f r o u g h u sa g e b y b ein g u se d
f or a w d
e ge b tu do e s n o t c hi p a n y h a r d m a t e r i a l
,
o
m re t a s h n p l i tt in g i r on n u t s t hi s
,
c hi s e l wh e n d r e ss in g
“( an d i t s u s e i s u n d e r s t oo d ) S ho u l d n o t b e d r a w n o u t s o
208 T H E T WE N T I ET H CENTURY
t hin hi sel t h at is t o do fin e chi pp in g an d it may
as a c
,
be cl a ss ed as t he o r din ar y chi s el ( s ee chi sel N o 2 F i g .

,
.
1 6 shown in a no th er ch ap t er of t hi s book ) T he t emp er

, .
sho ul d be d r a wn t o a v er y l i gh t bl u e a l m o s t a y
g r e .
B ut a chi s el u s ed by a m a chini st at t he m o t ion ben ch

can b e d r a wn ou t v er y t hin ( s ee chi sel N o 1 of t he .
s a m e fi gur e a s j u s t p r ev io u s l y m en t ion ed ) T h e r ea s o n .
why t hi s chi s el can be dr awn out s o t hin i s becau s e ,
t he m a chini st as a r u l e is an exp er t in u s in g a chi sel ,
a s h e s tr i kes it s q u ar el y on t he h ea d an d ho l d s it fi rm
t o t he m a t er i al h e i s chi p p in g con s eq u en t l y t he t em p er ,
”
can be l eft h ar d er wi thout f ear of t he chi s el br eak
“
O verheating T ool s .
If at any t i m e t oo l s h a s co l d
of a fl at s ur f a ce su c
chi s el s a x es et c
, ,
beco m e o v er h eat ed wh en h ar d enin g
.
, ,
n ev er a t t emp t t o q u en ch the t oo l in the h ar d enin g b ath
whi l e the st eel i s at su ch a hi gh h eat but r eh ammer

it a t a l ow h eat e qu all y on bo t h s id es t h en t he t oo l ,
i s a l l r i gh t a ga in t o be h eat e d t o h ar d en S ho u l d t he .
t oo l be qu en ch e d or h ar d en e d a t su ch a hi gh h eat it i s ,
v er y a p t t o cr a ck whi l e h ar d enin g or i t wi ll br eak
ver y e a sy wh en in u se T oo l s of i rr egul a r s h ap e su ch
.
a s m i l l in g cutt er s t ap s d i es et c ca nno t be wo r ked

‘
.
, , , ,
o ver a gain wi th the h amm er con s equ en t l y gr eat car e ,
mu st be ex er ci se d wh en h eat in g t o h ar d en or t h e t oo l
wi l l be r u in ed but if the t oo l i s n ot h eat e d hot eno u gh
,
t o h a r d en t he fi r st t i m e n o h ar m i d on e a nd it can be s
h eat e d a gain t o a l i ttl e hi gh er h eat .
C utt ing S t eelWh en C ol d .
C u tt in g t he s t eel col d i s a v er y s at i s f a ct o r y m et ho d ,
w h en ba r s t e el is t o be cut or br ok en in t o c er t a in
'
s t e el is of a p o qual i ty
o r it wi l l S how a dull br o wn
a p p ear a n ce .
T o t est s t eel bar s t h at ar e t oo l ar ge t o br eak col d ,

f or x a mp l e a
e bar t w o in ch es in di amet er, h eat t he
bar t o a d eep ch er r y r ed t h en cut in f r o m al l s id es
,
s ay h a l f an in ch d eep wi t h a hot chi s el t h en l ay t he ,
bar d own t o coo l an d wh en it i s p er f ect l y co l d it m ay

be br o ken by s tr i kin g it wi th a S l ed ge or d r oppin g t he
ba r o v er the a n v i l an d the q u a l i ty or h ar d n es s can be
j g
u d e d a s f o r m er l y ex p l a in e d B ut b e a r in m ind t h at
.
th e s teel m u st n ot be h ea t ed abo ve a d eep ch er r y r ed

( in o r d er t o cut in the n i ck ) or the fr a ctur e w h en
br o ken canno t be j u d ged co r r ect a s a hi gh h eat in t he ,
s t eel woul d m at er i al l y ch an ge the a pp ear an ce an d

f o r m of the fr a ctu r e I a l so wi sh t o a dd wh en cutt in g
.
,
a gr eat a m o u n t of co l d st eel at on e t i m e d a m p en t he ,
cu t t in g ed ge of t he chi sel wi th oi l ; a ga in if u se d wi t h ,
ca r e the chi s el m ay be t emp er ed t o a p u r p l e wi t ho ut
d an ger of breakin g i f mad e fr om steel of the p r op er

h ar d n ess .
O il T empering .
O il t emp er in g, al tho u gh o ft en t al ked abo ut , is a

p r o cess l i ttl e un d er st ood by the av er a ge bl a cksm i t h
or st eel worker gr eat many m ech a ni cs h av e t he
an d a
id ea t h a t oil t emp er i n g i s S i mp l y coo l in g O ff the st eel

in oil aft er the t emp er has been dr awn B ut t o tho se .
who se know l ed ge is ver y l i mi t ed as r egar d s oil t em

p er in g I wi l l gi ve the p r o cess th us : I n so m e l ar ge
, ,
t oo l f a ct o r i es wh er e t emp er in g by co l o r s i s don e aw ay
wi th the t emp er is d r awn on the too l aft er h ar d enin g
,
by p l a cin g it in a vat of heat ed oil t he t emp er can ,
be d r awn t o an y d egr ee a cco r d in g t o t he d egr ee of

h eat t he oil i s h eat ed t o whi ch is r egi st er ed by a t h er
,
mometer attached t o the vat .

T O O L SM ITH A N D S T EE L W O RKE R 21 1
O il t em p er in g d o es n ot r efin e the s t eel in any way

a s s o m e m e ch a ni cs t hin k it do es bu t it h as a n a dvan ,
t a ge in t hi s w ay t he t em p er can be d r awn v er y even

,
l y t o a ny d e gr e e a l s o wh en d r a win g t he t emp er in
,
oil t h e s t eel do es n ot h ave t o be p o l i sh e d .
Drawi ng the T emper over the O pen or B l acksmi th s

’
Fir e .
T he m et hod of d r awin g t he t em p er on t oo l s
o ver the
fi r e i s a v er y u sef u l on e a l t ho u gh a gr e a t m any bl ack
,
s m i th s or t ool dr ess er s ar e n ot a cq u a i nt ed wi th i t as ,
t h ey t hin k t he on l y w a y is t o l et t h e t em p er ru n d own
on i t s own a cco r d I h av e a l r ea d y exp l a in e d t he m et h
.
od m a ny t i m es in t hi s boo k but t h er e a r e a f ew i d ea s
,
I wi sh t o a dd . O f co u r s e t he wo r k th at can be a ccom
p l i sh e d by t hi s m et ho d i s l i m i t e d t o a c er t a in c l as s
of t oo l s ; t ak e f or ex am p l e t oo l s th at a r e p a r tl y h a r d
en ed s u ch a s co l d chi s el s a x es or an y s i m i l a r t oo l s
, , , .
V er y o ft en a t oo l i s d i p p ed a l i ttl e t oo d eep in the

h ar d enin g b at h con sequ ent l y t h er e i sn t enou gh h eat
,
’
l ef t in t he t oo l t o al l ow t he t em p er t o r un down on it s
own a cco r d t o the d es i r ed co l o r an d so t he n ecess ar y ,
t em p er m ust be d r a wn o ver t he fi r e if t he best r esul t s

a r e t o be ex p ect ed .
Wh en d r awin g the t emp er o ver the fir e be careful

n ot t o h av e t oo m u ch bl a z e ( bett er s t i l l t o h av e no
bl a z e ) an d do n ot h a ve a smo ky fir e if it ca n be
,
a v oi d ed bu t in c a s e t he fi r e i s sm o ky h av e a pi ece of
,
cl o t h m a d e st i ff by win d in g a r o u n d it a p i ece of fin e ,
p l i a b l e wi r e
,
s o t h a t wh e n d r a wi n g t h e t em p er o c ca ,
s i on a l l y br u s h t h e t oo l wi t h th e cl o t h ( wh er e the t em
p e r i s t o b e d r a w n ) whi ch ,
wi l l t a k e O H t h e s m o k e a n d
keep the t o ol br i gh t an d al s o all o ,
w the t emper t o be
s ee n an d d r awn wi t h gr ea t er eas e an d ex actn ess A ga i n .
,
wh en d r awin g the t emp er o ver the fir e do n ot hol d ,
the t oo l t oo cl o s e bu t ho l d i t abo ut tw o in ch es abo v e

,
th e s u r f ace of t he fi r e A l s o bear in m ind do n ot gi ve

.
,
t he fi r e t oo st r on g a bl as t ( j u st eno u gh t o k eep t he
fi r e br i gh t is p l en ty ) a s it wi l l d r a w t he t em p er t oo
,
qu i ckl y on t he ex tr em e cutt in g ed ge fi r st D o n ot .
ho l d the t oo l p er f ectl y st i l l wh en dr a wi n g the t emp er

a s th er e m ay b e a hot t er sp o t in on e p l ace in t he fi r e
t h a n a no t h er whi ch wo ul d d r a w t he t emp er in s t r eaks ,
bu t m ov e t he t oo l S id ew a y s or l en gt hw ay s ba ck an d
f o r t h whi ch ev er is best t o su i t t he sh a p e of t he t oo l ,
u n t i l t h e t em p er i s d r awn v er y even l y .
I f on e s i d e of a t oo l i s seen t o be d r a win g the n eces

s a r y t em p er fi r s t l ow er t he o t h er S id e n ear er t o t he
,
fi r e ; t hi s in fo r m at ion wi l l ap p l y m o r e esp eci a ll y t o

t oo l s h av in g a wid e an d u n e qu a l S h ap e A l s o wh en .
d r a win g t he t emp er on t ool s su ch as r o und p u n ch es

,
or a n y s i m i l a r t oo l t h at a r e p a r t l y h ar d en ed keep t he ,
t o ol s l ow l y a n d con t in u a l l y r ev o l v in g ar o u nd in o r d er ,
t o d r a w t he t em p er v er y ev en l y on a l l S id es O th er .
wi s e if a r ou nd t ool i s h el d p er f ectl y st i l l o ver the fir e ,
on e s id e wi l l d r a w t o a bl u e whi l e t he O p po s i t e s id e
wil l onl y h eat t o a st r aw col or u nl ess the tool is very ,
s m al l .
M or e P oi nt s on H am mering S t eel .
Wh en h amm er in g s t eel in the fin i shin g sta ge t o

r efin e i t bear in m ind t o f o r ge t he t oo l a s n ea r t he
,
s h a p e or S iz e a s po s s i bl e whi l e t h e s t eel i s at a br i gh t
y e ll ow h ea t b u t,
l ea v in g t h e t oo l a t r ifl e l a r g e or t hi ck ,
a s t h e t oo l wi ll n at u r a ll y r e qu ir e a l i t t l e stock in o r d er
t h a t t he t oo l wi l l be t h e r i gh t wi d t h or s iz e a ft er bein g
h amm er ed T hi s inf o r ma ti on wi l l a pp l y m o r e p arti e
.
u l ar l y t o t oo l s of a fl at S h a p e .
21 4 TH E T WEN T IET H CENTUR Y
br i tt l e an d whi ch wi l l cause the cutt in g ed ge
fl akey,
of t he t oo l t o br eak m o r e eas i l y wh en p ut in u s e .
V er y o ft en col d chi sel s or s i mi l ar t ool s ar e br ou gh t

t o t he t oo l sm i t h t o be h ar d en ed an d t emp er ed whi ch
w er e f or ged by a noth er m ech a ni c who se know l ed ge
con cer nin g s t eel w a s ver y l i m i t ed
“
N ow if t he best .
”
r esu l t s a r e ex p ect ed do n ot s i mp l y h ar d en an d t em
p e r t he chi s el a s t he chi s el m u st l i kewi s e b e ham
,
m er ed B ut t he t ool sm i t h wi l l s ay t he chi s el i s al r ea dy
.
d r awn out thin enou gh but w e wi l l s uppo se it is h eat

, ,
t he chi s el t o a br i gh t ch err y r ed h eat a n d up s et it a

l i t t l e whi ch wi l l gi ve a l i tt l e st o ck t o a l l ow it t o be
,
h amm er ed t o t he r i ght S iz e a ga in al so by u p sett in g , ,
t h e chi s el wi l l h el p t o t ake ou t a n y l i gh t st r a in s whi ch

m ay h av e been p u t in t he st eel by t he m an who f o r ged
t he chi s el .
A ga in wh en h amm er in g st eel d o n ot u s e t oo l i gh t a
,
h amm er a s it is on l y t i m e l o st A h amm er w ei ghin g .
t w o po u n d s i s p l en t y l i gh t eno u gh a n d wh en h a m m er ,
in g co l d chi sel s ( u n l es s v ery fin e ) a l w ay s s tr i ke l ev el ,
a n d as h ar d a s y ou can in o r d er t o p a ck a n d r efin e t h e
,
s t eel su ffi ci en t l y B ea r in m ind wh en h amm er in g t oo l s

.
t h a t h av e a fl at su r f a ce f or t he l a st t i m e n ev er s tr i k e ,
on e bl ow e d g ewi se bu t s t r i k e ev er y bl ow on t he fl at
s ur f a ce an d bo t h s id es t he s am e .
H ow to I mpr ove .
I mp r o vemen t i s t he gat ew ay of t r ue s u ccess in ev er y

art , t r a d e or p r o f es s i on , a n d whi ch a pp l i es esp ec i a l l y
t o the t oo l sm i t h i mp r ove the t ool smi th m u st be

. T o ,
d evot ed t o his wo rk an d gi ve it his whol e m in d an d

a t t en t io n a s no t oo l s m i th wi l l ev er be a su ccessf ul
,
s t e el wo r ker if he a ll ow s hi m s elf t o beco m e di scon

,
te n t e d b y t hi n k in g t h at s om e o th er busi ness or tr ad e is
bett er t h a n hi s ow n , oronl y w o rks at his own

if he
t r a d e t o m ake a l i vin g an d con s equ en tl y al l t he t i m e
,
l oo kin g f or q u i tt in g t i m e an d p ayd ay .
T o t he t oo l sm i t h who i s d et er m in ed t o i mp r o ve a n d
be in t he fr on t r a n k I wi sh t o gi ve thi s a d vi ce fi r st
, ,
of a l l r ea d an d s tu d y t hi s boo k fr o m beg innin

g t o en d ,
d o n ot s i mp l y r ea d it on ce but r ea d it m any t i m es un t i l
y ou h a ve t he con t en t s a l mo st by h ear t a n d p ut the ,
in st r u ction s in t o p r a ct i ce I f you ar e m akin g or dr ess

.
in g any t oo l t h at is m en t ion ed in t hi s book an d it

S ho ul d h app en t o break or in an
y o th er w ay n ot gi ve
sa t i sf a ct ion s o m ewh er e in t h es e p a ges
, y ou wi l l find
t he ca u se of yo ur t r o ubl e B ut i f y ou ar e m akin g a
.
t oo l n ot m en t ion ed in t hi s boo k an d it s ho ul d br eak ,
fin d out t he r easo n it br oke a l s o fin d out how t he t oo l ,
do es it s work an d if th er e is a w eak poin t in t he t oo l .
V er y o ft en a t oo l wi ll br eak a l th ou gh it i s m a d e fr o m
,
t he best q ua l i ty of st eel an d i t i s p r op er l y f o r g ed h a r d ,
e n e d an d t em p er ed a n d s o a l w ay s r em ember t o m ake
,
a t oo l t h at i s a p t t o br ea k a s s t r on g a s po s s i bl e in
ev er y w ay an d do n ot t em p er t he t oo l a ny h ar d er t h a n
,
“
j u st eno u gh t o do t he wo r k .
A ga in wh en t r y in g t o i m p r o ve d o n ot a ccep t t he
,
a d v i ce of ev er y T om D i ck or H a r r y a s be in g the best
,
w ay wi t ho u t fi r s t g i v in g i t a t r i al no m att er if t he
, ,
”
a d v i ce do es com e fr o m t he f or em an s up er in t end
“
,
en t or t he m a s t er m ech a ni c T he m a n a g er of t he com
.
p a ny who m y o u a r e em p l oy e d wi t h m a y be co m p et en t
t o r un t he bu s in es s su cces sfu l l y bu t r em ember in 1 9 , ,
ca s es ou t of 20 h e know s no t hin g a bo u t s t eel f r o m a
p r a ct i ca l st an dpoin t wi th t he ex cep t ion of wh at he has

,
b e en t o l d T he t oo l s m i t h who t akes ev er y bo d y s a d vi ce
’
.
wi tho ut gi v in g i t a t r i al by t r yin g t o p l eas e everybo dy ,
wi l l n ever i mp r ove or meet wi th success T o imp r o ve .

an d beco m e an e x p ert t oo l sm i t h , l earn al l y ou can
o
ab ut wo rkin g st eel ,
as it i s bet t er in t h ese day s of
g eat
r co mp et i t ion t o be m a st er of on e t r a d e t h an a
J ack of al l tra des N ever s ay to your sel f I can t do

.
’
t hi s j ob or I ca n t dot h at but go ah ea d an d t r y ; d o
’
,
y o u r bes t an d i f y ou f a i l a l w a y s t r y g
a a i,
n un t i l y u
o
a cco mp l i s h t he w o r k in a fi r st cl a ss a n d s at i sf a ct o r y
m a nn er . B ear in m ind t h at su ccess i s r ea ch ed by

o v er comin g d i fficul t i es T he author has ha d m any a
.
h ar d t r i al an d d iffi cul ty t o o ver come conn ect ed wi th

s t eel but by h ar d wo r k d eep st u dy a nd p er s ever a n ce
, ,
ha s been cr own e d wi t h su ccess .
T he B l acksmi th
’
s H el per .
A w i l l in g in t el l i gen t h el p er i s a gr eat h el p t o
and
an y bl a cksm i t h an d v er y o f t en t he wo r k can be a o
,
co m p l i sh e d wi t h gr eat er e as e a n d qu i ck er th an i f a
bl a cksm i t h has a don t car e an d a d ul l m in d ed so r t of

’
a f el l ow f or hi s h el p er an d f or t he t oo l fir e t he h el p er
,
s ho ul d be fu l l y up t o t he a ver a ge f or in t el l i gen ce .
I kn ow h el p er s who h ave bet t er i d eas con cer nin g

how t he work shoul d be don e t h an a gr eat m any bl a ck
s m i t h s t h em s el v es an d v er y o f t en a bl a cksmi t h has
,
been gr eat l y ind ebt e d t o his h el p er f or cer t a in i d eas .
N o bl a cksm i th shou l d h ave a h el p er who m he has got t o

be t ea chin g or t el l in g al l t he t i m e how t o st r i ke n ei th er ,
s ho u l d a h el p er be h el pin g a n o v er be ar in g bl a cksm i th ,
as I h ave known som e bl a cksmi ths t o be ch an gin g

h el p er s every w eek or tw o becau se the h el p er w oul d ,
r at h er l o s e hi s j ob t h an h el p a bl acksm i t h who was
c on t in u a l l y u s in g him m o r e l i ke a m achin e t h an a
br o t h er sho p m at e I h ave ha d h el p er s h el pin g me

.
on t he t o ol fir e f r om one y e ar s en d t o the oth er an d

’
,
h and d r i l l s ( or a n y s i m i l ar dr i l l ) be car eful n ot t o h eat

t o a hi gh y el l ow a ny f a r t h er ba ck fr o m th e cutt in g
e d ge t h a n of an in ch B ut wh en d r es s in g a l ar ge
.
hand d r i l l su ch as a m in er s h and d r i ll it w il l h ave

’
,
t o be h eat ed a cco r d i n g t o the s iz e .
H ar deni ng V ery S mall or T hi n T ool s .
Wh en h ar d enin g v er y fin e t oo l s h ave a sm al l can ,
of co l d w a t er or br in e p l a ce d as cl o se a s p o ss i bl e t o
t he fi r e t h en the t oo l can be qu en ch e d i mm edi a t el y

,
a f t er i t l ea v es t he fi r e O t h er wi s e v er y t hin t oo l s wi l l
.
n ot ho l d the n eces s ar y h e a t ( whi ch is r eq u i r e d t o

h ar d en t h em su cces sfull y ) l on g en ough t o r ea ch t he
o r din ary h ar d enin g bath .
M ore I nformati on A bout C ol d C hi sels .
A l t ho u gh I h a ve giv en m o r e in fo r m at ion con cer nin g

a c o l d chi s el t h a n a n y o t h er t oo l m en t ion e d in t hi s
boo k I h ave don e s o becau s e t h er e i s no on e t oo l whi ch

,
r e q u i r es s o mu ch s ci en ce or S ki ll a s a co l d chi s el I .
know s o m e t ool sm it hs who h a ve wo r ke d s t eel f or f o r ty

y ear s an d y et n ever l ear n ed t o m ak e a col d chi sel t h a t
wo ul d chip a ny m at er i a l h a r d er t h a n or din ary east
s t e el an d ev en t h en i t w a s on l y gu es s wo r k N ow .
,
r ea d er I w a n t t o i mp r es s d eep l y on yo u r m ind t h at
, ,
c o l d chi sel s c a n b e m a d e t o chi p f r om t h e s o f t es t known
m a t er i a l up t o t h e h a r d est of chi l l ed m et a l bu t t he ,
chi sel s t o do t hi s wo r k su cc ess f u ll y m u s t v a r y in s o f t
n ess or h ar dn es s of t emp er a cco r din g t o the h ar dn ess

of t h e m at er i a l t o be chi pp e d a n d a l s o v a r y in s h a p e
,
a c co r din g t o t he w e i gh t of t h e b l ow st r u ck by t h e ha m
m er . T h er e a r e a gr e at m a ny m ech a ni cs who t hin k

t h er e i s s o m e w ay of m ak in g an d t emp er in g a co l d
chi sel so t h at i t
wi l l chi p ev er yt hin g wi tho ut br eakin g
or be in g t oo s o ft T hi s i s a gr eat m i s t a ke a s i t i s
.
,
i m po s s i bl e f or on e co l d chi s el t o chi p ev er y k ind of

m at er i al an d at the s am e t i m e gi v e s at i sf a ct o r y r esul t s .
I n s t ea d w e must h ave a n umber of col d chi sel s an d

e a ch on e m a d e f or a cer t a in u se .
T he difi er ent s h a p es of chi s el s a s i ll u str a t e d in an

o t h er ch ap t er of thi s book wi l l be fo und t o gi ve t he
,
v er y best r es ul ts if m a d e a cco r din g t o t he in s t r u ct ion s
a n d ea ch chi s el u sed f or i ts own p ar t i cu l ar p ur p ose .
B l a cksm i th s an d o r d in ar y t oo l d r ess er s a s a r ul e n ev er
t ake t he sh ap e of a chi s el in t o con s id er a t ion ; co u s e
qu en t l y t h ey wi l l ver y o ft en m ake a chi s el v er y t hin
,
wh en it is r equ i r ed t o be m a d e t hi ck or v i ce v er s a .
Wh en m akin g chi s el s or any o th er t oo l bear in m ind ,
t h at no m a tt er h ow good t he q u a l i t y of the s t eel m ay

be or how w el l it m ay be wo r ke d h ar d en ed or t em ,
p er e d t he s t r en gt h of t he t oo l i s a l w ay s l i m i t ed con
, ,
s e q u en t l y a t hin chi s el wi ll a l w ay s br eak mu ch ea s i er
t h a n a t hi ck on e e sp eci a l l y wh en gi ven h ar d an d r o u gh
u s a ge . O f co u r s e t he gen er a l or co u n t r y bl a cks m i t h
who i s m akin g chi s el s for f ar m er s an d o t h er s ca nnot ,
t el l how t h e chi sel i s goin g t o be u sed or wh a t m a t er i a l

i t i s t o chi p t h er ef o r e t he chi sel m u st n ot b e m a d e t oo
,
t hin or t oo t hi ck ; it m us t be m e di um whi ch I h av e ,
cl as s e d a s t he o r din a r y or f ar m er s chi s el a nd
’
,
whi ch s hou l d be t em p er e d t o a l i ght bl ue .
N ev er t em p er a co l d chi s el a bo ve a l i gh t bl u e un l ess
y ou k now f or c er t a in i t i s t o c hip v er y h ar d c a s t s t eel
or c a s t i r on A chi s el t o chi p v er y h ar d cast s t eel of
.
a bo u t on e p er c en t ca r bon s ho u l d be t em p er e d t o a
,
d a r k bl u e T he co l d chi s el N o 4 a s i l l ust r a t ed in F i g
. . .
1 6 whi ch wi l l be f o u nd in a no t h er ch a p t er of t hi s boo k ,
i s u s e d f or ex ceedin gl y h a r d a n d r o u gh ch ip p in g t he ,
s h ap e wi ll a l so ap p l y to l on g chi sel bar s su ch as ar e

u s ed in t he er ect in g d ep ar tm en t s of l o co m o t i v e s ho p s ,
an d a chi s el bar f or t hi s p ar t i cu l a r p ur p o s e S ho ul d be
t emp er ed t o a v er y l i gh t bl u e or a l mo st a gr ey a s a ,
chi s el bar d o es n ot h av e t o cu t or chip a n y h ar d m a
t er i al but it i s g i v en ver y r o u gh u s a g e con s equ en t l y

, , ,
it must be ma d e wi t h a v er y s ho r t t ap er an d t emp er ed
ver y l ow in o r d er t o keep i t f r o m br eakin g .
A l w ay s r em ember t h at if a chi sel ( or an y o t h er t oo l )

i s p r op er l y h ar d en ed t he chi sel wi l l st a nd fi r st cl ass
,
ev en if t he t em p er i s n ot d r a wn t o t he ex a ct co l o r .
B ut if t he chi sel i s i mp r op er l y h ar d en ed by bein g o v er

heat ed it wi l l n ever s t and or d o good wo r k no m att er
,
wh at t emp er i s d r awn aft er w ar d s s o make sur e the ,
chi s el i s p r op er l y h ar d en ed .
A l t ho u gh st eel of 7 5 poin t car bon i s bes t f or m akin g

a l l kind s of co l d chi s el s on a cco u n t of s o m e b ar s of
,
o ct agon st eel bein g much hi gh er in car bon t h an o th er s

it i s al m ost i mp os s i bl e t o al w ay s m ake chi s el s f r o m
s t eel of t he p r op er h ar dn es s a n d s o I wi s h t o say t o
,
the bl acksm i th or t ool dr es s er an y t i m e y ou h av e t o

,
d r ess or m ake a co l d chi sel f r om ver y hi gh car bon

st eel ( s ay on e p er cen t ) h a r d en it a t a s l ow a h ea t
a s i t wi l l h a r d en a t su cces sf u l l y a n d a l w ay s l et t he
,
t emp er r un down l ow er . F or o r din ar y u s e l et t he

.
t emp er of a chi s el m a d e f r o m hi gh ca r bon st eel d r aw

t o al m os t a gr ey an d it wi l l g i v e goo d r esu l t s but bea r ,
in m in d n ever make a chi s el fr om hi gh car bon s t eel

wh en it i s po ssi bl e t o m ake on e fr om st eel of the
p r op er carbon f or t hi s r eas on a chi s el m a d e fr om hi gh
, ,
ca rbon st e el wi l l k eep br e akin g or s p l i tt i n g O ff a t t h e
en d whi ch i s s tr u ck by t he h am m er Wh en d r essin g
.
col d chi s el s al w a y s cut off the ol d cut t in g ed g e a ft er

,
t h e c hi s el i s d r a w n ou t t o t he r i gh t t hi ckn es s bef o r e
222 T H E T WEN T I ET H CENTURY
D e s c r i pt i o n of t oo l . C l
o or o f t e m pe r
C hi s e l , m a chi n i s t s ’
co ld L i ght b uel
C h i s el f a r m ers
’
,
or d i n a ry or
co ld L i ght l
b ue
l boi l er m ake s col d L i ght b l ue
’
C h i se r
C h i s el bl ack s m i th s h ot L i gh t bl ue
’
,
C h i s l bl ck m i th s col d b l ue
’
e , a s L i g ht
C h i s el r a i l roa d t ra ck
,
L i gh t b l ue
C h i s el l i m es t one
, L i g ht bl u e
C h i s el s a n d s t on e
,
L i gh t bl u e
C hi s el o d i n a r y g ra ni te
, r L i gh t st r a w
C h i el m arb l e
s , V er y l i gh t str aw
C h i s el D ar k b l ue
’
ca p en t er s
, r
C h i s el b i ck , r L i gh t b l ue
C l a mp b ol t , L i gh t bl ue
C l eave but ch e s
’
r r
C l i pp e s bl acks m i th s bol t l
’
r , b ue
C l i nch cut ter , bl u e
C u tt er o di nary m i ll i ng
,
r D a rk s t ra w
C ut ter , pipe P ur p le
C ut ter , h ors esh oer s
’
h oof l
b ue
Di e , or di na ry t hr ea d i n g D ark str aw
D i gg i n g bars L i gh t l
b ue
D ri ll twi st ,
P ur p le
D i ll or di na r y fi a t
r ,
P ur p l e
D i ll s of t r ock well
r ,
D ar k b ue l .
D i ll s m a ll g rani t
r ,
e s tr a w
D r i ll l i m es t on e h a n d
,
L i gh t l
b ue
D i ll
r l i mestone ball
,
L i gh t bl ue
D i ll
r ,
. L i ght bl ue
D ri ll s ma ll ,
m arbl e V e ry l i g ht s t ra w
H a mm er , g ra n i t e b us h L ight s t ra w
H mm er l i mes t on e
a ,
b uel
H amm er or d i nar y ,
s tr a w
H a mm er m ach i n i s t s ,
’
l
b ue
H a mmer b l acks mi th s L ig ht b l ue
’
H a mm er car wh ee l i ns p ect or s bl u e
’
,
L i ght
L i g ht b l ue
woodworkers L i ght b l ue
’
H a tch et s,
TO O L SM IT H A N D S T EE L WO RKER 23
De s cri pti on o f t oo l . C l
o or o f t e m pe r
Ja ws b acks m i th s
, l ’
vi s e D a rk l
b ue
Ja ws , pipe vi s e D ark b l ue
K ni f e, p r un i ng L i g ht b l ue
b l ue
’
K n i fe, but ch ers L i g ht
K n i f e, p ock et L i g ht b l ue
K n i f e, d ra w L i ght bl ue
D a rk b l ue
’
K n i fe, h ors es hoers
K nife, ca r p ent ers
’
p l a ne D a rk b l ue
h a rness m a k er s D a rk bl ue
’
K ni f e ,
M au l , l
r a i r oa d s p i ke L i g ht b l ue
P i ck , d i rt L i gh t b l ue
P i n, fl ue exp a nder D a rk b l ue
P i ncers , h orses h oers bl u e
’
L i ght
P i t ch i ng l l i m es tone t oo , L i gh t bl ue
P i tch i ng t ool s a n d s ton e ,
L i ght bl u e
P l a ner t ool s oft s t one r ough ,
i ng L i g ht s t ra w
P l aner t oo l ,
or d i n a r y ma
ch i n i sts
’
C op p er
l
P i er s , wi re . . L i ght b lue
P oi nt , gr a n i te L i g ht s tr a w
l i m es tone or s a nds t one

P oi nt , . L i ght l
b ue
P unch boi l erma k ers bl ue
’
,
P unch n a i l ,
L i ght bl u e
b oi l ermakers
’
P unch ,
ch i ne
P unch , s a w g umm i ng
P unch , or d i na r y cent er
R az or
R ea me r , or d i na r y
Ro ll s ,
fl ue exp a n der
S c r a p er , w ood
S crew d r i ver
S et , n a i l
S et , br i ck l a y er s ’
S h ea r b l a des
S nap , b oi le r mak er s ’
r i v et
S p ri ng , g um ( s ee s p r i n gs as
l
i l us tra ted ) V er y l i g h t b l ue
0
D e s cr i pt i on of t oo l . C l
o or o f t em per C a r bon
S p r i ng , ( s ee trap s p r i ng s as
i ll us t ra t ed ) V er y l i g h t bl u e
T ap , or d i na ry t h re a d i ng D a rk s tr a w
T l
oo , w oodturners
’
l ath e D ark b uel
T ool or di nar y machi ni s ts ’
,
l athe
T oo l , s tone l a t he
Wr ench , a ll i gator
T abl e of t oo l s on t in u ed whi ch a r e p ar tl y
c , or wh oll y
har d en ed but h ave no t emp er d r awn .
D escri p t i on of t oo l .
C hi s el , co ld , ve hard meta l
f or exces s i
C hi s el f or very h ar d gra ni t e
’
, st onecutt ers ,
C utter, mi ll i ng h eavy f orme d ,
C utter, mi ll i ng f or h ard met a l ,
D i es , f org i ng
D ri ll l arge hand for grani te o hard r ock
, ,
r
D r i ll mi ners cross f or g ran i te or hard r ock

’
, ,
Dr i ll w ell f or h a rd r ock
, ,
Dr i ll machi ni s ts fl at for v ery h ar d ma ter i a l

’
, ,
Fi le
H ammer s tonecutters ma sh ,
’
.
H ammer or di na ry s t one ,
Pi C k mi ll, 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
R eamer h eavy t apered for h a r d mat er i a l

, ,
R eamer f or g rani te or har d r ock

,
R as p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
S cr ape r f or cas t i r on or s tee l .
S crat chawl f or cas t i r on

S hare, l p ow .
anv i l ls
’
S t ak e , f or dres si ng s t one cutt er s t oo
l butchers
S t ee ,
’
T ool ma ch i ni s ts l ath e f or ha r d ca s t i r on
’
, ,
T ool m achi ni s ts p l aner f or h a r d cas t i r on

’
, ,
T ool gr a ni te p i tch i ng
,
T ool s stone carver s fi ne

’
.
,
r t l T o A n n ea l H a d S ee
e a t c h e rr y red b u r d u s t o r a h e s to cool s lo w let s teel l a lo ge r

.
y y
th a o ss b l e
n
H
p i
to
rd
and
ls t l
i n
T o H en
s
T oo or S
N m er in fi re my n
l y s h ea t s teel s lo w in c h arr e d co a l co l i n co l ill r in c t teel le d is

a ee
w a
er good to hea t stee l
A h a a s best ree a W u as s C ra G H ot
v y
t t l in
T o H r ea S ee fo r H a rde m n g o r T e m pe i ng
ake ir n o r i e c e h ea y ga s pip e put t ool s in p a c k ch ar co a l ar o u d t h em h e t o r ip e

.
until t ls get h e ted in c e ter th en d ip t l s in solu ion

T an o box p of v , , n , a box p
pi c ni bi o l d e al w ay s h e t e d g e l y ou W ill s p r in g i t an d
t
e e k fe t r b a a fi re
oo a n , oo
y
pi ec e b l ad e bit knife a l w ays d ip t w rd th e north
For fl a t
fla t
, , , a on I f you fla t on ,
for
h e y roun d pi ece stir w ater a whirl th en plunge tool in ce t r o f hirl W ill not
, , or o a
For av ,
to , n e w It
G UI DE FO R H A RDEN I N G C H A RT A
igh stee l t o l st e e l h eated uench ed in w ater ke pt th ere until cool ed W ill be h rd en ed an d
.
refi n ed sm ll cry stal s

H
( a
( o
)
) , q and a
sl r ss
R e u ti n g H
s a dne r . r H ea t U ed
A pp e a an ce o f Frac tu e
h ard al m ost brittl e

Excessw e ly ,
o arse grain W ith fi ery l ustre C ,
T
easily
h a d fo r u se W ill break
oo i G
fi e ry
ram open bu t not s o c arse o or
e o or ge
, ,
Y ll w O ra n
T h ard fo r use no t strong rain c arse b u t W ith so me

G
eno u gh
not
fi ery l ustre
oo , o ,
V ery h ard str n g enou gh in e grain c l ear th ou gh fi ery

F
lu stre
, o r , no
ery stron g h a d enou gh e cep t

V rain
G th e uts i de b ut
fin e
in m i dd l e in th e m iddl e
, r x on o ,
not
L ow Red
tr n ger th n
S h r d bar , r n s e th e
G m
enou gh
o a not a ai a as b ar
G UI DE FO R T EM PERI N G C H A RT B .
coof rres igh

ponH stee l fter h ard enin g b e tem p ere d as d es i re d by s lo wly h eatin g i t in th e p en fi re un t il th e
d n g c olo r pp e rs h e te d in , a
t ll w th ese c lo rs pp
,
ear b ut
m ay
in d c tions
o
th e ri gh t h e t gi en b el w
i
a a re as
a a
v
If
o
a O il or a o , o do not a , i a
13 6 8 1 8 113 3 0 0 e mp .
o f T e mp e r .
T
A B O UT
R C o ndi ti on o f O il or T all ow .
V ery hi gh irst begin s sm ke F to o
Da rk s mo ke ri ses a
M re b u d n t d ark s ke mo
ri ses
o a n a
M ed umi .
d Thick b l ack l ume of sm ke

ppears
vo o
M I1
a
L ig h t or S ky B l u e .
Wil l a h i f ame
O il fl s fl is apph ed.
Will c n t in ue b urn to
ee o r ig e ue
o
D p P on B l
( lo w es t T e m p e r U u d ) .
S f
80 “
o t d ead or
( S ho wn Re d H
c ie
B la k O x d
0“ in a Dark P11 0 0. )
T Draw T e m pe r
i t is pi ece kni fe bl ade o
h eat h e y r n l ay t l edge up dr w d r k
.
to
str w c ol r hi t, on a a
If a fl at ,
or a av i o ,
oo ,
a o
TO O L SM ITH A N D S T EEL WO RK ER 25
Work ng
i
S teel at N ight .
C ons i d er in g t h at the autho r has don e a gr eat deal of

t oo l m akin g a t ni gh t the t oo l s h ave n ever been of s u ch
,
a goo d q u al i t y or gi ven su ch good s at i sfa ct ion a s wh en
m a d e in d ay l i ght A l tho u gh t h er e i s a cer t a in cl ass

.
of t oo l s whi ch can be m a d e wi t h gr eat er su ccess t h an
ot h er s for examp l e t ake m in er s t oo l s T h ese t oo l s

,
’
.
a r e a s a r ul e h ar d en ed but n ot t emp er ed T h er efo r e .
t he h eat in t he st eel can be seen m o r e cl ea r l y at ni gh t

t h a n the d i ff er en t co l o r s of the t emp er Dr awin g t he .
t em p er on t oo l s aft er n i gh t i s v er y h ar d on the ey e
s i gh t an d even t h en t he co rr ect co l o r i s v er y o ft en
gu es sed at .Wh en t emp er in g by co l o rs ( if po ss ibl e at

a l l ) ar r an ge y our w o r k s o t h at the t emp er in g m ay
,
be d on e whi l e t h er e i s goo d d ay l i gh t an d t hi s r ul e ,
wi l l app l y mo r e esp eci al l y t o the t oo l smi th wh en the

d ays ar e sho rt if t he best r esul ts ar e r equi r ed T oo .
m u ch l i ght at the t oo l fir e i s n ot goo d Wh en t h er e is .
t oo mu ch l i gh t h ave a bl in d put up at t he win d ow

whi ch wi l l act as a sh ade an d whi ch wi l l app l y mo r e
es p eci all y wh en t he sun i s shinin g di r ect l y on t he fir e .
A Few Words in Reference t o B urnt S teel .
T h er e ar e a gr ea t many st eel worker s, who ar e al ways

l ookin g f or s om e m ethod or co mpou nd t o r est or e
bur n t st eel an d so for the r ea der ’

s ben efi t, I wi l l
i
g ve the in fo rm at ion : T he meanin g of
f o ll ow in g
”
bur n t s t eel i s st eel t h at h as been h eat ed t o a hi gh er
h ea t th an wh at it wo ul d s t and thus wh en the st eel is , ,
bu r n t it fa l l s or fl i es t o pi eces wh en bein g s tr u ck by
the h amm er .
T he best meth od the auth or has yet d i sco ver ed is ,

226 TH E T WEN T I ET H C ENT URY
bei ng car eful fi r st p l ace n ot t o burn it as an

in the ,
o un ce of p r event ion is Wo r t h a p ound of cur e T he .
n ex t bes t m ethod i s cu t off a l l t he st eel t h at is bur n t

, ,
a s it i s on l y t i m e l o st t r yin g t o r est o r e i t t o it s n atu r a l
sta t e an d t he t i m e l o st i s of m o r e va l u e t h a n t he st e el
, .
S upp o s in g it sho u l d be r est o r ed su ccessful l y but bear ,
in mind t h at st eel wh en on ce bu rnt is n ever as good

,
a s t he st eel in i t s o r din ar y n at u r a l st at e .
S peci al M ethods of H ar dening T ool s and S t eel G oods .
T he f o l l owin g r em ar ks m ay s er v e as an a mp l ifica
t io n of t he gen er a l
p r in cip l es al r ea dy enun ci at ed a n d ,
a s an exp l a n a t io n of the s p eci al m ethod s T he p r o c .
es s es t o be d es cr i bed h av e j us t ifi ed t h em s el ves al ,
tho u gh it cann ot be s a i d d efini t el y t h at o t h er m ethod s

m i gh t n ot s er v e as w el l I n c on si d er in g th e qu esti on
.
I sh a ll p ass f r o m p ar t i al t o t o t al fr o m the s i mp l er t o ,
the m or e di fficul t h ar d enin g an d sh all a ll u d e t o the ,
h ar d enin g of cert a in steel good s for t he sake of com

p l et en ess .
Fil e C utters
-
C hi sel s .
T h es e h ar d ened in w at er t o a d ep th of f r om 1 5
ar e
t o 20 m m a cco r din g t o t h ei r s iz e a ft er bein g r a i s e d

.
, ,
t o a d ul l r ed h eat w hi ch mu st be u ni fo r m o v er t he
,
w ho l e wi d t h of the ed ge whi ch i s t he onl y p a r t h a r d

,
en ed T he chi s el s a r e t emp er ed a t a p ur p l e r e d on
.
r e d h ot i r on
-
T h ey ca n be gr o u nd down a bout 8 m m
. .
,
a ft er whi ch f r es h h a r d enin g i s w a n t ed .
B ef o r e t hi s r eh ar d enin g the ed ge must be f o r ged

t hinn er as i t ha s al r e a dy beco m e t oo t hi ck by w e ar
,
an d gr indin g A t thi s t i m e t oo t he sh a n k is f o r g e d
.
, ,
ou t s m oo t h a ga i n. I f t he sh a n k ha s been h a r d en ed i t
m i gh t fly t o the d an ger of the ey e or h a nd of the fil e

,
cut t er H en ce it is a mi s t ake t o bel i ev e th at a h ar d

.
TO O L SM IT H A N D S T EEL WO RKER 227
en e d sh ank of a fil e cutter -
’
s c hi sel l ast s l on ger t ha n
a n unh a r d en ed s h a n k .
Paper and T obacco K ni ves and S hears .
L on g a r t i cl es of th ese kind s ar e best h eat ed in a

cu p o l a an d kep t t h er e t i l l t he e d ge ha s r ea ch e d t he
h ar d enin g t emp er atur e T h ese cutt i n g t ool s h ave gen

.
or a l l y ho l es a n d sl ot s in t h em w h er eby t h ey a r e fix e d
in t o the machin e S o th at the t hin ed ges of th es e a p er

.
t ur es m ay n ot get ho t t er t h an the s o l i d m et al n ea r
t h em t h ey sho ul d be st opp ed wi t h l o a m bef o r e h ea t
,
in g . T he h ar d enin g i s d on e in w a t er or in di fficul t ,
c a s es in t al l ow in t o whi ch the kn i f e is put ho r izon

, ,
t a l l y wi th it s back o ut w ar d s .
F or t emp er in g w e u s e a r e ct an gul ar i r on fr am e ,
s o m ewha t l o n g er t h a n t he kni f e S ev er al ho l es a r e cut .
bel ow in t he s id es of t he fr am e an d fir e bar s r es t on ,
-
bear er s a l i ttl e w ay a bo v e t he ho l es T hi s p er m i t s the .
a cces s of a ir t o t he co a l fir e whi ch is ma d e in the box

-
.
Wh en a suffi ci ent gl ow i s got t w o thin i r on bar s a r e ,
l a id a cr o ss the box a n d t h e kni v es ar e l a id on t h em

wi th th ei r ba cks d ownw a r d s T h er e th ey r em a in t i ll .
th ei r ed ges a pp ea r v io l et A no t h er w ay i s t o l ay t he
.
kni v es fl a t s o t h at on l y h al f t he wi d th of the l ow es t
,
kni f e i s o ver th e fi r e T he s econd h al f co ver s the fi r st

.
,
t he t hi r d th e s econ d a n d s o on s o t h a t on l y t he ba cks
, ,
of th e kn i ves ar e expo s e d t o th e di r ect h e a t of th e fir e ,
t he e d ges be in g h eat ed by cond u ct ion on l y T he r e a .
s on i s t h a t t h e ed ge must be h ar d a n d the r est of t he
kni f e s o ft an d t ou gh .
S ho r t kni v es a r e dip p ed v ert i cal l y in t he h ar d enin g

l iqu i d .
S ho r t thi ck sh ea r bl a d es a r e h ea t e d wi t h t he cut t in g
-
si d e d ownw ar d s in an o pen fo r ge fire o n l y at t he ed ge , ,

228 TH E T WEN T I ET H C EN
’
T U RY
but n ot boun d i n g t he
h eat ed p ar t t oo cl os el y T he .
e d ge i s th en dipp e d ho r izon t al l y in t o t he h a r d enin g
l iqu id t he p r o ces s bein g s i m i l ar t o th at us ed f or chi s

,
el s an d p l an e i r on s .
S tamps .
S t amp s can be cl ass ifi ed fr o m t h ei r

hi ef ch ar act er s c
a s f ol l ow s z— P un ch es u s ed
f or m akin g ho l es in m et a l .
T he sh ap e an d s iz e of t h e fl a t gr ou nd su r fa ce co r r e
s p on ds t o ,an d d et er m in es t he sh ap e a n d s iz e of t he
hol e ma d e an d of t he pi ece of m et al p un ch ed out

, .
S t amp s a r e m atr i ces w o r ked by the h an d l i ke a chi sel ,

.
T h ey co n s i st of sho r t st eel r o d s w i t h wo r kin g f a ces of

t he p r o p er f o r m a n d ar e u s ed p r in cip al l y f or m akin g
,
ho ll ow bodi es an d f or in scr i bin g l ett er s on met al an d ,
o rn am en tin g it by i nl ayin g S t r i ctl y sp eakin g the

.
,
a l r ea dy d escr i bed s t ampin g h amm er s co m e in t o t hi s
cl as s . I n m a ny cas es t he gr a d u al a ct ion of a l a r ge
,
number of w eak bl ow s w i th the hammer may be a d

v an t a g eou sl y r ep l ace d w i t h the a i d of a m a chin e by a
, ,
s in gl e p ow er ful i mp ul s e or p r essur e in w hi ch cas e t h e ,
f o r m t o be gi v en i s d et er m in ed by a ma tr ix or di e .
S t amp s in cl u d e bot h mat r i ces an d r el i ef d i es F or .
s t a m p in g m et al but t on s j ew el r y o r n a m en t s et c
, ,
m at ,
.
,
r i ces ar e g e n er a l l y u s e d ( r a r el y r el i ef di es ) a n d ,
a r e ca l l ed st am p s m o st gen er all y T he st am p has an

.
u nd er an d an u p p er p ar t I n coinin g t w o st amp s a r e
.
,
u s ed t he l ow er on e bein g fix e d whi l e t he u p p er on e
, ,
c o m es down v er t i cal l y abo v e i t A r in g con fin es the

‘
e d ge s of t h e c oin d u r in g t he st ampin g s o a s t o p r ev en t
th e d ef or m a t ion of th em T he s econd st am p m a d e
.
,
fr o m an o r i gin al st amp i s cal l ed th e m at r ix or m od el

,
st a m p a n d i s u s ed f or m akin g di e s by p r es s in g
,
.
1 M
. in t g Di es
in — T hese ar e heat ed r ed hot in ch ar
u ni forml y h eated tube l yin g in a l on g bedd ed for ge

fi r e wi th sev er a l t r y er s or in a muffle ,
T he h a r d enin g .
con s i st s in a v er t i cal dip p in g in t o w a t er u n t i l t he su r
f ace of t he s t eel i s da r k an d th en fini shin g t he coo l in g

,’
in oil or t al l ow T emp er in g is u su al l y di sp en s ed wi th
. .
4. M a t r i ce s f or R i v e t m aki n g - — T h es e mu st be h a r d
.
i
on the up p er sur fa ce on the inn er ed ge of t hi s surfa ce

, ,
a n d a l s o in i t s a n t er io r w a ll s but ver y t ou gh a n d r e ,
s i s t a n t t o bl ow s in the r est of i t s m ass T he h eat in g .
ha s th er ef o r e t o be don e a cco r din gl y whi ch i s di fficu l t ,

.
A f t er a p r el i m in a r y g en t l e h eat in g a s un i fo r m a s p os ,
s i bl e of t h e who l e t oo l it i s br o u gh t in t o th e hot p a r t
, ,
of t he fi r e w i t h i t s wo r kin g sur f a ce downw ar d s s o a s

, ,
t o giv e t h a t the ful l h a r d enin g h eat T he qu en chi n g .
i s best do n e wi t h a s tr eam of w at er di r ect ed n ot m er el y ,
th r o u gh t h e op enin g of the m a tr ix but ov er al l it s

up p er su r f a ce . I f t he o ute r ed ge s cal es f a i r l y c om
l l i m b m d l l o w whi h b don
’
p e t e y t u s t e t e p er e y e c ca n e ,
e
wi th a r ed hot i r on r in g M atr i ces f or car tr id g e ca se

-
.
-
m an u fa ctur e ar e qu en ch ed the sam e w ay .
5. S ho r t S t a m p s w i th l ar ge W o rki n g F a c e — T h ese
a r e h e at e d en t i r el y an d u ni f o r ml y t o th e h ar d enin g
t emp er a tur e an d qu i ckl y c ool ed in a l a r g e v ess el of

,
w a t er wi th a con st an t flow th r o ugh it by di pp in g v er

, ,
t i cal l y an d st i r r in g t h em abo ut I f po s si bl e the fl ow

.
of w a t er in t o t he r eser v oi r sho ul d be u n d er p r es sur e
f r om bel ow in whi ch cas e th e st amp s can be h el d

,
qu i etl y in the cur r en t T hi s i s enou gh f or soft st eel

.
( a b o u t 7 p er c en t o f. c a r bon ) b u t f or h a
,
r d er s t e el s t he
qu en chin g in w at er i s f oll ow ed by a cool in g in oil I n .
n e i th er c a s e i s the st eel t emp er ed I f the st amp s ar e

.
m a d e of m edi um or of h ar d st eel t h ey mu st on l y be ,
h a r d en ed in oil or t al l ow an d mu st be sl i gh t l y t em ,
r ed S oft st e el sh oul d be p r ef err e d a s i t i s mo r e

p e .
,
T O O L SM IT H A N D S T EEL WO RKER 23 1
eas il y en gr av e h eat in g such st eel the w o rkin g

d . I n
“
s ur f a ce s ho ul d be s p r in kl e d wi t h f err o cy anid e of
p ot
a s h bo t h t o p r ev en t o xid at ion a n d t o et t h d
, g gr ea er a r
n es s . T he r esi d ual f er r o cy ani d e i s qu i ckl y r emo ve d

wi th a fin e w i r e brush befo r e t he h ar d enin g t emp er a
t ur e i s r each ed an d r en ew ed thin l y a n d u ni f o r ml y by
,
m ean s of a wi r e s i eve .
6 L ong S t amps wi th l arge Working S urface

. .
T h es e a r e w ar m ed a l l ov er but the fur th er h eat in g i s ,
on l y a t t he wo r ki n g en d t he ch er r y r ed a s in in to
p s , g
a br own r e d a l i tt l e w ay u p t he t oo l T he qu en chi n g .
i s d on e l i ke th at of h a mm er h ea d s in w a t er wi th a
, ,
r a p id l y r i s in g inflow T he o v erflow pi p e must be s o

.
a r r a n g e d t h at t he s u r f a ce of the w a t er d o es n ot com e
m o r e th a n abo ut 2 cm abo ve the wo r kin g f a ce of the .
t oo l
T he chi ef di ff er en ce bet w een the h a r d enin g of sho r t
a n d l on g st a mp s is t h at t he f o rm er ar e h a r d en ed a ll
,
ov er the l a t t er on l y at the f ace I f sho rt st amp s w er e

,
.
on l y h a r d en ed p art i al l y t h ey woul d w ar p an d t hi s ,
n ee d n ot be f ear ed w i th l on g st amp s as the l ar ger mass ,
of s t eel p r o cee d in g fr o m t he w o r kin g f a ce oppo s es a
su ffi ci en t r es i st an ce t o w a r pin g .
7 . C ut ti ng M atr i ces f or punching out Pl at es for T in

man ’
s W ork, et a — T h ese
h eat ed l i ke the st amp s for
ar e
r i vet m akin g
-
an d q u en ch e d by v ert i cal
,
d ip p in g in
w at er or f or h ar d st eel in oil or t al l ow
,
T emp er in g .
co l o u r : y ell owi sh br own t o br own r ed .
I n g en er al it m ay be r em a r ke d th at w i th stamp s
,
w hi ch h av e t o wo r k wi th gr eat a ccura cy an d whi ch ,
must t h er efo r e be of an exa ct s iz e aft er h ar d enin g the ,
ch a n ge of v ol u m e p r od u c ed by t he h a r d enin g must be
a ll ow e d f or H en ce a s o l i d t ool mu st be m a d e s o m e
.
wh at t oo sm al l a holl ow on e so m ewh at t oo l ar ge an d
, ,
j ust enou gh o mp en sat e f or the exp an s ion in the on e

to c
cas e an d t h e con t r a ct ion in t h e o th er A s t he ch a n g e .
in vo l um e i s di ffer ent f or di ffer ent ki nd s of st eel it ,
mu st be d et er min ed bef o r eh and f or e a ch kind .
S aws .
H as w el l r ecomm end s the f oll owin g h ar d enin g m et hod

f or s a w s in K a r m a r s ch an d H eer en s t echni ca l di ct ion
’
C i r cul ar s aw s a r e br o u gh t t o a ch err y r ed an d
“
a ry :
qu en ch ed in w at er wi th a thin l ay er of oil on i ts sur

f a ce . T he h e at in g mus t be don e sl ow l y T he s a w s a r e .
i mm er s ed v er ti cal l y T he oil cat ch es fi r e a s it t ou ch es

.
t h e h ot st eel a n d co v er s it wi th a cr u st of ca r bon
, ,
whi ch p r ot ects it fr o m t oo qu i ck cool in g a n d m akes

cr a ckin g l es s l i kel y S in gl e sa w s can b e gi v en the
.
h ar d enin g h eat by l ayin g th em on a co l d i r on p l a t e a n d

t h en h ea t in g bo t h t o g eth er an d s t i ll bett er by h eat in g
,
the s a w whi l e p r ess e d bet w een t w o w r o u gh t i r on p l a t e s -

.
T hi s en su r es sl ow h ea t in g of t h e sa w a n d p r ev en t s
wa r p i n g . F or the thin n est s aw s on l y oil i s us ed f or
qu en chin g or a m ixtu r e of oil an d t a l l ow T hi s g i ves
, .
eno u gh h ar dn es s .S a w s of m edi um t hi ckn es s a r e best

qu en ch ed in s o l id t al l ow T hi s gi ves a s om ewh a t .
gr e a t er h ar d n ess th a n oil V ery thin saw bl a d es al s o

.
g e t h a r d e no u gh i f h e a t e d r e d h ot a n d c o ol e d b e t w e en
t w o i r on p l a t es sm ea r e d wi th t a l l ow S aw s f or m et al .
mu st be t em p er e d a t a st r aw y el l ow T hi s i s don e .
”
a ft er p ol i shin g best by l ayin g t he s aw on r ed h ot i r on -
.
H o l z ap f el d escr i bes t he h a r d enin g of s aw bl a d es a s

f ol l ow s in the M e ch a ni c s M a ga zin e — S a w bl a d es a r e
’ “
h ea t e d in sp eci al l on g st ov es an d th en l a id h or iz ont al l y
wi th t he t oothed edge or the ed ge t o be t ooth ed u p
'
, ,
p e r m o s t in t h e h a r d e nin g l iq u id whi ch i s a m ix t,
u r e o f
oi l t al l ow w ax et c
, , . T w o t r o u gh s a r e g en er al l y used
.
,
34 T H E T WE N T I ET H CENTURY
T abl e and P ocket K nives
T h er e is l i tt l e s p ec a l i
h a r d enin g t abl e kni ves
a bout -
.
T h e bl a d e i s di pp e d sl a n t wi s e a t a d ar k ch er r y r ed ,
ba ck fi r st in t o t h e h a r d enin g l iqu id whi ch is u su al l y

, ,
p l a in w a t er o r w a t
,
e r co v er ed t o a d ep t h of 1 0 t o 1 5
mm wi th oil
. T he bl a d es a r e th en t emp er e d a t vio l et
.
or bl u e P o cket kni v es a r e t aken h a l f a doz en a t a

.
-
t i m e in t he t o n gs t he s ep a r a t e bl a d es bein g kep t a p a r t
, ,
in t he gr i p of the t on gs by a p i ec e of i r on T h ey a r e .
t h en h ea t e d e d g e u pp er m o st ov er a fi r e or h ot i r on -
p l a t e F
. o r fi n e kniv es a fu s e d m ix t u r e of t in a n d l e a d
,
i s u s e d for t emp er in g t he ba ck a n d a sp i r i t fl a m e f or
t em p er in g t he ed g e .
S cythes .
T he bl a d es ar e h eat ed in a l i tt l e r ev er ber a t or y fu r -
n a ce a s m a l l w a l l e d fl u e of n e a t l y s q u a r e s e ct i on whi ch
, .
i s st e ep l y in cl in e d t ow a r d s th e chi m n ey T h e gr a t e i s .
i n f r on t an d in f r on t of i t i s a t uy er op enin g
,
I t is -
.
p r ef er r e d t o fi r e wi th w ood r a t h er th a n ch a r c oa l a s t h e ,
f or m er m akes m o r e fl am e a n d keep s ou t t he a ir bet t er .
A f ew cen t i m et r es abov e th e s o l e of t h e f ur n a ce i r on
bea r er s ca r r y t he s cyth e bl a d es A t fi r s t on e bl a d e i s
.
p u t wi t h a b o u t a t hi r d o f i t s l en g t h in t h e f u r n a c e ,
with i t s ba ck d ownw a r d s an d wi th the p oin t f or em ost .
Wh en thi s ha s been s om ewh a t h ea t ed oth er bl a d es ar e ,
p ut in an d th e fir s t i s gr a du a l l y g ot en t i r el y in t o t he
,
fu r n a c e T he n u mber of bl a d es bein g h eat ed at on ce

.
d ep end s on t he t emp er atur e of the fur n a ce T he sl ow .
p u s h i n g i n o f t h e b l a d e s i s n e c es s a r y b ec a u s e t h e ,
g r e a t es t h e at i s in f r on t ov e r t h e g,
r a t e s o t h a t t h e ,
p oint s of the s cyth es woul d get l ess h eat ed th an the

r es t i f t h ey w er e p ut a t on ce in t o t he fi r e .
T he qu en chi n g i s in t al l ow wit h ed g e up p er m ost ,

.
TO OL SM ITH A N D S T EEL WO RKER 23 5
T he sc y th e is rem o ved fr om the h ar d enin g t r o u gh

wh en fum es cea s e t o co m e fr o m t h e t a l l ow T he t a l .
l ow i s s cr a p e d off t he s t i l l w ar m s t eel wi thh ar p en ed

a s
pi e ce of ba r k C h er r y t r ee bark i s p r ef er r e d f or thi s
.
.
T he scyt h e i s t h en w o r ked about in a h ea p of co al

a sh es t o cl e a n i t I t i s th en h eat e d v er y gen t l y a n d a s
.
uni f o r ml y as po s s i bl e o v er a ch a r c oa l fi r e a n d th en
,
i mm er s ed wi t h a h ewin g m o vem en t in a t r ou gh of r un
nin g w a t er . T hi s br in gs t h e s ca l e p a r t l y off the f r on t
s id e of t h e bl a d e T h e r est of it i s got off wi th an
.
em er y wh eel a n d the s cy th e i s fin al l y bl u e t emp er ed

,
.
F or t hi s p ur po s e an i r on t r ou gh of p r o p er s iz e is l in e d
on t hr ee s id es wi th gl owin g ch a r co al l eav in g on e of ,
the l on g s id es f r e e O n thi s s id e the s cythe bl ad es ar e

.
p u t wi t h t h e i r b a ck s d ownw a r d s on i r on bear ers and

br o u ght sep ar at el y in t ur n n ea r er t o t he h eat A s th e
.
t emp er i n g co l o u r sho u l d a pp ea r u ni f o r ml y over t h e

who l e bl a d e any d ef ect s in it ar e r ect ifi ed o ver a ch a r
,
coal fir e w i t h a gen tl e bl ast h ea t in g t ho s e p ar t s whi ch

,
h ave not been t emp er e d enou gh whi l e the over ,
t emp er in g of t he r e st i s p r ev en t e d by keep in g i t coo l

wi th a w et cl o t h appl i ed n ow an d th en T he t emp er e d .
s cy t h es a r e coo l e d in t h e a i r I f v er y h ar d st eel has

.
been u s ed t he scy th es ar e t emp er ed tw i ce pol i shin g

, ,
the fr on t s i d e of t h e bl a d e bef o r e the s econ d t emp er

in g s o t h at t he co l o u r can be observed
,
A sand bath
.
he a t e d b y w a st e h e at o r s o m e in f e r io r f u e l i s m o r e
e co n o m i cal t h a n th e op en ch a r co al t r o u gh bu t do es n ot ,
do t he t emp er in g s o w el l .
T he subs equ en t op er at ion s con s i st p r in cip al l y in

ham m er in g the sl i gh tl y h ea t ed bl a d es u nd er a very
ra p id but l i g h t m a c hin e d r iv e n
-
h a m m er wi t h a v er y
sm a l l r i s e . T hi s r e c t i fi es t h e d i s t o r t ion s p r o d u ce d b y
h ar dn ess an d incr eases the har dness and el astici ty of
,
t he st eel . T hi s i s f oll ow ed by a fin a l a dj ustm ent of

t he bl a de t o its r i gh t f o r m by m ea n s of h and h amm er -
in g
’
Wire .
A ccor d in g d en ed in
t o T unn er , p i ano wi r e i s h ar
Wor cest er a s f o ll ow s — A ft er a l ea d ba th in
an ir on
pip e kep t r ed hot the w i r e i s h ar d ened in a ci rcul at in g

,
oi l bath I t t h en p a ss es t o a secon d l ea d bat h whi ch

.
, ,
how ever is at a t em p er at ur e onl y j u st a bove the fus ion

,
point and t em p er s th e h ar d en e d wi r e
, .
Wat ch S prings .
A in t er est in g m a chin e of K u gl er of Par i s f or h ar d

n
en i n g w a t ch s p r in gs i s d e s cr i b e d a s f o ll ow s by K ohn
.
in K a r m ar s ch an d H e er en s t echni ca l di ct i on ary ’
A ft er t he st e el w i r e ha s been r ol l ed ou t t o t he p r o p er
“
t hinn ess i t is coi l ed u p on a cyl ind er f r o m whi ch the ,
r i bbon p a s s es t h r o u gh a n i r on p i p e su r r o u n d e d o u ts id e
by fi r ep r oo f m a t er i al an d h a vin g a r ect a n gul a r sect ion

of abo u t 1 00 m m wid e a n d 1 2 m m hi gh . T hi s p ip e i s . .
in a fur n a ce h eat ed wi th ch ar coal A s the st eel r i bbon .
sl ow l y p a s s es t h r o u gh t h e p i p e it beco m es r e d hot a n d ,
is d r awn t h r ou gh a ba t h of oil an d h ar d en e d T he .
h ea ti n g of thi s bath i s p r ev en t ed by a con st an t flow of

oil t h e w a r m oi l es ca p in g by an o v er flow
,
O n l ea vin g .
t h e oi l th e r i bbon p a ss e s bet w een t w o p a i r s of d r yin g

r ol l er s on e be ,
hind the oth er whi ch a r e su i t abl y l o a d ed,
a n d f r o m w hi ch t h e oi l flow s ba ck in to t h e h a r d enin g
bat h T he ba nd n ex t a r r i v es at a c a st i r on p l at e
.
-
h eat ed by a fir e t o t emp er the sp r in g H er e it is al s o

,
.
str a i gh t en e d by a w e i gh t an d fi n a l l y t h r o u gh a p ol
, , ,
i shin g ap p a r a tu s con s i s t in g of s ix em ery r ol l er s w hi ch ,

t h en o utsi d e the o verflow p ip e r ecei ves a sort of cast

,
i r on p an t he ed ge of whi ch r ea ch es the up p er ed ge of
,
the s t eel t o be h a r d en e d I n thi s p an a s m al l tr i p od is

.
pu t f or t he st e el t o st a nd on Wi th t hi s a r r a n gem ent
.
t he w a t er flowin g in t o the p an t h r o u gh the ho l l ow of

the s t eel ul t i m a t el y i mm er s es i t a l t o get h er T he o v er .
flow fr om the p an is t aken aw a y t hr ou gh a s id e op en

i n g in t o t he o v er flow p i p e T o d r i ve the h a r d enin g
.
w at er cl o s e a ga in st t he inn er s id es of the st eel the ,
m o ut h p i ece h as a sp i n d l e in it s cen t r e whi ch spr ea d s ,
out o ut w a r d s in t o a con e whi ch di r ect s t h e w a ter out
w ar d s T he sp a ce l eft by the bas e of the con e f or the

.
w at er t o p a ss out can be r egul at ed .
I f a ho l l ow st eel i s t o be h a r d en ed in si d e an d out
s i mu l t an e o u sl y L o r enz u s es a n a p p ar a tus of whi ch w e
,
c a n f o r m an id ea by su p p o s in g t h at a sho r t coup l in g
p pi e i s p l a c e d o v er t h e a bov e m en t ion e d p an -
T hi s i s .
conn ect ed a bo v e t o t h e m o ut h p i e c e whi ch in t hi s cas e ,
do es n ot r est up on the hol l ow st eel I n thi s w e get a .
cl o s e d ch a mber in w hi ch t h e ho l l ow s t eel i s p l a ce d f r e e
on a l l s id es T he coni ca l sp ind l e sen d s th e w at er bo th

.
in s id e an d outs id e at t he same t i me and it flows aw ay ,
by op enin gs in the ch amber .
C uring Warped S teel .
T hi s op er ation i s , i f p er m i s s i bl e , u su a l l y v er y diffi
cu l t , an d mu st beondu ct ed wi th the gr eat est car e t o
c
be su cces sful I t i s gen er al l y don e a ft er t he t emp er

.
in g . O bj e ct s whi ch h av e on l y been sl i gh t l y t emp er ed

or n ot at al l a r e ma d e h a n d w a r m s o as t o sl i gh t l y
,
l es s en th ei r br i ttl en ess but n ot t h ei r h ar dn ess T h ey .
a r e t h en p ut bet w een w ar m co p p er bl ocks in a s cr ew
p r es s a n
,
d g r a d u a ll y br o u gh t t o t h e p r op er sh a p e a n d
l eft t o co ol u n d er the p r essu r e M or e st r on gl y .
T O O L SM IT H A N D S T E EL WO RKER 39
t emp er e d o bj ects of s oft er steel ar e qui ckl y and gentl y

h ammer ed on the a n vi l w i th a h amm er wi th a ver y ,
na r r ow a n d r o u n d ed f a ce w hi ch st an d s in t he di r ect ion
,
of t he h am mer h a nd l e T he bl ow s a r e g i ven on t he
.
con cav e s id e of the st eel w h er e the con t r a ct e d p ar t s

,
l ie
. T h es e a r e ext en d e d by the h amm er in g t i l l the
s t eel h as it s p r op er sh a p e r es t o r e d T he bl o ws mu st .
f al l ex a ct l y in t he di r e ct ion of t he bendin g an d n ot ,
a cr o ss i t . T he f a c e of t he h a m m er mu st be if n eces ,
sar y ,
s o s m a l l t h a t t h e who l e l en gt h of it l i es cl o s el y
on t he sur fa ce wh en t he bl ow is str uck I f the ham .
m er i s t oo h ea vy or u s ed wi th t oo mu ch f or ce it s a ct io n ,
ex t end s o v er t h e who l e s ect ion of t h e o bj ect a n d t he ,
w a r p in g i s m a d e wo r s e B es id es the s t eel m ay th en
.
,
eas i l y be br o ken .
B l u e t em p er e d t hin el a st i c obj ects su ch as bl a d es

-
, ,
m ay whi l e st i l l w a r m fr o m t he t emp er in g be ben t t he

, ,
o t h er w ay F or t hi s pu r p ose tw o p egs ar e fix ed about

.
80 m m a p a r t in t he wo r k ben ch D i etl en in D in gl er s
’
. .
,
P o l y t e chn i c Jo u r n a l r eco mm end s a dj u st in g the w ar p e d

,
s t eel d ur in g t em p er in g S tr et ch t he h ar d en ed ar t i cl e
“
.
on a pi ece of i r on by m ean s of i r on s cr ew s wi th it s ,
c on ca v e s id e n ex t t h e i r on an d h e a t t he who l e sl ow l y
,
o ver a coal fi r e Wh en the st eel begin s t o be y el l ow

-
.
,
i t m ay be sl ow l y s tr a i gh t en e d by m ean s of t he s cr ew s .
A s s oon a s i t has t he d es i r e d t em p er in g col ou r i t is ,
c oo l e d wi t h w a t er on t he s id e t h at ha d be en con v ex ,
a n d wi l l ke ep i t s sh a p e wh en t he s cr ew s a r e r em ov ed .
V ery sl i gh t w ar p in g m ay be cur ed by h eat i n g the con

c a v e s id e a n d t h e n w et t i n g t he c on vex s id e
,
.
I t h ar d l y n ee d s t o be m en t i on e d th at on l y co mp a r
a t iv el y t hin o bj e ct s su ch a s fi l es an d bl a d es can be
“
, ,
cur ed a s abo v e i f w a r p e d C o mp a ct er o bj e ct s canno t

.
be s t r a i gh t en e d a n d mu st be r eh ar d en ed a ft er h avin g
, ,
be en br o ugh t v er y
ow l y in a sl ow fir e t o a r ed h eat
sl ,
a n d t h en a l l ow ed t o co ol in t h e a i r or in wood a sh es .
I f t hi s do es n ot m ak e m att er s r i gh t t h e p i ece mu st be ,
r ef o r ge d I f the h ea t in g i s t oo q u i ck t he st eel m ay
.
,
e as i l y be cr a cke d a n d i f t h e r eh a r d eni n g i s don e wi th

,
ou t thi s p r el i m in a r y h ea t in g it wi ll p r obabl y c aus e

,
cr a ckin g an d f r esh w a r pin g .
C oncl us i on .
I n c on cl u din g t hi s book I wi sh t o r em ind the r ea d

,
er s t h a t i t has been w r i t t en f or t h e i r in t er es t a n d t h e ,
a u t ho r h a s end e av o r ed t o g i v e a l l t h e n ecess a r y i n
s t r u ct i on s an d i l l u st r a t ion s of a l l t h e p r in ci p al t oo l s
u s e d by a l m o s t ev er y l ea din g t r a d e t o in sur e t he gr ea t
est s u cc es s i n the a r t of s t e el wo r k or t oo l m akin g I .
h a v e l eft no thin g unw r i tt en whi ch I thou gh t woul d be

a h el p or in t er est t o t h e r ea d er s a n d r em em ber r ea d , ,
er s I h a v e w r i t t en t hi s boo k t o i mp r o ve yo u r m e ch a n
,
i cal abi l i t y a n d id ea s hO p in g th er eby t o h el p an d en

,
co u r a g e y ou t o st r i ve t o r ea ch t h e hi gh est r u n g in t h e
l a dd er of m e ch ani ca l su c ces s .
I t i s n ot n ec es s ar y t o wo rk a t bl a cksm i thin g 1 0 or 1 5
y ear s in o r d er t o do good wor k or becom e a fi r st cl a s s
t oo l sm i t h wh en y ou h a v e thi s v o l u m e of in f o r m at i on
a t h a nd . R ea d er s p l a ce a gr ea t v a l u e on y ou r l ei su r e
,
hou r s t h ey wi l l be s and s of p r eciou s gol d t o y ou wh en

,
s p en t in r e a din g thi s boo k Do n ot s i m pl y r ea d bu t

“
.
”
t hi nk a s y ou r ea d an d t h e m ech a ni c ( wh et h er yo un g
,
or ol d ) who r ea d s a n d t hin k s in t hi s w a y wi l l b e w ell
r ew a r d e d a n d s oon r i s e a bo v e hi s p e er s N o d oubt .
t hi s book m a y be th e c au se of m any an a r gu m en t a n d
s o m e m ay c ond em n i t a s b ein g u n t ru e bu t b ef or e c on ,
d em n in g i t take m y a dvi c e an d p u t t h e i n s t r u ct i on s
int o p r ac t i ce a n d in y ear s t o com e you wi l l o ft en th an k
,
y u ca n
o dobu t keep y o u r t o n gu e qu i et a n d your ey es
O pe n a n d a l w a y s b e on t h e a l e r t t o g a in know l e d g e i n
conn e ct ion wi th y our t r a d e I f y ou a r e a fi r st cl a s s

.
m ech a ni c y ou r cu s t o m er s w i l l j u d ge y o u r wo r km a n
s hi p a n d g iv e y ou a r ep u t a t ion a n d r em em ber r ea d er
, , ,
a good r ep u t a t ion i s w or t h s t r i v i n g f or ev en if y ou
g a in i t s l ow l y T h.e a u t h or w el l kn ow s t he wo r th of
a g o od r ep u t a t ion whi ch h e h a s ga in e d s l ow l y by t he
c om bin a t ion of h a r d wo r k d eep stu dy cl os e obser va

, ,
t i on a v a st a m o u n t of e x p er i m en t i n g a n d w id e t r a v el
,
.
R ea d er t he con t en ts of t hi s book i s th e a u th or s r epu

’
t a t i on s o m a k e s u r e a n d c om bin e th e c on t en t s of t hi s
,
book wi t h y ou r own p r a ct i ca l ex p er i en ce .
I n d r a wi n g t hi s boo k t o a cl os e th e au tho r t r u s ts
,
a n d hop es t h a t e v er y r ea d er ( w ho i s c onn e ct e d wi t h
s t e el wo r k ) wi l l be gr eat l y a s s i s t e d a n d p l a ce d on
a f ou nd a t ion f or fu t ur e s u c ces s I h a v e n ot m er el y
.
w r it t en t hi s book t o i mp r ov e yo ur m ech a ni cal id ea s

a n d in st r u ct y ou in t h e a r t of t o ol m akin g bu t I h a v e ,
w r i tt en i t for t he s a ke of t he l ov e whi ch I h ol d for my

br oth er m ech ani cs I h a v e p l a ce d m y wh ol e h ea r t in
.
t he wo r k in o r d er th a t ot h er s m a y sh ar e wi th m e in
t he j oy s of m ech a ni ca l su ccess S o m e r ea d er s m ay
.
t hin k I h a v e been r a t h er s a r ca st i c a t t i m es bu t if I ,
h a v e been it w a s onl y in r efer en ce t o a cer ta in cl a ss

of m e ch ani cs in or d er t o p oint out t o t h em t h ei r
,
m i s t a kes an d t h er eby i l l u s tr at e t he di ff er en c e bet w een

th e r i gh t a n d w r on g w ay s an d al s o th e di ffer en ce be
t w een good a n d p oo r t oo l s .
M y cl o s i n g a d v i ce t o the r ea d er i s wh en y ou a r e ,
m akin g t ool s tha t h av e a cutt i n g ed ge m ake sur e th at ,
t h ey a r e h a r d en e d at th e r i gh t h ea t H a r d enin g st eel
.
a t t h e r i gh t h ea t i s t he m o s t i m p o r t a n t o bst a cl e t o be
over co me in con n ect ion wi t h the a rt of t oo l m akin g

'
,
T O O L SM IT H A N D S T EEL WO R KER 243
f or no m a tt er how g ood the qu al i ty of the st eel m ay

be or how w el l i t i s f o r ge d t he q u al i t y an d su c cess
,
of a t oo l w i l l a l w ay s d ep end on t h e p r op er h eat f or
h a r d enin g A ga i n al w a ys r em ember t o d o y ou r wo rk
.
,
t o the v er y bes t of yo u r a bi l i t y a n d f o ll ow cl o s el y t he
,
ol d a d a g e wh at ever is wo r t h doin g is wo r th doin g

“
, ,
”
w ell an d y ou wi l l soon becom e m ast er of the kin g
,
“
of m et al s .
US EFUL F O RM UL A S .
T empering B rass .
N o . 1 . nd er ed h ar d by h ammer in g or
B r a ss is re
r ol l in g ; th er ef o r e wh en y ou m ake a t hin g of br a ss
n eces s ar y t o be t emp er ed p r ep ar e the m at er i al befo r e ,
s h ap in g t he a r t i cl e T emp er m ay be d r awn fr o m br a s s
.
by h ea t in g it t o ch er r y r e d a n d p l u n gin g it in t o w at er .
T o» C ase H ar den S et S cr ew s for S hafting .
N o . 2 p i ece p r uss i at e po t ash t he s iz e of a

. M el t
bea n on s p o t y ou w an t h ar d whi l e it is hot an d p l un ge

in t o w at er or l in s eed oil .
T o C as e H ar den any P ar ti cul ar S pot, L eaving O ther

S pot S oft .
N o . 3 . M ake a p ast e
on cen tr at ed s o l ut ion of of c
p r ussi ate of p otash an d th en coat the spot y ou wi sh

t o h a r d en ; t h en ex p o s e t o str on g h eat Wh en r ed hot .
,
p l u n ge in t o co l d w a t er .
T o C ase H ar den C ast I r on or any other I r on .
N o . hr ee p arts bi ch romate of p ot ash ; on e h al f

4 . T -
p ar t common s al t Pu l ver iz e w el l an d mix H eat i r on

. .
t o hi gh est h eat it wi l l st a nd ; t h en s p r in kl e on mix

t ur e an d t ry w el l on bo th s i d es C oo l in w at er . .
T o C ase H ard en S teel .
N o .
5 p ar t ox al i c a cid an d t w o p ar ts of
. U se on e
pul ver i z ed comm on po t a sh P ul v er iz e t h em w ell an d .
244
D i ss o l ve t he whol e in ,
thr ee ga l l on s of r a in w at er .
H ea t i r on to ch err y r ed an d coo l in s o l ut ion .
Dr essing M il l Pi ck .
N o . d r ess mi l l pi cks h eat t o ch err y r ed and

9 . T o ,
dip poin ts whi l e hot in a t al l ow bef o r e h ammer in g .
T h en t o t emp er t h em
2 O n ces M ur i at e of A m moni a
u .
2 O un ces C h l o r i d e of Po t ash .
2 G all on s S o ft Wat er .
H eat to h er r y r ed
c an d p n ge
l u in sol ution . I f t oo
har d a dd mo r e w at er .
To H arden S teel Rolls .
N o . 10 p r even t sh r in ka ge in si d e and so pr e
. T o
ven t bu r st in g t ake t h r ee or f o u r h an d s fu l l of s oo t
a n d a s m all h a n d f ull of l i m e in a p a i l of w at er H eat .
ch er r y r ed an d coo l off in s o l ut ion .
I n t em p er in g cast st eel or an y st eel a l w ay s u s e s o ft

w at er al ways dip towar ds the N orth an d temp er in g
, ,
r o u n d st eel dip p er p en d i cul ar

,
A l w ay s l eave st eel .
in w at er u n t i l co l d t h r o u gh .
T o Pr event S teel from S pri nging .
N o . 11 ome dry common s o d a h eat

. H av e s ,
to ch err y r ed t h en l ay hot st eel i n s o d a

,
H ot .
wi l l m el t the so d a t o a l i qu i d L et it r emain t i l l .
Wi l l fin d a goo d t emp er .
H ammeri ng C ast S teel .
N o . We h ave o ft en seen smi th s sp oi l a chi sel

12 .
or mi l l pi ck by h ammer in g it too col d T his w il l not .

T O O L SM I T H A N D S T EE L WO RKER 247
s poi l a thi ckpi ece of st e el but wi l l a thin pi ece. B ett er
t ake a no t h er h eat .
T empering B itt s, B l ades or K nives wi thout Drawi ng

T emper .
N o . 13 . 1 O n ce Pul ver iz ed C o r r o s i ve
u S ubl i m at e .
2 O un c es S al A m moni a c .
T w o H a n d s F u ll of S al t .
D i ss o l ve
in s ix qu ar t s s oft w at er H eat t o ch er ry .
r ed a n d p l u n ge in s o l u t ion a n d d o n ot d r a w t em p er .
I f t oo str on g a dd m o r e w a t er .
S ol ution t o T emper S t eel t o A ny Degr ee .
N o . 14 . 1 O un ce of B l ue Vi tr io l .
1 O u n ce B o r ax .
1 O un ce P r u ss i c Po t ash .
P in t S al t .
D i s s o l ve al l in on equ ar t w at er t h en a dd on e gal l on
,
r aw l in s eed oil an d oun ce p ul ver iz ed ch ar co al .
H e at c h er r y r ed . C oo l in s o l ut ion .
T emperi ng, H ar deni ng, T oughening and R estori ng

S teel .
N o . 15hi s f o r mul a f or compoun d in g the cel e

. T .
br a t e d p at en t ed M er ges s s o l u t ion f or t emp er in g t o u gh ,
en in g con v er t in g l ow gr a d e ca st s t eel t o hi gh er gr a d e
,
a n d r es t o r in g bur n t s t eel 4 o u n ces of c i t r i c a cid in

.
on e g a l l on boi l in g w at er d i s sol ve tw o m inut es th en

, ,
a dd 4 o u n ces of car bon at e of i r on st i r f or a m in ut e ,

.
N ow l et i t st a nd t i l l a gi t a t ion s t op s t h en a dd 6 o un ces ,
r us s i at e of p ot as h 2 o u n ces o f s al t p et er T h en m ake i t
p ,
.
i o
n t 1 2 g all on s o f s oft w a t er a n d s t i r in s i x po un d s r o ck
248 T H E T wE N T i ET H C E N T U RY
s al t . S o l ut i on i s
dy T emp er s ame a s in w at er
r ea . .
B u t f or e d ge t oo l s br in g t o p r op er co l or h eat sl ow l y , ,
dip hot steel in sol ut i on on ce in a wh il e whi l e h eat in g .
T emperi ng S t eel S prings wi thout S pringing .
N o
. 16 h er ry r ed t h en l et it cool off it
. H eat to c ,
s elf T h en co at t he spr in g wi t h s oo t t h at wi l l ar i s e
.
f r o m bur nin g r es in t h en h eat even l y unt i l t he s oo t

,
di sap p ear s t h en i mmer se in l in seed oil Wi l l make

,
.
fin e t emp er .
T emperi ng in B ath, N ot Fir e .
N o . 17 . F or t wi s t dr il l s
di es sm all p un ch es ,
t a p s, ,
or su ch a r t i cl es of ca st st e el y ou wi sh t o k eep s t r a i gh t ;
t ake as f ol l ows : E qu al p arts of p r uss i at e of p otash an d

co mmon sa l t p ut t h em t o get h
,
er in a n i r on p ot o ver
fir ew hen it get s t o p r op er t emp er at ur e I t wi ll boi l

‘
an d beco m e a ch err y r ed P ut the t oo l in thi s unt i l .
it beco m es a ch er r y r ed You m ay l eave the t oo l in .
a l l d ay if y ou wi sh f or the l o n ger t he mo r e i t i mp r o ves

,
the st eel Wh en y ou t ake it out coo l in w ater or l in

.
s ee d oil a l w ay s in a ver t i cal p o s i t ion

,
D o n ot d r aw . .
B ut for t ap s or d i es d r aw t o d ark str aw .
ToH ar den C as t I ron to C ut G l ass or C utting Purposes

.
p ou nds C ommon S al t ,
poun d S al tp et er ,
poun d Ro ck A l um ,
ou n ce S al ts of T art ar ,
oun ce C y ani d e of Potash ,
ounces C ar bon ate of A mmonia .

25 0 TH E T WEN T I ET H C EN T U RY
Wel ding S teel B esse mer S pri ng A xl es and T ool S teel .
N o. 23 . 15 poun d s Dr y S an d ,
8 ou n ces of P owd er ed S ulp h at e of I r on ,
8 ou n ces of B l ack M a n gan es e ,
8 o un ces F in e S al t Us e as B or ax . .
Wel ding C ast S t eel and R est ori ng B urnt S teel .
N o . 24 . pound B or a x ,
p o u n d of S a l A m moni a ,
p o u n d of P r u s s i c P o t a sh ,
ou n ce of R es in ,
1
5 g i l l of A l coho l .
S i mmer t h es e in spid er o ver sl ow fire unt il w el l

ch a s ed . T h en use as B o r ax .
Wel ding C ast I r on t o S t eel or I r on . It Wil l Wel d

ter than is G ener al ly K now n .
N o . 25 . pou nd s of P owd er ed C opp er as ,
1 qu ar t F in e D ry S and ,
1 H a nd F ul l of S al t .
N m ake t h e p i eces hot an d

ow whi l e h eat in g dip
th em in mix tur e T h r ow s o m e on . in fir e Wh en i r on .
an d s t eel ar e hot a n d wi l l s t a nd wi tho u t r u nnin g p l a ce ,
th em q u i ckl y t o get h er r ub t h em wi t h p i ece of s t e el

,
or ol d fi l e d r awin g s o ft p ar t s o v er ea ch o t h er
,
.
Wel di ng C ast S t eel Edge T ool sWork or A ny Fine .
N o 26 . T hi s i s t he best s t eel w el d in g co mp o u nd in
.
u s e t od a y a n d i s known on l y by a f ew good s m i t h s
D r a gon bl ood p u l v er iz ed an d m ix ed wi th bor ax u n t i l

the bo r ax l oo ks a l i tt l e p in k in co l o r U s e a s bo r a x . .
T O O L SM IT H A N D S T EE L WO RKE R 25 1
Wel ding S teel B oil er T ubes .
N o 27
. Fl ar e l on g pi ece out fit s ho r t pi ece in s i d e
.
,
t he o t h er n eat l y t h en l ay in fi r e
, Wh en hot enou gh .
s p r in kl e on w el d in g co mpou nd H ave h el p er t ap .
l i gh t l y on en d of sho r t p i ece whi l e y ou t ake l i gh t ,
h ammer an d t ap it l i gh t l y in fi re turnin g al l the t i m e .
Wel d it all in fir e .
R epairi ng Pl ows, N ew S hear and L a yi ng .
N o . 28 . F i r s t t a ke
p l ow set it on l evel bo ar d
ol d , .
S ee t h at i t m easu r es 1 6 in ch es f r o m floo r t o hi t ch an d
ha s 214 in ch es l and I f n ot whi l e r ep a i r in g br in g it
.
,
t o t h at an d t h en it wi l l ru n r i gh t
,
I n l ayin g sh ear s .
t ake h a mmer l ay st e el 2 by 5 1 6 an d u s e t he w el din g

,
-
c o mpo u n d m en t ion ed abo v e D on t m ake win g of

’
.
s h e ar m o r e t h a n in ch es wi d e F or n ew sh ar es l ay .
s t e el f or s h ar e s on p l ow m ake win g ,
in ch es W id e ,
cu t O H on l a nd s i d e wh at y ou don t n ee d N ow bend
’
.
win g down sh ap e of ol d L ay sh a r e p i ece und er an d.
w el d u p .
S tr eam T emper ing A l l H eavy T ool s .
N o . 29 . We wi l l h and h amm er for ex amp l e

t ak e a .
T ak e a c an or ke g m ak e a t h r ee e i gh t h s in ch ho l e in
,
-
it ; t h en h ea t h amm er a ch er r y r ed ; t h en ho l d p een in
l
s a ck t ub a d n l e t t h r e e e i gh t
-
h s s t r e a m po u r on cen t e r
of f a ce u n t i l coo l eno u gh ; t h en l et d r a w t o a d a r k
st r a w c o l o r I f .i t do e s n o t d r a w t o r i gh t c o l o r h e a t ,
ey e w ed ge p t u in ho l e u n t i l t h e r i g h t c o l o r s a pp ea r .
T he ol d w ay o f dip in
p g in t u b c oo l s o u t s id e t o o f a s t ,
cr a cks i t a d n m a k e s i t s h e l l y T h e .
n e w w a y o f co o l
n
in g ce t er the f as t e s t c on t r a c t s t h e s t e e l a n d m a k e s
it s lo id an d t i wi l l n e v er c r ac k n o r s p r a l l o ff .
,
25 2 T H E T WE N T I ET H C EN T U RY
Redressing and T emperi ng O l d A nvi l s .
N o . 30 . d r aw t emp er ; l et it cool
H ea t ol d a nvil to
s l ow p l a n e off f ace h eat f a ce t o ch err y r ed an d w hi l e
, ,
hot t h r ow on f a ce a h andful of p r u ssi at e p o t a sh T h en .
coo l a s f ast a s p o ss i bl e wi th a h eavy s tr eam on cen t er
of f a ce I t wi l l be as goo d a s a n ew a n v i l
. .
O il T empering A l l H eavy B ol ts , B l ades and K ni ves .
N o . 31 . H eat a ll fl at pi eces ,
kni ves, bl a d es an d bi t t s
on ed ge I f y ou l ay t h em fl at on fi r e y ou wi l l sp r in g
.
t h em H eat t o ch er r y r ed an d p l un ge in r aw l in seed
.
oi l. Wh en cool scour off e d ge br i gh t H eat a h eavy .
i r on l ay t oo l on e d ge up d r aw t o d ar k s tr aw co l o r
, , ,
.
T al l ow T e mpering f or M achinist s, T ool s and T ools Re

q ui r i ng H ar d, T ough Edge .
N o . 32 . T w o t hi r d s t al l ow
-
an d on e -
t hi r d beesw a x ;
a dd t o t hi s a l i t tl e s a l tp et er t o t o u gh en s t eel . D is
so l ve a l l an d m ix h er ry r ed ; dip
. H eat poin t of t oo l c
point of t oo l in s o l ut ion a s y ou wo ul d in w at er an d
l et it d r aw on l y t o a l i gh t st r a w co l o r T hi s i s a goo d .
t hin g I t i m p r o ves t he s t eel ; a l l t oo l s wi ll h ave a

.
h ar d t ou gh ed ge
,
.
C ase H ar dening S t eel Pl ow M ol d B oar ds .
N o . 33 . M ake a br in e of s al t an d ra in w at er to ho l d
up an e gg : a dd a l i ttl e sa l t p et er . H ea t s t eel or mol d
bo ar d h er ry r ed an d whi l e hot sp r in kl e on f a ce pr u s
c ,
s i at e pot a sh a n d p l u n g e t ow a r d t he n or t h in t h e br in e .
L et i t l ay in t he br in e u n t i l coo l th r o u gh an d it w i ll
'
n ot sp r in g n or cr a ck .
54 T H E T WE N T I ET H C EN T URY
Wel di ng
'
or S ol dering B and S aws .
N o . 38 . Fil e s ca r f s s o t h ey fi t t o geth er
ni cel y ; t h en
p ut a p i e ce of s i l v er s o l d er bet w een l ap s or a s i l ver ,
coin w i l l d o T h en put on s o m e mu r i at i c aci d or s o me

.
,
ch ar re d bo r ax i s j u st a s goo d T h en h ea t a p ai r of .
v er y h eavy j aw ed t on gs ; h eat t o a v er y hi gh h eat ; ho l d
l ap s of sa w betw een j aw s of t on gs u n t i l w el d e d T h ey .
w el d ver y qii i ck an d wi ll n ot br eak wh er e w el d ed

,
.
S o m e po ur w a t er on t on gs t o coo l t h em off f a st .
H ow to Work S elf H -
ar dening S teel ( C al l ed M ushet
S t eel ) .
N o
. 39 . h er r y r ed ; f or ge to d es i r ed sh ap e ;
H e at to c
th e n h eat a ga in t o ch er r y r ed ; l ay in a i r t o coo l t he -
m o r e a ir the h ar d er i t wi l l be T o m ak e v er y h ar d .
ho l d in co l d bl ast .
I ns tructions for T emperi ng Pneumatic T ool s .
A nd ome h eavy s h ear kni ves wh er e i t d o es n ot

f or s
r eq u i r e t oo h ar d a t emp er .
N o 40
. H eat t oo l al l o ver ; h eat v er y sl ow l y , s o
.
i t wi l l h eat t h r o u gh t o ch er r y r ed an d p l un ge t ool in ,
l in s eed oil an d l et i t l ay in oil un t i l i t i s coo l cl ear

th r o u gh T hi s wi l l gi ve a goo d t emp er on any t o ol
.
requ i r ed h a r d al l over .
H ot A ir an dH ot W a t er
B y C L O W an d D O N A L DS O N .
T hr e e l
v o um e s in on e . O ve r F u y i us
6 00 p a g es . ll ll
t rat e d S p e ci a ,
. E xc l l
us iv e P rin t e d
E dit io n by .
F r e de r ick D rake J . C o m p a n y e xp r es s y for S e a rs , l

R oebuck C o m pa ny . C o n t a in s
P R A C T I C A L U P T O DA T E P L U M B I N G - -
. B y G eo .
B C ow . l
R e t a i p ri c e . l
H O T W A T E R H EA T I N G , S T E A M A N D G A S F I T
T I N G B y W i i a m D o na ds o n
. R et ai p r i ce ll l . l
WO R K I N G D RA W I N G S R e t ai p r i c e . l A m on g
j
t he s ub e ct s t hi s v a uab e bo ok t r e a t s o f l l
S A N I T A R Y PL U M B I N G .
M O DERN H O T WA T E R, H O T A I R A N D
“
S T EA M H EA T I N G .
S T EA M A N D G A S FI T T I N G .
WO RK I N G D RA WI N G S .
N 3 R9 1 80 S T A N DA R D A M E R I C A N PL UM B I N G
‘
o ,
W A T E R H EA T I N G
.
H O T A I R A N D H O T ,
S T EA M A N D G A S F I T T I N G .
O U R S PE C I A L PRI C E
I f by ma i l , p o s t a g e e xt r a , 21 c ent s .
S EA R S , R O E B U C K C O M P A N Y,
C hi ca g o, I l l .
0lltIlN ACHINE lllll ’
i tl ltt
R
I N C L U DI N G
PA T T ERN M A K I N G a n d
FO UN DRY PRA CT I C E
B y B RO O K ES an d H A N D .
T w o vol ume s in on e . 8 00 p a ge s . ll
Fu y i ll u s t r at e d .
B o un d in c o t h l . l
S p e c i a , E x c u s i ve l E dit i o n . P ri n t e d
by F r e de r ick J . D ra ke C o m p any l
e x p re s s y fo r
S ears , R o ebuck C o mp a n y C on t ain s .
T W EN T I ET H C EN T U R Y M A C H IN E SH O P
P RA C T I C E . B y L E i ot t B ro oke s
. ll
R et ai p r ice . l
PA T T E R N M A K I N G A N D F O U N D R Y P R A C T I C E .
B y L H H an d R et a i p r i ce
. . . T hi s bo o k isl
in t e n de d for t h e p r a ct ica in s t ru ct i on o f m a chini s t s , l
e n gine e r s , e t c .
M O D E R N M A C H I N E S H O P PRA C T I C E I t c ea r y . l l
l
but co n cis e y de s cr ibe s t he pr op e rt i es o f s t e a m , t he
in di cat or , h o rs e p ow er, e ec t r icit y , m e a s ur in g de l
V i ce s , m a chi ni s t s t oo s
’
l .
P A T T E R N M A K I N G A N D F O U N DRY P R A C T I C E .
l l
N e a r y e v e ry p r ob em exp a in e d is t aken fr om a n l
l
a c t ua pa t t ern
. .
H U N D R E D S O F I L L U S T RA T I O N S T he s e i us t ra . ll
t i o n s s h o w v i e w s o f t he a t e s t m achin e s , t he m o s t l
up t o- dat e a n d i m p r ov e d be t an d m o t or dri ven m a
-
l -
l
c hi n e t oo s , w it h fu ll
in fo r ma t i on a s t o t he ir us e a n d
op e ra t ion .
O U R S PE C I A L PR I C E
S EA R S , R O E B U C K C O M PA N Y,
C hi ca g o, I l l .
CYCL O PEDI A
Stuceos andPlesters
Everything Connected with the Allied
B y FRED T . H O DG S O N .
8 40 p a g e s F u y i us t rat e d . ll ll .
l
B o un d in s i k c o t h l l
S p e cia , E xc us iv e E dit ion
. l .
P r in t e d by F r e de r ick J
D r a ke . C o m p an y e xp res s y l
fo r S ea r s , R o ebuck C om p any C ont ains . .
T H E T W EN T I ET H C E N T U R Y B R I C K L A YE R S
'
’
A N D M A SO N S A SSI ST A N T
’
B y F red T H o dg . .
s on . l
R e t a i p r i ce
C O N C R ET E S , C E M E N T S , M O RT A R S , PL A S T E R S
A N D S T UC C O S H ow t o M a ke a n d H ow t o U s e
.
T he m B y F re d T H o dg s on R et ai p ri ce
. . . l
DI A G RA M S A N D PL A T E S R et a i p ri ce l
— M a s onry —C on c r et es
.
l
B r i c k a y in g S t o n e and C
—
c
m en t s M o r t a r s , P l a s t e rin g a n d S t uc c o W o r k .
O U R S PEC I A L PRI C E
S EA R S , R O E B U C K C O M PA N Y,
C hica go, I l l .
Date Due
l
A ll ibrary items ar e s ub ect
j to ll
reca a t a ny time
.
B righam Young University

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A MERICAN B lAC KS M lT H lN G T O O LS M IT H S ,

tra d e . I f th e re fo re t h e r e h a s e ver b e e n s u c h a t hin g

I I I m e d i c in e w e ﬁnd a W id e di ffe re n c e o f opin i on ,

e ve n a m ong s t p ra ct i t ion er s o f t he s a m e s choo l in ,

wh e r e ve r h e h a s be e n bl a cksm i th s com in g e ve n fro m

t r a d e s in whi c h t h e y h a v e b ee n r ega rd e d a s e xp ert 1

h in t o the sm al l e st p ul l e y in the r i gg in g of the ship

th e cl o ck in ow e r down t o the l ook of the doo rs

wond e r th e n th a t t he s m i th wa s re s p e cte d V ul gar

but the S w e d e s (th e m ake r s of t h e b e s t i r on ) p r e fe r

p ropo r tion N o t be c a use t h e re i s n o t e no ug h of the

l oo ke d the c ol o r of his t ra d e I l oo ke d a r o und for

ve r y g oo d shop . T he s hop w a s a bu i l din g o f r o ugh

sh e d . A big wood b l o ck l i ke the choppin g bl o ck in a

J ust t hin k of i t—ﬁft e en c e n t s a da y

th e r e who e v e r thin k of t hi s ? I wo ul d a dvi se e ve r y

buy l i q uo r for o n e dol l a r p ut a s id e on e d ol l ar T ry .

thi s for on e y e a r a n d i t wi l l s ti m ul a t e to C on t in ual

t u n i ty c o m e s t oo o fte n . Wh e n you h ave ﬁni s h e d s om e

q u i t a nd t he a pp r e n t i ce n eve r beg in thi s d a n gero us

hi s d ut y t o hi s c u s t o m ers a n d t h e y kno w i t a nd p re fer

izin g c i vi l izin g a n d u pl i ftin g inﬂ u e n c e o f t he ch u rch

wil l in m a ny c a s e s b e fo u nd on S u nda y s in his S hop

s m i t hin g . I n the l a r g e c i t i e s th e re a re bl a cks m i t h s

ho r s e S ho e rs who know no thin g a bo ut bl a cks m i t hin g

ﬁnd a ho rs e S ho e r th a t i s a g ood bl a cks m i th T hi s i s

n o t g e n e r a l l y u nd ers too d T o m a n y b l a cksmi t hin g

se e m s to onl y ho rse sho e ing an d our tra de

jo urn al s a re n ot m uch b e tter po st e d Wh e n e ver a .

bl a cksm i th i s a l l u d e d t o or pi ctu r e d you wi l l a l wa ys ,

ﬁnd a hor se S hoe in c onn e ct ion w i th i t Ye t th e re a re

tho u s a nd s of bl a cks m i th s t h a t n e ve r m a d e a ho r se sho e -

in al l t h e i r l i ve s H o rse sho e in g ha s d evel op e d t o be

t o sta rt ou t for hi m sel f w i t h l e s s t h a n t h r ee or fo ur

know i t p e opl e don t know the di ff e re n ce ; b e sid e s t hi s

s ho ul d l e ar n ho rse sho e in g for t h e s a m e r e as on s-

e no ug h t o p e r s e v e re for s uch a c o urse in o ur t i me s , ,

wh e n e v e r ybody w a n t s t o g e t to the fron t a t on ce ?

T he bl a cksm i th s ho rse sho er s h a ve a t l a st p ut

the thin kin g ca p on for t he p u rpo se O f be t te r in g t h e i r

c ondi t ion S o fa r no t hin g h a s b e e n a cc o m p l i sh e d but

how l for l i ce n se a n d un rea s on a bl e a s i t i s t ho u sa n d s

whi m s N a t ion s a nd o r ga niz a t ion s a re j u s t l i ke indi

t e n a n t H o b son wa s the idol a n d g rea t w a s he fa r off

i ons on a t o u r t h r o u gh the c o un t r y a n d the wo r s hip e r s ,

Phy si c i a n s h a ve t h e i r fa v o r i t e p re sc rip t ion s m i n ,

U nion s h a ve b e e n o r g a niz e d a n d t h e o bj ec t ion s a r e

T he b o a r d h a s fa i l e d t o a cc o m p l i sh the p urpo s e for

whi ch i t wa s i n s ti tu te d—the el e va t in g of the s ta nd ar d

t h e re a r e m o r e t h a n one s m i t h u nion s wi l l onl y h e l p

a dol l a r a d a y in som e thin g e l se t h e y wo ul d s t a y ou t ,

b ut thi s be in g i m po s s i bl e t h e y think i t be tt e r t o try a t

the a n vi l F or th e m t o ge t a n yt hin g t o do wi thout

cu tt in g p ri ces i s out of th e q ue st ion a nd s o the cutt in g,

b u sin e ss be gin s a n d e nd s wh e n th e re gul a r s m i th h a s

T hi s i s a fact in spi te of a l l p r o s p e r i ty howl in g

m e n t w a n ts a t a i l o r for in s tru cto r in our I ndi a n s choo l s ,

o r a bl a cks m i t h for the r ese rva t io n th ey ge t about ,

O ffi c e h e m u s t h a ve p e r y e a r W h a t ind uce

m e n t i s i t u nd e r such c ondi t ion s for a y o u n g m a n to

sa id : M a n kind ar e m o re di s po s e d t o s u ffe r whi l e

a b o l i s hin g the fo r m s t o whi ch t h e y a re a c c u s t o m e d

the frui t o f the g u i l d s a n d th e p ri v i l e ge t h e y e n j o y e d