Cold forging is the processing of metal without bringing it to high temperatures. Unlike hot, cold does not provide for the installation of a hearth, which is why this method is very popular among home craftsmen. It is worth noting that you can make a machine for cold forging with your own hands. This will require a minimum amount of tool, free time and a desire to work.
A bit of general information
First of all, I would like to say that the scope of application of parts obtained by cold forging is very extensive. These are various fences for flower beds, fences, decorative metal lanterns, benches and much more. Everyone can make such a product. For such purposes, manual machines are often used , which consist only of an anvil and a hammer. But the range of manufactured products in this case will be quite limited. The same applies to a conventional pipe bender. Yes, they can do something, but often this is not enough. Therefore, there is a need to create a machine. Let him not be professional, but you can fully forge. Let's talk about how to create a do-it-yourself cold forging machine. But first things first.
Advantages and features of cold forging
As noted above, you do not need to equip a hearth. This is due to the fact that the essence of cold forging is that metal billets are processed to a greater extent by bending, welding, and also pressing. In the workshop you will not need a lot of space, since the equipment in this case is less overall and simple. In addition, the process is safer, since you do not have to work with high temperatures.
But there are also drawbacks, which are that you have to work with semi-finished products. Therefore, if you make a mistake, then there will be no way to correct the error. Of course, this does not apply to all works, but in most cases the workpiece can be thrown into scrap. In addition, forged products often break, which is also not a strong point . Otherwise, this is a great way to make twisted, wave-like and other metal products.
DIY cold forging: snail machines and their features
With the help of these machines, and their modifications there are a large number, you can make rings, spirals, waves and other metal “curls”. The design of the equipment is quite simple and the manufacturing process involves only a few simple steps.
To begin with, we need graph paper, which is needed for applying accurate dimensions. On paper, you need to draw a spiral, each turn of which is larger than the previous one. But it is necessary to strictly follow the step. Although this requirement may not be met, especially if you do not plan to produce symmetrical parts.
Before proceeding with the assembly, it is necessary to consider with what size workpieces the work will be performed. In any circumstances, the following requirement must be observed: the “pitch” must be larger than the diameter of the bar being processed. Otherwise, you will not be able to remove the workpiece from the machine without damaging it, which is not good. It is worth noting that a do-it-yourself cold-forging machine made, for example, of the “snail” type, is very useful.
Work surface, shape and additional elements
As a work surface, you can take sheet metal. Its thickness should be at least 4 mm. As for the linear dimensions, this parameter depends on how overall the workpieces will be.
For the form, it is desirable to take a strip metal, approximately 3 mm thick. So you can work with a hand tool without any problems. For example, bending into a spiral can be performed using pliers, but always according to the pattern.
For greater convenience, it is necessary to fix one end of the workpiece. For these purposes, a regular bar cut is suitable, which in width will be the same as the strip. In addition, the made machine for cold forging do-it-yourself must be mounted on a workbench. Often the work platform is fixed in a vice, which is also quite effective. Well, since the efforts are not small when working, the fixation must be reliable.
Assembly of the "snail"
Home-made snail - type cold forging machines are assembled quite simply. As noted above, there are a whole host of modifications. Someone makes the machine monolithic, while others prefer a collapsible design. If you use the first option, then the finished "snail" is simply welded to the work site. The main requirement in this case is to ensure reliable fastening of the end of the workpiece. The collapsible design provides for the presence of landing holes in the work site. If necessary, this will allow you to remove the machine, say, for repair, and then put it back. This approach is more practical, but the reliability of fixation in this case is slightly lower, since threaded connections will constantly weaken. We have already figured out a bit what cold forging is. Do-it-yourself machines, in addition to the "snail", you can make others, let's take a closer look at them.
"Gnutik" and "flashlight"
"Gnutik" is a machine that, for no doubt, is the base for cold forging. It is worth noting that homemade cold forging machines of this type are rather difficult to manufacture, but possible. As in the previous case, you will need to first make a drawing or use an already prepared one. Only after this they begin assembly. From the name you can understand that this device is used to bend metal products at a certain angle. As a result, we get arc elements of the required radius. The design consists of a fixed hole in the base with emphasis. The diameter of this hole must be selected depending on the diameter of the workpiece.
Such home-made equipment for cold forging, such as a "flashlight", is extremely rare. This is due to the fact that this machine is used for the manufacture of decorative lamps. Here the accuracy is very important, which is very difficult to achieve at home. And often the “flashlight" is not included in the basic equipment for cold forging.
Wave and Twister
As you can see, making home-made equipment for cold forging is not so difficult, nevertheless, some efforts will have to be made. For example, the “wave” machine is an elementary structure consisting of a fixed stop and a pair of rollers. Moreover, one roller must be installed in a stationary state. The second is equipped with a lever and is movable. With its help, the workpiece is bent, which is fixed with the help of a fixed stop.
"Twister" is a device consisting of a movable longitudinal clamp that can rotate around its own axis. A second clamp is mounted on one site, but it is already motionless. In this case, do-it-yourself metal forging involves the manufacture of twisted products. This is achieved using a special screw mounted on a movable clamp. The second part of the workpiece is fixed. It is important to place both stops on the same axis.
Few details
So we already figured out how to make a home-made cold forging machine. I would like to draw attention to the fact that this equipment is quite simple, so everyone can make it. But usually no one does anything by sight. This applies to both the manufacture of machine tools and forged products. Therefore, before starting work, always sketch, apply dimensions and adjust the equipment to the dimensions. In priority it is desirable to make a universal cold forging machine. It is quite difficult to make such equipment with your own hands, since it combines all the above types. You can put all the machines on one large working platform, which is also quite convenient, and it saves space. If you plan to work with thick rods, then a manual drive will not be enough for you. In this case, the most appropriate solution is to install an electric motor. But it is important to choose its power correctly. If it is insufficient, then the motor will not cope with the work, if it is too large, then you risk overdoing it.
Conclusion
Now you know what cold forging is. DIY home-made machines, as noted above, can be made without any problems. You will need a minimum amount of tools and knowledge. If you do not engage in forging too often, then a minimal set will suffice. When this is already work, then the machines need to be gradually modernized. For example, to install removable spirals on a snail, which will differ in size and pitch between each other. In principle, this is all that can be told on this topic. Here, not everything is as complicated as it might seem at first glance. The main thing is to start assembling, and then it will be somewhat easier.