Forging a Crane

[brianbrazeal]

Here's a step by step "story board"

of how I forge a crane:

[David Kunkler]

I was expecting a fireplace crane when I read the title, but this is even better. Excellent work Brian.

[Ries]

How many tons will it lift?

[brianbrazeal]

So that's it guys? After more than a month, that is all the response I get for giving this gold. Did I really cover it that well? Have any of you tried this out? I've seen people try it and they had questions.

[Larry L]

I sure hope you dont see us as ungrateful Brian. You have to remember that there are 15,000 members on I forge iron and you get maybe a dozen questions.. well we only have a few hundred members on this site... Its not that we dont value the info...

I printed off a copy of the progression and plan on giving it a go... But I have not done so yet... my guess is I will have some questions soon...

[brianbrazeal]

Larry, I don't look at it like that, as far as the "ungrateful" thing. And I understand the numbers.
It is all about the metal to me, and it has no personality when you are working it, and I don't either, usually, when talking about it. It does what you do to it, no more and no less.
This crane is my favorite design that I've done so far. It really shows the simplicity of forging, like the horsehead does, and it is just as efficient. It really shows what half-hammer faced blows, near and far, with a rounding or fullering hammer will do when used on hard and rounded edges.

[Grant]

I really like the step-by-step progressions you do to explain things Brian. Makes everything clear. Looks kinda like a tong gone horribly wrong! Or horribly right maybe. Really love it. Thanks for taking the time.

We still have a lotta "lurkers" who are just watching to see where this site goes I guess. Not unusual for there to be 50 people reading here at any time. It'll take a while to develop and people to actually start participating.

[brianbrazeal]

Yes, Grant, they are almost like making tongs.

Here are some examples of some things I've done with the crane:

[Mark]

They are all awesome, but the one with the cat tails that you are holding over the forge is my favorite. Amazing work!

[brianbrazeal]

Thanks, that is my favorite, too. I want to do that life size one day with a striker, and then like 20 feet tall with a power hammer. That was what I call a "forge welded bundle".