proper, mark it — hot — with a hot chisel and 

 then set down the convex side of the swedge 

 with a small set hammer. A very good idea 

 is to form a tool out of inch-square steel that is 

 shaped on the end just the size and pattern 

 you want the swedge to be. Mark the block 

 out with the hot chisel, and then with it, while 

 hot (the block), drive the forming tool down 

 into it. A little practice is required to make a 

 good swedge, but it will pay you to spend the 

 time and labor necessary to make at least a 

 half dozen. By making the block long enough 

 you can make several swedges in one piece. A 

 very convenient swedge to have around is one 

 with a good groove to make outside swedge 

 shoes, and a couple of half round channels in 

 it of different sizes in wdiich to make the in- 

 side of the shoe. After the swedge is made, 

 let it cool slowly in a box of slaked lime or 

 bury it in the cinder pile for a few hours, put- 

 ting it away at a cherry-red heat. This will 

 anneal it so that it is easily filed to make a fin- 

 ished job. No cut that can be produced will 

 show exactly how to make a swedge. You 

 must use your own judgment and make an as- 

 sortment so that you will be prepared to make 

 a light or a deep swedged shoe ; or, in fact, any 

 kind of shoe that the trainer calls for or the oc- 

 casion demands. 



With this swedge at hand you are prepared 

 to make cross-firing shoes without changing 

 swedges. Do not attempt to temper swedges ; 

 they w^ill break easy enough without hardening 

 them. 



