Posted by enrique on September 22, 1997 at 21:41:57:

In Reply to: Topic: Forging a taper posted by Chris Ray on September 20, 1997 at 20:42:03:

: Begin by taking a heat on the end of a bar and then either over the horn of your anvil or a rounded die in a power hammer, concentrate on reducing the end first. Draw out a thin taper as much as you can in either one or two heats and finish off on the anvil face. Be sure to keep the tip near the edge of the anvil face while pulling out the metal to avoid distressing the anvil plate from the leading edge of your hammer.

Chris,

You're right in your explanation of how to forge a taper. This first step in learning how to forge is an important step towards understanding how to move metal while in a plastic state. Of course, another thing you have to remember is making sure that the metal is hot enough to work. If there isn't enough heat, you will work yourself to death. Make sure you get the metal hot - a yellow color is a good visual way to tell.

Anyway, I just wanted to mention that there is another article in the ArtMetal archives which has some visuals, and even a quicktime money on forging a tennon with a trip hammer. It is located at:

http://wuarchive.wustl.edu/edu/arts/metal/TOC/proces/forge/taper.html

• Forging a Taper

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