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Square Holes

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Paul Fox

11-12-1998 07:52:17




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I'm repairing a horse-drawn spike tooth harrow. Many of the clamps that hold the spikes in place are corroded beyond repair, and some are missing entirely. Is there an economical and reasonalby quick way to make 5/8" square holes in 1/8" thick black iron strap stock? I've looked at punches from Greenlee, but they are only rated for 14ga. metal, and a bit too precious for my budget. I can't imagine being able to make an accurate enough hole with a torch, certainly not at my skill level. I am not willing to weld the spikes to the bars, and in fact spent quite a bit of time undoing "repairs" done this way earlier. Any other ideas? Thanks.

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john

11-13-1998 16:07:49




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 Re: Square Holes in reply to Paul Fox, 11-12-1998 07:52:17  
: I'm repairing a horse-drawn spike tooth harrow. Many of the clamps that hold the spikes in place are corroded beyond repair, and some are missing entirely. Is there an economical and reasonalby quick way to make 5/8" square holes in 1/8" thick black iron strap stock? I've looked at punches from Greenlee, but they are only rated for 14ga. metal, and a bit too precious for my budget. I can't imagine being able to make an accurate enough hole with a torch, certainly not at my skill level. I am not willing to weld the spikes to the bars, and in fact spent quite a bit of time undoing "repairs" done this way earlier. Any other ideas? Thanks.

I have seen and owned some that use u-bolts to hold the teeth. It would sure be easier drilling 1/4" holes than cutting square holes.

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Paul Fox

11-13-1998 17:37:51




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 Re: Re: Square Holes in reply to john, 11-13-1998 16:07:49  
: : I'm repairing a horse-drawn spike tooth harrow. Many of the clamps that hold the spikes in place are corroded beyond repair, and some are missing entirely. Is there an economical and reasonalby quick way to make 5/8" square holes in 1/8" thick black iron strap stock? I've looked at punches from Greenlee, but they are only rated for 14ga. metal, and a bit too precious for my budget. I can't imagine being able to make an accurate enough hole with a torch, certainly not at my skill level. I am not willing to weld the spikes to the bars, and in fact spent quite a bit of time undoing "repairs" done this way earlier. Any other ideas? Thanks.

: I have seen and owned some that use u-bolts to hold the teeth. It would sure be easier drilling 1/4" holes than cutting square holes.

An option I hadn't thought of. At the moment, I'm focused on trying to keep it original, mostly out of cussed orneryness. When I get tired of doing it the hard way (shouldn't take long) I'll probably do that. Thanks.

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Shawn

11-15-1998 06:10:41




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 Re: Re: Re: Square Holes in reply to Paul Fox, 11-13-1998 17:37:51  
: : : I'm repairing a horse-drawn spike tooth harrow. Many of the clamps that hold the spikes in place are corroded beyond repair, and some are missing entirely. Is there an economical and reasonalby quick way to make 5/8" square holes in 1/8" thick black iron strap stock? I've looked at punches from Greenlee, but they are only rated for 14ga. metal, and a bit too precious for my budget. I can't imagine being able to make an accurate enough hole with a torch, certainly not at my skill level. I am not willing to weld the spikes to the bars, and in fact spent quite a bit of time undoing "repairs" done this way earlier. Any other ideas? Thanks.

: : I have seen and owned some that use u-bolts to hold the teeth. It would sure be easier drilling 1/4" holes than cutting square holes.

: An option I hadn't thought of. At the moment, I'm focused on trying to keep it original, mostly out of cussed orneryness. When I get tired of doing it the hard way (shouldn't take long) I'll probably do that. Thanks.

It might pay to check with a machine shop and see if they have the capability to drill square holes. I have been told that a three sided bit will drill square holes but you may need a special chuck to do it. A four sided bit drills a hole with 5 sides , a five sided bit drills a hole with six sides and so on. Good luck.

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DaveM

11-12-1998 15:45:01




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 Re: Square Holes in reply to Paul Fox, 11-12-1998 07:52:17  
Find a metal fabricating shop with a punch press. No sweat, I do this all the time, about 5 minutes including set-up.



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clarence

11-12-1998 10:19:56




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 Re: Square Holes in reply to Paul Fox, 11-12-1998 07:52:17  

: I'm repairing a horse-drawn spike tooth harrow. Many of the clamps that hold the spikes in place are corroded beyond repair, and some are missing entirely. Is there an economical and reasonalby quick way to make 5/8" square holes in 1/8" thick black iron strap stock? I've looked at punches from Greenlee, but they are only rated for 14ga. metal, and a bit too precious for my budget. I can't imagine being able to make an accurate enough hole with a torch, certainly not at my skill level. I am not willing to weld the spikes to the bars, and in fact spent quite a bit of time undoing "repairs" done this way earlier. Any other ideas? Thanks.

There might be to many holes forthis a square file might do you some good

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Jerry Whited

11-12-1998 14:29:42




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 Re: Re: Square Holes in reply to clarence, 11-12-1998 10:19:56  
: : : I'm repairing a horse-drawn spike tooth harrow. Many of the clamps that hold the spikes in place are corroded beyond repair, and some are missing entirely. Is there an economical and reasonalby quick way to make 5/8" square holes in 1/8" thick black iron strap stock? I've looked at punches from Greenlee, but they are only rated for 14ga. metal, and a bit too precious for my budget. I can't imagine being able to make an accurate enough hole with a torch, certainly not at my skill level. I am not willing to weld the spikes to the bars, and in fact spent quite a bit of time undoing "repairs" done this way earlier. Any other ideas? Thanks.

: There might be to many holes forthis a square file might do you some good

A old blacksmith trick is make one 5/8 square hole in a heavy piece of scrape metal.
Next grind a old chiesel to 5/8 square for a punch.Now drill the 5/8 hole's in strap
iron and square hole's with your homemade punch & die set. If you heat the strap iron you don't even need to drill a hole first.

Worked for me Best Jerry

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Paul Fox

11-13-1998 03:19:02




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 Re: Re: Re: Square Holes in reply to Jerry Whited, 11-12-1998 14:29:42  
: : : : : I'm repairing a horse-drawn spike tooth harrow. Many of the clamps that hold the spikes in place are corroded beyond repair, and some are missing entirely. Is there an economical and reasonalby quick way to make 5/8" square holes in 1/8" thick black iron strap stock? I've looked at punches from Greenlee, but they are only rated for 14ga. metal, and a bit too precious for my budget. I can't imagine being able to make an accurate enough hole with a torch, certainly not at my skill level. I am not willing to weld the spikes to the bars, and in fact spent quite a bit of time undoing "repairs" done this way earlier. Any other ideas? Thanks.

: : There might be to many holes forthis a square file might do you some good

: A old blacksmith trick is make one 5/8 square hole in a heavy piece of scrape metal.
: Next grind a old chiesel to 5/8 square for a punch.Now drill the 5/8 hole's in strap
: iron and square hole's with your homemade punch & die set. If you heat the strap : iron you don't even need to drill a hole first.

: Worked for me Best Jerry

Now THAT's an idea! I'll give it a try, thanks.

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The Chestnut Tree

11-17-1998 20:18:25




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Square Holes in reply to Paul Fox, 11-13-1998 03:19:02  
: : : : : : : I'm repairing a horse-drawn spike tooth harrow. Many of the clamps that hold the spikes in place are corroded beyond repair, and some are missing entirely. Is there an economical and reasonalby quick way to make 5/8" square holes in 1/8" thick black iron strap stock? I've looked at punches from Greenlee, but they are only rated for 14ga. metal, and a bit too precious for my budget. I can't imagine being able to make an accurate enough hole with a torch, certainly not at my skill level. I am not willing to weld the spikes to the bars, and in fact spent quite a bit of time undoing "repairs" done this way earlier. Any other ideas? Thanks.

: : : There might be to many holes forthis a square file might do you some good

: : A old blacksmith trick is make one 5/8 square hole in a heavy piece of scrape metal.
: : Next grind a old chiesel to 5/8 square for a punch.Now drill the 5/8 hole's in strap
: : iron and square hole's with your homemade punch & die set. If you heat the strap : : iron you don't even need to drill a hole first.

: : Worked for me Best Jerry

: Now THAT's an idea! I'll give it a try, thanks.

Sound idea, and if you can eyeball that square punch over that square hole you can't see for 30 holes you maybe can call yourself a blacksmith. I'll bet the old-timers could do it.

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John C.

11-18-1998 12:18:12




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Square Holes in reply to The Chestnut Tree, 11-17-1998 20:18:25  

: : : A old blacksmith trick is make one 5/8 square hole in a heavy piece of scrape metal.
: : : Next grind a old chiesel to 5/8 square for a punch.Now drill the 5/8 hole's in strap
: : : iron and square hole's with your homemade punch & die set. If you heat the strap : : : iron you don't even need to drill a hole first.

: : : Worked for me Best Jerry

: : Now THAT's an idea! I'll give it a try, thanks.

: Sound idea, and if you can eyeball that square punch over that square hole you can't see for 30 holes you maybe can call yourself a blacksmith. I'll bet the old-timers could do it.

How about turning a 5/8" round pilot on said punch to at least center it over the 5/8" square hole in the 'anvil' plate? And/or mount the whole setup on an arbor press and heat the metal and punch the holes?
Just a thought or two...
John C.

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Paul Fox

11-12-1998 12:49:30




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 Re: Re: Square Holes in reply to clarence, 11-12-1998 10:19:56  
: : : I'm repairing a horse-drawn spike tooth harrow. Many of the clamps that hold the spikes in place are corroded beyond repair, and some are missing entirely. Is there an economical and reasonalby quick way to make 5/8" square holes in 1/8" thick black iron strap stock? I've looked at punches from Greenlee, but they are only rated for 14ga. metal, and a bit too precious for my budget. I can't imagine being able to make an accurate enough hole with a torch, certainly not at my skill level. I am not willing to weld the spikes to the bars, and in fact spent quite a bit of time undoing "repairs" done this way earlier. Any other ideas? Thanks.

: There might be to many holes forthis a square file might do you some good

I've thought about that, and am saving it as a last resort. Making 20 or 30 of them would be awful hard on the arthritis!

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