Smithing a pila video by LEGOV (Tennessee)

[jkaler48]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfS1LBHBr8A

John Kaler
MSG, USA
Retired
Member LEGO V (Tennessee)

[Bran ap Maclou]

Very interesting video, laudes, I sent your tutorial to french reenactment fora, it pleased also a lot.
Just a thing, a blacksmith friend ( http://compagnie-de-trencavel.aceboard. ... arteau.htm ), thought it would be easier for you with another type of hammer (yours is known in France as "Canadian carpenter hammer")
Personnally, I think you have a very lovely blacksmith idea. I guess I could copy your blacksmith.

Regards

Greg

[Tarbicus]

Brilliant, thanks. This kind of thing is always great to see.

[Gaivs Antonivs Satvrninvs]

Fantastic, Robert. You make it look so easy. I'm proud to say I have one of your pila. Great work.

Can I assume you have your vids posted on your Legion web site?

[Matt Lukes]

Very neat- and yeah, a carpentry claw hammer is definitely a hard way to do this LOL A heavier 2lb or 3lb 'machinist' hammer would make things a lot easier and it has a cross peen end for forming tangs.

[Robert]

Notice, though, that when he starts mashing the iron into a flat tang, he is using a heavier hammer, as far as I can see. Then, for the more delicate work, the carpenters hamer is again used. There is some methode in this madness, it would seem, although I use a round ballpreen hammer for the delicate bits.

[M. Demetrius]

Robert, great video. I do have a question, however.

What size stock do you use to make your pila? It looks to be about 3/8". Is that right? How do you overcome the problem of the thinness of the tang needed to match the taper of the wood?

When I've done the same thing, the metal is not so strong at that point where the rod ends, and the tang begins. My solution is to draw a point on the tang end, then fold it back on itself and forge weld the two together, then make the tang. The metal varies from a single thickness to double, as it approaches the distal end. Am I thinking right here?

[Matt Lukes]

Notice, though, that when he starts mashing the iron into a flat tang, he is using a heavier hammer, as far as I can see. Then, for the more delicate work, the carpenters hamer is again used. There is some methode in this madness, it would seem, although I use a round ballpreen hammer for the delicate bits.

Yeah, it's a ball-peen hammer, but it still looks to be a light one. Not that either is wrong at all, just more work than using a more 'robust' hammer :wink:

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

#What hammer is that you mention Matt, I have a small lump hammer for heavy work(when I finally start some) Whats a cross peen?

[richsc]

In "Iron for the Eagles" the technique for making the head was to upset the iron, then cut it down into a wedge shape. I seem to remember the finds having a small ridge under the head; not sure if IFTE mentioned how that was done.

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

I would need to find my copy and check that! :roll:

[Hibernicus]

Upsetting the point end is one technique, though certainly not the one true technique. A broader base for the point can be achieved by starting with 1/2" stock. Lot's more work but lots more fun!

[Hibernicus]

cross peen and straight peen... and many kind of peen and many kind of other fun bits.

http://www.dancingfrogforge.com/hammers01.html

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Thanks sean!