Basket twist Christmas ornament

The basket twist is a classic blacksmithing technique. By making a small forge welded basket twist we can make a very attractive Christmas tree ornament. The addition of a glass marble in the twist really sets this one off.
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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.

[@getoverit4887]

Nice. I'm glad you aren't too proud to show those moments where you make a mistake. Some people cut those parts out to try and make themselves look like they don't make mistakes. By showing your mistakes we get to learn from them just like you do. Thank you for another great video.

[@BlackBearForge]

Oh, I edit out plenty of screw ups

[@bjellison905]

Thanks for the mistakes. It helps us beginners fix ours

[@consultmjp]

I've watched you for years but somehow I missed this one. Great undiscovered gem. Looks like something you could do with the induction forge!

[@BlackBearForge]

I think so, I meant to make some of these this year but never got around to it. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@stevenpackard1463]

love this forge .i saw it once and couldn`t remember what to call it . will make a perfect christmas gift for my exwife . she cant say i never bought her jewlery

[@thesleepyweasel3775]

Nice earrings!

[@paulorchard7960]

Yeh John, they will go very nicely with your evening gown, scare the wife too!

[@BlackBearForge]

😂😜

[@z0mb13h0rd3]

John, Agate would be a good choice for the marbles for a project like this. It is quite heat durable and offers an upgrade to the glass. Wish I had seen this video a couple of weekends ago, I would have got some for the upcoming Xmas season at a gem and mineral show. I’m sure I’ll find them online… -John

[@jeffsuper1025]

At last, something worthwhile and uplifting from the political campaign season!! Great job, thank you.

[@Northfordtrailcam]

"Office Christmas party" ….love it.

[@kambranictay1]

Hahahaha great commentary at the end. As always keep up the amazing content. 👍🏼

[@gregfarley5737]

The marble was a nice touch. Combining glass, the marble, with metal has great contrast.

[@UnProj]

Christmas tree ornament design: "... I'm gonna go out on a limb..." well played

[@mtyson9004]

Very nice John! Thanks!

[@HisWayHomestead]

Love your videos John!

[@BlackBearForge]

I appreciate that!

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Great video John, thanks for sharing with us. Always enjoy your videos !

[@duaneaubuchon9453]

Really love this one reminds me of my childhood

[@Incandescentiron]

Fun!

[@81MrKMan]

I made one of those last year after watching a John Bennett video. I started with quarter square bar. I put 4 marbles in it of two different sized and stamped 2017 on the side, I posted it on Blacksmithing for Beginners and it was super popular. It was a little heavy at 9 oz but not too bad. Wish I had thought of that bottom swage idea. Great Video.

[@Zogg1281]

That turned out looking really nice even if that marble didn't want to be part of the ornament LOL 😊

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

Great idea. So them signs have a use after all.

[@sronnau99]

Thank you for the help!

[@jackreeves3001]

Very nice video. I like and appreciate your straightforward way of instructing and your quite commentary. Your are a pleasure to watch. Have a Merry Christmas. Peace!

[@thedivineelf]

Thanks for always putting time out of your day to help us all be better smiths

[@traviswalker6831]

Great Christmas idea. Thanks

[@thijs3514]

Very nice ornament! And also nice to see the coal forge working again!

[@larryking606]

I saw this project a little late for last CHRISTMAS, but it is a Wonderful Idea for next CHRISTMAS, unless you come up with a lot more ornaments ! Thanks for the terrific Idea ! Will be waiting for many more !

[@calvin2787]

Very nice!

[@charlesmay8251]

Great video! Love the humor!

[@scottcallister8821]

Nice! That's the exact thing I did with a friend a couple months ago. We did everything wrong! To big stock, a dirty fire, no bottom swedge, burning, you name it! Still a good learning experience tho! Thanks

[@noonestoplooking]

Im going to be giving this a try this year for Christmas presents

[@grandadz_forge]

This one is my favorite! Sorta

[@hwdllc]

Made a cool look with the marble inside. Thanks for the idea

[@random40s]

Really cool. I've never attempted anything like that. It came out really nice. Good work as always.

[@steelpennyforge5152]

Looks great! Looking forward to the next one!

[@rafer2002]

Very good stuff.

[@lodianbothma828]

Hahaha...funny great content as always! Thanks John!

[@TheNuggetshooter]

Very nice - and, in addition to earrings, you could also wear one at times as a nose ring!

[@remyjones9146]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much.

[@BlackBearForge]

You're welcome!

[@TomokosEnterprize]

Really nice piece once more bud.

[@stanervin6108]

Alright! Love basket twists!🐾🔥⚒👍

[@danielcrawford7315]

Sorry I missed this one...but I'm catching up. Lol was doing the hospital thing...1st grand daughter born and all! Love the twisted basket ornaments and the marble idea! Merry Christmas to you, Crawford out

[@BlackBearForge]

Merry Christmas

[@bentoombs]

Lol i'm coming to your Christmas party. Whether you're having one or not. Lmao 👍👍merry Christmas everyone

[@dspecht40]

I have to say, I love your channel. Thanks for all the work you put into making these videos, and the valuable knowledge you share. When I start making more money, I will definitely start donating via Patreon.

[@3870TheDad]

Outstanding earring idea! Of course on a much smaller scale, goldsmiths wire, and pea size ball.

[@danielcrawford7315]

Pearl?

[@erikcourtney1834]

Made one of these last night. Used 6” of 1/4” bar with a 1.5” piece of 1/8” in the center to fill in the void where they all meet . And actually my first time welding mild steel in my Venturi gas forge. Worked out pretty well. Thanks John for the idea.

[@hannemannironworks1651]

Very interesting ornament John!

[@ghostforge3303]

That looks really Awesome and is getting on my ta-do list. Thank You for all your presents you have given us your followers through out this Year......--STeve

[@MrDukaman]

Merry Christmas bud. Nice little project ⚒🔥👍

[@prophez23]

I really love watching your videos my friend. Stay safe and forge on! Merry Christmas and Happy New year!

[@BrunoGalice]

Nice earrings ! :)

[@theageingadventurers4283]

Very cool man. I'm gonna' have to try my hand at one. Hope you have a Merry Christmas!

[@robphone4895]

On the twenty-fourth day of Christmas the black bear made for me, a basket twist Christmas ornament, a corkscrew, a blanket pin, a squirrel cooker, a key fob, a ball and cup toy, a decorative punch, meat scewers, a hot dog fork, jingle bels, a candy dish, a paper towel holder, a menorah, BBQ tongs, a stocking hanger, a Christmas tree ornament, a cabinet pull, a dinner bell, a steak flipper, a hose hanger, a bottle opener, a candle snuffer, a nice wreath hook and a beaitifull coat hook.

[@kevinconyers8744]

You know you recently asked about whether or not you should write a book. A christmas or decoration themed project book would be unique I believe. And you already have a project book with you haha. Merry Christmas

[@willlothridge3197]

I’ve made several of them this year

[@gregwise5324]

Thanks For Another Great Video, John. Merry Christmas !!

[@BlackBearForge]

Merry Christmas

[@bunyanforgings7849]

Is it normal to see somewhat of a line at the forge weld. Last time I tried it the weld took but I could still see a line where the welds were and I couldn't seem to make them disappear. Help me Obi Wan!

[@BlackBearForge]

Yes it is quite normal. If there is enough mass, you can sometimes work the line out. But don't go to far or you just end up with a thin section

[@willlothridge3197]

I open the basket drop in the marble then twist the basket back closed some. Won’t damage the marble unless you quench

[@radionicsoftware5026]

Lol earrings lol 😂😆😂

[@IronMountainAxeandTool]

Awesome video! As they all are. Thank you for making them. In this video, did you tack the ends with the oxy torch?

[@robertlundquist5450]

Great idea, but I don't think my small propane forge can get to welding temp. I do have a mig welder. Could I weld the end 2 inches of the round bar and then draw the ends out to a point and a hook? I also want to thank you for putting in all this time to show us these cool projects.

[@BlackBearForge]

It would be worth a try

[@grandadz_forge]

I'll try this again. Last time I used bale wire. Failed 4 times. Maybe it was too thin of stock.

[@BlackBearForge]

Might be able to heat the bailing wire with a torch. But it would be pretty tough to get the weld without cooling off

They are nice ornaments however health safety will say they need a cork on the bottom because of the point.

[@mikechapple2363]

I'd like to know more about how to recognize when burning a weld.

[@BrunoGalice]

When it will be sparking like a cake sparkling candle you'll know that it's burned :)

[@glennwiebe5128]

If you see sparkles, as John had a couple of times, you know that it's too hot. A few sparkles, emphasis on a "few", is okay and many use this as the indicator for weld temp. If you see sparkles and hear it sizzling you may have gone too far. Then your workpiece will be greatly reduced in mass as the carbon has escaped the material (the sparkles are burning carbon molecules). The areas surrounding the "holes" will be very crumbly (very scientific blacksmithing term) and does not like to be forged. With a severe burn, the piece will just fall apart as you hammer it. There may be a core that remains but by that time you're best to cut it off or start over. Merry Christmas and not the 4th of July (no sparkles)!

[@BlackBearForge]

If you pull it out of the fire and it is sparking heavily and the end is missing, its burned. There will be no mistaking a severely burned piece of steel.

[@jjppres]

Nice ornament John. Still intrigues me everytime I see you use your torch how that auto shut off works. I have not been able to find it or anything about it on the internet. Do you have a web page or a link for it by chance?

[@BlackBearForge]

www.mscdirect.com/product/details/62431705

[@jjppres]

@@BlackBearForge Thank you John!

[@ivorboyd3126]

@@BlackBearForge Used gas torch for welding for much of my working life and never saw one of these. You really do learn something new every day, Thanks.

[@ghostforge3303]

Who was the maker of your hammer?

[@BlackBearForge]

The small diagonal peen is one I made many years ago

[@billhennen978]

Almost thought you lost your marbles when you dropped it

[@BlackBearForge]

No, I lost my marbles way before that

[@BrianDaleNeeley]

You could always throw an office Christmas Party. And while it might be a bit boring as you would be the only one there, you wouldn't have to deal with with anyone bringing any food you wouldn't enjoy. And of course there wouldn't be anyone that would insist that you call it a "Holiday Party" for political correctness...

[@BlackBearForge]

If its just for me I can have a solstice party and dance naked under the full moon. But more seriously, being polite and respecting other peoples system of beliefs is not political.