6o 



MODERN BLACKSMITHING 



have thinned it out about 5 inches from the end, cut 

 diagonally Now weld the cut-off piece to the main 

 shank. The cut-off piece to be laid on the outside and 

 welded, bend the iron as soon as it is welded so that it 

 has the shape of the coulter, draw out a good point 

 and sharpen the iron just the same as if it was a fin- 

 ished coulter. This done, cut off a piece of steel, an 

 old plow lay that is not too much worn will do, cut 



STANDING COULTER 



the shape of the coulter you have now in the iron, and 

 let the steel be half an inch wider than the iron, but 

 on the point let it be as long as it will, because the 

 point ought to be quite long, say about nine inches. 

 Next draw the steel out thin on the upper end, heat 

 the iron red hot, place it on the anvil outside up, put 

 a pinch of borax on it at the heel, then a pinch of steel 

 borings, place the steel on top of this and keep in posi- 

 tion with a pair of tongs; now hold it on the fire heel 

 down, and heat slow. When it is hot let the helper 

 strike a pressing blow or two on it and it will stick 

 until you have taken the next weld. Put borings and 



