Our Weathervane Project has several different shapes as part of the design. C-scrolls, tulips, and diamonds are repeated themes. Let’s look at how the diamond forms are created at the forge.
They are formed from low-carbon steel bar that is ¼” by 2” by about 5” long. The first 3" will be used to form the diamond shape and the rest formed into the tail approximately 5/8" thick and 2.5" long.
The diamond shape is forged out of the bar over the edge of the anvil. This takes several heats and goes faster with assistance from a striker with a sledge hammer. This one is half done:
The finished diamond then is forge-welded to the crossbar. That is done by two smiths working together to hold and weld the pieces together into a finished bar.
The welded bar is quenched in water and cleaned up.
The diamond is then framed by two scrolls to create a form of a Fleur De Lise. This one doesn't have the final collar yet but is still quite striking in silhouette.
Hey there Steve!
ReplyDeleteFound you via the The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles™! Great stuff on blacksmithing, and the Pitcairn Project is fascinating!
All the best!
Scott Croner, Merriam's Turkey Hunting
Thanks! If you ever get to this part of Rural New York stop by and say hello! I was surprised to be mentioned in The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles, but happy to be in such good company.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Steve
Beautiful work! There are several excellent scenes in "Edwardian Farm" the latest BBC production, which you can watch on Youtube, in which the blacksmith makes an amazing weathervane out of copper. He, too, makes fleur de lise designs with the metal, combining iron and copper. You might enjoy it.
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