44 MODERN BLACKSMITHING 



SET HAMMER 



One might think that anybody knows how to make 

 a set hammer, if every smith knows it, I don't know, 

 but I do know that there are thousands of smiths who 

 have never had a set hammer nor know its use. To 

 make one : Take a piece of tool steel 1 34^ x 1 1^ inches, 

 punch a hole about two inches from the end, the hole 

 to 'be 1 34^ X ^. Now cut off enough for head. Make 

 the face perfectly square and level, with sharp corners, 

 harden and cool off when the temper turns from brown 

 to blue. This is a very important little tool and for 

 cutting steel it is a good deal better than the chisel. 

 Plow steel of every kind is easier cut with this hammer 

 than any other way. In cutting with the set hammer 

 hold the steel so that your inner side of the set ham- 

 mer will be over the outside edge of the anvil. Let 

 the helper strike on the outside corner of the set ham- 

 mer and it will cut easy. The steel to be cut should 

 be just a little hot, not enough to be noticed. If the 

 steel is red hot the set hammer cannot cut it. The 

 heat must be what is called blue heat. I would not be 

 without the set hammer for money, and still I often 

 meet smiths who have never seen this use made of the 

 set hammer. Plow points, corn shovels, and seeder 

 shovels are quicker cut with this tool than any other 

 way, with the exception of shears. 



