Metalworking is one of the oldest trades in the world. Since metal was used to make the first spears and swords, people have been incorporating decorative elements into their metal working designs. Decorative metal bending tools are still very basic and are used very much the same way they have been used for hundreds of years. Does this Spark an idea?
Twisting Tool
When you look at iron spindles on a railing and wonder how they got the twist in them, it really was not that hard for the metalsmith. A twisting tool is used to put a wist in the metal, The tool looks like rod with a hole in the middle and handles on each side. There are different twisting tools, depending on the shape and diameter of the metal. For example, a wrought iron flat stock twisting tool has a rectangular, thin slot to fit the easily bendable metal into. A square stock wrought iron twisting tool has more of a square shape to it and generally needs to be heated in order to twist the metal because of its more solid shape.
Craken Jig
The craken jig is secured into a vise clamp. The tip of the wrought iron is then inserted into the jig and bent the desired amount. This is commonly used for making tabs, short circles or curves, and free hand abrupt bends. This tool is used for flat stock wrought iron or square stock. Again, square stock has to be heated to bend properly.
Curved Jig
This is a basically a metal circle with a tab on it. The jig is clamped in a vise clamp and the wrought iron is clamped to the tab of the jig with a vise grip pliers. The wrought iron can then be bent along the the curve forming circles or curves. This is commonly used for decorative metal work on stair rails, railings, and decorative garden items. This can be used without heat for either metal.
Tags: wrought iron, square stock, twisting tool, circles curves, clamp wrought, clamp wrought iron, commonly used
