Journal of Agriculture, \ictoria. 



[lo Oct.. 191 



Forging a Rake. 

 By this time the want of a rake for drawing the fire together will ha\e 

 been felt. As the fire burns away it becomes hollow immediately in front 

 and above the tue-iron. This is due to the heat being greater at that 

 part. If the fire is to be maintained in a .state of efficiency, the .surround- 

 ing fuel must be drawn to the centre so as to make a heap in place of a 

 hole. The tue-iron is so arranged that the metal, when lying level with 

 the top of the forge and with the red hot coals heaped above it, is in the 

 best position to receive the greatest heat. When the fire is 

 allowed to burn hollow, the cold blast is directed on to the 

 iron and consequently it will not heat properlv. 



The rake illustrated (Xo. 28) is easily made. AVelding has been pur- 

 posely avoided — a better rake would result if the business end were made 

 from a flat bar and welded on to the handle. One made to the follow- 

 ing description will, however, serve the purpose. To make the handle, 

 begin by bending the end as at a ; then, at a distance of 5 in. from the 

 end, bend to shape h, and lastlv as shown at c. To form the rake end. 

 heat about 5 or 6 in. to a low welding heat and flatten cut to about ^ in. 

 thick. The bending .to shape is simple ; no difficulty should be encountered 

 if the illustration be closely studied. 



Forging Staples. 



Two kinds of staples are used ; one. pointed at each end. is for dri\- 

 ing into timber, whilst the other is for screwing on to a door or a box lid. 

 Nos. 29 and 30 show tlie difference in design. 



The driving staple (No. 29) is made by pointing each end of the piece 

 of iron and afterwards bending to a semi-circular shape at the centre. 

 The most difficult part is to get both sides the same length. 



driving staple. 



To make the hox staple (No. 30) the bow is bent as in the previous 

 ca.se, but the ends are not pointed by hammering ; they are filed slightly 

 tapered as shown. If a ;^-in. staple be required the ends should be 

 tapered to -^ in. at the ends. A piece of sheet iron, about | in. thick by 



