Aside from the fact that making a hook is one of the most straightforward jobs in blacksmithing, it is also a technique that precedes much-advanced blacksmithing. How to smith hooks is an essential skill that can go a long way in helping blacksmiths reach the peak of their career. Read on to find out how to forge a hook.
Below are simple steps that can guide you in making your hooks even under little or no supervision.
Step 1: Creating A Shoulder
Of course, these steps come after you must have gotten the right tools and the right materials. To create a joint, you have to heat a metal bar until it becomes red hot before placing it at 100 along the edge of the anvil. Then, hammer the brink of the anvil with repeated blows until it becomes flat.
Step 2: Square The Sides
Squaring the sides of the metal involves the rotation of the steel bar at a right angle. This step is essential while forging a hook. Use a flatten edge hammer to strike the metal on its edges to flatten it. You might have to hit the bar at its apex if it becomes bent.
Step 3: Punch a Hole
This step is done before removing the bar, finally from the forge. Make a hole in the hot bar with the use of suitable tools. Ensure you strike on one side until you complete ¾ of the punch before switching to the other side of the shoulder.
Step 4: Tapering the Forged Hooks
Tapering involves applying even forces on the two sides of the piece by making a 180 degrees turn after ever 5-8 hits. Remember that you are striking the portion on the anvil with angled blows. Likewise, you are striking the tip of the piece.
Step 5: Cooling and Cutting The Tip
Remember that all the initial four steps are done while the piece is still hot. Now, it is time to cool the red-hot part. But before cooling, ensure that you have struck the taper point until you have a curly L-shape at the tip of the piece.
Step 6: Forge The Hook Shape
You can now move forward to forming the hook shape by bending the piece over the curvy part of the anvil horn. Hit the section with repeated blows once it is well placed on the horn until you have your desired bend.
Step 7: Twisting
Twisting involves creating the appropriate width and setting the jaws of the piece. Return the section to the forge to make it red-hot again, then twist the jaws just below the shoulders of the part before completely turning it.
Step 8: Scrapping The Slag
The slag here refers to the scales that result from the repeated heating of steel. The removal is done while the iron is still red-hot with the use of a metal wire.
Step 9: Protect The Hook
The dominant protection usually done for hooks is by coating it in oil. You can achieve this by repeatedly dipping the hook in a container of protective oil. You should repeat this process until the hook is covered. Also, you can enhance this protection by holding the hook close to the forge until it changes its color to matte black.
Conclusion
Forging hooks is one of the most straightforward blacksmithing processes because it only involves the use of the right tools, right materials, and basic techniques. Aside from this, making hooks is also a skill that is very useful in advanced blacksmithing. With the simple steps above, you can make your own hooks conveniently with little or no supervision.