Forging Spirals

Рет қаралды 19,973

4 жыл бұрын

Forged spirals - exploring a concept in the blacksmith shop. Today I just wanted to experiment a bit with the idea of forging spiral elements. While these aren't a new or unique idea, they aren't something I've spent much time with.
Black Bear Forge is a small one person blacksmith shop located in southern Colorado. My current focus is shifting away from commissions and customer orders and towards education through these videos on KZfaq. Thank you for watching
To provide financial support use one of the two links below.
www.paypal.me/BlackBearForge
Or you may set up a monthly contribution through Patreon
/ blackbearforge
Mailing address:
Black Bear Forge
P.O. Box 4
Beulah, CO 81023
If you are curious about some of my other interests, you may like my second channel
John Switzer
/ @johnswitzer
Find my online at:
www.blackbearforge.com
www.blackbearforge.etsy.com
/ blackbearforge
/ black-bear-forge-20986...
Below you will find useful links that will help you in your journey as a blacksmith.
My blacksmiths apron
www.Forge-Aprons.com use code BBF
RZmask 99.5% dust mask
rzmask.com?afmc=ay
To find more information in blacksmithing in the US or to search for your local ABANA affiliate group visit.
www.abana.org/
Blacksmithing tools and supplies
Self contained air hammers - www.saymakhammers.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.oleoacresfarriersupply.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.piehtoolco.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.centaurforge.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmithsdepot.com/
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmithsupply.com/
Square head bolts and lags - www.blacksmithbolt.com/
New anvils - www.oldworldanvils.com/
New anvils - www.nimbaanvils.com/
New anvils -
Industrial supplier - www.mcmaster.com
Tong blanks and tools - kensironstore.com/
Fire brick and refractory - refwest.com
Most of my videos are shot on the Canon M50
adorama.evyy.net/NEnJV
Audio is recorded using the RodeLink Filmmaker Wireless Microphone Kit
adorama.evyy.net/g5vXA
I have set up a Facebook group just for you, the viewers of this KZfaq channel.
If you would like to share your work that was inspired by my videos
This is the place to do that
/ 101400907400310
Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.

Пікірлер: 213

@camoswald6752 4 жыл бұрын

Busting out the coal forge! Great project 👍

@springwoodcottage4248 4 жыл бұрын

The big ones reminded me of traditional bed springs, two of them welded together. I have seen these used to represents female breasts in sculptures. The last one reminded me of a pigs tail. All super creative stuff and I was thrilled and enchanted as the first one took shape, previously I would have thought they were made bending over a conical former. Thanks for sharing!

@douglasfathers4848 4 жыл бұрын

A garden stake for a japanese bonsai tree . just a idea. grate video John .cheers.

@chpppa 4 жыл бұрын

Made a tapered curl size of a lemon for a handle for my dandelion getter. Thanks for the idea.

@terrycarwile6499 4 жыл бұрын

Very satisfying to watch the more delicate hammer/anvil work. Stimulates my imagination too. :)

@BlackBearForge 4 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@hayward434 4 жыл бұрын

The small spiral works good for screwing in lawn ornaments to prevent falling over.

@MPWorkshop 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for another great video! I have to say, my forging skills have advanced significantly thanks to your videos! I'm always learning something new, and I'm quickly learning that the only technical limitation to the craft is your own imagination. Thanks again, and I cant wait for the next one!

@williampratt4791 4 жыл бұрын

part of a retail display of stuff that slides around on a straight bar and you want to dispplay at an angle...the spiral will keep the hook or chain or whatever in place..could be part od eye catching display

@GrainneDhu 4 жыл бұрын

When I was still able to garden, I had some aluminum coils that were about 4 feet long overall. I used them to grow cherry tomatoes on--I didn't think they were strong enough for full sized tomatoes but they did well with cherry tomatoes, made them look both decorative and productive. This is the time of year when I start jonesing for home grown tomatoes.

@sunqwest1 4 жыл бұрын

Fun to try something different.

@countrycraftsman5110 4 жыл бұрын

Looks like your work is taking yet another interresting turn. Some times the neatest things laying in the flower garden have no use or explanation and expand ones imagination and curiosity.

@rogerbird6151 4 жыл бұрын

I could do with a pair of these for my dearest wife to attach to her forehead! Well done and I really enjoy your skills and very interesting work! Thank you so much for your channel.

@jonharwood9390 4 жыл бұрын

Things like these look nice in a flower garden. Maybe add a dish to the top for a bird feeder, or forge a leaf element or two.👍

@PeteResseguieSnyder 4 жыл бұрын

They give me the impression of something botanical. Could be interesting to apply an intentional surface texture to give the impression of vines, maybe incorporate leaves and turn it into a hanging plant holder/ceiling hook.

@Zogg1281 4 жыл бұрын

Finally a way to make an extremely large comical fuse for my home made electrical panel. My home will finally have electricity 😁 That little spring looks so cute, awesome for something decorative in a fence panel 👍

@BlackBearForge 4 жыл бұрын

Best of luck!😱

@Zogg1281 4 жыл бұрын

@@BlackBearForge LOL

@dalekidd420 4 жыл бұрын

The scrolls you show at the beginning of the video would be nice for something like making a relatively light vertical-bar type garden gate. The large one could be the centerpiece bar of the gate, with the small ones being top decorations (as well as security features if you leave those points on them!).

@hughmanatee7433 4 жыл бұрын

I am making some hand tools for gardening, spirals would make great handles. I was originally going to find some springs of the appropriate size and weld them on for a handle but making spirals that hat fit comfortably in the hand is better. Wooden handles are often the weak point in a hand tool.

@mr4611johnston 4 жыл бұрын

The best thing I can think of for the big spiral is some sort of wind chime. Great video John, I think I'll give this one a try.

@markmcmeen287 4 жыл бұрын

Before you uncoiled those two, I thought you were making fiddlehead ferns. At least they remind me of them in the coiled state. All the versions could make really neat accents for a floral arrangement. Think of them as "representations" of greenery. Lucky bamboo is sometimes twisted into a similar shape. Thanks for the technique tips.

@olddawgdreaming5715 4 жыл бұрын

Good morning John, I’ll hold off on my guess till you are completed 🤗. Yup you’re right, I have no idea !! I enjoyed watching you work with making it anyway. 👍👍 thanks for sharing with us. Fred

@mage8838 4 жыл бұрын

Something that always amazes me is that how hard you don't hit the metal while forging. I always thought you had to swing very hard to move the steel. Your videos are always educational. Thanks for your work. Keep it up.

@BlackBearForge 4 жыл бұрын

Sometimes you do, but for scrolling, light blows are better

@charleszimmermann7784 4 жыл бұрын

Place a gazing ball in the center and hang from tree they will spin and the light reflecting off the gazing sphere will cast light off.

@GaryForgingOn 4 жыл бұрын

It would look good in a trellis and let plants grow up through it. Thanks for the videos.

@margaretcarter517 4 жыл бұрын

What you do with bits of metal is nothing short of miraculous. What an artist! From a textile artist whose raw material is a lot more pliable!!!!

@rockyroney2666 4 жыл бұрын

I think it would work well in a garden element

@erikisberg3886 4 жыл бұрын

Interesting demo, some thoughts on making coned spirals: It is easier to pull apart the big turns than the small ones, therefore uniform heating does not work well. A propane torch carefully used seems better to me than oxy acetylene, no risk of overheating. Another obvious way is to wind around a suitable cone former, especially if making more than one alike and tighter turns. Traditional firepokers for woodstoves over here used to have these spiral handles.

@BlackBearForge 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the suggestions.

@jamesreyes4184 4 жыл бұрын

Very neat little project. I would probably use that for my tomato plants try to keep them straight and from tipping over LOL

@mortneff4674 4 жыл бұрын

use it along with a couple more to help support long vine flowers, Connect a few and make down spout diviters, kind of like chains so water doesn't splash in the same place all the time!

@joshyingling 4 жыл бұрын

When building your own BBQ grill, those could be the handles so it won't get hot

@ieatnoodls 4 ай бұрын

beautiful 👏

@BigWillSD 4 жыл бұрын

Man, I've done scrolled candle holders that start out like you big one. You made that look easy lol. I could see the large one as some type of outdoor wind ornament

@jamesafseth326 4 жыл бұрын

I was doing this very same thing yesterday, to make a handle for the door of my new ribbon burner forge... I started out with some small straight springs, and used uneven heat to uncoil the springs at different rates, to produce the larger coils in the center

@chalcedony6858 4 жыл бұрын

The long spiral could be an excellent unique feature in wrought iron fences, in some of the uprights.

@dragonwaterforge 4 жыл бұрын

Sweet man

@holsterbuddy3783 4 жыл бұрын

I make candle holders the same way. Great way to practice hammer blows, tapers and jelly rolls. I'd use the big spiral as part of a wind chime.

@a.frakes1535 4 жыл бұрын

Use em for a wind chime, hang diamond shaped, textured metal plates from them.

@michaelmitchell4806 4 жыл бұрын

Perhaps Christmas ornament with ribbons. As always good stuff John.

@Redneckemtb 4 жыл бұрын

The music when pulling was a nice touch, John.

@NeilGraham.I.M.F 4 жыл бұрын

Very neat concept. Be a lot of applications for spiral twists like that.

@liquidminddesign1367 4 жыл бұрын

Mmmm... cinnamon roll

@davidwright4363 4 жыл бұрын

The long spiral could have a ball put in the middle so when you hang it up and the wind blows it looks like the ball is moving... not sure if I explained that well enough lol

@BlackBearForge 4 жыл бұрын

Makes sense.

@NeilGraham.I.M.F 4 жыл бұрын

Thats kinda what i thought. Like part of a wind chime

@wesleymccravy901 3 жыл бұрын

Same here, my immediate thought. You can also make a wood base and attach to a motor hidden underneath and make ever-climbing ball illusion desktop ornament

@Smallathe 4 жыл бұрын

It's actually good night... :) lovely video. I think you can make handles - and of course an interesting hook. How about a hook that is a bottle opener too??? Thanks for sharing!

@jamesjacobs8594 4 жыл бұрын

Instantly when I seen the thumbnail I thought “ miniature blacksmith Christmas trees! “ my wife is obsessed with Christmas and I’m always looking for neat gift ideas I can make

@scotthaddad563 4 жыл бұрын

A couple uses are: corkscrew, patch worm for muzzle loader and to screw an element of decoration into the ground of the garden.

@Dfrantz87 4 жыл бұрын

Good morning John!

@alwaysbearded1 4 жыл бұрын

You could forge weld it to flowers, leaves or other elements for that project you are working on which we don't know what it will be. Then they can move around in the breeze or when someone bumps into it. If it was spring steel or you could temper even better. Looks like it might be too stiff at that thickness but the idea is there.

@larrygockley5166 4 жыл бұрын

H John. When I make a triangle , cowboy dinner bell ,. Sometimes I make a leaf on one end and a tendril on the other.

@markwilkerson6785 3 жыл бұрын

I am going to use these for tree anchors to help hold them in place in high winds..

@jimackerman5323 4 жыл бұрын

You could turn a hook on each end and hang a lantern or something else on... just a throwback to “ Hook of the Week “ thanks for the inspiration

@FSCHW 4 жыл бұрын

If you spiral half starting in the middle and leave a wide opening and a longer stem you could stick it in the ground and use it as a cup or bottle holder.

@dereksstuff8395 4 жыл бұрын

That may make a nice looking top to a gate door.

@Rouverius 4 жыл бұрын

Maybe use the big spiral as a holder to drape rags, towels, or work gloves.

@49michaelt 4 жыл бұрын

I did this for the handle of my forge shovel. I quenched the outside loops with a can of water to set them while I continued my pull.

@frankgaletzka8477 4 жыл бұрын

Hello John The spiral is a mystic thing Put the Big spiral as a wineplant with leafes and fruits in the mystic project. All the best Greetings from Germany Yours Frank

@johnjude2685 4 жыл бұрын

Might work on grape vine or a bean plant. Thanks always good to look for a place for everything

@Dfrantz87 4 жыл бұрын

Center bit in a wind chime!

@MrJamesjustin 4 жыл бұрын

They're cool John. I reckon a bunch of those big Curley things would decorate a ballestrade (scuse the spelling) nicely.

@michaelrowland5285 4 жыл бұрын

You could make some small leaves and Forge around and add a swivel on top and let it spin in the wind

@armouredlion 4 жыл бұрын

had to do a double-take on that transition at 5:55! haha very cool

@theprovopirate8934 4 жыл бұрын

I can see that as the decorative top to a sign holder.

@rlgroshans 4 жыл бұрын

John, in wire jewelry making, that spiral is called a bird cage. When spread out a bead can be placed inside. I'll post an example on the FB page of a small one I did.

@grandadz_forge 4 жыл бұрын

That will improve the reception on my space helmet. Interesting video/ process

@BlackBearForge 4 жыл бұрын

Got me figured out, building a space ship

@stevenolan7972 4 жыл бұрын

Colored glass balls inserted into the spiral and a swivel on the end you’d have a outdoor hanging ornament.

@TufStockdogs 4 жыл бұрын

That's what I been looking for buddy ] it into the ground then snap a chain to it it will be a very nice dog run. Thank you John

@opwards 4 жыл бұрын

ok humour post time lol. since it looks like a coil spring, straighten it back out and make chisels from it. hahahaha

@BlackBearForge 4 жыл бұрын

😂

@NotonlyWood 4 жыл бұрын

The first thing that came to my mind was some kind of flower bed stake, for plants to wrap around 🤔

@kevinmorgan8338 4 жыл бұрын

Wife says, fancy plant support with butterfly or flower on the end.

@stefanmierke4801 4 жыл бұрын

for fences and gates it is a nice element together wih leafs and some berries / grapes to form a wine vine or rank. Or for floral elements.

@ricksutherland6421 4 жыл бұрын

I'm rewatching this episode so I can make spiral handles for a pizza cutter.

@haijpa1 4 жыл бұрын

Could use it for a part of the candle holder 😉

@jamesdarrow9801 4 жыл бұрын

Use the big spiral to put a hotdog inside and cook over a fire.

@garybeasley4885 4 жыл бұрын

A tighter spiral is often used as a handle. Used to have a slag hammer with a coil handle, shaft was welded to the inside of the coil.

@alext.7313 4 жыл бұрын

One of the ideas I've seen with this is little Christmas trees for ornaments.

@kevinthompson2110 4 жыл бұрын

I use spirals in garden elements, such as plant and vine supports.

@glenndarilek520 4 жыл бұрын

Think of springs made with the same material. A large diameter one to is easier to compress than a smaller diameter. So the large spirals are inherently easier to expand even with perfectly even heat, therefore the torch is the way to go.

@michaellyons5208 4 жыл бұрын

A few of them would look cool in a kinetic sculpture

@davidlange7916 4 жыл бұрын

Use them to attach to the flowers and leaves you have been making. Im making a hand rail on some steps in my garden and im using your flower and leaf ideas to fill in between the top and bottom rail. sort of whimsical look for the garden.

@randallsummers6551 4 жыл бұрын

Fishing rod holder maybe? Take care John. God bless

@clarabisson7299 4 жыл бұрын

If it was slightly closer together it could be a handle for a fire poker. Maybe the main body to a wind chime. Maybe if the top was stretch out enough to fit a block of bird food it could be a feeder. The stem of a snapdragon flower I think those are curly Edit: I just saw the part where you said fire poker :p

@PaulFontaniniArtist 4 жыл бұрын

I use spirals like those as tendrils in my forged grape vines.

@flatlinesup 4 жыл бұрын

The larger spiral reminds me of a spiral anchor that usually has a eye on the top (or triangular eye) that is driven into the ground to attach a dog run/leash when you go to a park etc.

@andrepienaar6459 4 жыл бұрын

If you have grand kids, you can give them the spiral with a jar of wooden beads. They can string the beads on the spiral and watch them spin back and forth.

@richardstewart1955 4 жыл бұрын

Christmas decoration!

@ericwhitmire4610 4 жыл бұрын

Ive seen those in gardens as decorations but with metal flowers on top

@SeanKroner 4 жыл бұрын

Paper towel holder mounted in a base. If the size of the spiral was right it would keep the paper towel roll from spinning when you rip a piece off.

@OuroborosArmory 4 жыл бұрын

I can totally see you add some fins, and make a wind chime that twirls...

@FZR650 4 жыл бұрын

So that’s where my missing bed spring that jetted out of my house and came to rest! On a side note: cut the bigger coil in half and make it into a wind chime..

@AndyColglazier 4 жыл бұрын

Might have application in a wind chime creation. Would add a spinning effect. Thanks for the video!

@BlackBearForge 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the idea!

@adrianstreet8330 4 жыл бұрын

Nice ideas.Just a thought for the second spiral you made, thought it could be made into a cork screw.

@ga5743 4 жыл бұрын

Well that project let your arm rest a bit instead of whacking the crap out of metal like you usually do. Thanks for the vid John, stay well.

@FSCHW 4 жыл бұрын

The single ended ones could be a flag holder with a 5' rod and a 12-16" right angle bend on the end. The spiral would be screwed into the ground

@davemartin1534 4 жыл бұрын

Now I'm not sure but I seem to recall that somewhere in my 70 odd year memory I saw one similar fashioned to the single ended one used to pull long tap root weeds. Don't know for sure may have been in one of my dreams. It was placed by the weed( maybe a dandelion ) and screwed into the ground around the tap root. If you ever tried to pull up a dandelion the top will break off leaving the root intact in the ground to leaf out later in the season. BTW all parts of dandelion are eatable so as I have heard the roots can be harvested at frost washed, chopped up, roasted, ground up with coffee grinder, and then brewed into a hot drink. The reason why the roots are harvested at frost all the nutrition above the ground goes down into n r stored in the root for the next season.

@k3xtxhamradio930 4 жыл бұрын

Hotdog cooker or fish rod anchor neat way to do thanks

@thomasjewell503 4 жыл бұрын

Maybe could be used for some type of decoration for Christmas,or maybe used for a horn while sculpting some type of animal

@robertjohnson9525 4 жыл бұрын

I saw a gentleman use half of the large spiral for storage of wine and bottles.

@robzombieshot 4 жыл бұрын

If you had a lawn chair that you'd want a little lumbar support, even if you use it behind light padding but still viewable in the chair, would be cool plus support good posture.