Forging a Bending Fork from unknown scrap

[@JeffSearust]

My best forging hammer started as a ball peen found on the side of the road... I always stop for interesting items.

[@SonoraSlinger]

For real, the side of the road is where endless supply of free forging practice sits. I've picked up more leaf spring, coil spring, rebar, and angle iron on the road than almost anywhere else. Not to mention large bolts. Large bolts have become a staple in my small trinket forging. They make great thorns hammer pendants. So sometimes the road scrap is free money.

[@randallhackworth421]

Agreed, people think I’m shy because I walk down the road with my head facing downward. No, I’m just looking for free material lol

[@ReignForever]

Once you het a better hammer(or several) you could turn the ball-pein hammer into a little axe. They look pretty cool and are essentially the perfect size for a little camp axe or mini hatchet.

[@shopwood99]

I have the same anvil. My ringing stopped when I put a large magnet under the back side. I think the pyramid shape resonates.

[@NoreastWhips]

I have the same brand anvil, same weight. What I did was build a mounting block from scrap 4x4 wood, attaching a 1 inch thick piece of rubber sheet on the base of the block. Greatly reduced the ringing in the anvil. Much of the force goes through the anvil and block into the rubber. As always, thanks again for the video. I always learn something from you! Steve.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Slick as a wet whistle !! Thanks for sharing with us John. That bending fork turned out great. Stay safe around there and keep up the great videos. Fred.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks 👍

[@mikevansickle2735]

It's interesting to see how a knowledgeable craftsman discovers and overcomes the difficulties of mystery material with a less than optimal setup. Thanks for bringing us along on a fun, seemingly simple challenge, making something useful from "trash"!

[@MadMatMetals]

I really appreciate this series as I have the same kinda set up. It’s helping me better understand the limitations of my anvil and how to work around them until I upgrade. 😊

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad to help!

[@thomasbeckett1245]

Hey that anvil is just very similar to mine! I really enjoy mine … I do a ton of leather crafting. And it’s perfect for temporary work, where you move it all the time.. I made a strap to put a handle on it… for portability. It’s more than enough anvil for setting snaps, and rivets. I tend to have it by my easy chair, and use it constantly.

[@TalRohan]

judging by those sparks thats a serious bit of tool steel well done for making it look so easy to move ...cool tool thanks for sharing

[@BlackHoleForge]

6:18 that's such a great idea of putting a round bar to smooth out your sharp edges. Thanks John.

[@BlackBearForge]

Happy to help!

[@SchysCraftCo.]

John very nice job. Hopefully you will get great use out of it for many years to come my friend. Forge On. Fab On. Weld On. Keep Forge lit. Keep Making God Bless.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks 👍

[@JacksonDunnoKnows]

I have the 132 lber. I got a big block magnet and put it under the square horn. It's just right, and doesn't get in the away. They sell em at harbor freight. I think like 10 bucks. I don't have a ring at all. Good work Mr bear!

[@Vikingwerk]

Another project for me to add to a perpetually growing list!

[@dragonstonegemironworkscra4740]

Amen!!!!

[@billmckillip1561]

The little shop is becoming productive!

[@candymountainforge]

Loving the small shop

[@dragonstonegemironworkscra4740]

Probably been said before and more eloquently. This new hand tool shop, and the examples of working with less then the best big shop tools.... Well it seams like it just fits with a seemingly large number of small shop huys and new smiths. Myself included. Great to see this video especially. The bending fork (s) can be really useful for those without a post vice and or bench vise. Blessings Mr John Crawford out 🙏🔥⚒️🧙🏼‍♂️

[@ga5743]

Oh yea got my “Sunday hook” fix 😊. Great teaching job once again John. 👍

[@adambrown3634]

Another great video. Greetings from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks for watching!

[@tonyjones9715]

Thanks John for all the great videos 👏👏

[@Journeyforgeusa]

Well, I know what I'm making today. Thanks for the inspiration and as always very instructive. You make it look too easy sometimes. I have found that moving that magnet to the underside of that square horn deadens that ring a little more. I've got two on there and I've moved them around till I found a sweet spot.

[@Rich1ab]

Wow that was one hard piece of steel!

[@harrycrane4142]

Enjoying your lessons John for a few years. Best on Utube in my opinion

[@BlackBearForge]

Wow, thanks!

[@joeldickherber3545]

Great video I always enjoy and learn from them. I really like how you show how blacksmthing can be enjoyed with basic tools . Thank You

[@pjamestx]

Very nice, and I like the reminder that you can use something like round stock to help smooth out transitions in your piece. Thanks for sharing!

[@zanderjeger]

Hello John! I don't always comment on your videos, but I always watch. I also often search and return to your film library when I need a hint. I already said that. You are an excellent teacher. Make videos and upload on YT, it will stay with you forever, MASTER!

[@BlackBearForge]

Wow, thank you!

[@knutzzl]

For smoothing out the inside of the fork, you could put a cold scrap of 1x½" inbetween and hammer it

[@paulorchard7960]

Thanks John! Lot to said for roadkill!

[@roadmasterk6019]

I have that same anvil, and while I am always watching for something a little bigger, it has served me really well! I have my stand buried a foot in the ground (dirt floor shop), and also clamped it down with some pieces of flat bar along the sides of the feet. That really helped with the ringing, and also the efficiency. Having made some hardy tools out of sucker rod, I could relate to that opening sequence of squaring up some stubborn stock!

[@ulfhedtyrsson]

According to those grinding spark forks, it looks like some kind of high alloyed carbon steel.

[@severikontio]

you are the best youtuber to watch at 3am

[@MASI_forging]

Another great video 😍😍

[@AtholIronworks]

Yeah that stuff was tough, maybe D2?

[@messylaura]

great video, also its worth taking the time to make an adjustable bending fork too, either the spacing and or the size of the tines. i'm pretty happy with the three bolt system in a vice, can use it as a normal bending fork or open up the spacing and drop rollers over them as a forming jig,

[@BlackBearForge]

I've rarely wished for an adjustable bending fork, but I know some people make them

[@Bangalangs]

Whatever it is, it’s moving like frozen clay under that hammer. Probably be a long lasting bending fork. Another excellent video sir

[@fajile5109]

I saw a 3 inch thick bar that was about 2 feet long on the highway. Like off to the side against the center divide. Wish i had gotten it despite the risk lol. Some one else got it.

[@r3ngokuking]

I went the lazy route with my bending fork. Just chopped the head off an old pickle fork and welded it to a shank 😂.

[@mikelastname]

I found wrapping the base of my anvil with a couple of wraps of chain turned the ring into a thud. I used to have the chain pulled tight holding down the anvil, but since I remounted it on a new stand with bolts it was much noisier so I wrapped the chain around it loosely and it killed the ring. Lucky accident.

[@brysonalden5414]

A great use for mystery steel! I'm curious, though; since you spread the tines, weren't you tempted to start rounding them with a hammer? Might have saved some grinding time.

[@thewirerabbit]

Hey John. Have you tried putting a magnet on the bottom of the flat horn? That resulted in the best noise reduction on my similar anvil. Keep up the great content!

[@Lev53420]

I need to get s bugger anvil. I git the 20 kilo from vevor. I just feel like imma break it

[@Vikingwerk]

I’ve been wailing on that same anvil for a while now, it’s tougher than you’d think!

[@metalworkswelding7176]

Hello my name is galen I have a small weld shop and just getting into blacksmith your videos are very informative I built small coal forge but I'm really struggling with it any help

[@30CalCoreLokt]

Hello! Just discovered your wonderful channel. Any luck getting the double burner up and going? I was gifted one and would like to see yours set up before I tackle mine 😅

[@BlackBearForge]

I haven't yet. The single burner has worked so well. But the setup would be the same I'll try to get it out and set up soon

[@jaapvanklaveren6929]

Thanks for the video. Is the round hole in your anvil in a strange place?

[@BlackBearForge]

Yes, that is one of the problems with these little budget anvils. Bit since its the same size as the hardy hole, I just use it instead.

[@jaapvanklaveren6929]

Thanks !@@BlackBearForge

[@ReignForever]

If I can't find or afford anything bigger, is a cast steel anvil from princess auto alright for now? I am using a piece of track rail, and it's not flat... it's really interfering with my ability to get steel flat... and I'm trying to make knife blanks... which really do NEED to be flat...

[@BlackBearForge]

The budget cast steel anvils are pretty good. Just avoid the cast iron anvils if you can

[@jeffreyjones6409]

We always called it FOG metal (found on ground).

[@skal907]

I found my spreading hammer discarded by the railroad tracks some years ago

[@randallhackworth421]

I noticed that you are turning the piece 90° for a full 360 while forging out the square piece for the Hartley Hall. Is this a better technique for the thicker material? Or is this the technique because it is going into the hardy hall to keep it more square?

[@BlackBearForge]

Mostly it just allows me to keep an eye on the whole piece.

[@flpmlks5181]

i think it would be even better with 3 forks in like Y pattern when you´r looking from above. or maybe not :D

[@garageworksongsawesomeness7002]

What is a good beginner forge to get

[@BlackBearForge]

The little single burner forge linked in the video description has been a good basic forge at an affordable price.

[@shortfuse43]

The Vevor forge that John linked and the Mr. Volcano are two really nice and inexpensive single burner gas forges.

[@deryiousbarzee627]

Good morning

[@BlackBearForge]

Morning

[@Dzon_Jacek]

👍

[@ramboharrisons1917]

When cutting bending legs wouldn’t it be best to punch a hole at the bottom of the legs to reduce any chance of a stress Craig forming late as you use the tool instead of just chiseling apart only watched 2 minutes in when placed this comment but always something to think of for tool longevity

[@standaffern6595]

I like how you are starting over for the newcomers, but it’s time to redo the video on how to secure the anvil and stop the ring as well. It is hard on the these old ears. I can’t watch your videos without picking up useful tips.

[@cuttwice3905]

I can't see you working a hookshop.