A blacksmith fuller is used to spread metal with greater accuracy compared to direct hammering. They are basically forming tools that either come in a set of top and bottom fuller or just one of them.
The bottom fuller has a hardy shank that goes straight into the hardy hole of the anvil. The workpiece is placed on the bottom fuller, and the top fuller is then hammered on top of it. If you’re only using the bottom fuller, the metal stock has to be struck directly.
Depending upon the nature of the job, fullers come in various shapes and size. They help in forming grooves and hollows. Many blacksmiths also use the top fuller to round corners and spread metal.
Alright, that’s enough wiffle-waffle.
Following are some of the best fullers available on the market.
The best bottom blacksmith fuller.
This 1″ hardy forming stake fuller can be used with an anvil or a vise. It is great in terms of build quality and usability.
Why do we like it?
Working with hand-help fullers is an arduous task. You have to hold it firmly with one hand and strike it with the other. It also transfers harmful vibrations into your wrists and elbows, making it an ideal blacksmith fuller.
This hardy forming stake perfectly fits in the hardy hole of your anvil and makes your life a lot easier. It can easily be used for rounded shapes, soft shapes, and most importantly, it is great for leaf work.
It is made from Cold Rolled Pennsylvania Steel (1018); a general purpose low carbon steel that offers higher strength and robustness. The fuller is 4″ long and 3″ wide with 1″ hardy shank. The round stock on the top is 1″ round.
The construction does include welds that are pretty solid and will last for quite some time. All the joints are welded with a tig welder for improved joint strength.
Lastly, the whole construction has been coated with hot wax for protection and resilience.
Pros
Budget-friendly.
Made in the USA.
Durable.
Cons
Can only be used for specific jobs.
A great hand-forged blacksmith fuller set.
Not one, not two, this kit comes with four fullers of different sizes. They are designed for hot work and can last for a long time. The use of 5160 spring steel is what gives them the required strength and toughness.
Why do we like it?
If you want a set of versatile fullers, this four-piece kit might just be what you’re looking for. This kit includes 1/8″, 1/4 “, 3/8″, and 1/2” fullers.
All of the fullers have been made from high-grade 5160 spring steel. It is high carbon steel that offers exceptional fatigue resistance and excellent toughness.
This blacksmith fuller kit is forged and ground without any additional heat treatment. Using these versatile fullers, you can make precise grooves, hollows, and decorations.
Fullers generally offer greater control over spreading metal in a specific direction. Moreover, the whole process is quick and straightforward.
One of the fullers offer a round shape, and the others feature a relatively straight peen-like surface with varied sizes. You can make outstanding crafts using this kit.
They will cost you a bit, but for the quality and variety of fullers, it is worth it.
Pros
Durable 5160 spring steel build.
Various shapes.
160-grit polished surface.
Cons
It might be difficult for some users to work with these fullers.
Cheap but effective.
It is made from 5160 spring steel and has been hand-forged for improved durability and strength.
Why do we like it?
We all love cheap products, don’t we? This hand-forged fuller is an excellent blend of competitive pricing and top-notch quality.
The reliable 5160 steel build will take hell of a beating. The fuller radius is ¼” with a width of approximately ¾”-7/8″. The size is perfect for precision work.
You can obtain clean groves and hollows with this fuller. From controlled stock spreading to complicated leaf decorations and horse-head manes, this fuller can work flawlessly.
Pros
Great for precision work.
Outstanding toughness and strength.
Polished 180-grit working surface.
Cons
You will have to hold it with your hand while working with it.
Everything we recommend
The best bottom blacksmith fuller.
This 1″ hardy forming stake fuller can be used with an anvil or a vise. It is great in terms of build quality and usability.
Buying options
A great hand-forged blacksmith fuller set.
Not one, not two, this kit comes with four fullers of different sizes. They are designed for hot work and can last for a long time. The use of 5160 spring steel is what gives them the required strength and toughness.
Buying options
Cheap but effective.
It is made from 5160 spring steel and has been hand-forged for improved durability and strength.
Buying options
The research
Does blacksmith fuller come in pairs?
Do fullers come in different shapes?
Should the stock be hot for using a fuller?
Who should get this?
Blacksmiths, jewelry makers, bladesmiths, or anyone who works with metal, in general, will require a pair of good fullers. It is an excellent way of controlled metal spreading, distribution, stock isolation, and stock decorations.
How we picked the best blacksmith fuller?
We have tested all of our top-picks for the following factors:
- Toughness: A fuller is supposed to be struck with a hammer on top of hot metal stock. Our team carefully evaluated the strength and durability of each product as we don’t want your hard-earned money to go down the drain.
- Price to performance ratio: You don’t want to spend tons on fullers, right? We went through hundreds of different products to filter out only those that offer exceptional performance and precision at a low cost.
Care and maintenance tips of blacksmith fuller
Usually, fullers are made for hot work. With the metal glowing red because of the scorching heat of the forge, you should be very careful when working with hand-held fullers.
We recommend using high-grade protective gloves to keep your hands from burning. Furthermore, if you’re a novice, we recommend working on your hammering techniques.
Does blacksmith fuller come in pairs?
Yes, some of them do come in pairs. A bottom fuller is a hardy tool, and the top fuller is placed on top of the metal stock.
Do fullers come in different shapes?
Yes, fullers vary from cylindrical to straight nose shape. It depends on where you will be using it.
Should the stock be hot for using a blacksmith fuller?
Metal can only be altered or spread when it is at a high temperature. For using a fuller, you definitely need to heat the stock before-hand.
Conclusion
And there it is, a comprehensive guide to buying a premium quality fuller. Buying such items can be really difficult, but here we have carefully examined the durability and reliability of each fuller before including it on our list.
Remember, fuller do vary in shape and size. Don’t just marry the first option out there. Make sure you’re aware of your budget and requirement.
