AlmonteIron Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Greetings, I have been trying to flatten out a 1" cube to make a candle holder base I saw. The base has distinct corner edges and the sides are bulged out evenly. I'm using a power hammer and I just can't get it right. I'm suspecting that the base I saw may have been done with a press instead of a power hammer given my results. Anybody familiar with the proper technique? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peacock Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Heat the cube, Quench the top 1/3 of the cube to black put it on the flat dies and smack a few times. Don't go to far as the top will heat back up. If it don't look like you want play with the process. After you do a few you may get what your after. I some times I quench both the top and bottom then flatten it clear down you will have the top and bottom outline in the 2 faces. Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlmonteIron Posted October 25, 2011 Author Share Posted October 25, 2011 In the base I saw, the outline was clearly visible. I'm going to try your suggestion. Thank you vey much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arean Ellis Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 This one was done with a power hammer. The tool used was a broken tow ball welded on to a length of steel for a handle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlmonteIron Posted October 25, 2011 Author Share Posted October 25, 2011 Beautiful job!! I really like the effect the ball gives. Those edges and bulges are the look I'm after exactly. Did you also use the quenching technique that Peacock uses? Do you guys start out with a true cube shape I.e. As wide as it is tall under the hammer or have you found a better geometry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimenickel Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 i'd weld a flat plate to the top of the ball ..... or you may end up with a bunch of divots on your top die in the powerhammer... just in case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arean Ellis Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Beautiful job!! I really like the effect the ball gives. Those edges and bulges are the look I'm after exactly. Did you also use the quenching technique that Peacock uses? Do you guys start out with a true cube shape I.e. As wide as it is tall under the hammer or have you found a better geometry? I haven't seen peacock's work. This was just allowed to air cool. It is a perfect cube, yes. i'd weld a flat plate to the top of the ball ..... or you may end up with a bunch of divots on your top die in the powerhammer... just in case Good catch. That was how this tool was done. (I didn't think about the importance of it. I was there when it was done, but didn't do the work.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbruce Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Grinding a decent sized flat area where the hammer strikes the ball works well to protect the upper die from hash marks.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arean Ellis Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Grinding a decent sized flat area where the hammer strikes the ball works well to protect the upper die from hash marks.... That would work as well. To be more specific, the handle was 1" x 1/8th" flat welded on top of the ball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkunkler Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Drilling a starter hole in the cube will help center the ball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arean Ellis Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Drilling a starter hole in the cube will help center the ball. Good idea. The hardest part was keeping the ball centered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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