Gadgets

By Albin Drzewianowski

Mr. Gadget
Here are a number of "gadgets" which I have acquired and made which make work in the blacksmith shop a little easier (in my humble opinion). I have found that some beginning blacksmiths come to the craft with little or no experience in manual arts. If you don't know it exists then you will not know that there are tools out there to help you. You don't have to have them but many of them are nice to have around. A fair number of these have been acquired "used" while tail-gating and at flea markets. Now that you know they exist, you will start to notice them where before, your eyes just skipped over them because you did not know what they were for.

Automatic center punch:

This is a spring loaded center punch. As you manually push down, it loads the spring and then "fires", setting a punch mark in the steel. This allows you to very accurately set the punch mark. Then you can follow up with a regular center punch struck with a hammer which will give you a deeper, more noticeable mark. This is a case where it pays to spend the extra money and get a good one, the Starrett brand. I found the inexpensive ones did not have a strong enough spring to adequately set the punch mark.

Vernier calipers:

These are extremely handy. I use mine all the time. You don't need a real expensive pair, generally we, as blacksmiths, are taking readings only down to about 1/16". With this tool, you can take inside measurements, outside measurements and depth readings. Also, many of these come with dual English/metric scales. The small brass one is very handy, to carry in your pocket when you are tailgating to check sizes. The dial caliper shown here is more accurate than the vernier calipers, but less accurate than a micrometer. I have both a dial caliper and micrometer but use them rarely.

Calipers:

You want to have a number of different size ones, and both inside and outside.

Dividers:

These are handy for transferring measurements, especially when you need to transfer the same measurement multiple times. You will notice that this is one of the primary measuring devices used by the Williamsburg Smiths. Again, it will be handy to have both large and small ones. Notice that the large divider on the right can hold a pencil and thus can also be used as a compass.

Size gauge:

This is a GO/NO GO tool that lets you take a quick and easy check as you are forging down to a certain size. Because it is metal, you can use it on hot steel. I don't know how many tape measures I have ruined trying to take size measurements off of hot steel before I got these.

Hook rule & Framing Square:

Hook Rule (left): The hook on this rule lets you quickly position the rule on the end of the steel. Again very handy when checking measurements on hot steel. The hook rule pictured here was made from the short leg of a full size framing square that I found in a flea market. It was cut across the corner so that there would be the "hook". Also, the inch markings were emphasized with a chisel to make them easier to see.

Small Framing Square: (see photo above right) This is handy for checking to see that something is perpendicular or if you need a right angle. The small size makes it especially hand to use, as compared to a full size framing square.

Folding Steel Rule:

This is my primary measuring device. Because it is steel, you can hold it up against hot metal and check a measurement. On this model (Lufkin #86 ), if you look closely, the bottom half of the rule will give you the circumference of a circle. You simply hold the rule across the diameter and read the circumference off the scale. It is hard to see here, but the circle shown below which is a little over 6" wide gives a reading of 20" on the rule. There is a 24" folding steel rule made by the Chesterman Tool Co. of England that allows you to set angles, based on cords.

Center Rule:

This ruler is set up with the "0" in the center and inches marked off to both sides. A quick and handy way of finding the center of something. This rule is actually 24" long. A 12" rule with "0" in the center and 6" on either side would be better for a blacksmith. This rule is originally intended for woodworkers, hence the 24" width.

Drill Gauge:

The old maxim - "measure twice, cut once", applies especially to drills. You want to make sure that you are using right size drill. Trying to measure the size of a drill with a tape measure is difficult and easy to get wrong. I keep one of these next to my drill press and in the carry case for my cordless drill.

Marking Gauge:

This is taken from wood working. You can set the beam and then scribe a line parallel to the edge. This inexpensive all steel one works quite well. This would not be hard to make yourself.

Thickness Gauges:

These devices let you quickly measure the thickness of sheetmetal. The circular disc shaped one is probably the most handy.

Of all these gadgets, the ones that I use the most are: automatic center punch, folding steel rule, vernier caliper, and size gauge. The others are neat to have and I use them once in a while. However, I would not really miss them, if I did not have them. I am going to make a conscious effort to use the dividers more. I think that I am under-utilizing them and that they have a lot to offer.

-- AlbinDrzewianowski - 01 Feb 2009