Fig. 51. Fig. 52.
Fig. 53. Fig. 54.
In making a hammock hook, the stock should be soft steel, which may be purchased for about the same price as iron. It will stand the bending strains better than iron. The size of the stock is 7½ in. by ⅜ in. round. The end is heated and a loose eye formed. The other end is drawn to a taper with ¼ in. of the end turned up as shown. See drawing of hook, [Figure 50], and the different steps in forming the eye at A, B and C. The hook is formed over the horn of the anvil as shown in [Figure 51]. [Figure 52] shows the finished hook with a dotted line drawn thru the center, indicating where the pull should come. In [Figure 53] is shown a common fault when turning a loose ring at the end of a bar, in not bending the extreme end first. Notice [Figure 54], where the end is bent as it should be.
The expert worker in iron is very careful not to hammer mark and destroy the section of a bar. One should remember that bending a ring or iron hook is simply holding the bar on the horn of the anvil and striking the part that protrudes past it. Never strike the bar when it is directly over the horn. This does not bend it, but makes a dent in the stock.
Finishing.
To finish wrought iron, all of the scale and dirt should be scraped off with an old file while the piece is hot. When the iron is cooled, linseed or machine oil is rubbed on. If the work is held over the smoke of the fire and then oiled, it will take on a darker color. Never paint iron work. This destroys the texture of the metal. Do not file work bright. It should be dark—filing is not forging.
Exercise No. 4.—S-Link.
Fig. 55. Fig. 56.