Project Information
I drew duckmilk as a recipient for this swap, and knowing he has a forge and anvil I wanted to make a forging hammer. After seeing his collection (with some crafty help from fellow swappers and friends) I decided on a dogshead hammer, aka cutlers hammer or sawyers hammer. It's a weight forward design best suited to thin precise work such as knife bevels or saw blades.
It started as a 1-1/4×2" stick of 4140 steel bar. I milled the eye (which was an experience of its own as I work hardened it multiple times until I got the right speed & feed sorted out- I'm still learning the machinist ropes!)
Next I decided to taper the bottom which made it resemble an axe head.
Here it is getting the sides cleaned up before sanding the whole thing to 120grit
2.69lbs- it's got a good feel to it!
I decided to use some pecan from my yard that has been drying in the shop for a couple years to make a handle.
I hope duck gets some great use out of it!
It started as a 1-1/4×2" stick of 4140 steel bar. I milled the eye (which was an experience of its own as I work hardened it multiple times until I got the right speed & feed sorted out- I'm still learning the machinist ropes!)
Next I decided to taper the bottom which made it resemble an axe head.
Here it is getting the sides cleaned up before sanding the whole thing to 120grit
2.69lbs- it's got a good feel to it!
I decided to use some pecan from my yard that has been drying in the shop for a couple years to make a handle.
I hope duck gets some great use out of it!