The drift pin used to shape the eye upon should be made the size of the finished hole—that is, 11⁄2 × 3⁄4 in. and 6 ins. long—oval-shaped, and tapered on the small end to 3⁄8 × 1⁄4 in. This taper should be the whole length of the drift pin. Drive the pin into the hole about half way down. This widens the hole so that it can now be placed on the horn of the anvil and fullered to the required thickness, which should be 1⁄8 in. on the extreme edge of the eye. Drive the drift pin again about 4 ins. or 5 ins. At the same time work the metal down on the outside. Repeat this till the hole fits the drift pin. The pin is now driven in through from the other side, thus making both outside openings of the eye the same size. The hoe is now finished up as shown in the sketch and ready for hardening and tempering.
This is done in the same way as you did the chisel and the same temper colour is used for both. Five pounds is considered about the right weight for a hoe of this kind. The problem of working out the eye for this is the same as for making the eyes of picks, hatchets, and tools of similar design.
TURNBUCKLES
Turnbuckles, made either of steel or iron, are used for truss rods. There are many ways of making turnbuckles. Out of all, three methods are here given: (1) Solid forged buckle, (2) welding up, (3) pipe method.
Solid forged buckle: This is made of soft steel. Select a piece of 11⁄2-in. square stock 6 ins. long. Mark off 2 ins. with a centre-punch on each end. Draw the ends out 1 in. round. Bend the ends down as shown at B. Forge the buckle part to 11⁄4 in. round at the end, as shown at C. Make the other end just like this one and weld the two ends together so that the total length will be 10 ins. Now drill holes in each end for a 3⁄4-in. tap. Tap a right-hand thread in one end and a left-hand thread in the other end, or you can put a swivel hook in one end in place of the thread. To do this the hole should be drilled 7⁄8 in. without a thread. Select a piece of 7⁄8-in. round soft steel 10 ins. long. Upset the end and work a tapered round head on as shown at D. The head should be 1 in. long and large enough to work loosely in the slot. Put this into the hole with the head between the wings and point the end forming it into a hook.