The Blacksmith's Craft
PART II
Part I described the blacksmith's shop with its equipment and
tools, fuel and fire and the processes lie uses in his work. The student is
now ready to begin practical work; the first twelve lessons provide him with
elementary exercises in smithing, which include simple forging and welding
on light materials.
In every lesson the material to be used must be cut to the required length,
and although metal of heavy section is not dealt with until later in the book,
the instructions for cutting both light and heavy sections are given here.
Cutting off cold metal of light Section
Light section bars may be cut either with a cold chisel or over a hardie.
It is not necessary to cut right through the bar. Nicks should be made evenly
round the bar as shown in Fig. 33, so that the end may be easily dressed.
The bar can then be snapped either by hammering it over the far side of the
anvil as shown in Fig. 34, if the end is fairly short, or otherwise by striking
the bar itself over the edge of the anvil. When cutting short lengths take
care that the end does not fly up and hit you in the eye.
|
| 
Cutting off cold metal of Heavy Section
When cutting heavy sections use a cold set and sledge hammer; a striker will
be needed and again, it is unnecessary to cut right through the bar; nicking
all round is sufficient. This is shown in Fig. 35. If the bar is to be upset
it is an advantage to dress the ends as shown in Fig. 36. This will prevent
excess swelling at the tip and, by centralizing the force of the blow, reduce
the tendency of the bar to buckle.
|
