Toolmaking is one of the significant aims of blacksmithing. They forge lots of tools, and the chisel is not an exception to this case.
Chisel is not just an essential tool in blacksmithing; it is also critical in some other professions like wood making or furniture. Nearly all of the blacksmith’s activities involve the use of the cold chisel.
As long as you have the right tools and materials, forging a chisel is not so difficult. The necessary elements for forming cold chisels include oil, perlite, coil spring, or other suitable metals. The tools are also the common blacksmithing tools, including tongs, angular grinders, belt grinder, and your desired steel cutting tool.
Essentials
There are some tools that must be readily available if you intend to forge a chisel. These essentials are vital to the success of the forging process and make it easier. The essentials for forging chisels include;
- Hammer
- Tongs
- Forge
- Anvil
- Metal/steel
- Marker and
- vice
- Measuring tools
Once you have these tools and materials ready, you can forge a cold chisel in the following steps.
STEP 1: Cut a Part Of The Steel
The first part of the process is cutting the piece of the metal you want to use from the bulk. This step is flexible, and you can carry it out in the most comfortable way for you. This step also involves straightening the metal, mainly if you use a spring or coil.
STEP 2: Heat The Metal And Use Your Anvil
Now, this is time to make use of the forge and hit it on the anvil. Once you heat the metal to the appropriate temperature, hold it against the edge of your anvil and hammer it repeatedly. Ensure that the sides of the metal align and keep them straight. Likewise, this part is flexible as well. You can beat the cold chisel to fit your style. This step is crucial while learning how to forge a chisel.
STEP 3: Cut Your Desired Length
The length of the metal you will cut depends on the size of the cold chisel you want. However, ensure that you prevent spiraling as much as possible. Likewise, you should not cut the metal completely; you should cut it halfway and break it off with tongs.
STEP 4: Stamp Your Signature
This also requires your desired style. Some signatures distort the metals, so ensure you straighten it again before proceeding.
STEP 5: Anneal The Metal
The essence of annealing the metal is to make sure that grinding the steel is easier. Annealing is done by slowly cooling the steel after heating it to extreme temperatures. This process will also relax the steel. You should immerse the iron in a container of perlite. The essence of the perlite forge is to function as an insulator.
STEP 6: Rough Grind The Metal and Do Your Magic
The grinding of a cold chisel is not difficult because of its simple shape. The stage shouldn’t take more than 15 min, especially if you are already familiar with the grinding process. Then move on to harden the steel. The cold chisel should be hard enough to cut through other steel. Setting the steel involves heating it to an extreme temperature before rapidly quenching it in a bucket of water.
STEP 7: Tempering and finishing
Tempering the metal is one of the closing steps in forging cold chisels. It will also give the steel your desired color. The finishing can be based on your interest and style.
Frequently Asked Questions On How To Forge A Chisel
What type of material can you use to forge?
The best material for forging chisels is high carbon steel. It helps to form a suitable edge for the tool to make it ideal for the task. You can quickly harden and temper high carbon steel to prevent it from cracking during hammering.
What is a cold chisel?
There are two basic types of chisels, which are the hot chisels and cold chisels. Cold chisels have more substantial edges compared to hot chisels. It is useful for cutting cold metals, which are usually more complex than hot metals. It is also helpful for cutting other materials like wood and stones.
What is a hot chisel?
Hot chisels are useful for cutting through hot metals. Blacksmiths often use it to cut metals during the forging process.
What are the tools for forging chisels?
The tools needed for forging chisels are only essential blacksmithing tools. You can develop a blacksmith chisel with a vice, tong, hammer, and forge. You can also make other tools with this set of tools.
Can you make a chisel from wood?
No! A chisel is a tool that is designed to cut through hard materials like metal and stones. So, you cannot make a chisel from wood because it will break away when you hammer it against harder surfaces.
What are the uses of chisels?
Blacksmith chisels are useful for cutting, sculpting, splitting, and shaping hard materials like stones, metals, and woods. You can also use it to drift through materials, even though it is not a boring tool.
Where can I buy a chisel?
If you don’t have the right skills or materials to forge a chisel, you can buy an already made one. You can buy a chisel from various retail outlets that sell various blacksmithing tools. You can also order chisel sets from manufacturers or other online e-commerce outlets.
But the essential thing is to ensure you only purchase your tools from reputable and trusted sources.
Can you sharpen a chisel?
Yes, you can always sharpen your chisel. Sharpening a chisel is not just a maintenance culture. It is also essential for enhancing efficiency and safety. A blunt chisel will require more powerful hammer blows before it can penetrate the piece.
The edge of the chisel can also break off during the hammering process. The flying piece can cause severe injury if it hits delicate body parts.
Video on how to forge a chisel
Precautions and Warnings
Safety is an essential part of blacksmithing. Below are some of the precautions and warnings you need to keep in mind while forging a chisel. They will not only ensure the success of the project; they will also ensure your safety.
- It is safe to assume all metals are hot during forging. Handle all with care.
- Follow all blacksmiths safety rules and use protective materials like gloves and aprons.
- Avid using damaged tools for any blacksmithing process.
- Use accurate measurements and make precise cuts.
- Only use tools that you are certain of handling properly.