Hot Metal

Forging
 Forging- is the process of using pressure
to shape metal.
 Forging
 In some forging techniques the metal is
heated ( but not to the melting point ) to
make it easier to shape.
 Hand Forging is one of the many aspects
of this metal shaping technique and was in
use long before written records were kept.
 Equipment for Hand Forging
 Forge
 The Forge is used to heat the metal prior to
forging.
 It may be fired by gas or coal however gas is

usually used because it is a cleaner burning fuel.

Gas Forge
 Equipment for Hand Forging
 Anvil

 Heated metal is shaped on an Anvil

 Circular shapes are formed over the horn

 Tools may be mounted in the Hardy Hole

 The Pritchel Hole is used for punching holes and

bending small diameter rods.

 Equipment for Hand Forging
 Tongs

 While being shaped, hot metal is held with Tongs.

 It is important to used tongs that fit the work.
 3 main types of tongs are Straight Lip, Curved Lip, and
Pick-Up tongs.
 Equipment for Hand Forging
 Hammers

 A 1 ½ or 2lb hammer is suitable for light work, while a

3lb hammer is ok for larger heaver work.
 NOTE: Avoid choking up on the hammer because too
much power is wasted in this manner.
 Equipment for Hand Forging
 Anvil Tools
 Many anvil tools are designed to fit the hardy hole of the
anvil.
 Hardies have a square hole that is placed in the hardy.
 The metal is placed on the hardie and then struck with a
hammer.
 NOTE: Metal thicker than ½” should be cut hot.
 Equipment for Hand Forging
 Chisels
 Used to cut metal in much the same way as the hardy.
However they have handles for safer and easier
manipulation.
 The hot chisel is thinner than the cold chisel and as the
name implies is used to cut hot metal.
 Equipment for Hand Forging
 Punches
 Used to make holes in hot metal.
 Forging
 Metal must be heated to proper
temperature.
 Most mild steel should be heated to bright red.
 Tool Steel must not be heated to more than a dull

red or it looses many desirable characteristics.

 Never permit metal to be heated to a white heat.
 How to Draw Out Metal
 Drawing out means the metal is stretched
 How to Draw Out Metal
 Round stock can be easily drawn out
 Square stock must be rounded off as the
first step in the drawing out process.
 If this is not done the metal can split or crack on
the edges.
 How to Bend Metal
 There are different methods to use when
bending metal.
1. Place the work over the anvil face so that
the point of the bend is located where the
face edge is rounded. Strike the section
that hangs off the anvil until the desired
angle is achieved.
 How to Bend Metal

2. Curved sections can be formed over the

anvil horn. Heat the metal, place it over
the horn and strike the metal until desired
curve is achieved.
 How to bend metal

3. Place the heated metal into the hardy or

pritchel hole and bend with tongs.
 References
 Content in this presentation taken from
the text “Modern Metalworking” by John
R. Walker.