making and using a bolster- blacksmithing tools
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6 жыл бұрынBolsters are simply a piece of plate with a hole in it. The hole allows for punching holes or at times as a heading tool. Forging a bolster to fit a specific size punch is a fairly simple project.
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The following list provides just a few resources to help you find supplies and equipment for blacksmithing.
www.piehtoolco.com/
www.centaurforge.com/
www.blacksmithsdepot.com/
www.blacksmithbolt.com/
www.oldworldanvils.com/
www.nimbaanvils.com/
fontaninianvilandtool.com/
www.abana.org/
www.mcmaster.com
kensironstore.com/
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.
@williamhowells2059 Жыл бұрын
Very educational for a beginner blacksmith like myself
@steelpennyforge5152 5 жыл бұрын
Great video and a clever use for what would have otherwise been scrap! I continue to be impressed with your videos and your teaching. Good practical down to earth stuff without all the fluff and nonsense. Really well done!
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@Smallathe Жыл бұрын
Awesome demonstration! :)
@clintonm2357 9 ай бұрын
I'm afraid if I had such a precision tool, I would only line it up with my chisel half the time!
@PeopleAlreadyDidThis 6 жыл бұрын
Every time you set the holdfast I have a vague urge to advance the filmstrip one frame...lol! Thanks for the most comprehensive blacksmithing school in cyberspace. I’ve grown so weary of watching guys forge items just to prove their prowess.
@leperejoe1536 6 жыл бұрын
John, if a person is starting in blacksmithing, and is not rich, he simply study all your videos and so, he can make all his tooling he needs; good way to learn and save.Thanks.
@skilletborne Ай бұрын
At least you can reuse that piece of square bar as your bolster for all kinds of sizes to save on scrap. I guess it'll get beat up over time, but if it can last for making 5 or 6 sizes of bolster plate it's better than 1
@NordicEdge 3 жыл бұрын
Good video. Thank you.
@davidferrett818 Жыл бұрын
Awesome bolster!!
@JF-fx2qv 6 жыл бұрын
Ta Da! Good job. Maybe consider storing like tools (Punch and Die .... bolster plate) as a set? Always enjoy creating an idea.
@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын
Its a good idea
@shadowcastre 6 жыл бұрын
Very good explanation! You have given me an idea for the bent over bar bolster. Take a long bar and bend it over, back and forth, as many times as you want. Make the spaces between each bend different sizes. You now have a multi-bolster. Not only will it take slotted punches, but square and round ones too. It will also look like a tool, not a piece of scrap. A hardy shank is also an option. Thanks for the video...
@JarlSeamus 6 жыл бұрын
THIS is a fantastic idea! (and the Missus can use it as a trivet when you're not needing it, lol)
@bobcaulkins2918 4 жыл бұрын
You might be able to make the best of both worlds if you use the bent rod twisting bar he's shown before as a multi diameter punch bolster as well. Just a suggestion.
@terrystewart2034 5 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the really good job you do in explaining blacksmithing in terms that make sense and are readily understandable. You easily demystify it.
@lenblacksmith8559 6 жыл бұрын
Made a bolster for the slot when making slot jaw tongs, I notices I the metal folds down as I'm drifting the hole. Had it quite hot, did a bit more to it just before, left the punch in the hole while dressing the sides, looks ok, but the side there is a nice sharp sides on it.
@swatcopk9 6 жыл бұрын
I learn more every video sir. For me your videos are invaluable. Thanks again.
@tobyjo57 5 жыл бұрын
I just love tools John and can never collect enought, I'm just taking up smithing at my age of 66 and find your channel so educational. I'm bent on trying to make so many tools you teach us how to make even if I never use them all to produce Iron work...If I can make a collection maybe someone who deserves them will inherit from me and put them to practical use..I guess I just love to be creative...Thanks for all you share with us
@onecrowingrooster2239 6 жыл бұрын
Ok John i learned the importance of a bolster plate trying to make a hinge from one of your videos today. I guess its time to watch this video and make. Thanks
@philipdunn7538 6 жыл бұрын
Thank you for making the time to film all these great videos.
@douglasfathers4848 3 жыл бұрын
This video was very help full Thanks again John' :)
@loganbolster7181 6 жыл бұрын
I love this instalment to ur feed. Especially since my last name is bolster. Hehe.
@jonathanbielert9165 6 жыл бұрын
Heard you joined Forging it forward. So glad you did.
@jeffsandling5981 6 жыл бұрын
Great video and explanations John! Guess I know what I'm doing after work today...Thanks for your time Brother!
@shortfuse43 6 жыл бұрын
Making that slot bolster by bending the bar stock was just really slick!!!! Great, such a simple but effective idea! I had considered drilling several aligned holes, filing and cleaning them out to make a slot, etc....way too much work. I make a lot of bottle openers with the slit for a hole end starter and have to work to clean up the slot when opened/drifted over the hardy hole. Gonna go out today and make one like your bent bar, thanks!
@johnjude2685 4 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@larryking606 5 жыл бұрын
Good Evening , John This is one of MY Better Videos ! The reason being , is that I have had this problem , to much lately ! And you came to the Rescue , With the answer to my Problem ! Thank you so much , I have had my problem answered A many a time , from watching Your Videos ! Take Care and Be Safe ! Keep Hammering !
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
Glad to hear you enjoyed it
@gregsmith3289 6 жыл бұрын
Great info, John. Thanks.
@johntompkins147 6 жыл бұрын
Thanks John, another good video.
@stevesyncox9893 5 жыл бұрын
Poetry in motion. Thanks
@dirtflourforge9341 6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for showing us these tool very helpful.
@vanpat52 6 жыл бұрын
Very kind of you. Thanks a lot. This is clear now. Have a nice day. Pat from Belgium
@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын
You are welcome.
@robincharlton8682 6 жыл бұрын
I have not used an anvil since school fifty years ago, but I love watching your videos; you show the techniques in a non-patronising way and talk a lot of sense in general. Woodworkers use things like bench-hooks and fences to constrain their timber. I am surprised that you don't have something similar to limit the movement of items too small for a hold-fast, or where speed is essential. Not to hold down, but simple stops to restrict movement of the piece, at least in one or two directions.
@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын
Frequently I will work against the step of the anvil much like working against a planing stop or even drop a swedge or other tool in the hardy hole for a stop
@motome8 6 жыл бұрын
Yet another thing I need to make..
@neilyeag 6 жыл бұрын
Really good tip. Yep I have seen Peter Ross video, he just kind of waves the material back and forth and bang, he has it spot on. Me not so precise.
@marcs4738 6 жыл бұрын
Nice. Simple and efficient
@user-cw8rc1ex3t 6 жыл бұрын
Спасибо!!! Вы показываете простые вещи позволяющие делать сложные проекты.
@lenblacksmith8559 6 жыл бұрын
That was good John, gonna make one of these and others for round holes.
@CodyDWorks 6 жыл бұрын
Thank you! I need to make one of these and a slot punch!
@bentoombs 6 жыл бұрын
Great tips is always John. keep it up!!!!
@krautmick2006 6 жыл бұрын
I can see jewelers using a bolster plate with the series of holes for drawing wire into smaller diameters
@donhelsley8733 6 жыл бұрын
nice work
@giantdvl 5 жыл бұрын
Love to see how you made that holdfast
@trminer 6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for another very useful vid! I know you get a ton of requests, but I would like to see you forge a nail set. Thanks again.
@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын
A nail set as in used for driving finish nails? Or do you mean a nail header used for making nails?
@Theelderdragon01 6 жыл бұрын
If your viewers have been working with you, they will have good starter set of tool as by now.
@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын
There is that "if"
@Theelderdragon01 6 жыл бұрын
They might want to catch up. That's a lot of good tooling they be missing.
@jeffsandling5981 6 жыл бұрын
Almost didn't start in this after looking at cost of tools...then I thought wait a minute blacksmiths made theirs and everyone else's tools. So there's my short story on how I found this channel. Loving every minute of these lessons...got a nice little set started and many more to go! Love when my wife asks so how much did that cost and I tell her nothing but time and she says "ah, been watching John again...good deal" I'm sure she appreciates your efforts as much as I do!
@davidhillman7004 3 жыл бұрын
Dirt dobbers. Same here i have cover my air tools with tape
@paranoy69 5 жыл бұрын
hello. great job. lots of learning for me. what is super quench? have a nice day.
@bobkelly2447 3 жыл бұрын
John , Thank you for the clarification of the 2 terms... but I have a hard time believing you would throw away that temporary bent bar bolster plate.... just because it's bent ! ... it looks like scrap means it gets used for some other purpose...not that you would throw it away.....your not fooling me ! hahhahhah ! I have that problem in my shop....i make a tool, use it for the purpose it was intended for then set it aside and may never use it again... so I frequently Re use tools I have made to make other tools and in the heat of the moment just about anything in the shop is fair game ! inevitably 3 months later I will be looking for that tool I made way back when...... but used it on something else.... LOL....i guess that's just how it goes when metal is in short supply ! .... Bob.......
@wyoblacksmithtools3097 6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for another very useful practical video. When heading rivets, do you use different thickness header plates to accommodate different length rivets so the rivet heads come out symmetrical? In other words, how can you support one unheaded (new word) end of the rivet so it doesn't deform, while you are forming a dome head (e.g.) on the other end, and making sure the shaft doesn't bind up in the header plate? Jerry
@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын
I haven't, but only because I rarely make rivets from scratch. I have seen it done that way and think it is probably the ideal approach
@Roy-qi1hv 6 жыл бұрын
"very nice clean hole" ? John I thought you said this was a family friendly channel!
@bobgrizzly9856 6 жыл бұрын
I noticed your comment about the Anvil not being very warm yet, I was wondering is there a trick that you use to warm up your Anvil without damaging its heat treatment or do you just start cold and rely on it warming up as you work?
@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын
If it is real cold I heat it with large chunk of plate that are hot from the forge. Ni real danger of softening the anvil, it would take lots of effort to get it that hot. Otherwise i just let it heat up as I work. I talked about it some here kzfaq.info/get/bejne/kJijnbmg0pbMdaM.html
@bobgrizzly9856 6 жыл бұрын
Thanks I was thinking that could work but it's good to get confirmation from someone with your level of experience I'll check out the link!
@mitch7046 4 ай бұрын
So that punch your using to make the bolster. Is that hardened??
@BlackBearForge 3 ай бұрын
Yes, but it isn't real hard
@jeffsandling5981 6 жыл бұрын
Hey guys don't forget the "👍" button! (I'm the worst at remembering that) just noticed over 2k views and 375 likes.
@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын
Thats pretty typical with any video on KZfaq
@Armorcreations1 6 жыл бұрын
How about case hardening powder for making bolsters more durable?
@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын
I think that would work. But I'm not sure how necessary it is.
@gregfarley5737 5 жыл бұрын
Since the smithy is cold and the anvil is also cold, would it make any difference to warm the anvil with a rosebud? Does it make any difference? Thanks for the lesson.
@BlackBearForge 5 жыл бұрын
I generally pre heat by heating large pieces of scrap in the forge and setting them on the anvil while i prepare my tools and materials for the day.
@gregfarley5737 5 жыл бұрын
@@BlackBearForge Thank you John. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
@stevefarley7014 4 жыл бұрын
What’s the ideal stock size for a 7/8” holdfast. My half inch effort was a fail👎. Yours is looking more like 3/4
@BlackBearForge 4 жыл бұрын
Generally 1/16" undersized
@BlackHoleForge 3 жыл бұрын
Hey John I was going through some of your older videos because I'm a new subscriber. I noticed in this video you had a tool that held down the metal to your handful. I think I have seen those in woodworking videos, but I don't know what they're called. I would like to make one for my 7/8 in Hardy hole.
@BlackBearForge 3 жыл бұрын
Its called a holdfast. I have a video on that and other ideas here kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z6uUp5qCrNCXln0.html
@BlackHoleForge 3 жыл бұрын
@@BlackBearForge thank you John. It also answered another question I had. It was that metal stand with a u shape on it. Thanks a lot
@monkeywithahammer6823 6 жыл бұрын
what is the tool you were using to hold the stock on the anvil
@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын
Thats a holdfast you can see the video on those here kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Z6uUp5qCrNCXln0.html
@lenblacksmith8559 6 жыл бұрын
John what is your slot punch made of??
@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын
I have made them out of several different materials. I like the ones from S7 the best but 4140 and 5160 make good tools as well, you just have to cool them more often.
@lenblacksmith8559 6 жыл бұрын
Ok thanks John, would spring steel be ok?
@trminer 6 жыл бұрын
Sorry, I meant nail header. Thanks
@BlackBearForge 6 жыл бұрын
I guess I should have read the new comments before i replied. I will add that to the list