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Page 1 of 5 The complete text of this lesson, with illustrations, is available as an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) file, "naildemw.pdf " Approx. size 175K. A full size jpeg file of the demo handout is also available ("nailtool.jpg " - Approx. size 157K)
SAFETY TIPS: For those of you who have lawyers please observe the following advice. You are responsible for your own safety and work habits. Use safety glasses when using grinders, torches, hammers and all potentially dangerous (especially rotary) power equipment and tools. Avoid burns, if it gets hot let go! Remember that black heat (not glowing red) can burn you. You can hold work with your hands while forging but if you're not a quick worker be prepared to let go quick. Enough said about the obvious.
NAIL TOOLS: Making an engraving chisel...
- Heat the heads of several concrete nails (bigger is better) and let them air cool to anneal (or soften) the striking surface to avoid chips etc. Heat only about 1/4" to red/orange or until it's non magnetic. If you over heat, the steel will emit sparks which means you are losing carbon content which you don't want to do.
- Heat the pointed end to red/orange and forge flat as shown in figure 1. If you're quick you can hold this with your fingers. During the same heat, hammer a slight bend near the tip as shown in figure 3. This will save you some grinding later.
- There are three basic parts to an engraving tool - FACE, HEEL & SHAFT
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- a. You sharpen the face
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- b. You shape the heel for the cut shape you want
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- c. You hold or mount the shaft
The cutting edge is where the face and the bottom of the heel meet. The profile of the face is a cross section which has been ground off the tip, above the heel, at an angle. This will cut different shaped grooves into your work. The best one to start with is the 1/2 round.
- Grind the heel slowly with the point up to make the bottom edge 1/2 round. If you rotate it back and forth too fast, you will get a pointed shape instead of rounded. When you're happy, smooth it off with a little wet or dry sandpaper as this will make a smoother cut.
- Next grind the angle you want for your face. Eyeballing is good enough. Grind with the heel up if you can as this will reduce burrs and try to get the plane of the face ground perpendicular to the shaft. If its off to the right or left it won't cut straight. See large figure.
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