Metals are rigid, but do you know blacksmiths can make twists and curves from them? The ability of blacksmiths to forge anything from metal distinguishes them from other professions. Let’s find out how to forge a basket twist.
Finding “basket” and “twist” in the same project might appear challenging. However, the process is not as difficult as most people perceive it to be. All that it requires are suitable tools, materials, and rapt attention.
You can forge a basket twist with ease when you have the right guide, and you know the steps to take. The information below gives precise and simple steps to guide you through the process of forging a basket twist. This guide is easy for beginners to follow.
Instructions on How to Forge a Basket Twist
Step 1: Acquire Your Materials
The material for making a basket twist is usually a square bar. You can try a 5/8” square bar, and it will work better if the surfaces of the steel are regular and even. The length of the material is dependent on your choice.
Step 2: Measure and Mark
The first thing you need to measure is the length of the material. Measure and cut your desired length from the stock.
- Cut off your desired length from the boundary.
- Measure and mark the boundary of the twist on your material on the four sides. Remember that the twist will not take the entire bar. You need to reserve spaces that would serve as the handle.
- Make a mark at the center of each face of the bar too. This mark will help you to note where to cut and make your slit.
Step 3: Heating and Slitting
Now, it is time to make use of your forge. It is one of the most crucial steps in forging twist baskets. This step aims to slit the bar into four distinct parts. The mark you make in step 2 above will help you identify where to split after heating the bar to a workable temperature.
Quick Steps
- Mark the center of each face of the bar with a marker and a ruler. Make it as deep as possible to make it easily traceable after heating.
- Heat the bar in the forge to a workable temperature. The suitable temperature is usually near the melting point.
- Place the blacksmith sledgehammer’s sharp side on the center marks and make the mark deeper, maintaining the boundary.
- Gently hit the blacksmith’s sledgehammer on the mark to make it deeper.
- Repeat this step for all four sides.
- Ensure that you stay on the mark at the center of the bar.
- Also, ensure that you make almost the same depth on all four sides. The aim is to progress to the center of the bar evenly on all four sides.
- Reheat the bar and repeat the process. Hit the mark a little more aggressive as you edge toward the center. Make sure that you are making an even cut on all four sides.
- If you notice you are already closing on breaking through to the center of the bar, replace the sledgehammer with a tiny chisel. This chisel will help you make a sharper and more precise cut to break through to the middle of the bar.
- Use the chisel to split each quadrant of the bar until they stay singly.
- Each quadrant of the cut is firmly held together at the boundary on each edge of the bar.
- Gently hammer the bar downwards to completely separate and bend each quadrant.
- Don’t forget to reheat the bar as often as the need arises.
Step 4: Form the Twist
This step is crucial in determining the end twist of the project.
Quick Steps
- Return the bar to the forge with the quadrants still opened.
- Close the quadrants by hammering down gently until they come close to each other.
- Avoid hammering too hard to avoid the quadrants melting on each other.
- Transfer it to the vise and use the vise to close it even more.
- Clamp one edge of the bar to the vise and hold the other end with a suitable tool and make a tight twist.
- Heat the bar again and alternate the side clamped to the vise to twist the other end.
- Avoid twisting too far; ensure they are twisted tight enough.
- Use a wooden mallet to hit down the twist.
Step 5: Opening Up
Now, it is time to reverse step 4 above by opening up the twist. This step is just the practical opposite of what you have above. All you need to do is heat the bar again in the forge, clamp one side of the bar to the vise, hold the other end with a suitable tool, and untwist to open it up.
You can also use a chisel to open it up more distinctly and tweak it. At the end of this process, you should have a perfect basket twist.
FAQs on How to Forge a Basket Twist
Question
What are the other types of twists?
There are several other types of twists aside from the basket twist. These twists include braid, alligator, pineapple, diamond, Rubik cube, rope, plain, and veined.
Question
What are the common uses of basket twist?
Basket twist is one of the most creative arts of blacksmithing. Basket twist is useful as a handle for several supplies. It is also useful in decorating specific projects.
Question
How long does it take to forge basket twist for a beginner?
The process of forging basket twists is not time-consuming. For beginners, you can complete the entire process in less than an hour.
Video on How to Forge a Basket Twist
Warnings
The warnings and precautionary measures to note while forging a basket twist include;
- Ensure the use of gloves, aprons, and other protective gears.
- Avoid handling hot metal with bare hands.
- Watch your finger while hammering the head of the chisel.
- Ensure that you have enough space and ventilation in your workplace.
