Blacksmithing - Forging a jewelry making hand vise

Blacksmithing - Forging a jewelers hand vice 2019, from a bar of 20mm square mild steel bar to a complete jewelers hand vice, hand forging and a bit of powerhammer work by Nathan Baker.
forging the vice, the screw and the wingnut and finishing.
00:43 Starting Stock
01:00 Forging general shape
10:43 Punching and Drifting spring section
14:45 Cutting the seperation
16:45 Cleaning up the cut and shaping jaws
21:46 Forging and cutting the screw
24:53 Drilling and shaping the square hole
26:54 Preparing for fit
27:10 Riveting screw
32:26 Forging the wingnut and tapping the hole
36:13 Hot wax Finishing with Briwax

[@ianlowe4666]

Good clean bit of work Nath, kudos. Nice to see you at it :) For what it's worth mate I've seen a boatload of small hand vices (for a variety of purposes) using wingnuts. Considered how small the gap in the vice jaws would need to be to hold said items, then a wingnut with even a fine thread would need no more than a few turns to size and cinch up. More than fast enough for many generations of jewellers, watch makers, etc past and present. The simple fact of the matter is a wingnut is the predominant design for that style of hand vice and that was the style you were reproducing. You did a good job of it as well. I'd also point out that if it didn't use a thread (of some sort) in the closing and holding mechanism it wouldn't actually be a 'vice' in the first place, it'd be a 'clamp'. At least that's my understanding and the dictionary seems to agree with me on it.

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks Ian, always appreciate your feedback and knowledge. Learned something new today, thanks for sharing!

[@ianlowe4666]

No worries mate. I love informed or at least honest questions and constructive critique can lead to discussion and debate that can be illuminating but I just really can't abide 'know-nowts' (a lovely Yorkshire term that encompasses the sort of person who tells you exactly how you should be doing something, or precisely what your'e doing wrong, when clearly they couldn't do it themselves if their lives depended on it). Luckily you can usually stuff the body back under the bridge they crawled out from, after first beating them to death with the wet end of their own ignorance obviously. Do not feed the trolls my arse. Looking forward to seeing your next offering :)

[@workingwithiron]

@@ianlowe4666 Hope you are reading this up there matey. only just learned of your passing. pop by the workshop anytime im on the forge my friend i will light the fire and send you a signal each time. thank you for everything!! fly high my friend i think about you often 😇❤

[@dennisobrien3618]

Video and forging reminiscent of Torbjorn Ahman. This is intended as high praise, as I consider his work to be the best on KZbin.

[@ianportter1257]

si... un tributo al maestro

[@khanehbedush7346]

Most amazing video of tool making I've ever seen, I've got stuck in front of my computer. No single word, but the demonstration is so clear and beautiful. And so is the result.

[@workingwithiron]

🙂Thank you! Means a lot!

[@ShaneG33]

Had to comment, even if you never see this I just want to say that this is such a phenomenally tasty piece of work you should be mega proud of! Thanks a million for sharing :D

[@JP-st2mk]

A true craftsman! Really like how you showed us what was going on throughout the video. Great work!

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you!

[@jasonsummit1885]

Definitely something I would use for the decades it would last and then some. Awesome job!👍

[@theseeker26253]

Marvelous work! Done with care and attention to detail without overdoing the 'fancy'. A well made tool meant to be used. I like it. Thanks for sharing.

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you, you are very welcome!

[@alicegory]

Absolutely love your videos, they are so helpful and enjoyable! Thanks for making them!

[@workingwithiron]

That makes it worth my time and effort, thank you for your kind words!

[@stevemassey1002]

Sir you are one hell of a Black Smith i will only be half you are Awesome work GOD BLESS

[@milanmusick7474]

Finest workmanship I have seen so far from any of the many videos I've watched. I look forward to others, thank you.

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks, that means a lot!

[@aslob9321]

Nice, we’ve missed you! I need to see more videos from you. You and Technicus Joe are my inspiration!

[@workingwithiron]

I've missed making them. Really want to do this full time but have to learn to say no to working for others.

[@davegoddin]

Great film-making, you make it very clear what you're doing (and why) without any need for commentary or subtitles

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks! I do miss the narration though but if people like this style I don't mind Keeping the waffle down 😂

[@ArchaeometallurgieDe]

That is another excellent black smithing video. I own and use several jewellers vises but not one as beautiful as this one. I admire your command of shape and form!

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@lourias]

How is this vise actually used?

[@rlm98253]

Beautiful! Well done, sir. I would be proud to have that vise sitting on my jeweler's bench.

[@chazzcombs]

I watched the entire thing start to finish - mesmerizing. You are quite the craftsman. Thanks.

[@workingwithiron]

thank you!

[@Makestuff227]

Just awesome! The skill you have is incredible! Well done!

[@johnhill8428]

Nathan , I now know where you have been. Perfecting your chops. Most definitely the smartest move you could make. Bravo. I am now a life time fan.

[@workingwithiron]

I'm working on it John 🙂 trying to be less boring without speeding anything up. Hopefully it gets better the more I practice with editing.

[@philipdunn7538]

Who lurks in they shadows....Good job Mister Nathan. Very neat forging.

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you!

[@stevehall4548]

Fabulous job, and no doubt the nicest wing nut I have ever seen.

[@workingwithiron]

too kind! thank you

[@aslob9321]

Love the inner tube trick, peachy!

[@workingwithiron]

It works really well! Motorbike inner tubes work best if you are going to use any!

[@darbypereira1980]

I had to watch this twice. This is masterful.

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you! Makes all the hours I put into it worthwhile, glad you enjoyed it!!

[@luiscataudella8881]

hermoso trabajo -- es un placer verlo trabajar -- gracias por mostrar estas cosas tan lindas

[@threeriversforge1997]

Awesome! I wish you were turning out videos more often. Top quality production, and I really like the quiet nature of the vids you make. Got that same stiff brush. Now I just need to get the skill you demonstrate! Keep up the great work. I'm really looking forward to the next video.

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks! I really want to do more regular videos and am pushing myself to get more regular with them, it's just finding time when nobody else is in the workshop with the music on, otherwise it would be a silent movie due to copyright issues.

[@threeriversforge1997]

@@workingwithiron I can understand that. The lack of vids just makes each one we do get a lot more precious! I'd also recommend you look into offering T-shirts with your logo on them. I did mine up at www.storefrontier.com/store/three-rivers-forge While I'm not nearly as famous as you and the other youtube smiths, I've found the shirts to be a great addition to my smithing "uniform" and anyone in the world can click on the link, buy one and help support what I do in some small way. Get some of your own in my size and I'd definitely buy a couple!

[@workingwithiron]

That's a great idea thank you! I will have to design some and see where I can get them made up. I've thought about getting work wear made before but never thought about it like that. Appreciate the idea!!

[@threeriversforge1997]

@@workingwithiron Glad I could help! I like the Store Frontier place because it's online-only and I'm not a penny unless I buy something. I tried Teespring in the past but found their sizes ran a bit small and were uncomfortable. I'm sure there's a British equivalent so you don't have to worry about international shipping.

[@workingwithiron]

@@threeriversforge1997 that's good to know. I would have to do both sides of the pond as most of my viewers are over there. I think only 4% of my viewers are British and over 60%are stateside.

[@marcsenteney3160]

That was a very nice build sir! Well done!

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you! Really enjoyed making this one!

[@esmithiii2003]

Great looking tool! Nice work, and thank you for sharing!

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you! You are welcome!

[@grandadz_forge]

I love your work and process

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks! Much appreciated!

[@CockatoobirdmanBill]

Great workmanship and detail an absolute work of art a tool to be cherished for a lifetime and then passed on to generations to come. I is a pleasure to watch you work and it easy to see the love you put into your work... Be well and be safe....

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you! It certainly will be around a lot long than me hopefully!

[@homemadetools]

Great work. We shared this video on our homemade tools forum this week 😎

[@workingwithiron]

Awesome! Thank you really appreciate it!

[@woogaboogawiththegreenteet8436]

you are a good one sir,thanks for letting me ride along

[@workingwithiron]

you are very welcome! thank you!

[@starforged]

Great video. I didn't even know I needed one of these. Not I need to build one.

[@manazari1]

This is an artwork. Awesome.

[@ianportter1257]

hermozo trabajo... super fino... me encanto... te felisito

[@timtarran8124]

Amazing it's a shame I can only give you one thumbs up for such prodigious skill

[@workingwithiron]

comment is plenty good for me Tim, thank you!

[@johannesbraun8415]

Only a watchmaker works as precise as you. Very aesthetic work

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you, i wish i was that precise... maybe one day!

[@andresdiaz2578]

i can feel the touch of everyting in the shop just by watching

[@workingwithiron]

love that! thank you!

[@JoaKazing]

Now, don't start to haunt the shop. 😅😅😅

[@onegreenev]

Bravo. Very fine tool.

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you!

[@dlbknives4869]

Beautiful work...I'd love to have one of those.

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks! Have a go at making one or you can pick them up cheap enough. Just search 19th century jeweler's hand vise.

[@herveleny5220]

Magnifique travail.

[@keithscrafts]

Awesome work.

[@stanervin6108]

Nice work, Nathan!

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you!

[@StuartdeHaro]

Beautiful work!

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks!

[@Roach570]

Beautiful work

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you!

[@robsonsantosOSO]

A Masterpiece.

[@TonyUrryMakes]

Watchable at 2X speed. Tried three times to get through it at normal speed- fell asleep every time. This says more about me than the video. The work is well worth watching.

[@workingwithiron]

haha i know what you mean, thank you!

[@louiskutyla6943]

phenomenal video

[@workingwithiron]

thanks @louis, much appreciated!

[@adampablodayc]

Real nice,love it,thanks.

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you kindly!

[@mydailylife846]

I am one of your most admirers and I wish you success

[@workingwithiron]

Blessed to have you Zaed!

[@darrelrhame9351]

Another great video, most excellent!

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks! I read that in a bill and Ted voice 😂

[@maknifeandrods7701]

Very nice work. Keep it up.

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you, will do!

[@buddynewman8949]

Excellent work

[@workingwithiron]

thank you!!

[@johnjude2677]

Might find it handy Thanks well shown

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks john!

[@eliasnunez5049]

Es un trabajo super fino.

[@workingwithiron]

gracias amigo

[@kennethkustren9381]

WOW ... FREAKSHOW PORN IRON FORGE ORCHESTRAL HAMMERING. Once I seen that anvil.... I subscribed. ~ drools heavily~

[@workingwithiron]

Haha thanks! Appreciate the subscription, welcome!!

[@philipverity113]

Excellent work 👍🏻

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks Philip!

[@Fernando-qg1zv]

Very nice work! felicitaciones.

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you!

[@sjtaylor128]

Nice! Needs your touch mark. More videos like this, please.

[@workingwithiron]

I have one but it's too big for small items so will have to make a smaller version.

[@warpighammer3760]

You got incredible control of your power hammer.

[@workingwithiron]

She is a beauty! thank you!

[@hillbilly918]

Amazing video

[@workingwithiron]

Much appreciated 👍 thanks for the kind words

[@griseobarba7989]

Nice work.

[@workingwithiron]

thanks white beard!

[@kopriva007]

Great work, bravo.

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you!

[@jaredslattery9233]

Great work. Great content.

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you!

[@Rouverius]

That is... beautiful and such a functional piece as well. Yeap, I'm subbing.

[@workingwithiron]

Much appreciated! hope you enjoy the videos!

[@ninogrossen685]

This is very nice

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you!

[@davidquate420]

Much gratitude

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks for watching!

[@kristianembreus5338]

Este cara merece mesmo se dar bem na vida. Que puta trabalho maravilhoso. Abraço aos brazucas.

[@krisley5178]

Gorgeous.

[@workingwithiron]

thank you!

[@hussainali9999]

Just artist, thank you for sharing

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you!

[@ianmcgougan1173]

Brilliant. Like the comment about the Swedish blacksmith Torbjorn Ahman who I also think is the best on KZbin. You are in the same class! What kind of price would a tool like this cost?

[@h2o270]

Outstanding!

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks!

[@mikhailzhevnerenko5690]

it's damn beautiful, from Russia With love !

[@workingwithiron]

благодарю вас!

[@robgoodsight6216]

...a real "Jewel" of a work!!!! Brilliant!!! ( ok two puns in one sentence probably too much!) :D

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you! Can never have enough puns, keep them coming 😂

[@robgoodsight6216]

Hahahha...ok challenge accepted! :)

[@wesleymccravy901]

Wanna know an even better trick for the loose hardy shank.... There is not one. Top notch genius enginuity there

[@olofjansson9356]

Beautiful!

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks!

[@longbow1965]

Awesome video! You never had to quench it right? I loved it when you made the wingnut, I am wanting to make one like it because I have some tools that are missing one and the replacement does not look good. Keep up the great work. Looking forward to your next one.

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks! I didn't no. But I did heat the loop/hole/springy bit with a short heat to open it up. If I used a spring steel I would have hardened and tempered it with a quench but I just wanted to forge the shape so used mild steel. Yeh I kind of winged it with the nut, I knew the shape I wanted but the size was difficult to achieve, just go bit by bit and keep repeating the method otherwise it is difficult to get right. Have fun with them, I'm sure they could be made fancy with some file work.

[@ardenartisticwroughtiron]

👍👌

[@TechJoist]

NICE ONE JEFF

[@workingwithiron]

cheers dude!

[@h.schmid1965]

Nice Job!

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you!

[@techronmattic5876]

Nice work all around, i used a cross slide to film my outro on the video i did before my last one, was still a little wobbly but much better than freehand

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks! It's on the to make/buy list after a new computer and camera and lighting and.......

[@techronmattic5876]

@@workingwithiron i thought you might have one already, i picked a cheap one up a while back, never planned to mount a camera to it but it works lol, love bristol by the way one of my favourite parts of the world, i had a cousin living in Avonmouth (passed away last year) who introduced me to some of the local history surrounding brunel, will have to get back over there oneday

[@workingwithiron]

@@techronmattic5876 I don't unfortunately, but I have a skateboard I may make a mount for, now you have mentioned it. I don't have much kit, just broken camera, mic and a home made led light. Bristol is a great city, and Brunel was a genius, so much inspiration around here to take in and adapt to smaller scale forgings. Glad you have experienced some of his wonder's.

[@thealicemonster9217]

Very very nice!

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks Alice!

[@thealicemonster9217]

@@workingwithiron No problem

[@hosseinhayati9820]

Well done!

[@workingwithiron]

thanks!

[@americhal]

Bonito trabajo

[@workingwithiron]

Thank you!

[@ГалимУсманов-н8ф]

браво.

[@texacajundiy]

Now this is excellent work no doubt. Question though: Can you tell me about that beautiful clamp you use while setting the jaws at around 20min in the video?

[@workingwithiron]

thank you, They are carver clamps, the most useful tool here, simple to use yet hold so tight. never used them before coming here but now i wouldnt use any other type of clamp.

[@tobyjo57]

Superb

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks!

[@kennymiller4428]

If I was a small amount of that good it would be awesome.

[@workingwithiron]

I'm sure you are doing great! Just keep at it and it'll all work out!

[@MrFacu235]

Muy bueno , tenés algún vídeo del soplete que usas , saludos desde argentina

[@kiksforge]

Dude, that turned out super sexy, great shape and detailing

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks man! That's why I wanted to make it, the shapes are like you say super sexy!!

[@johnhill8428]

Thank you sir!

[@workingwithiron]

No, thank you for watching and leaving a comment, I really appreciate it!

[@Rameshr-hr4nm]

Super 👍

[@SublustrisRU]

Сделано отлично! Но мне кажется, что внизу уместнее было бы сделать шарнир, а не пружинящее кольцо. По принципу стуловых тисков, только меньше размером :)

[@shrikedecil]

Still curious about getting to "first thread". Is it possible to forge a functional "chaser" without using any threading tools? Or is making the first "rack" the easiest route to "first thread".

[@workingwithiron]

Apologies first but I have no idea what you wrote here?? 🤪 Sounds like a baseball move...

[@shrikedecil]

@@workingwithiron Just a thought experiment over "How do I get this far from nothing?" Staging up rocks, lumps of metal, crude hand hammer, crude anvil, hammer, many other things, anvil, seems fine (if extremely tedious and irritating). Even a power hammer is basically saving hours of hammering, but can be made if needed without threads.. But. The tap and die is difficult ... without some access to something threaded. There's a couple of ways to get that first threaded thing, but I was just curious about your thoughts, knowledge, or inclinations for how you'd tackle the problem in a forge. I'm more of a machinist, so I'd be inclined to making 'rack and pinion' arrangements, which just require files. A chaser is like a pie wedge of a die - that could be made with a file and isn't anywhere near as easy as a die to use.

[@workingwithiron]

@@shrikedecil to recreate the job of the tool?? Or we trying to figure out how to make a thread without a tap and die?

[@shrikedecil]

@@workingwithiron I can picture making a functional vise without threads, but more interested in hearing how you'd tackle making a functional thread without a functional thread in a forge.

[@waldoman1127]

Ok I have a bad case of anvil envy!!

[@workingwithiron]

She is a beauty, bloody loud though! 😂

[@TheCramunhao666]

muito bom

[@dereishus01]

Art

[@Bent-rAgE-559]

I want to make one👍 iv always wanted to make a mini leg vise. Great video and awsome finish work. What did you use for your finish coat???

[@workingwithiron]

did you make one? briwax was the final finish, applied hot but not too hot, enough to soak in. then wipe off.

[@ГалимУсманов-н8ф]

И мел на напильнике- это так правильно!

[@jacobpahl972]

Beautiful work. Now did you make that whole thing out of mild steel?

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks. I did make the whole thing from mild steel. If I made another I would use stainless or some sort of spring steel as the mild doesn't really have the memory like spring steel does

[@jacobpahl972]

Well isn’t that what they more or less did back in the day. They would use a mild steel ( or raw iron) body, and then a tool steel like face for the anvil. And I thought you couldn’t forge stainless steel.

[@MrAciep]

34/5000 While you're working, I'm listening Bach - Aria mit 30 Veränderungen Goldberg Variations BWV 988 - Rondeau

[@josefranciscogalicia269]

Tal vez sería conveniente que calentara más su acero, para poder trabajar la piezas. Y, ayudaría también, el que mostrara, cómo se usa el maneral que fabricó. Gracias por compartir

[@workingwithiron]

¿qué parte?

[@josefranciscogalicia269]

@@workingwithiron dónde empezó a forjar, al principio, que el acero vaya más caliente. Gracias

[@nelsonacosta8602]

Exellente

[@workingwithiron]

Thanks!