Forging A Tiny Anchor From Old Wrought Iron Chain

Wrought Iron is a wonderful material to forge. Although it has much more impurities and is susceptible to cracking, it has a beautiful grain structure when etched in acid. The challenge here was to use this worn out chain, and reforge it using traditional techniques to create a tiny little anchor. Thanks for watching!
Behind the Scenes: / skullandspade13
Support Anchor Making: / brettmcafee
Tools Used in Video:
Walberg Guillotine: www.walbergfor...
Angle Grinder: amzn.to/2UeBQFK
Muriatic Acid: amzn.to/3m8uXAK

[@WesleyTreat]

Beautiful and meditative. ⚓🏴‍☠️

[@skullandspade]

Thank you brother. Truly

[@scoobshagg]

"Hold me closer tiny anchor, see the mast lights on the sea way" Some fine forging Capt and that guillotine tool looks might fine.

[@skullandspade]

Hahahah! You would

[@chickfamilyink]

I was watching this while my wife and daughter had ocean sounds on in the other room. I thought it was coming from this video. It fit perfectly.

[@skullandspade]

How perfect

[@rcwheeler34]

Nice build Brett. I really liked the design of that guillotine tool. Did you make it or buy it somewhere?

[@AndyCPugh]

That's a beauty. I'd never really given thought to exactly how an anchor would be fabricated. Thanks to you, I now have a better idea.

[@skullandspade]

Hooray! That’s pretty much the way they did it. A bit more forge welding, but close

[@justintisdale4985]

6:10 all I could see was a sad anvil. Great work! Turned out awesome.

[@skullandspade]

Hahah

[@ConiferProject]

very chill video :)

[@randyrodriguez4643]

Oh man, the sweep on the arms...*chef's kiss*. Beautiful work, as usual Cap!

[@skullandspade]

Hahah

[@TheGrantAlexander]

I'm surprised how much you stretched that metal! ⚓ P.s. who needs a hatchet when you can just hammer the wood 🤣

[@skullandspade]

Of course!

[@annie-centrepiecefurniture]

A beautiful piece of Art Brett :)

[@bdaddyjames011976]

If you don’t put a forged crows nest on top of your workshop... then like what are you even doing.

[@skullandspade]

For serious though

[@bdaddyjames011976]

IKR

[@andrewc9902]

Not really sure that's actual wrought iron or just very low carbon steel. it did bend off pretty easy but I think putting it in hydrochloric acid was unnecessary. could've just bent the chain-link to see if it would splinter like wood to confirm. I have real wrought chain I believe was used in the construction of the Panama Canal... much thicker links of course.

[@SylviePereiraSyPer]

Hey Captain ! You are working on the ship ! Good idea. I d love to visit some places with the crew some day...

[@skullandspade]

One day we will

[@CK-TD]

Excellent lighting in your forge. Something most cannot get right. Now matey, make the boat ye anchor weighs!

[@michaelmadison1806]

Is that the same hammer you always had? I bet it is. It's probably a good hammer. Thanks for showing that hammer in this video.

[@MadeByMarylou]

wow! that's beautiful and I love the size of it so much. perfecto, cap!

[@dereksstuff8395]

Awesome work Brett. Love the high heat and lighter hammer. Editing is 👍👍. Much appreciation for your work, here in Upstate N.Y.!!!

[@skullandspade]

Thank you Derek!

[@bigmikeg84]

Beautiful anchor, very well done. Though, you are in the desert. So I recommend a fluke style anchor for those sandy bottom ports.

[@skullandspade]

Ah, you’re right

[@Lmr6973]

That sir is a beautiful piece. I have acquired a good bit of wrought iron and this is the perfect use for some of it.

[@rajincajingt]

That line work with the file is impressive. Your skills continue to grow.

[@skullandspade]

Sure trying brother

[@Kjata316]

Beautifully done. Love the touches. The ending chords of the last song reminded me of Myst.

[@skullandspade]

Thank you! And same thoughts on that

[@heyimamaker]

Looks wicked Brett, have you tried a beeswax finish? I used it on a project that I did and it seals the metal and prevents it from rusting but also turns the metal black. I think it would amazing on the anchor!

[@skullandspade]

I have used it. Great stuff

[@whazee]

This is a very relaxing watch, man. 😊 Your colour grading at night is a delight. 😚👌 So atmospheric.

[@skullandspade]

Thank you sir

[@garagemonkeysan]

Great film. Well shot and edited. The anchor is wonderful. Suberbly crafted. Mahalo for sharing!🐒

[@skullandspade]

Mahalo brother

[@brianhartfield8385]

Absolutely Brilliant work Captn'!!! The piece is truly a work or art. Using the tong handles as an improvised bending jig - genius!!! Well done sir!

[@skullandspade]

Thank you! Take that tip with you ; )

[@jimbobtheimpaler8403]

YEEEEEES!!!!!!!!!!! just what I needed. Awesome build Sir. Great music.

[@skullandspade]

Heyoooooo

[@nikond90ful1]

Thanks for the video Brett. Nice bit of chilling music to quiet the soul. Excellent production as always. Keep safe and stay well.

[@skullandspade]

Thank you Colin!

[@squalazzo]

you and Jimmy Diresta are pure masters, we always start watching your (both) videos, with a What The H... face, till the outstanding final result :)

[@skullandspade]

Perfect!

[@davebauerart]

Looks great. Of course there was always an anchor just beneath the surface of that chain.

[@skullandspade]

Of course

[@Dfrantz87]

Great vid cap! If I may, a great tip I picked up from Daniel Moss, when punching with a short punch, dunk your hand in your water quench tank first. Take advantage of the evaporative cooling that happens on your skin over the hot steel. Came out beautiful brother!

[@skullandspade]

Darn right brother

[@anthonywoodland1741]

Awesome video, great idea using your vise to shape the flutes 🍻

[@aic53]

I really appreciate your work Mr McAfee. The quality of the video is supreme, those closeups are so vividly detailed but simple, the quality of music, raw sound of the blacksmithing work, there is so much more to say; your cinema and iron work has truly been wrought like the anchor née iron chain. Hard work pays, but you make it look effortless. Nonetheless this story feels like it has a storyboarded-to-perfection feel to it, its simply a joy to watch! The various tools like the brush handle and hole punch guage are welcome cameos, they look great, fit in well to the shop repertoire. One more thing, can we get sad face anvil on a t shirt?! Lol Cheers mate!

[@skullandspade]

Cheers, thank you very much for the kind words!

[@projectdave7132]

beautifully shot and lit, and a fantastic outcome, i was grabbed and pulled in by the work :). Only issue.... wot no skullies!?

[@skullandspade]

They were taking a break from camera time

[@alanscannell]

Wow that's a thing of beauty cap'n. Beautiful wrought really brings the texture to the piece. I've actually worked on an anchor before forging the ball at the end of an arm or fluke I forget which but it was a lot of heat and swinging with a sledge 🔥

[@skullandspade]

Oh wow! That’s a dream

[@djhousley1]

Looks good. With you being in the desert, I thought you'd have refurbished an old brass fan or something by now... Maybe even some custom blades for a ceiling fan in your shop?

[@skullandspade]

I need power at the shop for that ; )

[@chrisdimase6401]

Great job. Love the videos. Still can't believe you gound coal in the dessert 😆 Keep up the great work

[@skullandspade]

We do things different here

[@outcastwoodworks]

this was amazing!my boys are excited to try

[@GetToKnowNature]

A beautiful object, lovingly crafted. As always.

[@skullandspade]

Thank you as always Naturemaiden

[@DustyKorpse]

That’s a really nice piece. excuse my ignorance, but why the use of wrought iron(over another metal)?

[@skullandspade]

I just love reusing old material. Wrought is very easy to forge, and finishes very well

[@TwistedTwineWoodworking]

That little guillotine in the deal!! Lots of power in that little guy!! Great video and the anchor is spot on snazzy!!!

[@skullandspade]

It’s such a fantastic tool!

[@HardcoreSlot]

Another beautiful video. Great work as always Cap.

[@skullandspade]

Thank you as always Matt

[@andrewoperacz7427]

What a fantastic build and video, music match perfect!!! 🤘🏼🔥🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️

[@skullandspade]

Thank you as always Andrww

[@andrewoperacz7427]

@@skullandspade you’re very welcome!!

[@techedfireman4981]

So...your going to start making the rest of those links into other anchors? Right? ;-) Great look too it!

[@skullandspade]

Why the hell not?!

[@sidon100uk]

Gorgeous video, well shot and the project came out brilliant.

[@skullandspade]

Thank you Simon

[@bernardleighan3218]

Love the anchor. Now all you need is a ship to go with it (or at least the forecastle to hang it from. God bless you.

[@skullandspade]

Aye aye

[@wayneshirey6999]

Cool! If you had put the arms and cross piece in the same plane you could have worn it as a huge pendant.

[@skullandspade]

True, but last time we did that we heard “turn it 90 degrees it’s useless...” so, you know ; )

[@withinfifteen4162]

Beautiful sharing. Like it

[@dinobuddy]

Frowny face anvil from 6:00

[@skullandspade]

So sad

[@dinobuddy]

@@skullandspade "Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow...."

[@SanTM]

That's fucking awesome man! Nice work as ever

[@skullandspade]

Thank you!

[@benwilson1979]

I love to watch your process. Now its time to build a tiny pirate ship.

[@skullandspade]

Aye!

[@timberdish]

Beautiful work buddy, a real pleasure to watch.

[@skullandspade]

Thanks as always Matt!

[@jarrodfillmore6247]

Id give this ten thumbs up if I could. Outstanding!

[@skullandspade]

Woot

[@CrossCutCreations]

Dude! Awesome work. That was fun to watch.

[@skullandspade]

Thank you

[@JamesBowers]

Beautiful work. Thanks for sharing.

[@skullandspade]

Thank you as always James

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

Lovely work Brett 🔨👍😊

[@molegrip3860]

Cheers Brett. Thanks for sharing another awesome video

[@skullandspade]

Thank you as always MG

[@jeffp.5080]

Would love to see you build a Pirate Ship to go with that anchor

[@skullandspade]

It will happen

[@petermiller6146]

Another beautiful piece of work and a fine addition to the ship shop!

[@skullandspade]

Aye aye

[@espjason]

Admiralty pattern anchor too. Now make a danforth anchor or a cqr anchor

[@skullandspade]

Oh yeah

[@MakerOnTheMove]

I am blown away. That came out CLEAN.

[@skullandspade]

We sure try

[@MadMFox]

Dammit Brett, the music put me too sleep. Nice build. :)

[@skullandspade]

Perfect!

[@dominicdelprincipe2583]

Great to see a new vid, Brett! Always love your content. -D

[@skullandspade]

Thank you Dominic

[@GrahamDallas]

Amazing as always, great work Cap'n

[@skullandspade]

Thank you as always Graham

[@jovonrosen8417]

Nice work man. Lovely to see ideas like this.

[@skullandspade]

Thank you sir!

[@BulatsSchmiede]

Hi Brett !This is amazing anchor !Respekt my friend !Nice work brett !Great job !😎👍Have you seen my New video?😉(rebar flat tong hand forged)Greeting #Bulatsschmiede (the Blacksmith Bulat form germany).Keep it up brett !Stay healthy 🙏

[@skullandspade]

Cheers brother

[@103m95g]

Captain, if that’s the anchor, How big is the boat?

[@skullandspade]

So smol

[@jpwoodwork]

Mate thats awesome

[@skullandspade]

Thank you brother

[@ericpedersen2760]

Beautiful work. You are a true craftsman 👍

[@skullandspade]

Thank you Eric

[@vernhart]

Nice job. And poor sad anvil at 6:10.

[@skullandspade]

So sads

[@RedSmithWorkshop]

Nice work

[@skullandspade]

Much love Red

[@Brownstone31]

Beautiful job cap'n

[@skullandspade]

Thank you sir!

[@lowtidecustoms1166]

That came out AMAZING!!!!

[@skullandspade]

Thank ye!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Nice.

[@skullandspade]

Noice

[@TheMessyStudio]

That is so cool, Brett! Who wouldn't love to display a piece of craftsmanship that nice?!? Billy

[@skullandspade]

Darn right

[@thesixfootsixblacksmith4772]

No forge welds?! Cmon, bro!

[@skullandspade]

Yes. The tiny anchor, made using traditional blacksmith joinery, does in fact, not contain forge welds.

[@cosmasindico]

Gorgeous piece. And on brand too!

[@skullandspade]

Aye

[@dogsewdance]

What a gorgeous transformation!

[@skullandspade]

Thank you Patti

[@sgsax]

Such a beautiful little piece. Lots of complicated joinery here, nicely done! I really like how you are experimenting with videography styles lately. This one sets a nice mood. Thanks for sharing!

[@skullandspade]

Good deal!

[@jamesperkins9833]

I really enjoyed this!

[@skullandspade]

Thanks James!

[@christopherdubour6662]

beautiful work of art! I'll just say, i wouldn't commission one for my kayak, I couldn't afford it! Handmade one-of-a-kind labour of love!

[@skullandspade]

That’s it!

[@walbergforged9044]

That looks so good! Thanks for the love

[@skullandspade]

Thank YOU sir

[@ASCarvings]

Great bit of work. Well done.

[@skullandspade]

Thanks!

[@shnepper]

Beautiful work man

[@skullandspade]

Thank you as always brother brett

[@keithwilliamson183]

Beautiful work, both the piece and film. Watching your videos is always a respite...thank you for doing what you do, in the way that you do it and continuing to share it with the world. This was beautuful...and we need more beauty right now.

[@skullandspade]

Very kind of you.

[@DannyFourSquare]

That is really beautiful!

[@skullandspade]

Thank you sir

[@AndTheCorrectAnswerIs]

Great video! Relaxing, enjoyable, and something you don't normally see done.

[@skullandspade]

That’s what we’re about

[@damienbrand9422]

Beautiful work Brett!!

[@skullandspade]

Thank you Damien!

[@raynoladominguez4730]

Nice, for your ship/shop?

[@skullandspade]

Only always

[@dragontattooee]

Stunning work , thank you

[@skullandspade]

Thank YOU

[@MaltandMake]

Love the technique of forging on the vice jaws to create a raised line. Definitely storing that tip away for future use!

[@skullandspade]

Totally a “why not” moment. And boy howdy did it work

[@Pschtyckque]

Beautiful work!

[@skullandspade]

Thanks Chris!

[@vintageaxeworks2777]

Great video, partner!

[@skullandspade]

Thank you for watching brother man!

[@sladoeii]

So, a tiny ‘Decorative’ anchor. Good thing you’re in the desert, that bright finish won’t be rusting any time soon!

[@skullandspade]

Not at all

[@alexnosheds]

As Darryl Philbin would say, “Make it happ’n, Cap’n”. And Lo, you did.

[@skullandspade]

Aye aye

[@donaldweikel2963]

It is always fun watching you. Everything you do is entertaining and educational for me. Cannot wait to see what you do next

[@skullandspade]

Thank you Donald!

[@SchysCraftCo.]

That's pretty amazing keep up the great craftsmanship and hard work my friend forge on love seeing your videos can't wait to see what u throw in the forge next

[@skullandspade]

Cheers man

[@nestorknoxs3795]

NIiiiiiiiiiicccccce!!!!!! Cap'n

[@skullandspade]

Thank you!!!

[@jonwills1957]

Yep, time to head out to the forge. Crap! I don’t have a forge. Great project, cap’n!

[@skullandspade]

Hooray!

[@rickeyhall6115]

pretty cool brett

[@skullandspade]

Thanks!

[@Drew_lininger]

Beautiful!

[@skullandspade]

No YOU