Attempt at blacksmithing

There are two reasons why metal splits rather than reforming. No. 1 would possibly be it wasn't hot enough. no.2 would be that steel for a variety of reasons cannot be reduced in diameter in one dimension only. Try reforming it into a square cross section. Heating and reducing it by turning often. Steel cannot usually be reduced in the round, but for some reason it must first be squared, then re-rounded when down to the diameter you want. Try the website Anvilfire for more info and pictures. Keep at it, blacksmithing is a very satisfying pursuit.
 
I would agree with too cold. What type of forge are you using? If it is a gas forge you may not have the pressure high enough. Heat to a bright orange glow and then stick it back in the fire before it cools.
 
If you're hammering you want to start with a white heat. As soon as it turns back to red put it back in the fire. There's very little time between heats and that's where we all mess up staring out.
 
I made a device somewhat like the pivoting part of a cant hook. I will use it to grip around a tree or large post to attach a Goldenrod barbed wire stretcher to. I used 5/8 round bar from the steering part of some kind of a machine. I fastened a short chain to attach to the stretcher. I cut the split end off with my hardy and started over, I hope to make other items. Thanks to the experienced replies
 
It's certainly satisfying to make your own tools to meet your particular needs, isn't it? Even simple things can be difficult to find, and are often made quickly and more sturdily from scrap pieces that would otherwise be thrown away. However, the down side of using scrap pieces is that metal quality can be very variable--while you'd like to assume a steering assembly would be made from good material, it's also quite possible the reason it split was that the metal was inferior or it was an alloy needing special treatment in order to be re-worked. I've had rebar (which is often less than excellent metal) split, snap, flake, and otherwise fail on me even when properly heated and incorporating modest bends and draws. It's also possible you got the metal TOO hot--a white (welding) heat held for too long will begin to burn off carbon, causing brittleness and loss of strength. You'll see the metal begin to glow and spark if you get to that point, just like the cut from an acetylene torch.
 

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