Hammer Hook
The hammer hook or also called a J hook starts with 9" x 1/4" square stock. You will also need a hammer, vise, twisting tool and tongs. You will use the following techniques to create the hook, drawing, bending and twisting. Lets get started...
Tools and stock ready to go.
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Draw the stock out to a fine point. This will be your nail.
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Fold about 1.75"- 2.25" back. This is done by putting the amout you want folded back over the edge of the anvil and hitting the metal off the anvil down till you have a 90 degree bend. Rotate your stock up and hammer the point towards yourself. Work your piece till it looks like the 1st pic. The second pic shows how to place your work on the anvil to make the nail rise. You will strike the area over the edge and it will angle up as shown in the 3rd pic.
Flatten the end of the work. If you would like the end rounded all you have to do flip your piece a quarter turn and tap the shape you wantand then finish by flattening again. Now stick 1/4" - 1/2" over the anvils edge and hammer it down. Finish it by flipping it over and with glancing blows curve the end around.
Heat about 3" up from the end. Cool the curl we just did in the quech tub. Use the horn of the anvil and tap on the cooled curve and start to form your hook. Feed more stock forward and keep tapping till you have formed your hook. If the hook is out of true you can straighten it on the face of the anvil.
Twist time. Twist are easy to do, just keep in mind that a even heat equals an even twist. If you have an even heat in the area you want twisted it will come out everytime. Place the back of the hook in the vise where you would like the twist to stop and place your twisting tool at the top where you want the twist to start. Now turn your twisting tool and produce the twist you would like.
Some notes. If you have your nail facing in the wrong direction before start you can fix it in this step. You can tell people you planned it that way so you could add to your twist. Second thought is not to twist while your work is cold. It will crack and make sharp edges just reheat and don't rush.
Some notes. If you have your nail facing in the wrong direction before start you can fix it in this step. You can tell people you planned it that way so you could add to your twist. Second thought is not to twist while your work is cold. It will crack and make sharp edges just reheat and don't rush.
