
FORGE WORK - BY WILLIAM L. ILGEN FORGING INSTRUCTOR, CRANE TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
PREFACE
CHAPTER I Tools and Appliances
CHAPTER II Forging Operations
CHAPTER III Practice Exercises
CHAPTER IV Treatment of Tool Steel
CHAPTER V Tool Making and Stock Calculation
CHAPTER VI Steam Hammer, Tools, and Exercises
CHAPTER VII Art Smithing and Scroll Work
CHAPTER VIII Iron Ore, Preparation and Smelting
A practical handbook for anyone learning the fundamentals of forge work, this guide translates the traditionally oral instruction of a workshop into a clear, permanent reference. It begins by introducing the essential tools—forge, hammers, tongs, anvils, and measuring devices—explaining how each is used and maintained, and it offers detailed diagrams that make even the most complex equipment understandable. The first part also covers basic forging techniques such as upright blows, beveling, and drawing, giving readers a solid foundation before they move on to more advanced tasks.
The later sections expand into hands‑on projects, from simple staples and hooks to intricate chain components, while also addressing the treatment of tool steel, tool‑making calculations, and the operation of steam hammers. Throughout the book, practical exercises are paired with clear safety advice and tips for selecting the right steel grades, making it a useful companion for both students and instructors who want reliable, step‑by‑step guidance in the metal‑working classroom.
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (271K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by deaurider, Brian Wilcox and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2016-12-31
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1862–1942
A longtime forging instructor, he turned shop-floor teaching into a clear, practical guide for students learning the craft of blacksmithing. His best-known book, Forge Work from 1912, helped preserve hands-on metalworking methods in print.
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