Forge welded ball and ring door knocker

Forge welding a ring is simple enough but the addition of a collar weld to form a ball makes for a more interesting door knocker instead of just a door handle.
My name is John Switzer, thank you for watching. Black Bear Forge is a small one person shop located in the Southern Colorado Mountains
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P.O. Box 4
Beulah, CO 81023
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Blacksmithing tools and supplies
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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.

[@heathholman2552]

As a novice blacksmith..... you make this look way too easy! Thank you for the content!

[@Luis-eu2ow]

I liked the slo-mo shot of you setting the weld a lot. Neat effect and it didn't have that weird effect others get when they slo-mo normal footage. Keep being awesome, the knocker looks awesome and I might have to try making one myself.

[@BlackBearForge]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Trying out those fun shots helps keep the whiole thing interesting

[@billygildark4565]

Your becoming just as good of a filmmaker as a blacksmith sir! Thank you for your videos/inspiration

[@BlackBearForge]

Thank you. I am glad the effort effort is showing.

[@billy19461]

Only make it a little smaller. But it looks GREAT. Many of us would love to claim it.

[@bartweir1789]

Fading in and out, panning left and right, zooming in and out, great use of overhead shots, slow mo...by golly it's almost as if you're getting the hang of editing lol. Really enjoy seeing your outtakes as well. Great video once again John.

[@BlackBearForge]

Getting the hang of some things, but still a bit rough on the final execution of others.

[@bartweir1789]

Looks pretty dang good on my end.

[@danielrogers32]

Really liked the voiceover segment. I would like for you to do more voiceovers, especially when the gas forge and the power hammer are running. It makes it so much easier to understand what you’re saying, at least for this deaf guy!

[@BlackBearForge]

I will try to keep that in mind. I just need a microphone that has similar qualities to he one used while filming.

[@buddyletendre]

I like the old style Black Bear Forge video meets new camera and video editing! This was really a pleasure to watch, and the little bit of narration didn’t bother me one bit. Thanks John.

[@cypherian9821]

I am so glad I am not the only one who makes sparklers lol nice save John ;)

[@AlbiesProductsOnline]

Don’t worry we have all had those mornings with our rings burning so bad there are sparks the best way to prevent that is to say NO to the 1:00am burrito

[@joenadeau4419]

You make it look so easy............nice work

[@RayFromTheHayclan]

I like it when you make a mistake from time to time, with all your many years of experience. It makes me feel better when I screw something up.

[@BlackBearForge]

Oh, I make lots of mistakes. I suppose I should just do a whole video covering the most common mistakes.

[@kendalkenny1843]

This scarf weld is very cool you made it so easy.. Thanks...

[@JustinJennings]

Roy Underhill reference for the win.

[@paulorchard7960]

Dont you have a little giant or ranchero you should be working on Justin?

[@JustinJennings]

@@paulorchard7960 yes.

[@paulorchard7960]

@@JustinJennings Going to haunt you trying to shame you into finishing the stories of these worthy projects, you cannot hide, we know too much!

[@fs5083]

Love the outtakes at the end😂 glad its not just me. Nice job. 👍

[@tonielfving6870]

Hello's from Finland. Thank you another inspiring video, again very entertaining and educational. i just like your style. I like to see project without cutting those heating parts, i mean some small project whit heating, so we beginner BS see how long it actually takes to heat steel before working. heck you can do whole video about heating without cutting. During winter i did good findings, antique anvil and blacksmith vise and just finished making my first coal forge. Summer vacation i start practice this fine art.

[@melanisticmandalorian]

See what happens when you give a Finn confidence ... he starts planning on how to make swords to conquer Sweden.

[@glencrandall7051]

Nice knocker.

[@paulorchard7960]

Nice John, will make one just for the hell of it!

[@Shadeskast]

I love this channel

[@1956vern]

Utilitarian blacksmithing! Just the way simple people like like it done! Thank you 😊

[@luukderksen8810]

After 9:00 min...Hammer hand get quenched in slacktub, the hot ball dansing around the anvilface, the hammerhead follows it with finesse and rhythm Greet video! Nice all these different camera angles!

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying it. Makes the editing more fun

[@danbreyfogle8486]

I saw the thumbnail picture in my e-mail had had thoughts this was much smaller, This is a great piece, too bad I don't have a log cabin, it would be perfect to announce guests...

[@steelpennyforge5152]

Holy cow, that is one serious knocker! Better mount a steel plate behind it to hit or it might go right thru! Really good work.

[@baddogforge5181]

Better watch that knocker might knock the door over lol well done enjoyed the video

[@jeffgrier8488]

Great video, your videos really motivate me to try new things, newbie that I am.

[@ericcartrette6118]

John, thanks for faithfully bringing us into your smithy. I enjoy watching your videos and learn greatly from them. This is a great project. I wonder how a nice knocker would look on my front door! Hmm. Of course if it's a nice knocker I'm looking for, somebody besides me should make it maybe. :D

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@stationaryenginesworldwide]

Beautiful work John !

[@stantilton2191]

Perhaps a controlled heat with only the thinned section hot. Upset back into itself. Great video , thank you.

[@MisterTee2010]

You do not need a door knocker my friend. You are welcome to my home anytime

[@s7bfreeman]

I've been in "the shop" all morning. I was happy to see a new video when I came in for a break. Thanks for another great tutorial!

[@THISisglmicle]

Well done, sir.

[@bootlegblades6276]

All that and only 423 takes... lol. I like it! always great tips from your videos thanks, partner!

[@RayFromTheHayclan]

Hey John, I think that sounds like a good idea for a video, to talk about some of the mistakes you make. I think a lot of your viewers would find it useful and informative.

[@gurvinderkau1e5w18]

Nice video sir. Video quality angles have definitely improved. Njoyed

[@johnedisto6741]

Completely agree! At the midpoint the shot lets you really see the part rounding up nicely.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thank you. This one actually had some pretty big technical issues, such as loosing sound and forgetting to turn a camera on for several minutes. But It edited out better than I thought it might. I appreciate your comment.

[@jefffarley9223]

That was an incredible video! Your skills are amazing sir. The out takes just lets us know that no one is perfect, thank you! And awesome camera work!

[@nickverbree]

This was a really cool project!

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks

[@4110mahindra]

That's a big Knocker.

[@billy19461]

4110mahindra it is for old people like mr that don't here so well.

[@melanisticmandalorian]

that's not so big, you should see my knocker .... hangs down to my knees.

[@thomasarussellsr]

Awe-shucks, I wanted to see you put that staple through your shop door and have someone knock and see how it sounds inside the shop. Maybe you'll do it and share that in a future video?

[@BlackBearForge]

My shop door actually has a window, where a door knocker might go. So I doubt I'll be putting it there

[@thomasarussellsr]

@@BlackBearForge on the door jamb or next to it then? Your creation, your call. Thanks for the reply.

[@JesusisLord-7A]

If you don't mind having more than one anvil, a farrier's anvil would be great for making that ring. Farrier's anvil have turning cam just for make flat things round, like horseshoes.

[@fouledanchorforge5223]

Great video love the coal forge work.

[@stantilton3339]

Great job and well done. A tutorial for every smith with out all the best tooling. Thank you.

[@JJ-yk6il]

I have a track anvil coming sunday and im building a firebrick forge. Your vids are very inspiring. Thank you for going to the trouble of making them

[@troytreeguy]

Nicely done John!

[@georgegriffiths2235]

Great job John shame about the dislikes but we all have our Knockers 😊

[@BlackBearForge]

Don't knock the knocker? 😉 Actually I have come to expect a few on every video.

[@hannemannironworks1651]

Awesome John!

[@brettsayers7768]

Great video John, some useful techniques used to make the knocker.

[@mikemeister458]

Very cool stuff.

[@danielcrawford7315]

Wow Mr. John, you really stepped up your videography on this one. Lots of angles and fading in and out close ups. Very well done sir. Really neat project too. Hmmm no hair on them knuckles no more lol. Oh and if your wanting a cow or twoo...💥🔨ouch oh ok. Ill keep my cows! Lmbo Thanks for having us out to the smithy today 😁. Blessing to ya now, Crawford out 🧙‍♂️

[@robarcher3892]

Thanks John, another good explanation of some good woork.

[@sbjennings99]

Awesome informational educational video experience Y'alls

[@ianfranklin2216]

Dr. Frankenstein "What knockers" Inga "Oh! Thank you doctor." :)

[@johnedisto6741]

Insert obligatory blacksmith/steel balls joke here:

[@BlackBearForge]

I have wondered about little movie clips like that. Might be fun to add sometime.

[@StuartdeHaro]

I came here to make this reference. It's nice to find another person of culture in this world.

[@johnnydrummond8216]

Brilliant!!, Inspiring as always

[@duaneaubuchon9453]

I really like the door knocker you did s great job!!!

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks

[@fanert1]

you made the bar fat in the middle, ofcourse its upset

[@mikepettengill2706]

really interesting technique and thanks for the outtakes.

[@jjppres]

Great video John! Something I may actually try as well. I like the simplistic yet smithed look.

[@michaelrichards2310]

Like the narrative while you were forging, when your mic was down.

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks. I had trouble deciding if I should just leave the bad narrative, which you could hear if you listened closely or just go this other route with the voice over and a bit of music. So I'm glad it came out OK

[@larryking606]

Good Afternoon , John , I believe it was a very good Video ! The ball on the ring Of course took more attention, The weld , which was a pain , still came out! The slower frame rate, in combination with the Forge weld, looked Great ! Except for take 20 thur 23 was getting on your nerves , but a very Nice ADDITION to the Video ! Overall Wonderful! Stay Safe, Waiting for your next Video !

[@mikechapple2363]

Something new to try! I really need a swage block, but improve can be very educational.

[@currajeperm8418]

Profesore bravooooooo super

[@grandadz_forge]

Another skill to tackle

[@MrDukaman]

I really need a coal Forge it seems to get so much hotter. My gas Forge welds no problem.the other day I welded up a piece for 5160 to a 2 x 2 inch block of mild steel so it gets hot but it just seems like coal is so much better. That’s my next project build a coal forge old school with a hand crank blower. ...Paul.

[@johnjude2677]

Good video like always did you enjoy playing in the muck tank. Wear them great mill gloves for safety Thank you Sir

[@mikeredrugger]

would love to see how to make a cupped hammer i think it would make rounding that a bit easier but still relatively new to the craft and i jacked around making knives to start with for the first 2 years so now i have to fight my instinct to turn every bar of steel into a blade lol

[@eliseodiaz7806]

Good Quality Video 1080P looks good . Much better

[@christopherbright1048]

I truly enjoy your videos I would ask aside from forge anvil hammers & tongs what would you recommend as essential tools for beginning blacksmithing

[@benlear7419]

You should attempt to make a forge welded rose.

[@mossdavis4447]

7:00 I was worried my earbuds had stopped working, the right ear wasn’t playing anything. The sound came back at 18:00, but went away again at 19:20

[@ghostforge3303]

thats a long staple..... looking good John

[@stanervin6108]

Get some cows!🐾🔥⚒

[@eliseodiaz7806]

Try making door handles . Like for home door ; Barns ; Tool Boxes ; storage chest or Hampers , Rustic cast iron or even brass

[@BlackBearForge]

I have videos covering many of those items. Just do a quick search

[@MatthewTinker-au-pont-blanc]

A note on presentation, the icon at the beginning of the video doesn't do your knocker justice, it needs to have your hand next to it to give the scale! When you can see how big it really is, it's much more interesting! Thanks, Matthew

[@BlackBearForge]

Good idea

[@georgeking4802]

About a 22 minute video but what would your actual time be start to finish making this with the coal forge? I always enjoy your videos. Thanks George

[@BlackBearForge]

I'm guessing about an hour if I wasn't making a video. it was about 3 1/2 hours to do while making a video

[@B.McAllister]

"AH HAH! It's a clinker!"

[@stanervin6108]

Notified 20 hrs. after being posted? Not shame on you. Not your fault. Shame on KZbin! Nice work, nonetheless John! P.S. love the background muzak! 🐾🔥⚒

[@BlackBearForge]

Roy over at Christ Centered ironworks just did a video on the subject. Must be more of an issue than I thought

[@scoobshagg]

Glad I'm not the only one who gets frustrated while standing at the anvil

[@richardwalkden6349]

Sir Might you please consider explaining the forging fundamentals you might assume too trivial to explain to enthusiasts... if I could explain As I watch your videos it surprises me how you know your material will stretch or shape beyond where logic says it would snap, crack or be too weak to be useful. Typically as you approach a piece of glowing metal with your hammer you know where and how and where the metal is going to “move” to achieve your proposed objective. This might be pushing, stretching, forcing or drawing material. Your experience knows what is going to happen but unless we understand what is actually happening at the material level it remains something of a dark art. Again typically as you work a piece it displays changes like slag emerging from the piece or two pieces bonding together. How and why does this happen?

[@franktaylor5417]

What size hammer do you enjoy with the bulk of your jobs.?

[@learningtofly6675]

hum i wonder if a plate for knocker strike on ?

[@av8scuba]

Based on the title, i was expecting a free-floating ball. But it appears the ball was not made that way.

[@grandadz_forge]

LOL "take 423!" forgot that one

[@tkjazzer]

Would this have traditionally be made with wrought iron steel so it does not rust?

[@BlackBearForge]

I am sure that wrought iron would have been the common material and rust was just to be expected and dealt with

[@johnjude2677]

Would it work to flux when it was just scuffed because then it so clean....but blacksmiths all heat up first

[@BlackBearForge]

The flux needs to melt on contact or it just falls off of the cold iron

[@MrDukaman]

Hey john just thinking. How about a boom mike over head then u don’t have to put it on and off. Just a thought ....paul.

[@BlackBearForge]

I have thought about going that route, but it then needs to be moved every time I use another tool like the vise or treadle hammer. But it may be worth using both recording into different devices as a backup. The other issue I worry about is the higher heat overhead.

[@MrDukaman]

Oh yea the heat rises too. Hotter up there. I have that problem when I use my iPhone for music and leave it on the shelf it goes out on overheat. Just a thought I got your back ... paul

[@martinturner9823]

can you make first the ring and add the ball later?

[@BlackBearForge]

It would be much more difficult

[@JJ-yk6il]

3.14 times? Anyone else notice pi? Illuminati confirmed

[@codystillwagner7723]

Where do you get your coal?

[@BlackBearForge]

ats one of the reasons I prefer propane

[@lindworm5384]

What track starts playing at 3:45?

[@BlackBearForge]

Voice over during editing

[@Rottinrock]

when the first musical interlude happened I looked for the belly dancers to appear

[@sledgehammer9966]

I dont got why the staple (do you spell it that way?) is so long? You mentioned, that the size of the staple depends of the thickness of your door, but your staple seems way to long for any door you have on your house. I´m not sure if it was just for demonstrating or if this was a realistic size, because if it´s to long, you risk that the spike are coming out on the inside of the door. You know, I´m a bit confused and would appreciate help. :D

[@83gt17]

Old way, on something like a barn door, you'd drive the staples or fasteners through the door and then bend the ends over on the inside to secure it.

[@sledgehammer9966]

@@83gt17 yes of course! Makes sense. But doesn't that look a bit odd from the inside?

[@83gt17]

@@sledgehammer9966 we're so used to hand made craft items being fairly expensive, "decorative" items, we sometimes forget- they were a practical item to close a door. As John might say, the cows in the barn didn't complain.

[@sledgehammer9966]

@@83gt17 I thought of that myself: the cows don't bother. But then I thought:"Why would you want a door knocker on the door of your barn? " Here in germany it's not common to knock on the door of a barn.

[@PGSchroe]

Trolling Chandler a little? :)

[@BlackBearForge]

Doubtful. Did he do a door knocker recently?

[@PGSchroe]

No, the music you played when you were forge welding the ring reminded me of his opening segment of his videos. Made me chuckle.