Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Make Ornamental Iron

Ornamental iron products are stylishly visible in driveway gates, walkway gates, fence rods, curtain rods and production components. Purchasing ornamental iron can be expensive, but if you have experience in artistic blacksmithing, you can make your own ornamental iron. If not, consult a professional blacksmith before attempting this project to avoid injury and obtain the best results. This procedure requires hot rolled steel and certain blacksmithing tools, which you can obtain from a blacksmithing supply company.


Instructions


1. Heat the steel, in a propane forge, to 1800-degrees, until it is yellow-white.


2. Remove the steel with tongs from the forge. Use the vice to attach the steel to the anvil.


3. Work quickly to design your metal as you wish. The iron is only malleable for 20 to 30 seconds. If you want to flatten areas of your iron, hammer them with the flat end of your ball pen hammer. Use the hammer to shape and direct the metal, according to your design plans. Use a chisel to create cuts, as desired.


4. Use a bucket of water to cool your iron when you are done working. The temperature of the water is not important, since your iron will cool to room temperature anyway.

Tags: your iron, ornamental iron