Manky Monkey Motors

Not really vehicle related but might be of some interest.
I've had half a broken leaf spring, (came with my Reliant axle) sitting at the back of the garage for years. During a bit of a tidy up on Thursday, decided I should either bin it, or find a use for it.
Not quite finished yet but here is the result so far.

Good God man, is there nothing you can't do?! You're making the rest of us look bad.  :(

 ;D
Hardest part is getting a leaf spring flat. Luckily we have a big open fire.
Total cost £5.99 for the bit of antler for the handle.

Very nice Olds, tidy quality steel in a leaf spring, I have a bolster chisel under the bench, made from a piece of loco. leaf spring by the works blacksmith, almost 60 years ago.............a works blacksmith!, thems were the days eh! :D :D :D :D :D :D

Think most of todays blacksmiths ( apart from farriers )  mainly do ornamental work.
Really must get a forge made, as Mrs Olds is none to keen on me carrying extremely hot lumps of metal through the house.
A slightly better pic of the back edge file work

You hand filed that?

Hacksaw and file in the right hands are wonderful things Mr. M, how do you think they made the first lathe!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Beautiful workmanship Sir.

Very nice Dave well don sir

everyone should buy a hacksaw and file before they can get a grinder

When are we building a forge then Dave?  ;D
Saw a pot belly forge the other day that wouldn't be hard to make, got a man who can roll some plate for it too.
Apparently, 1940s rail track and spikes are superb metal for making blades, finding some though...

Cheers guys.
Yes MM, the vine design is hand filed.
Agree about hacksaws and files, though I must admit to using the angle grinder with cutting discs for the bigger stuff, more and more as I get older.
Got a design and the steel to make a forge Marcus. Just a matter of getting around to it. Perhaps I should just drop it all off at the workshop and let you do it.  ;D Just concerned that it may get turned into pop bits ! ;)

Absolutely brilliant. You should run a master class for us starters Dave 😊

I was thinking that - tech' colleges are crying out for people like you with real life skills to impart. Never thought of running evening classes Dave? Seriously, I'd sign up.

Not qualified to do any sort of class.  Plus I'm far too lazy. ;D

I'd love to learn some of your "old school" talents. Maybe you could make something at Loon's workshop sometime so we can watch how it's done. Tea & cake in exchange for a tutorial!

 :D
Do you have anything particular in mind Andy, or should we just get that forge built first ?

Build the forge I guess.

you sir are far to clever  :D well done mate that is a cracking piece of work. now you just need to work some leather and make a sheath for it to hang on your belt. know anyone that can do that? oh wait a minute..... ;)

Thanks but it's not finished yet. Still have to make a butt cap, heat treat the blade, polish then assemble.
Want to try claying the blade for the hardening to get a distinctive hamon (visible line between the harder edge and main body). Not done this before, so if anyone has, tips would be welcome.

You could try a Japanese Katana smith! perhaps ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

A butt cap?
Your house must contain a whole arsenal of weaponry by now Dave.

Don't know of any gansumisu outside of Japan. and while my wife and daughter are going there soon, I'm not.

A butt cap?
Your house must contain a whole arsenal of weaponry by now Dave.

An end cap for the hilt not my butt  ::)
Not quite an arsenal  ;)

Gave up on the claying idea, after finding out that unless you get everything just right, there is a very good chance that the edge will crack.
Butt cap done and blade etched to echo the antler hilt. Should look quite good after final polishing and not bad for some bits of scrap and a bit of antler sold as a dog chew.  :D

We do all hate you, you know that don't you.  >:(

Yep. But I don't care. :P ;D
Final pic. Sheath I knocked up today. Really enjoy this leather embossing lark.

Cant we  ban him from the site, only joking