Forging a square frame using half lap joints

There are many ways to join materials into a frame. For this example we will look at half lap joints using hand hammer, fly press, power hammer and treadle hammer.
My name is John Switzer, thank you for watching. Black Bear Forge is a small one person shop located in the Southern Colorado Mountains
Below you will find useful links that will help you in your journey as a blacksmith.
My blacksmiths apron
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P.O. Box 4
Beulah, CO 81023
To find more information in blacksmithing in the US or to search for your local ABANA affiliate group visit.
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Blacksmithing tools and supplies
Self contained air hammers - www.saymakhamme...
General blacksmithing supplies - www.oleoacresf...
General blacksmithing supplies - www.piehtoolco....
General blacksmithing supplies - www.centaurforg...
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmith...
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmiths...
Square head bolts and lags - www.blacksmithb...
New anvils - www.oldworldan...
New anvils - www.nimbaanvils...
New anvils -
Industrial supplier - www.mcmaster.com
Tong blanks and tools - kensironstore....
Fire brick and refractory - refwest.com
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.

[@coenvanwyk1]

It is a pleasure watching a craftsman at work. I do far too little metal work, and would never have a blacksmith shop, but I can appreciate and admire an artisan/artist do such amazing work. We have lost so much of these essential skills, nowadays, with electrical tools, automation, CNC machines and so on. Keep up the good work, and keep the skills alive!

[@gfather1259]

"If you wanna see all eight of them just rewind this eight times and watch that over again." Well alright

[@markjenney8808]

It took me forever to figure out how to transfer this video to my VHS.

[@hosiercraft9675]

Lol rewind it 8 times. Great sense of humor John!

[@TomokosEnterprize]

Neat to see the fly press at work.

[@SamTownsBladesmith]

Another nice simple project. Thanks gor sharing mate!

[@mtyson9004]

Great idea and awesome work John! Thanks!

[@danielcrawford7315]

Lots of potential for this project...cant wait yo see where you take us next. Captured scrolls huh, Roy's rubbing off on you. ( oooo hes going to snack me!) 🙏blessing abundant sir Crawford out 🧙‍♂️

[@lo5042mh]

Fun project!

[@douglasfathers4848]

REWIND 8 times just love it showed my wife this frame and she liked it so much we are making one for a family photo so thanks JOHN FOR A IMPRESSIVE PROJECT ,

[@EduardoSVA]

Great video! Thanks for teaching so many ways do do the job! Greetings from Brazil!

[@sbjennings99]

Awesome informational educational video experience Y'alls

[@grandadz_forge]

I love when you get started on window grills. Lol

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks, this will be a fairly simple one. But I hope to tackle some more full size projects as time allows

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Great video john 👍

[@BlackBearForge]

Thanks, glad to see you active again

[@douglasfathers4848]

At the moment I am watching four other blacksmiths . but let me tell you they do not even come close to the way you show every detail . SO thank you SIR . you say rewind 8 times I watch most your videos 8 times . better then privet lessons .

[@johnjude2685]

Love seeing you skin them cats many ways . Nice learning lesson Thanks again for so much content in so little time. Thank you Sir

[@1averageamerican]

Who else rewound to watch 8 upsets? I kid. That was funny John. As always, thanks for sharing a very useful technique with many applications.

[@thomasarussellsr]

Nicely done. "Rewind it and watch it eight times", bwahaha.

[@bentoombs]

I like that you showed the different processes of doing the same process with different tools. Thanks John always!! ⚒on!

[@davidmills1874]

You could turn it into a trivet for your kitchen table or counter

[@davidlange7916]

I make frames somewhat like this and use a little wider metal. I buy cheap black picture frames from Walmart that fit behind the forged frame. You don’t see the frame but makes it easy to install pictures

[@herewiththemloops7378]

Is this the real Ron Swanson?!?!

[@savage11smw33]

John is the man, I absolutely love his videos.

[@alegomannamogela5649]

Savage11 SMW correct. ... and seems like a damn decent bloke

[@idahobob173]

So, how do you square it up since "Chances are it'll be slightly out of square"? Inquiring minds want to know, and all that.😊

[@1averageamerican]

Use the 3-4-5 method or measure corner to corner on the diagonals. Or use a small square and make adjustments as needed.

[@idahobob173]

@@1averageamerican Thanks, I understand that method of checking for squareness. What I was wondering was where to hammer when adjusting any out of squareness. It seems like even a mild whack on one of the diagonal corners would loosen the rivets, because of the mechanical advantage. Plus, I was expressing my pleasure at John's method of presentation.

[@BlackBearForge]

I'll probably use a bar clamp if it needs it. But its actually almost perfect. there may be some heat and selective drawing out of one side vs the other as well. But I will cover anything that needs to be done in the next video.

[@Redneckemtb]

Its amazing to see how much the steel looks swollen on the hot side vs the cold side.

[@kathyrobertson1416]

I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL!!! I am so glad that I ran across your channel. I am a 60 year old disabled lady, and watching you creat tools, axes, knives, and especially the useful gifts and bobbles that you draw forth from firy steel, gives me a sense of peace and wellbeing as you work. You draw forth the item from it's hot iron she'll with the ease that only comes through years of experience. You are an EXCELLENT Teacher, your subtle tone, and clear exchange of information, makes me feel as though I could accomplish similar results if I were to be at the anvil by your side. I have an idea that you have been a shop teacher sometime I you're extensive career. I hope to enjoy your channel for many years to come, and who knows, I may take up the art of forging myself. (LOL!)

[@3870TheDad]

Great methode of teaching, John.

[@AlbiesProductsOnline]

I have never noticed just how much bigger your right arm is compared to your left I think it’s time to learn to hammer with your left 😜

[@BlackBearForge]

I have tried, its a hard skill to learn

[@BernardSandler]

I've never seen that treadle thing before! That looks like it has so many applications!

[@BlackBearForge]

They are great tools for a one person shop

[@OuroborosArmory]

Nice thank you

[@BlackBearForge]

Glad you liked it

[@anthonystrunk5360]

When are we going to see that ribbon burner forge build?

[@BlackBearForge]

When ever I get back to work on it

[@h4lk89]

love ur channel

[@jeffgrier8488]

That's a great project, I could think of several uses for this project and technique, thanks!

[@whoknows3347]

How do you keep them square?

[@BlackBearForge]

Start by eye then measure corner to corner and make the adjustments in final assembly

[@larryking606]

Afternoon , John More than Excellent Video ! I enjoyed and learned quite a bit ! This One is going in my Journal , For Sure ! Thank you so much for Sharing ! I am anxiously waiting to see this Series ! Take Care and Be ! KEEP HAMMERING !

[@davidhillman7004]

I actually enjoy how you show the same work done by multiple methods. I'm doing everything by hand its nice to see other ways

[@alegomannamogela5649]

John I really appreciate how much info and knowledge you share in you videos. I tried forging an old garden tool blade into a draw knife with zero success. ... I should have just used a bench grinder to sharpen and flap wheel to remove rust but I thought it looked easy in all the videos id watched. I couldn't get the metal hot enough to forge together coz I tried to fold it over and back into its self...the metal only got red not orange and didnt stay red for more than ten seconds. I ended up using a cutting disk on a grinder and cut out the shape from a dead table saw blade and turned some handles. Is the any way you could show me how to get a decent forge temp without having to use coal or gas? Or is that just wishful thinking?

[@BlackBearForge]

You can do it with a wood forge (convert the wood to charcoal as you work for best results) You need a deep fire and good air supply. I will try to do a video later this month on a budget backyard forge. But I wouldn't expect to forge weld in that style of forge

[@alegomannamogela5649]

Black Bear Forge thanks mate ill try again with a deeper pit. I had it about 100 mm deep with a reverse cycle vacuum but I think maybe that was too much coz it made the wood burn away fast with sparks flying all over the place and left no coals to sit the metal in. Ill wait for the vid though.

[@gurvinderkau1e5w18]

Frame look good . forge welding can also be done but it will be a bit difficult torch will be used then. Anyways you got grest tools to get your work done.👍🏻

[@Tome4kkkk]

What material is this? Mild steel?

[@BlackBearForge]

Yes, if I use anything else I would comment on it

[@Tome4kkkk]

@@BlackBearForge Thank you. Excuse my ignorance. I'm closer to toolmaking. I'm glad I've found your channel. Not only it's woodworking related (fixtures, tools) but it also offers some historical perspective. If I may offer a piece of intelligence. I watch tens of videos monthly. I've noticed most channels omit information on normalizing.

[@josephmaschari1073]

I see your viking anvils on your fly press

[@BlackBearForge]

The flat surface needed something to take up space. 😜

[@billy19461]

I would love to have a door made like this to cover my glass door. Thanks for sharing.

[@Ivan_Glamdryng]

Thank you John. I am looking forward to this projects finish. I have seen these before and thought they were really neat.

[@Big222Dog]

Nice technique

[@lenblacksmith8559]

So enjoyed this John thanks for sharing.

[@travis6633]

How do you keep your anvil so quiet

[@BlackBearForge]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGSWZ2ise62Lntk

[@johnjude2685]

You have a good eye for aware.But we develope them skills.

[@sammanno3303]

John, Are you Going to Continue With the Ribbon Burner?

[@BlackBearForge]

Of course. But it has to be done as time allows between the paying jobs

[@hosiercraft9675]

Lol rewind it 8 times. Great sense of humor John!

[@andywright2606]

Loved this video so much I rewound it 8 times 😉 Looking forward to the rest of this project John, Thanks Mate

[@BlackBearForge]

Perfect, thanks

[@kevinbousim7819]

Anvil so nice and quiet 🤯 nice build

[@trknust]

John, I'm a bit off topic here, but in one view you were working your frame on what looks exactly like my Peddinghaus 100kg anvil. I have built at least 5 hold downs now to use with it but because the pitchel hole is so darn smooth, I can't get one to work on it at all. Yours looks just like it,do you have a hold down that works for that anvil? I love your projects and learn a lot from you, thank you so much.

[@BlackBearForge]

Try extending the reach of the arm a little and possibly adding some texture to the shaft with course sand paper or a center punch

[@82finesa]

Thanks John for a nother good video and idea.

[@philmenzies2477]

Another great video John. You mention a square pointed center punch. I dont think I've seen you refer to that before? Is it just 4 flats running down to a point and not rounded off like usual? Also, what about the imprint makes it easier to find when hot?

[@BlackBearForge]

Yes, its just a diamond shaped point the fact that its angular makes it easier to see.

[@jimhumphrey]

Off topic but what is driving your subs up so fast. This has happened before but I can't see any one vid that's doing it this time.

[@BlackBearForge]

KZbin seems to be recommending the video on quieting an anvil. Most of the people commenting on that video seem to be game players in a game that features a blacksmith. Hopefully those that subscribe are actually interested in blacksmithing. Typically I receive 10K - 12K video views per day (thats over all of the videos I have uploaded) but this one video has had over 80K views in the last day.

[@johnymangum9351]

I think I see a new project coming my way lol to make

[@kevintooley7434]

That’s great. Can I ask where you get your bits and the punches for thru the holes??

[@BlackBearForge]

Drill bits from McMaster Carr, but anywhere that sells tools would have them. Punches I forge myself

[@AL6S00740]

You sir are amazing

[@GibClark]

thanks!!

[@allolebarilliertaxi4304]

Ty roots masta !

[@leoszes]

your treadle hammer is an absolute beast, i love it!

[@BlackBearForge]

Its one of those tools that I wouldn't want to live without

[@linnrich2477]

I have tried to contact your patron but i cant get none to answer me. I was contacted by Patreon that my donation was declined when i started i was very clear i get payed on the 3rd of every mouth i am on a fix incom and cant afford to have a $36.00 over draft because patron wants to take out the $5.00 donation on the first of the mouth instead of the 3rd i will have to cancel my donation. I cant afford the $36.00 charge patreon has already cost me. Now if you have any way to help change my debit date i would like that very much if you have no control over this i will have to stop my donation. Thank You Richard Linn

[@BlackBearForge]

I am afraid that Patreon always uses the 1st and that I have no way to change that date. I am surprised they charge any kind of fee. I completely unsderstand canceling the donation and I appreciate that you tried.