Folding.—If a strip of tin ½ by 12 inches is to be folded over, it is better to cut a strip of tin 1¼ by 12 inches. Mark off ¼ inch all along one long edge and fold it down over a block as in making the handle of the cooky cutter, for you will then have more metal to hold to while folding. When the piece is completely folded down to a right angle, turn it over on the block and close the tin down with a mallet, inserting a piece of tin before closing the tin together. Then the surplus tin may be cut away and you have a narrow folded strip. As in all folding by hand using the mallet and the block, the tin should be gradually folded into place.
Using the Vise for Short Folding.—The vise may be used to fold short pieces of tin very accurately. The folding line is first marked on the tin; the tin is then placed and held in the vise jaws so that the line is parallel with and exactly at the top of the jaws. The mallet is then used to hammer the tin over to the required angle, see [Fig. 54]. A very sharp accurate fold should result.
Using the Hatchet Stake for Folding.—A special stake has been devised for folding tin. This is called the hatchet stake and is listed in the supplementary tool list. It is made in the shape of the letter T. The horizontal part is made like a long narrow-bladed hatchet, and the vertical shank attached to it may be held in the vise or set in a hole in the bench, see [Fig. 55].
The top edge of this tool is perfectly straight and fairly sharp. One side of the blade runs straight down from the edge and the other side slopes down at an angle considerably less than a right angle. The top edge of the hatchet stake is used to fold the tin over and it is specially formed to permit the folding of more than a right angle.
Fig. 54.
Fig. 55.
To use the hatchet stake, a folding line is first marked on the tin. This line is kept directly over and parallel with the top or edge of the stake and the mallet is used to fold the tin, the mallet blows being directed at the top of the stake as shown in [Fig. 56].