The Library of Work and Play: Working in Metals

by Charles Conrad Sleffel

TO MAKE AN IRON RING

The simplest problem for a first weld is a flat iron ring. This drawing shows a ring 3 ins. in diameter on the inside and 5 ins. on the outside.

Stock: Flat piece of iron 13¹⁄₂ × 1 × ³⁄₁₆ ins.

Directions: The making of this ring involves the processes of bending and welding. Before the bending is done the two ends are upset and made about 1¹⁄₁₆ in. thicker than they were, for about 1 in. back from either end. To do the upsetting, place the hot end on the anvil vertically and strike on the cold end with the hammer until the required thickness is obtained. If the end which is being upset was not heated more than 1¹⁄₂ in., it will probably upset without bending. If heated more than this the probabilities are that it will bend during the process. If it does so, it should be laid upon the anvil and the bend hammered out. When the desired thickness has been obtained scarf the ends as shown in the drawing, using the round end or peen of the hammer to do so. (See [scarfing].)

Do the same to the other end, putting the scarf on the opposite side to the first one. Now heat the piece, about half its length, quite hot. Place it upon the thickest part of the horn of the anvil, strike upon the end that projects beyond the anvil, and bend it into a ring. The scarfs, being opposite, will now fit and come together. (See [drawing].) Bend over till the two edges lap. This gives plenty of material where the joint comes, to allow for the waste of the material from the high welding heat and also that needed for the hammering of the metal during the welding. The upsetting is done to allow for this waste, and to give opportunity to reduce the pieces to the required thickness. All welds should be a trifle large at the joint. The driving down edgewise on the horn of the anvil bends the material, but prevents one shaping it to its proper dimensions. That is why in flattening down the weld care must be taken not to widen the iron at that place so that it is too thin. A few trials will make this perfectly clear. A finish on the iron depends upon how skilfully one can use the hammer without unduly marking the metal.

SMALL CHAIN

Most chains are made by hand, especially those used for the purpose of lifting heavy loads. Small chains, where no special strain is called for, are welded by electricity. There are special factories for the making of chains. Most of these factories have rolling mills attached. The material is here rolled out to suit the different size chains that are made. Machinery forms the bars of iron into special shapes the size of the links. These in turn are cut by machinery. These links are all of the same size and are cut off on an angle, thus making the scarf. They are taken by the workmen, the ends lapped over slightly, then put into the fire and welded. Within the last few years the Navy Department has taken up the method of welding the large anchor chains by machinery.

Stock: ³⁄₈ in. round, 6 ins. long.