In this video I show how to forge a flatter. Check out my recommended tools/gear: www.amazon.com/shop/torbjorna... If you like my videos you can support me at: / torbjornahman
There is something enormously appealing about someone taking a lump of wood or metal and using nothing but a few tools and a lifetime's skill, turning it into something useful. Thank you, I enjoyed watching you make that.
It is so rewarding just to watch this kind of craftsmanship in action. I can only imagine how much more so it is for you in actually doing it. Great work.
I feel like the artist is traying to show his work, and bunch of artists are opinioming about how he should do his work.Mister Torbjorn, your work is great. Thanks for the show.
I have no idea how I haven't subscribed to you until now. There are only a handful of smiths making really genuinely good quality videos on YT, and you're clearly one of them, and have been for years now. CZcams really needs to get better at matching content creators to interested viewers. Still, better late than never; glad I finally came across your channel!
Ahh vernier calipers, or as I call them "very near" calipers. You do great work, I can watch your videos multiple times and get the same entertainment and education I got the first time. You are a true craftsman.
I usually don't watch entire videos on YT... this one was an exception because of its exceptional quality and content. Learned more watching this than I've ever learned reading about the process. Thank you. Powerful stuff.
thaGkillah For top tools (struck tools) like this you don't need a fancy handle, and it's not wedged in place. Should be easy to replace and the loose fit does not transfer so much of the vibrations
This information was very helpfull! You got a very good point. One more question if I may. For example the flat part of that Iron. It looks incredibly nice (almost industrial grade), but i am asking myself how to make the surface of the flat part even more clean and flat like computer processor heatsinks without scratches. Is that even possible for a black smith?
+Landroverdude101 If my dad works at Ford it won't be adopted in his genes. Unless there's a society where everyone with a specific gene only is able to work at Ford and thus survive unlike the people who don't, there is no such thing. I'm taking this way too seriously. Smithing is cool and it ain't my genes saying that, it's smithing itself.
I really enjoyed watching this. That's hard work! But the result was truly beautiful. I know nothing about blacksmithing but can admire the work of those who do.
Under the video window, next to the "unsubscribe" button, you can click on the "settings" gear and check the box to be notified when new uploads are posted. You get a nice email every time something pops! Cheers.
23 and finally decided to go to college. Studying biology because it will get me a "good job" truth is I fucking hate it, and I wish I was doing something like this. Exactly this actually. But as my father told me, "artwork wont pay the bills." Someday my college degree will pay for me to beat on steel. I miss shopwork and using my hands to create things. Tired of pencils and keyboards. Anyway, I have really enjoyed watching your videos. I like seeing the steel come to life. You do a very good job, and I hope one day I can do the same.
Mr. I found the quality of your job very remarkable and even hard to believe. Such an incredible dedication and commitment to achieve perfection. Congratulations.
Really enjoyed watching your processes and techniques without all the fluff and jabber. Artisanship like this feels like its being lost today, thank you for continuing it and sharing your fine work with us. I am curious what RB material you started with and why? Thanks Much! ~PJ
Torbjörn Åhman You are Most Welcome! Sorry I should have said the Round Bar material you started with...ductile iron, G2 gray bar, steel?? and why that material? Thanks!
pjsalchemy Ah, ok. It's steel. For this one I used an odd custom steel which I think is closely related to AISI A514. Easy to forge but hardened it's pretty tough stuff. I got some pieces for free so... You need a fairly hard surface but at the same time tough and not brittle. Any heat treated medium carbon steel would work fine for a project like this. Gray bar or cast iron is not forge-able and the brittle properties would not work either. And for a casting to work it would have to be cast steel.
Torbjörn Åhman Thank you for more lessons. I didn't know that about gray bar or ductile iron, but should have thought more carefully. I can see from the properties of the various forms of A514 you can achieve your goal of toughness but not brittle especially for a flatter being struck by another hammer. Many years ago I build a forge from a truck brake drum and tried some small projects but never spent enough time to get solid with the techniques...been thinking about doing it again though for a couple of projects. Thanks Again!! Look forward to seeing more of your Fine work.
Talk about upsetting. You are a champion! all those sledge blows to upset the flatter into it's final shape. I love making things like that, requiring sweat equity and hard work, it makes me remember all the effort I put into it's creation when I then use it
I am impressed by your craftsmanship. I was glued to your video watching every aspect of your working that piece of metal. Now I know what it took our forefathers to forge those impressive metal tools that help build our country. As I watched you making the hole for your handle I thought why not just drill it, I did not know another way. Thanks for the video.
***** Thank you! The real beauty of punching and drifting a hole instead of drilling is that nearly no material is lost. It just moves to the sides, which makes it almost as strong as it were without a hole.
Tomas Merino Thank you! You don't need a flatter, it just makes the grinding easier. If you're careful you can make a pretty flat surface with just a hammer.
I can imagine but I'm pretty new at blacksmithing, slowly gahering the tools, mostly for knifemaking but already forged a pair of tongs, not perfect but handy ^^ The thing I need the most is a belt grinder, files are slow and if the technique is bad the result won't be even, I can tell by experience lol
I have no idea how to do any of this stuff. I will never do any of this stuff. But, damn, i could watch this for hours. Another beautiful work of functional art!!
Atristiel For top tools (struck tools) like this you don't need a fancy handle, and it's not wedged in place. Should be easy to replace and the loose fit does not transfer so much of the vibrations.
Another great video, thanks! I particularly liked the bit where you are filing the face flat, just the sort of thing I had to do as exercises when I was an apprentice. However in those days I would not have to spend too much time "crowning" and "chamfering" the faces I was trying to get flat 🤣
William de Tempo Livre If you refer to "scale" that falls off hot steel, that's iron oxide. Can't do much with that. Theoretically you could reduce it to iron again in a bloomery furnace...
What a great video, I'm a toolmaker of 25 years, and Black smithing is so impressive, This is truly a beautiful skill. I want to start trying this.. Thank you again, you are truly inspiring for entry level people like me
Congratulation. Excelent work. Please help me with a question... I want to bend a 1/2 iron bar, but the circle is too close, is 3.5 cms diameter, and the bar is too short. ¿How do you will bend the bar? I attach a pictur of the bar. i.imgur.com/pu0qPQw.jpg Thanks.
+Alejandro Arias Thanks. I don't quite understand what you're trying to do. Are you making a new part and use the yellow as pattern, but the yellow has too small rings? You need to calculate the length needed quite accurate first.
+Ishmail Vladimir - Same steps, save making the actual piece flat, instead of using a flatter you would use the face of your anvil. Consolidate heat to that specific spot and lay it face down on the anvil, strike the hammer end and it will make that portion flat.
+charlesissleepy The first thing mankind used.... Was rocks.... They used rocks... And as technology progressed, so did the metals used and the ability to make tools from castings and other various methods of forging. Pretty neat history if you care to look into it.
Mithaniel Marr i kind of figured but its still kind of wid to think about. Like along the lines of what would you do if you were on a deserted island. Even knowing what coud be made, how its made, and having all the materials means little without the heritage of necessary tools. You could work around a lot of things but modern tools make it much easier
magicstix0r Perhaps he made it for a friend or a customer? Seeing how he appears to have a complete forge (I am new at this but I know enough to know he has the basics for a small shop) to spend time making things! I would love to have a small forge to play around with.
I know absolutely nothing about blacksmithing, but it is a treat to watch a master craftsman at work.
It's so good to FINALLY see a smithing video where the smith has the damn sense to wear ear protection!!!
I didn't know a flatter could look so damn majestic, but you pull it off.
There is something enormously appealing about someone taking a lump of wood or metal and using nothing but a few tools and a lifetime's skill, turning it into something useful.
Thank you, I enjoyed watching you make that.
+Joshua Rosen Thank you!
It is so rewarding just to watch this kind of craftsmanship in action. I can only imagine how much more so it is for you in actually doing it. Great work.
ElZorro99 Thank you! Yes it's a special thing to make your own tools!
I love watching black smithing videos
Must feel great to use tools that you have made.
I feel like the artist is traying to show his work, and bunch of artists are opinioming about how he should do his work.Mister Torbjorn, your work is great. Thanks for the show.
I came across this video randomly, but, it has deeply enriched my day. Thanks for taking the time to make it!
Matthew Freeland Thanks! Glad you liked it.
I have no idea how I haven't subscribed to you until now. There are only a handful of smiths making really genuinely good quality videos on YT, and you're clearly one of them, and have been for years now. CZcams really needs to get better at matching content creators to interested viewers. Still, better late than never; glad I finally came across your channel!
Great! Thank you!!
verdatum i
verdatum h
I just found the guy TODAY, yt can be really bad at recommendations
beautiful work! Amazing how much work goes into what at first glance seems like the simplest tool.
Once again, your work is poetry in metal. It takes a flatter to make a flatter. Outstanding and inspirational. Thank you and keep working!
KillerKane Thank you very much! It doesn't take a flatter to make one but the cleanup of the face is easier done! :)
Ahh vernier calipers, or as I call them "very near" calipers. You do great work, I can watch your videos multiple times and get the same entertainment and education I got the first time. You are a true craftsman.
LoadedMod94 Thanks!
I could watch this all day...I don’t know what it is about watching talent such as urs! Thank u sir...
Mike Ivy It’s the lure of excellence. One knows it when one is in its presence.
I usually don't watch entire videos on YT... this one was an exception because of its exceptional quality and content. Learned more watching this than I've ever learned reading about the process. Thank you. Powerful stuff.
Tom Glander Thank you very much!
Torbjörn Åhman
Don't you have to secure that wood on that Iron with a ring or screw on the top, so it streches there and gives it maximum of grip?
thaGkillah For top tools (struck tools) like this you don't need a fancy handle,
and it's not wedged in place. Should be easy to replace and the loose
fit does not transfer so much of the vibrations
This information was very helpfull! You got a very good point. One more question if I may. For example the flat part of that Iron. It looks incredibly nice (almost industrial grade), but i am asking myself how to make the surface of the flat part even more clean and flat like computer processor heatsinks without scratches. Is that even possible for a black smith?
thaGkillah A larger exactly planar surface might be tricky without machining, but you can get a mirror finish without problem.
You sir, have just earned yourself a subscriber.
i know nothing about forging but this was really therapeutic to watch. lol
You feel very joy when you use your tools by your own hands made.
I don't know why, but for some reason, I think black smithing is cool
The reason is because it's fucking awesome.
I'm guessing you also like digging and like the idea of hunting
+Ethen Rosas What is wrong with digging and hunting? At least I could survive if ever caught in a disaster or the SHTF scenario.
+qwerty 11716 Isn't it iron-ic, don't you think?
+Landroverdude101 If my dad works at Ford it won't be adopted in his genes.
Unless there's a society where everyone with a specific gene only is able to work at Ford and thus survive unlike the people who don't, there is no such thing.
I'm taking this way too seriously. Smithing is cool and it ain't my genes saying that, it's smithing itself.
being a blacksmith sure is a hard work
I will not be happy until I have watched all of your videos. Great work! Nice Flatter....
:) Thanks
Looks so beautiful!! Work reallly paid off!
I know nothing about blacksmithing but damn.. that was entertaining.
tyler stiff Agreed. So entertaining.
tyler stiff im not the only one then .... looking at great stuff that i know nothing about!!
+jack arkell It is rather addicting, isn't it?!? My brain won't stop thinking about all the useful stuff I can make now! =D
@@terapode જા
Hi!
I respect people who are able to work qualitatively hands!
This is absolutely hilarious. Beat it with a 12 lb hammer, then measure with a dial caliper...! LOVE IT
Watching you wail on that steel with a sledgehammer makes me so unreasonably happy
Smithing level 100
was that a runescape pun
Skyrim.
Logan Kaan God bless skyrim
+Logan Kaan once I said runescape it made me feel old
Ozm8ey Plays Yep, Runescape was good part of my childhood.
I really enjoyed watching this. That's hard work! But the result was truly beautiful. I know nothing about blacksmithing but can admire the work of those who do.
I love it!!! You always take care in what you do and it shows - thanks for sharing
that accuracy, hit by hit
very nice, loved watching this process and the finished product is beautiful
Absolutely beautiful. I love watching talent in action forging vintage tools. Good Video.
The best thing about these videos is that you learn both in theory and practice
:) Thanks!
screw a gym membership, im just going to start blacksmithing! very creative, very smart.
I have been checking my subs everyday for a new video of yours... Best video yet!
adam anthoni Thank you!
Under the video window, next to the "unsubscribe" button, you can click on the "settings" gear and check the box to be notified when new uploads are posted. You get a nice email every time something pops! Cheers.
SWEET~
It was amazing watching you create that peace of Art, thanks for shearing !
Excellent design, engineering, craftsmanship, and fabrication. Thanks...
Duuude, that was excellently made! You should be really proud of yourself!
The Space Kitten Commander
23 and finally decided to go to college. Studying biology because it will get me a "good job" truth is I fucking hate it, and I wish I was doing something like this. Exactly this actually. But as my father told me, "artwork wont pay the bills." Someday my college degree will pay for me to beat on steel. I miss shopwork and using my hands to create things. Tired of pencils and keyboards.
Anyway, I have really enjoyed watching your videos. I like seeing the steel come to life. You do a very good job, and I hope one day I can do the same.
pepr8picante I do the keyboard thing professionally so this is a good contrast to that.
Mr. I found the quality of your job very remarkable and even hard to believe. Such an incredible dedication and commitment to achieve perfection. Congratulations.
Oh, thank you!!
You sir are a master craftsman, it's a pleasure to watch you work. Thank you.
If only metal was as easy to work as that clay.... :)
if you get metal hot enough, you can mild it like clay, but only once
Mercury? Maybe not.
@@idontuploadjustwatch You can even use your hands at that stage... also only once.
Well done Son of Odin
Sir, I love watching you work. It's my go-to asmr relaxation videos. Well done sir, well done!
Thank you Gerald!
That. Was. Incredible. Truly amazing work.
Really enjoyed watching your processes and techniques without all the fluff and jabber. Artisanship like this feels like its being lost today, thank you for continuing it and sharing your fine work with us. I am curious what RB material you started with and why? Thanks Much! ~PJ
pjsalchemy Thank you very much! "RB material"? Do you mean the clay thing?
Torbjörn Åhman You are Most Welcome! Sorry I should have said the Round Bar material you started with...ductile iron, G2 gray bar, steel?? and why that material? Thanks!
pjsalchemy Ah, ok. It's steel. For this one I used an odd custom steel which I think is closely
related to AISI A514. Easy to forge but hardened it's pretty tough
stuff. I got some pieces for free so... You need a fairly hard surface but at the same time tough and not brittle. Any heat treated medium carbon steel would work
fine for a project like this. Gray bar or cast iron is not forge-able and the brittle properties would not work either. And for a casting to work it would have to be cast steel.
Torbjörn Åhman
Thank you for more lessons. I didn't know that about gray bar or ductile iron, but should have thought more carefully. I can see from the properties of the various forms of A514 you can achieve your goal of toughness but not brittle especially for a flatter being struck by another hammer. Many years ago I build a forge from a truck brake drum and tried some small projects but never spent enough time to get solid with the techniques...been thinking about doing it again though for a couple of projects. Thanks Again!! Look forward to seeing more of your Fine work.
14:12 Muttley's laugh
Sidney Morais LOLOLOL
Kkkk bem por aí
I'm a woodworker and I know nothing about smithing. This was really cool! Looked like fun.
Pat Cyr Thanks! It is fun, you have to try it out some day.
Really like the Calculations to figure out how much steel is needed.
Nice job on the whole video and Hammer
damann112 Thanks!
Dobra robota.Dziękuję i pozdrawiam!
to make a flatter, use a flatter
which came first the flatter or the flatter. :)
Cliff Hartle the later
You'd probably just grind it flat if you didn't already have a flatter.
You could simply put a half inch plate on top and hit it with a hammer.
Amazing work sir! Your attention to details and your patience with the piece is outstanding! Thank you.
Aza Shukri Thank you!
Talk about upsetting. You are a champion! all those sledge blows to upset the flatter into it's final shape. I love making things like that, requiring sweat equity and hard work, it makes me remember all the effort I put into it's creation when I then use it
Matthew Fraser Thanks! Yes, it forms a special bond between the tool and the maker :)
What a great idea to use clay to practice before actually making it from metal.
Its like sewing for tools
Coal dust.
You answered the question in my head as to what you use when punching a hole.
Thanks
I am impressed by your craftsmanship. I was glued to your video watching every aspect of your working that piece of metal. Now I know what it took our forefathers to forge those impressive metal tools that help build our country. As I watched you making the hole for your handle I thought why not just drill it, I did not know another way. Thanks for the video.
***** Thank you! The real beauty of punching and drifting a hole instead of drilling is that nearly no material is lost. It just moves to the sides, which makes it almost as strong as it were without a hole.
Sadly, to forge a flatter you need... a flatter.
Great video anyway, the smithing is incredible!
Tomas Merino Thank you! You don't need a flatter, it just makes the grinding easier. If you're careful you can make a pretty flat surface with just a hammer.
I can imagine but I'm pretty new at blacksmithing, slowly gahering the tools, mostly for knifemaking but already forged a pair of tongs, not perfect but handy ^^
The thing I need the most is a belt grinder, files are slow and if the technique is bad the result won't be even, I can tell by experience lol
Cool. Belt grinder is on my list too! Quite expensive buggers...looking for a used one.
Yeah, really expensive... I'm thinking about making one myself, there's some really good over internet and you can save good money
That's always an option!
beautiful smithing...that is almost too nice to use now..
I really enjoyed watching you make this. Thank you.
I sat mesmerised for 17.13 min.
Great job!
Bloodaxetheirritable Haha. Thank you!
Very beautiful
Uses a flatter to flatten a flatter.
Yo I heard you like flatters.
+Helsling Brainexplode.exe
+Alberto Williams I didn't think it deserved that much flattery.
Brain.exe stopped working. Reason: mind blow
+Helsling the joke fell flat on some.
+Helsling yeah, he stressing it by using a manual flatter as well.
Great video. Shows blacksmithing as a very refined craft versus a backyard hobby.
I have no idea how to do any of this stuff. I will never do any of this stuff. But, damn, i could watch this for hours. Another beautiful work of functional art!!
:) Thanks!
14:43 Honey, I'll make the dinner today!
this video should be named How to make a Flat head screw driver.... THE MANLY WAY
Wow, that finished product is amazing. Nice work!
Incredible work. A true craftsman.
I thought that one's supposed to drive some sort of a wedge into the top of the wooden dowel to make it expand, holding the metal better.
Atristiel For top tools (struck tools) like this you don't need a fancy handle,
and it's not wedged in place. Should be easy to replace and the loose
fit does not transfer so much of the vibrations.
6:26 you make a flatter using a flatter :)
I make wood handles on the shaving horse from time to time. I love the way you punched thru hot iron, for wood handle!
Amazing video - true craftsmanship at work with some important metallurgical science.
How to make a round peg fit into a square hole.
If you use a flatter to flat a flatter, how do you make the first flatter of all?
+Sergio Ariel Díaz Díaz :) You just grind or file it flat.
adam an eve
*****
So hardcore.
Another great video, thanks!
I particularly liked the bit where you are filing the face flat, just the sort of thing I had to do as exercises when I was an apprentice. However in those days I would not have to spend too much time "crowning" and "chamfering" the faces I was trying to get flat 🤣
Just fantastic! You make this look so easy, but your skill level is certainly beyond most craftsmen.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you!
This is literally Törbjorn's hammer! (overwatch pun)
BlockBuster_48 i understood that reference!
Not a pun
what usualy you do to the metal shavings that are left of a cut or hammering?
Not much...
So, they are pretty much useless?
William de Tempo Livre If you refer to "scale" that falls off hot steel, that's iron oxide. Can't do much with that. Theoretically you could reduce it to iron again in a bloomery furnace...
Hum... I understand
What a great video, I'm a toolmaker of 25 years, and Black smithing is so impressive, This is truly a beautiful skill. I want to start trying this.. Thank you again, you are truly inspiring for entry level people like me
Robert Gibb N1RLU Thank you very much! Glad you liked the video. Hope you try out some hammering in the future.
Amazing job. Can't wait to see what is next.
There's something of erotical in this video. A big thumbs up for the great blacksmith you are. Thanks for the video!
Erotic*
Very good job but it looks painfully expensive to make one of these.
Luis Fernando The main expense is time and effort! :D
+MichaelKingsfordGray I agree! Tools such as this have so much more worth than anything you can buy off a shelf.
i don't know which i am more jealous of, your power hammer or the swedge block. i already have a flatter
Thanks for showing us this work process! Very interesting, that's craftsmanship!
Congratulation.
Excelent work.
Please help me with a question...
I want to bend a 1/2 iron bar, but the circle is too close, is 3.5 cms diameter, and the bar is too short.
¿How do you will bend the bar?
I attach a pictur of the bar.
i.imgur.com/pu0qPQw.jpg
Thanks.
+Alejandro Arias Thanks. I don't quite understand what you're trying to do. Are you making a new part and use the yellow as pattern, but the yellow has too small rings? You need to calculate the length needed quite accurate first.
+Torbjörn Åhman Thanks for answer me.
No, i need to bend the bar like the yellow template. :)
*****
Ok, I would measure and calculate the length first and then form the eyes/rings on each end first, then bend the rest, I think.
+Torbjörn Åhman Thanks, i will try.
4:17 Super Smash Bros!!
I love watching your video's over and over again.
Very cool!
That's a beautiful piece! Awesome work!
can you make a Q&A ?
static.communitytable.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/hot-dog-ftr.jpg
PLZ i am biggest fan EUW
Mikkel Gran Hmm, I don't know... What do you want to know?
How did you feel when Northug won the five mile? ;)
Mikkel Gran
Terrible... but that's pretty irrelevant. :)
How did you make the flatter that you used to make the flatter though? o_0
+Ishmail Vladimir - Same steps, save making the actual piece flat, instead of using a flatter you would use the face of your anvil. Consolidate heat to that specific spot and lay it face down on the anvil, strike the hammer end and it will make that portion flat.
+Ishmail Vladimir how did the first blacksmith forge his first hammer and anvil? *o_0*
+charlesissleepy The first thing mankind used.... Was rocks.... They used rocks... And as technology progressed, so did the metals used and the ability to make tools from castings and other various methods of forging. Pretty neat history if you care to look into it.
Mithaniel Marr i kind of figured but its still kind of wid to think about. Like along the lines of what would you do if you were on a deserted island. Even knowing what coud be made, how its made, and having all the materials means little without the heritage of necessary tools. You could work around a lot of things but modern tools make it much easier
How did the first blacksmith make his tongs?
wow. you are an unbelievably skilled blacksmith, congrats! i bet you got decades of experience.
Thanks! No, just a couple of years....
Very nice, there's nothing like tools you've made yourself. My hats off to you sir.
Thanks! Yes that is nice... and you can only blame yourself if they break or don't work as they should. :)
13:18 Psycho, stabbing someone in the shower.
Why am I so much excited when I see a very red hot piece of iron? ( may be it is the devil inside of me who says: "Finally! out of there..."
Real craftsmanship. Presented excellent.
Look forward to seeing your next project!
Torbjorn, your work is exemplary!
Хули тут говорить? КРАСОТА!!!
Молодец мастер!!!
Minus 500 points for using a flatter to make a flatter...
+magicstix0r Ha ha.
+magicstix0r what about the powerhammer ? :p
irlrp
At least minus 10000 points :)
magicstix0r Perhaps he made it for a friend or a customer? Seeing how he appears to have a complete forge (I am new at this but I know enough to know he has the basics for a small shop) to spend time making things! I would love to have a small forge to play around with.
brings a tear to any Dawi
Truly fascinating and well done. Thank you for sharing your incredible skill. Truly an art.