Basic Blacksmithing - Forging Spring Fullers

Simple spring fullers provide both top and bottom tool in one convenient hands free tool for the anvil. I just make these from mild steel, nothing fancy and no heat treatment required.
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Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.t yourself.

[@doingitoutdoors7083]

It's funny how sometimes making the tool and or jig becomes the fun part. As always, thanks for the video.

[@cosmicbrambleclawv2]

Spent my morning watching the beginner videos and then went outside and ended up cleaning the carport a bit after plotting out where to make a shop eventually Didn't expect to see a fresh video when I came inside 😂 ❤

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad I could help!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Thanks for the great video today John, it's fascinating watching how easy you make it appear to be able to hammer out things in your shops with or without electric. Stay safe and keep up the great videos. Fred.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks 👍

[@SchysCraftCo.]

Very nice job John. Forge on. Fab on. Weld on. Keep Making. Keep forge lit. God bless

[@Aminuts2009]

What I did was fold the rod twice. In half then in half again to make a square section that fits the hardy hole. That way all i needed was some 1/2" round and no welding. I need to get one of those little welders like you have.

[@LawStudentsNightmare]

That’s really interesting, i like learning about black smithing even though I don’t have the tools or area to do so

[@faroironandcustoms6577]

Nice video John!! I may have to make some candle holders for Christmas.

[@xFalconFixer]

John, You always seem to have the right video topic when I need it. I need a spring fuller to help me finish making metal hinges for our wooden fence door. Did you create a video showcasing the mini stick welder? Probably as many of us are apprehensive about buying the 'cheaper' type of equipment. It seemed to do the job well when you were using it in this video. At the current (Aug 2024) price of $79.00, it's hard to pass up buying one. As always, I greatly appreciate everything you do... Sharing your knowledge, skills, and blacksmith passion. Thank you for keeping the blacksmith tradition alive!

[@BlackBearForge]

That welder was enough to get the job done, but it is certainly not a great welder. The first video I did on it is here kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpmrmKl7iMyKr6c

[@GodschildinNC]

I may look into one of those welders.

[@larrystrayer8336]

Excellent video. And i like your approach to making jigs / tools. Don’t get to carry away. One can make a new or REDO it. I have several that have undergone several modifications. 5 star production.

[@332mcdaniel]

Great demo John! Thanks for sharing.

[@BlackBearForge]

My pleasure!

[@MASI_forging]

Excellent work as always 💖💖

[@robsonsantosOSO]

Great work and good tips, as always..👍

[@billchesser1475]

I’ve always wondered if I needed to temper or quench the ‘spring’ end.

[@garychaiken808]

Good job. Thank you 😊

[@danecamp]

Great video,

[@alextopfer1068]

ooh, next project when i get some good weather to light the forge! (it's summer down here so i'm avoiding the 30c days :P)

[@fauseth]

Thank you John.

[@Smallathe]

A wonderful tool DIY project. Thank you :)

[@samwise413]

I have learned a lot from your vids just wished i could weld to but dont think thats in my future

[@johnritchie3889]

Duct tape band aid. Love it. I’m tempted to try super glue, but haven’t tried it yet.

[@ginojaco]

It stings!

[@judweaver3635]

I've used super glue. Pinch the area first then apply a bit. It isn't as permanent as you might think.

[@armageddontools]

I used to get cuts all the time on lathe (you dont wanna use gloves after couple of videos on internet) so i would go to toilet and wash hands in a soap,put a toilet paper on dry wound and wrap it with electician tape -not too hard not to soft it keeps wound nice and clean and you can continue working. If you bleed too much rinse wound in a cold water it will stop bleeding faster and raise your hand above your head .After bleeding has stopped put alcohol on a wound if you are man enough or use one of those boo boo sprays that disinfect without tears. Usually wounds that are deep but narrow heal in a day or two-problem is angle grinder and a grinding wheel -that thing makes nasty wounds that have large surface area and it takes weeks to heal. Stay safe !

[@alejandrovalenciacervantes5639]

Thanks for the video and Happy Holydays Black Bear..

[@BlackBearForge]

Happy Holidays

[@CnJForge]

Does using spring steel increase the performance at all?

[@AaronTWas]

Thank you for another amazing video! I noticed early on in some shots from your main shop in the foreground, the Vevor 66 lb. London pattern anvil that they sell now. Will you share your thoughts on it once you’ve had some time with it? Have been interested in that one as a possible step up from the sledge hammer stuck in a stump. Thank you again!

[@BlackBearForge]

Coming up next week

[@ronnie2115]

I was literally looking for s video about this from you two days ago! 😂

[@glencrandall7051]

Need a tool? Make it. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@bigredbeard65]

John, great video as always, I liked seeing how you made the tubing smaller to fit your hardy hole and the information about the spring fullers was fantastic, I've been curious if the metal needed to be spring steel or if you needed to harden any areas of the tool, now my questions have been answered. Thank you for the information, keep up the great work and as always I'll be looking forward to your next video. John V.

[@slavkochepasov8134]

Very informative video, John. Thank you. From your experience, what size of round bar is good for Spring Fullers like in this video, 1/2" ?

[@BlackBearForge]

3/8 or 1/2

[@josemariasilveirazacarias7154]

Muitas possibilidades para uso desta ferramenta. Ficaria melhor se temperasse a ponta de contato com a peça trabalhada. Obrigado. Many possibilities for using this tool. It would be better if you tempered the tip in contact with the work piece. Thanks.

[@craigmurrayauthor]

Good afternoon John Thanks again for another informative and interesting video. The incredibly long sanding belts that are used, I've heard this is so they stay cooler when working metal, is that true or is there another reason? Thanks Craig

[@BlackBearForge]

Yes they do run cooler and last longer. They will also cost a bit less per square inch in most cases.

[@Vikingwerk]

What size pipe do you usually use for candle cups?

[@BlackBearForge]

Most people use 3/4" candles, so 3/4 black pipe works well.

[@Vikingwerk]

@@BlackBearForge thanks!

[@kbarker3606]

Thanks for the video. Is there a reason a person wouldn’t cut a slot into a long hardy shank, then tap a wedge in the slot (below the anvil) to hold the tool tight?

[@BlackBearForge]

I have actually made quite a few tools that way. But I find I rarely take the time to use the wedge

[@claypottle6037]

Is the spring fuller just mild steel and what size is good for general purpose?

[@user-br3ou2cs9o]

👍😎

[@ethanessink4544]

Since SC Johnson no longer makes paste wax what else is good to use? Also, if working in the cold how cold is to cold? My set up is outside but kind of portable, any suggestions? I don't want to stop working just because of the cold but want to learn/work in the proper conditions.

[@BlackBearForge]

any paste wax should work or even straight bees wax.

[@jeffreyjones6409]

When you form the "fullering part" do you just let the material air cool or do you quench them, and if so, in what?

[@BlackBearForge]

Its just mild steel and won't harden if you quench it, so air cooling is fine

[@jeffreyjones6409]

@@BlackBearForge Thank you Sir. I was thinking that is what you did but I didn't think it would hurt to ask. Thanks again and Happy Holidays to you and yours.

[@jackdawg4579]

I've never had much luck with spring fullers, kudos to those who find them useful - but I cant get them to be repeatable enough to be useful for me, I end up with multiple strikes or offset strikes, struggle because the spacing isnt correct for the job I have to hand and so on, I'd rather use my smithing magician.

[@DH-xw6jp]

What is the approximate lenght of rod do you find to make the best spring fuller?

[@BlackBearForge]

30" -36" but it isn't critical.

[@DH-xw6jp]

@@BlackBearForge thanks. I might give it a try with some 3/8 rod this week. You and your channel has been so helpful to newbies like me.

[@Jason-jd1jv]

Instead of running back and forth to check the fit you could have used a set of calipers or dividers or something set to the size of an already known fitting shank. Save steps where you can

[@judweaver3635]

I was today years old when I learned a spring fuller isn't made from spring steel. I've been putting off making one until I came across an old coil spring.

[@RyanBarnes]

Is there any way we can make these if we don't have a welder?

[@diondejonge9986]

There some video's Quick and dirty spring fuller for example no weld Just folding

[@diondejonge9986]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/l56TiZygppacaMUsi=dkQiljIxVSSsv_Qe

[@BlackBearForge]

Yes, you can double over the bar twice to make a square profile. You'll need more material and they can be a bit fiddly to get right, but they are doable.

[@armageddontools]

You dont have to own a welder you just need to know someone that does -this is a can of beer worthy job that anyone can do . Or you can find square bar ,make it fit to a hardy hole and then drill a trough hole for fuller.After that you drill another hole 90°and tap it and use screw to hold the fuller.

[@RyanBarnes]

​@@armageddontoolsgood idea! Now, the task is to find someone with a welder, or optionally buy square bar.

[@deryiousbarzee627]

Good morning

[@BlackBearForge]

morning