braid11.gif (4279 bytes)
Braid Twist

Demonstration by Bill Epps.
http://www.besmithy.com
October 14, 1999

Bill-Epps :
20:31:05

Tonight we are doing a braid twist( atwist that looks like a braid)verry inpressive at a show

Bill-Epps :
20:35:30

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Bill-Epps :
20:37:00

I atart with a bar of 1/4" iron 24" long, and mark the center. (Any size will work, I just happened to be using 1/4" on this piece)

Bill-Epps :
20:37:10

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Bill-Epps :
20:38:13

fold each end back on itself, where the ends meet at the center.

Bill-Epps :
20:38:30

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Bill-Epps :
20:40:09

Twist each end the same number of turns in the same direction. (In this 6", I grab an inch in the fice and put 4 turns on it clockwise)

Bill-Epps :
20:40:31

braid06.gif (3957 bytes)

Bill-Epps :
20:41:30

Now bend it in 1/2. Still just one piece of metal.

Bill-Epps :
20:42:36

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Bill-Epps :
20:44:23

Flux and weld the ends (I forge weld these when I am out putting on a demo - if you make up in shop you can mig weld, stick weld them - just heat it up, hammer the welds out and noone but you knows it) Weld Both ends

Bill-Epps :
20:44:59

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Bill-Epps :
20:47:31

After both ends are welded (remember when you are working a weld, keep it at or near a welding heat), take a good even heat, and twist the opposite direction 1/2 as many turns as you went in the first direction. If you went clockwise, go counterclockwise.

Bill-Epps :
20:47:49

braid11.gif (4279 bytes)

Bill-Epps :
20:49:06

It will look something similar to this, don't have a photo for tonight. , but it looks like braided chain, (almost like magic)

Bill-Epps :
20:49:49

This makes a good handle for anything. Any QUESTIONS.

bobby :
20:51:01

Bill are you using gas or coal

Bill-Epps :
20:51:40

Coal on this.

scott :
20:51:20

what kind of flux do u use

Bill-Epps :
20:53:50

I use 20 Mule Team Borax as a flux (always) when doing forge welds. -Flatthumb, I go clockwise on first ftwists, just out of habit, on both ends, yes it is the same direction.

flatthumb :
20:51:29

Bill, did you say twist the same direction on each end when you first make the folds?

Chuck-Robinson :
20:52:09

Bill, how would it look if you used square stock instead of round stock

flatthumb :
20:54:42

Okay, and approximately what diameter does this make?

Bill-Epps :
20:58:12

Flatthumb, this makes about 3/4" Diameter. Scott I haven't had good luck at all with Anthricite Coal. It won't coke up, and makes a soupy mess in the bottom of the forge when I tried to weld. I really can't recommend it. Using Antrhicite takes a different style of forge than what I have.

scott :
20:54:48

can u forge weld with anthricite caol

Bill-Epps :
20:56:26

/Tim-Glidewell Scott, I haven't had very much luck with trying to use anthricite coal. The anthricite I had never did form any coke, just big puddle of soup down in bottom of forge, and did not work well at all.

Ntech :
20:54:58

Bill, what is the add on price for that type of handle?

bobby :
20:56:02

Bill you said you do this at a near welding heat

Bill-Epps :
20:59:29

N-tech, it is hard to say, it just d epends on what you are addig it to. On fire tools I usually ad 50% to the piece.

scott :
20:59:40

what do u mean coke up

Bill-Epps :
21:01:45

When the oils and gases burn off of coal, it forms coke, of good coal. The coke and forced air gives you the high intense heat.

Bill-Epps :
21:00:49

The thing about this one here, it is all done with one piece of iron, but it .

Bill-Epps :
21:02:56

I use good grade of bituminus coal. A good smithing coal will have less than 1% sulphur less than 2% ash, and a BTU yield of between and 13,000 and 15,000 BTU

iForge is an Andrew Hooper Production
Copyright © 1999 Bill Epps
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