Holdfasts

[Daniel S]

I made a couple of new holdfasts this afternoon. I traced a Gramercy holdfast that I copied them from. They're not nearly as sexy as the upset corner Roubo variety, but they were a lot easier to make. I haven't used them very much, but they seem to hold pretty well.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w493...zpsomy3cky4.jpg
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w493...zpsrr5elsod.jpg

http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w493...zpsonyij5f2.jpg
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w493...zpssfi8hw6r.jpg

[Daniel S]

Sorry, didn't do pictures right the first time and couldn't edit.

[AgGEM]

&
Ag

[MauleSkinner]

So...what kind of steel, what kind of tempering? ....

[atgcpaul]

Very nice.

How do you form the little flat part? Pound it from round to flat?

[Daniel S]

These were forged from 3/4" 1045. They weren't hardened, I just reheated the corners after I bent them.

The flat is made by forging the end over the near edge of the anvil. I marked a line 1/2 " from the end, registered that line to the near edge, then hit a half hammer faced blow to isolate the end. That forges a shoulder and then I just shaped the isolated end.

[blackhat]

And did a nice job evening out your hammer marks.