Andiron with riveted wood rest
Ring: Take the 1 × 1⁄4 × 6 in. piece of flat iron. Draw it out so that it tapers toward each end. (See [drawing].) On the extreme end of each is a 1⁄4-in. pin 3⁄8 in. long. Bend ring into shape. The lower centre of the ring has a knob. This knob is made out of a piece of 3⁄4-in. square iron pulled down 1⁄4 in. in diameter and 1⁄4 in. back from the end. The fullered end makes the pin and should be cut long enough to project through the ring 1⁄8 in. to allow for riveting. You have sufficient stock to round up on the edge of the anvil into a ball shape. Drill a hole in the centre of the ring and fit the pin on the end of the knob into the hole in the ring. Rivet tight. The design you see on the ring may be put on with a diamond pointed chisel. The ring is now heated, opened out, and pushed into the hole made in the ring bolt so that it swings easily into place. Two rings of course should be made. The chain fastened from one ring to another is used as a guard against fire. The chain rings are made out of 1⁄4-in. square iron which is cut 10 ins. long. Then they are bent square and welded as chain links are usually welded. Notice that the last two links show an opening just wide enough to allow them to be slipped into the rings of the andiron. This completes the set. The finish is made by the indentations left by the peen of the hammer.
On page 369 is shown another pair of andirons. They are made in the same way as the pair just described, splitting it down to form the legs. The wood rests are riveted through the body of the piece, forming a large rivet head in front to hold it in place and at the same time adding to the decoration.
FIRE TOOLS AND STAND: POKER, SHOVEL, TONGS
Fire tools form part of the andiron set and are used for grate fires or open hearth fires of either coal or wood. They are always in evidence in country homes where open fireplaces are still in use. They can be made of brass, iron, or soft steel. If an andiron is in place the fire tools are usually made of the same metal and finished in the same way so as to match.
Poker:
Stock: One piece of 7⁄8-in. round iron or soft steel 8 ins. long (for handle). One piece 1⁄2 in. round. One piece 20 ins. long (for rod).