S-scrolls and C-scrolls in metal artwork
From cathedrals to condominiums, beginner blacksmiths who master the skill of making wrought iron scrolls have the sought after talent for historic preservation to modern artwork. Neither brute strength nor modern machinery is required to produce the scrolls found in most of the world's finest metal work. Blacksmiths work with basic equipment and most blacksmith's tools can be made by the blacksmiths themselves or purchased in a variety of tool stores including flea markets and scrape yards. Planning for the equipment and location to forge metal scrolls entails little more than what would be needed for a barbecue pit. Small shops and homemade forges make wrought iron scrolls that inspire beauty and elegance by enveloping the three basic scroll shapes; single or spiral, the S-scroll, and the C-scroll. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Scroll Wrought Iron
1. Cut metal to length. Be sure to cut several more than needed to allow for practice and one to use as a pattern. The pattern and notes can be used for future reference for other projects.
2. Tending a forge fire.
Light the forge.
3. Heat wrought iron to yellow for scrolling.
Heat one end of stock in forge until metal is orange to yellow in color.
4. Brush slag off hot stock with wire brush.
5. Dressing and finishing the scroll tip.
Dress the scroll tip by upsetting the stock. One end at a time, hold the stock with the tongs and place the end of the metal one inch over the offside edge of the anvil while hitting the end of the metal to drive the hot metal back into itself. The ends of the stock may be further dressed to different shapes depending on the look desired in the center of each scroll. A finished tip is an indicator that it was handmade and not fabricated.
6. Reheat stock; using the offside edge or the horn of the anvil, hammer the first 1/2 inch (1 cm) downward to start the scroll. Turn the stock over with the bent tip facing upward and lightly hammer down onto the tip using a brushing type stroke to close the tip of the scroll.
7. Reheat the stock and place on anvil with the scroll tip facing upward and off the far edge. Lightly hammer the back side of the stock upward and toward yourself producing a smooth curve without flat spots.
8. Reheat stock as needed and continue lightly hammering the backside of the scroll to produce a graceful curve for 1-1/4 rotations, taking care not to over bend the stock.
9. Repeat this process for the opposite end of stock to make C or S-scrolls. For C-scrolls, hold the completed scroll downward with tongs while heating and hammering the opposite scroll; and for S-scrolls hold the scroll upward.
10. Flatten the finished scroll by placing it flat on the anvil face and lightly hammering raised areas.
Tags: Reheat stock, facing upward, iron scrolls, lightly hammering, more than, offside edge
