Forging a Horseshoe Heart with Singing Blacksmith Bryan Headley

Bryan walks us through the process of forging a decorative heart out of an old horseshoe.

Materials:
Old Horseshoe
Horn Anvil
Fork Hardy
Cone Mandrel
blacksmith hammer

Step 1: Remove any nails from the horseshoe. If you cannot remove, cut down and hammer flat

Step 2: Straighten horseshoe by heating and bending using the fork hardy. This will take a number of iterations of heating and bending. Flatten after each iteration.

Step 3: Crease. Using the corner of the anvil face, hammer a good crease in the center edge of the horseshoe.

Step 4: Draw out ends. Heat one end of the horseshoe and draw out the end 1/4 to an elongated point. Repeat on opposite end. Measure to ensure they are identical.

Step 5: Form heart. Bend one side at a time using the cone mandrel. Do this in two steps. Curve the end of each side part way. Then repeat until the tips meet in the middle and are symmetrical. Flatten after each step.

Bryan also discusses anvils. He has two kinds of horn anvil. One is cast iron with a steel base and does not ring. The other is wrought iron and rings. To dampen the ring one can hang some chain from the horn end.

Purchase your first anvil at a second hand tool shop ($100-150). If you decide you like blacksmithing you can go on to buy a better one. The best place to find a good anvil is at a farm auction.

Finally, Bryan sings his wish for us.

#blacksmith #forging #diy