11/12/2017 Scoring Tools
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Knowing that I would be constructing 3 octagonally folded parts for my cruet set, I enlisted Paul to help me make my own scoring tools.
A standard length of 6mm silver steel rod was cut in half using a brute of a hacksaw and a tang filed down on each (tapering in about an inch to a square of about 3mm). |
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The other end of the rod was heated to red hot and then forged into an approximate square.
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After reheating, the end was hammered over the edge of the anvil to create a right angled bend.
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Another reheat and the sides of the bend were squared off again.
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This time after reheating, the steel was left to cool slowly.
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The bent end of the tool was then clamped into a vice and the end filed down to the desired angle.
Due to a misunderstanding of the maths involved, I filed my octagonal tool down to 135 degrees (which is wrong). |
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The underside of the hook is then filed down to create a sharp point.
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The tool is then reheated and quenched in oil to harden it.
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The final step is to temper the tool (make it less brittle but still hard).
The black surface is buffed down to bare metal and a low flame "tickled" from the tang end up to the hook until the very tip is a straw yellow colour. The tool is then ready to use and can be put in a wooden handle. |
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Addendum: As mentioned, I miscalculated the angle for the octagonal tool when I used it for the first time.
So one of my first tasks after the christmas holiday, was to rework it to 45 degrees. |
