Large nail or spike header

[@TomokosEnterprize]

That was the quickest 19 min. I have seen all day. I am sure looking forward to the next post. Thanks my talented friend !

[@BlackBearForge]

Hopefully not to short.

[@TomokosEnterprize]

I could watch all day as I am mostly chair bound now. This was nice as it finished today's project.

[@JennyDMyWorld]

I love it!

[@tomcarlson3244]

I enjoy every time you make a new tool.

[@larryking606]

I find your Videos very interesting and may I say that you are a True Blacksmith !

[@xxxclampgodxxx5511]

Another good one. The wire brush sounds like Santa’s slay bells. LOL👍. Thx again John ..Paul..

[@workwithnature]

Ha you know I was thinking the same it sounds very similar.

[@leperejoe1536]

Well explained. More tooling to make.

[@DavoShed]

Great video as always !

[@joeynighttrain1126]

Thank you sir for sharing your knowledge 👍🏼✨👍🏼

[@rickchargois9322]

I was actually planning to make a smaller version of one of these for an upcoming project so as always I do appreciate the lesson. Your instruction is, for me, one of the best series online. Take care

[@gordonfamilyforge134]

Same here, I have six for different size nails. Was planning on making a spike header soon.

[@BlackBearForge]

These actually get harder to make in smaller sizes. Little punches heat up so fast its tough to get the hole punched.

[@rickchargois9322]

Ill give it a try and send you a photo of the outcome. Thanks for the inspiration!!

[@gordonfamilyforge134]

Black Bear Forge video intro I drilled my holes in the smaller ones and then ran a square taper through it to final size the hole. I tried punching it it didn't work out for me.

[@mikeywatts322]

yeah, thankyou heaps John. i really enjoy this type of vid; that little snapshot of a thing always in flux, this Blacksmithing thing. making tools to make a tool to punch this or that.. i had no idea when "i just wanna make a Kukhri. and maybe a billhook" that a whole world opened up and i realised I'd need to make some tongs. and a punchdrifthotcutbolsterflatter etcetera 😜anyhow, i reckon you all know what i'm saying! i love the process- and when you need more tools? hey, just make 'em! cheers John, and great timing because i was wanting to knock up some chunky hardware for my also chunky Australian hardwood butcher's block, cheers again

[@nofunclub]

You are my favourite KZbin blacksmith Jim KZbin apprentice The Netherlands

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks

[@Luis-eu2ow]

I like the new opening. Keep growing and trying out new things. Keep on hammering videos out! I love the channel.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks. I thought I would try the more formal but shorter opening to see how it goes.

[@Luis-eu2ow]

Black Bear Forge it keeps it succinct and I think it works quite well. It sets a nice pacing for the video and makes it easy to listen to when not necessarily looking at the screen to know when you are on a new video. Keep on meing awesome!

[@workwithnature]

Good one cheers. Always like it when you get to do some forge welding as part of a video.

[@BlackBearForge]

It's a skill I want people to see as just another technique instead of some ancient mystery.

[@workwithnature]

Yes it is very handy to be able to do. When you demonstrate how it can be applied it sparks new ideas, but also I would not have thought of using it in that way, you know, to make a header.

[@BlackBearForge]

Sometimes there just isn't a need for a big piece of steel on a tool like this. I think historically it was common to make them like this.

[@brianfalls5894]

John, I love watching you work your magic here but you really need to get yourself a partner to hold onto the projects or swing the hammer for you so you don't have to work so hard. Great work just the same!

[@johndilsaver8409]

I really enjoyed that, especially the forge welding. Thanks!

[@BlackBearForge]

You are welcome

[@steelpennyforge5152]

Really cool project, looking forward to part 2

[@valsforge4318]

A pleasure to watch, as always,Thanks.

[@waltparkhurst2494]

Another awesome well explained video thank you John.

[@3870TheDad]

Thanks again for another great instructional video!! I especially like the way you introduced yourself and your channel. A lot better than many other channels.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks, I have been watching videos on how to improve your videos. So I thought I would try some new things

[@GWIRailroad]

Perfect timing, I was just wondering about a nail header. Mine will need to be smaller but the principal should work. Thank You!

[@BlackBearForge]

The only trouble is that the smaller the square punch, the easier it heats up and bends while trying to make the hole.

[@matthewmerrick4452]

Does the header need to be hardenable steel? I was just thinking about a project that would be great with hand forged nails.

[@BlackBearForge]

No, but if you use it lots it will deform and a burr will form on the inside of the head which grabs the nail shank and makes it hard to remove.

[@jaylark6528]

Thanks John! Another well done video. Can't wait to see what you have in mind for the giant nails.

[@jimhumphrey]

I noticed you balancing the piece on you apron while you forged. I can't do that I reluctantly split my leather apron up from the bottom to be able to hold a bar while forging. ....Big nail needs a big hammer! :)

[@20mcarroll02]

I've got a smaller one to make also. Want to make some old tapered nails. I think some people call them concrete nails, although to me they look like large clinch nails that farriers use.

[@BlackBearForge]

The somewhat triangular looking nails are actually cut from strips.

[@20mcarroll02]

Black Bear Forge i did not know that.

[@BlackBearForge]

Do a web search for Treamont nail company. They still make cut nails on original machines.

[@allyblair]

Thanks john

[@OuroborosArmory]

Nice new intro!

[@BlackBearForge]

Thank you

[@luukderksen8810]

Hello John, 2 queations. 1: Will you do a vid. About dressing your anvil. You already made a vid. Over anvils and subsitus. Dressing the corners. Fix the dimple on the face of the anvil. 2. Your Bolt tongs are a piece of art. i have made 2 of them but your jaw is much Nicer. I know that. Video is coming out one day but i wanted to say that.

[@BlackBearForge]

Dressing the anvil is coming up in the next few weeks. I will also be making a bolt tong video, however in many of the videos IO am using tongs from Off Center tools. hey make an excellent bolt tong.

[@davidsimons9132]

Could a railroad spike be used to make a nail header?

[@camelcitytattooshopp]

Im curious about elavation? Def.makes a difference when cooking wondering if it affects smithin

[@BlackBearForge]

It does affect a gas forge, but I haven't been aware of any issues with coal. Of course I have rarely forged at a lower altitude.

[@tdemario3753]

Could you not harden and temper the punch and still have a good punch? I say this because won’t you loose the hardness and temper by when the punch heats up from use?

[@BlackBearForge]

You can and there are some people that do that. However even if the tip gets to hot the shank stays fairly hard and is less likely to bend. The tip also doesn't get fully soft unless you get it back up to critical temp. Try making two punched fro the same material and do a side by side comparison. I haven't tried that myself, but it would be an interesting experiment.

[@kennethomeara9848]

Hello John, I am wondering if you have a video on forging two round bars together (kinda like if you wanted a cross) this is for a lid lifter for Dutch ovens. Thank you for your great videos And knowledge

[@BlackBearForge]

The half lap joint might work for that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZOZZKGlrc94ppo

[@timk.1395]

Would re-fluxing where you started to get weld shear be important for rewelding?

[@BlackBearForge]

In most case it would be a good idea. I may have done that off camera.

[@gordonfamilyforge134]

Are there any rules of thumb that you would give a new blacksmith as to the type of Steel they should use for different types of tooling? For instance impact-resistant tools, drifts, tongs. I'd like to develop a better idea of when to use certain steals if you have any books that you would recommend let us know please thanks

[@BlackBearForge]

Its really more a matter of using materials you have access to and are comfortable working with. While H13 and S7 make great tools they are expensive and a bit more technical to heat treat. For most blacksmithing uses 4140 or 5160 work fine, they just need to be cooled more often and probably dressed or sharpened more often as well.

[@johnwest4788]

Do you wear any UV protective glasses when forge welding?

[@BlackBearForge]

I do not. I have known some people that do, but very few. Mostly you just don't stare at it, but rather glance at it from time to time.

[@gordonfamilyforge134]

I do a lot of lighting design, the color temperature of your house lighting correlates to the temperature of a hot material. Your average household light has a color temperature of 3000 to 6000 degrees Kelvin, at forging temperature I'm assuming you're between 1700 and 2200 degrees so the light coming off of that should not hurt your eyes. The part to concern yourself with I think would be the infrared light which the effects are based on the distance from the object. So forging temperature color should not hurt your eyes

[@johnwest4788]

Interesting. I have only yet made one successful forge weld and that was a lap weld. But I've unintentionally burned up a few pieces in my home made coal forge! :O. In my home made propane forge, I've never achieved welding temperatures.

[@BB_46]

Can you tell me more about vermiculite? It looks like there's different grades,what do you recommend? Also is perlite similar or could I use just plain sand with the same results. Thanks.

[@BlackBearForge]

I know you can buy asbestos free vermiculite and in most areas that is all you can buy. I think perlite is similar, but I'm not sure if it performs the same or not. sand would be OK, but it probably doesn't insulate as well. Wood ash works very well, but tends to drift around the shop and make a mess.

[@BB_46]

Black Bear Forge thanks I will check out what I can get around here. Much appreciated.

[@reneemills-mistretta790]

Is there a specific formula in tempering different steel?

[@BlackBearForge]

There are thousands of steel types, each with its own recommended hardening and tempering specs. Most can be found online, in books or even cell phone apps

[@bunyanforgings7849]

Is it necessary to dome the top of a nail heading tool like I've seen in other videos? Or can I leave it flat?

[@BlackBearForge]

The dome helps you create facets on the nail head by allowing your hammer to tip without hitting the edge of the header. If you are just making flat heads instead of the classic rose head then it itsn't required.

[@bunyanforgings7849]

Gottcha. Thanks, John.

[@wallacedavis8922]

What are you quenching your punch in ?

[@BlackBearForge]

most sucker rod is an oil quench steel. I use commercial quenching oil. I'm afraid I don't recall the brand name.