Blacksmithing - Forging A Heart

[@matthewkent3624]

I made a small version of this years ago for my girlfriend to wear on a necklace and this just came up on my feed again. Brought back memories.

[@ugo7295]

Hello Mr. Nathan from Wyoming USA Your hammer skills, control, & soft touch are remarkable. The way you close up that heart is beyond description. Thank you for sharing your unbelievable talent in moving hot metal. Warmest Regards “Ugo”

[@robertmseay7641]

Nathan, Great combination of your skill plus the musical background. It’s really mesmerizing. Forge on!

[@workingwithiron]

How is Everyone finding the music? I needed to put it in unfortunately as the hiss from the forge was too loud. The good videos are coming but I'm still getting to grips with the new software so until I'm happy with how they look its gonna be some basic Vids, will save the better for later on. Cheers Youtubians!

[@oxbowfarm5803]

Music is fine. If I had a quibble it would be about the brightness jumping up and down . Its a bit hard to see what you are doing in several areas as the metal is cooling, like at 9:20 or so. I know its tricky to film hot metal though.

[@WG1807]

Liking the music - but missing your musical accent. :-)

[@workingwithiron]

Ha! It will be back soon, just figuring out how to get the sound correct with this new software.... Big learning curve at the mo!

[@workingwithiron]

Point taken and will sort that out for the next one. I see what you mean, should have brightened that part up really. Cheers for the heads up!

[@-Honeybee]

I quite liked the music!

[@JarlSeamus]

Basically a tutorial on upset square corners. Very meticulous work, nice result. They're super crisp.

[@MikeFriesenLampLightGames]

I like the careful, precise way you work. The music is fine in the background, it's nice you can still hear the hammer!

[@michaelsanchez8519]

I came here for project ideas.. I ended up playing my bass along to the background music. Great video, 800th 👍!!

[@tobyjo57]

Nice work Nathan thanks for the lesson I will try that project for a Valentine Gift

[@IvanZehirov]

Looks easy but its very difficult. I fail . Today I will do another try. Really nice job !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Kaleb.R]

How did it go? Been struggling as well with this

[@IvanZehirov]

@@Kaleb.R Finnaly made it right! But u must do 5-10 before got it right lol. Al least this was in my case.

[@jimkerner6244]

Personally I don't care for any music- can be a distraction depending what's being played. I would rather hear what you hear. Experience what you experience. This was a great project. I enjoy learning from your technique. Thanks!

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you!

[@paulorchard7960]

Nice, love watching the corner upset, thats gold!

[@workingwithiron]

i also did an upset on the hold down tool video in a different way. this one shows the dragging of material in the vice, with it having a gap underneath so to not squash between the hammer and vice to reduce the size too thin.

[@kiksforge]

just in time for Valentine's day, your timing bro!. beautiful work, as always.

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks a lot. Thought i would get it out early enough for valentines day, that way plenty of practice in for everyone and keeps the Mrs happy!

[@saint-666]

I wish I had something constructive to comment. First time seeing your videos and thoroughly enjoyed your production style (favourite 'style' of video to watch). And if your other videos are as visually informative as this one, you've gained yourself another follower. Keep up the great work and thankyou for being inspiring!

[@workingwithiron]

this is an old video. you might like the newer vids even more. i appreciate your kind words, thank you! there are a few narrated videos too, usually under masterclass titles.

[@jansternv.5367]

Most excellent....great music too!

[@hotrod4126]

Wow this is great!!! Absolutely incredible!! Your work is killer!

[@larryholland6749]

Great visual tips; very nice job. Good music. Thanks; would like to see more.

[@workingwithiron]

Larry Holland thank you! Will be a regular thing very soon 😀

[@Magesrule1]

Well I know what I will be working on this weekend. Great video by the way.

[@workingwithiron]

How did you get on?

[@Magesrule1]

It went alright. I curled one side of the heart a bit too much but still a nice piece. Figure, I'll use it in a Valentine's day gift.

[@nukepizzaa]

extremely proficient work!

[@janeczkaunicus3995]

Great musik, very good working.👑👑👑

[@chestnutforge4395]

Nathan....dont mind the music...dont mind the video quality....we are all just interested in you great techniques and projects...keep them coming and happy new year :-)

[@workingwithiron]

Happy new year dude! Hope all is well!

[@mikioistrohlin3532]

I Love it!!!! Just such a nice shape and look to it... But what really made me feel so at ease? Was your choice in music???... I need to know what piece that is my friend!? So I can Zen when I work...

[@waxnmoon8604]

Nice work and great music ⚒

[@workingwithiron]

Cheers Rick!!

[@rigidironworks9834]

Nathan, right around the 6 minute mark the material was in the vice and you showed the sweeping motion of the hammer strikes coming back towards you. Did you do that to define the outside 90 degree angle ? As far as the music goes, I prefer having you narrate but it wasn't bad at all.

[@workingwithiron]

Yes, I'm dragging the surface material towards the corner, almost as if I'm smudging it. There is a gap between the corner and the vice so as I don't forge the section, just displacing material.

[@williamwilson172]

Was this 1/2"x ? Nice video

[@workingwithiron]

Probably 4inches or so but definitely half inch

[@andrewkudamik3145]

Hi, I’m not sure if you read comments on vid’s you posted years ago or not but I have a question.. do you know who make your anvil? I have the same one as far as I can tell but it was in such bad shape their are no identifying marks left on it. Mine shows common shapes of a Peter wright but I’m not certain. I’m grateful for this vid as you are clearly talented and hard working. Thanks for the inspiration

[@guloguloguy]

Such a BEAUTIFUL video, (Great audio sounds) - with the combination of the working, forging sounds, with the piano music! Great Metalsmithing, TOO!!!! Have you ever tried forging any bronze, or copper alloys? or Silver?....

[@jansternv.5367]

Very well executed!

[@dennisobrien3618]

I've seen other smiths upset the center section before making the 90° bend, but that may only be necessary if they need to maintain the dimensions of the original square stock. Obviously yours turned out great.

[@codyosborne1548]

Thanks for this. Ive been looking into making something like this for My fiancée

[@robcallon6491]

never used the hardy hole like that before. great tip , good music to

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks Rob, its great to get at projects where they dont fit over the anvil, i use this a lot with things i forge, the anvil is a versatile tool.

[@DavidGrassSr]

Push a little here push a little there.. don't rush it, You have got to have a good eye. I don't worry About Ole Hissy, that's part of the job, , it turned out just fine, See Ya

[@Thelonelyscavenger]

Nice and symmetrical!

[@workingwithiron]

Cheers dude, I like your channel, how cold does it get there?

[@Thelonelyscavenger]

workingwithiron well the coldest I've ever seen was -60 celsius which is about -75 Fahrenheit. but usually in the winter about -20 or -30C. thanks for checking out my channel!

[@BigWillSD]

how do you keep your heat for so long? it seems to stay hot for a very long time..

[@nathaneells2281]

Will M. The color produced by the heat is very distorted due to camera exposure

[@workingwithiron]

Not sure really, its quite warm in here where the anvil is around 20c with no wind or breeze or anything that would steal the heat so that helps, but i also only work it until its cherry red or above for finishing, forging i usually stop at orange so that may be why it looks so. I also take it out at a yellow heat and let it soak at yellow so the heat stays longer, this way the heat is all the way through the bar and not only just the outside. As nathan says ''The color produced by the heat is very distorted due to camera exposure'' but this is quite close to true colours due to the new software im using and the setting being correct on the camera.

[@angryanvil4398]

Will M. I

[@swillk1]

I like that rounding hammer you use. What brand and weight is it? Do you know if they are available in the U.S.?

[@workingwithiron]

Yes they are an American brand. Jim keith shoe turning hammer is what it is. i have a 2lber and a 3 lber from them. Great hammers but quite soft.

[@ericsprado4631]

Steve: That is standard farriers rounding hammer. bought mine new in 1965. Heller Bros.. They're brand is gone but all blacksmith supply houses have similar ones. No need to buy a really expensive one. 1 and a half pounder will do 90%of work for you.Kayne and Sons are an excellent supplier. Don't fall for all the Uri Hoffe hammer hype. Just a simple rounding hammer will do fine..

[@LoftmetalLutsk]

Nice heart!

[@workingwithiron]

Cheers dude!

[@ronalddino6370]

Nice work

[@horneygeorgeforge7079]

thank you for sharing !

[@owdjockey4459]

Hi Nath, I see you spent a good 6 - 7 mins on working that 90 deg angle and keeping the shape of the piece. Did you manage to draw it out much before putting the final tapers in? Great music and video quality. Cheers

[@workingwithiron]

Hi, Not sure what you mean by drawing out much Before the final tapers? You mean when i was hitting it while one end was in the hardy hole?

[@owdjockey4459]

Hi Nath, sorry what I meant to say was that you spent the first 7 mins putting the piece in and out the vice, hardie and anvil side - was that just to keep the shape of the 90 deg bend? And did all that work extend the lengths of the two bits you would later taper? I've made a couple of hearts myself using different stock, but will probably have a go at one using your technique. Cheers

[@workingwithiron]

yes just to keep the shape, all i am doing is tidying the swell, nothing else, so im not forging it past the original section. i use the hardy to straighten the bit from the tongs to the corner and also push the material into the corner at the same time. It actually shortens it slightly rather than extending. does that make sense?

[@owdjockey4459]

Cheers mate, I'll give it a whirl

[@spongeorpete7289]

I did this and it took me a while

[@TruckGuy89]

Great video man

[@cheesebandaid7682]

about how long did this take you? or is it all in real time?

[@trevorhodge3168]

hitler hairdo nah man, probably took 2 or 3 hours. Every time he cut the video was to reheat it. It gets time consuming

[@rustymeadows3482]

Thank you

[@lewiszellner3357]

Do you sale them and how much

[@workingwithiron]

I don't unfortunately, have no time. I'm sure you could pick them up on Etsy easy enough though.

[@zach9629]

Bet this heart was for someone😉

[@CharisWilliams]

Awesome! :D

[@mheikal19811]

nice but i could not understand why you used the vise could i do it without this step

[@kiksforge]

Mohamed Heikal not really, the vice is used to hold the heart while the smith crisps the outside of the bend, makes the corner nice and "sharp". you could try without the vice but it would probably be a ball ache.

[@workingwithiron]

YES!! Glad you asked this, Thanks! You can do it many ways.... 1. you could keep just upsetting it keeping the heat on the corner and pushing the material until its crisp. 2. make it from bigger stock or take this stock down, upset into itself like 1^^ then find a nice radius corner ind hit on the top until square then equal the rest of the stock to match that size. 3. You can do it in a way you can miss all the upsetting... kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZKpdoyffrx-rbc 4. Can use Angle Iron, cut as wide as you want and forge the ends out and scroll up. 5. You can use the step of the anvil by getting the corner hot and hitting it vertical and horizontal then switching every few blows, upsetting like above but you have a backstop and basically a swage. What i do with my videos is show a way that is different to how i have seen it done on this You Tube platform by others. Some things you will have seen but if i can add something small in that you may have not thought of before or it nudges someone enough to ask a question then that's all i want from it. So many different ways to do the same process in this craft, some easier than others but also some more difficult to do but we can choose the harder way if we don't have the tools or space to do it the easier way. Sorry for the rant but Thanks so much for asking this!

[@bc65925]

Check out Lee Sauder's video on making the square corner. It works. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZKpdoyffrx-rbc

[@danielwashinski3190]

music is fine but would have rather learned from you knowledge , speak, explain.

[@admin8446]

Maybe start with angle iron and make it a 2min video?

[@workingwithiron]

I could have. I could have also got it laser cut. or welded it. or even cast it. but i did it this way as i show many other ways to do the same thing. with a lot of little tips included if you watch close enough. That is what i like to share..... different ways to do the same thing. but i cant give this information away for free in just 2 minutes. its impossible. I am in no rush, and a lot of my viewers are also in it for the education rather than the entertainment. Appreciate your recommendation though, i will be sure to check your video of it out when i get a spare 2 minutes. cheers dude!!

[@jistyclovek4693]

Once I find a girl, I'll forge this for her.