Very good. I do exactly the same, but I welded a second handle on the opposite side to make a double-handed tool. If I get into the right position, up close by the vice and in such a way that the main force is exerted downwards and via the whole shoulder and arm, I can manage a triple twist (or even three and a half) in cold 12mm square bar. Might have to tweak it a little in a Miracle bender if you twist that severely. You won't twist 16mm square bar cold though, not without power assistance. 12mm is the limit of 'normal' human strength I would say. Longer twists are easier than shorter ones (less effort) but conversely longer twists require more turns to look tight enough. Cold twists are very much easier to keep true than hot twists because obviously the piece is at a uniform temperature (cold) and so deforms at a uniform rate.
Great video, thank you. I'll be trying this with some half inch as I have a log drying rack to make. I've always bent steel cold and have usually (!) had good results
Awesome! I'm gonna try this tomorrow! Tho i might use some heat as well, just because I have it. But the idea was brilliant with the pipe and handle. I was gonna use an old wrench I welded a second handle on, this seems a lot easier. I will probably weld the bending tool instead. What measurements does the squarebar have? 15x15 or 10x10mm? Thanks!
The whole point of not using heat is that you get an even twist. I only use heat if the bar is too thick to twist by hand cold. It’s 10x10 in this video
Cheers to the new video. I picked up some old ball peen hammer heads recently and have practiced turning them into boarding axes. I am having trouble with cracks along the face though, if my heat is good am I just working it to fast or is there something else I am missing. Thank you for sharing your skills and your time
Not really sure about that one, I have never drawn a hammer down that thin so have no experience. Could be too hot or too cold. There is a narrow window of temperature when working high carbon steel, heat often as the temperature drops, if you have a good forge it will only take seconds to get back to the right heat.
I don’t think I have any on hot twists, but it’s much more difficult to get an even twist doing it hot. I have no idea about the properties of bronze so I wouldn’t even attempt it unless I had lots to waste! There are too many variables.
What kind of steel is this and where would you find it? I know this will seem a very silly question but this video sort of got me interested in trying this.
@@garyhuston Thanks. I have found myself watching more and more blacksmithing videos lately and it seems interesting..I love to learn how to do new things. No clue on how to get started experimenting with this so I really appreciate the reply.
Stephen Hodge What material do you think is used 99% of the time? It's not rocket science here you know! Besides, it makes little difference what it's made from the result would be the same..
+Charles Andrews Not by hand cold. I used to twist 1 1/4" bar cold in a big old lathe I had. Anything over about 1/2" needs to be done hot if your doing it by hand.
