|
This
treadle hammer was built from the plans designed
by Clay Spencer of Madison, Alabama. It has a 65
lb. hammer connected by a adjustable link to the
treadle. Three large springs suspend the hammer.
Its anvil is made of a
36" X 6" X 6" piece of steel.
There are hardie holes in both the hammer and the
anvil to hold many different kinds of tools. The
treadle hammer has many uses to a smith as many
operations require three hands.
|
|
Almost all
blacksmithing is done with iron and steel. None
of the other common metals can be forged after
heating in the same way. Modern iron is produced
from large furnaces which melt iron ore. What
first comes from these blast furnaces is called
pig iron. Wrought iron is produced by refining
and rolling hot pig iron to reduce the carbon and
to remove most of the impurities. It is the most
tough and malleable form of iron. It also has a
greater resistance to corrosion than most other
types of iron.
|
|
Unfortunately, wrought iron has not been
produced since around 1911. It has been replaced
by mild steel, which is iron with a small amount
of carbon in it. For structural work and general
machining, this is a better material. It is not
however, as satisfactory for blacksmithing. It
forges harder than wrought iron and is much more
difficult to fire weld. Because it is possible to
reuse the same iron many times, today's smiths
might find it worthwhile to collect discarded
iron for further use.
|
|
Send e-mail