Forging a hook from scrap - Hook of the week 15
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- This weeks hook of the week starts with a short piece of 2" tube and some 1/4" X 3/4" flat bar. By unfolding the tube we can make a forged hook with an interesting back plate.
My name is John Switzer, thank you for watching. Black Bear Forge is a small one person shop located in the Southern Colorado Mountains
Below you will find useful links that will help you in your journey as a blacksmith.
My blacksmiths apron
www.Forge-Apron... use code BBF
My favorite cordless angle grinder - www.anrdoezrs.n...
My cordless die grinder - www.anrdoezrs.n...
Links for some of my video and lighting equipment.
Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera
adorama.evyy.n...
Sony FDR-X3000 4K Action Camera
adorama.evyy.n...
Insta360 One X 360 camera
adorama.evyy.n...
RodeLink Filmmaker Wireless Microphone Kit
adorama.evyy.n...
Dracast S-Series Plus Daylight LED500 Panel
adorama.evyy.n...
Manfrotto 244 Magic Arm
adorama.evyy.n...
To take a more active role in the production of these videos. You may provide financial support through one of the two links below.
www.paypal.me/...
Or you may set up a monthly contribution through Patreon
/ blackbearforge
To request a custom order from Black Bear Forge. Please sign up on the wait list at
www.waitlistr....
If you are curious about some of my other interests, you may like my second channel
Off Topic with John Switzer
/ @johnswitzer
I have set up a Facebook group just for you, the viewers of this TH-cam channel.
If you would like to share your work that was inspired by my videos
This is the place to do that
/ 101400907400310
Find my shop on line at:
www.blackbearfo...
www.blackbearfo...
/ blackbearforge
/ black-bear-forge-20986...
For custom order requests. Please sign up on the wait list at
www.waitlistr....
Mailing address:
Black Bear Forge
P.O. Box 4
Beulah, CO 81023
To find more information in blacksmithing in the US or to search for your local ABANA affiliate group visit.
www.abana.org/
Blacksmithing tools and supplies
Self contained air hammers - www.saymakhamme...
General blacksmithing supplies - www.oleoacresf...
General blacksmithing supplies - www.piehtoolco....
General blacksmithing supplies - www.centaurforg...
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmith...
General blacksmithing supplies - www.blacksmiths...
Square head bolts and lags - www.blacksmithb...
New anvils - www.oldworldan...
New anvils - www.nimbaanvils...
New anvils -
Industrial supplier - www.mcmaster.com
Tong blanks and tools - kensironstore....
Fire brick and refractory - refwest.com
Blacksmithing and related activities can be hazardous. These videos are not a substitute for competent professional instruction. Your safety is your sole responsibility. Always use appropriate safety equipment including eye and ear protection when working in the shop. Follow manufactures safety guidelines for the use of all equipment. In the event something shown in one of these videos seems unsafe, it is up to you to make the appropriate changes to protect yourself.
You can keep thinking you are not a master blacksmith, to many of us and myself, you have proven time and time again to be a master at your craft! Embrace it!
Master is a title given by others not yourself. Even in england a board choses there masters not the Smith. As we in America do not have a board your viewers and other smithes have given you this title. We have given this as a symble of you dedication to the craft and teaching others. So thank you Master Smith John.
I don't know enough about blacksmithing for opinion to matter too much but I was told in 1986 (and many times since) that I am a master goldsmith. As a master in one metal working craft, it's obvious to me that John is a master. No question about it.
Savage11 SMW to us peons he is a master, to himself he is always continually renewing his craft and become better just like any other craftsman.
Hence this series. But I still agree with you. Swing on!!!
The legendary cellist Pablo Casals was asked why he continued to practice at age 90. "Because I think I'm making progress," he replied.
Love your hook of the week. I've started basically doing the same thing, a different hook or two for a new tool rack every weekend or so. Last tool rack I tried to make all the hooks pretty much the same, this one has every one different just for the fun of it.
Glad to hear the series is keeping you busy. Have fun
Thank you! I have not seen a project I have not enjoyed. Please keep them coming.
Nice work again. I hope your bucket never gets empty! The one thing Ive learned from you is to remember to where my safety glasses!!! Thanks
That sounds like a blacksmith toast
I’m betting John has a few buckets of scrap to use
Amazing! You haven't let us down once with these scrap bucket hook of the weeks. Each one has become it's own unique hook. I really look forward to seeing the next one and what it will end up as. Thanks John!
Glad you're enjoying the series
It's amazing that 2 odd bits of steel with fairly simple forging can come together and create a hook that looks quite elegant. I should probably say 2 odd bits of steel and an experienced blacksmith....... the experience is definitely a key to this process! 👍👍👍👍👍
Ohhh to now think of all the cool “scraps” I have sent to the recycler...!!
Love these videos! Please keep hook of the week going. It's very inspirational especially for me because around my forge I have many 5 gallon pails of old, small, unique pieces of metal. It's great to see that you can make something beautiful out of something that others would think is useless. Great work, beautiful hooks, well done videos!
Really like the back plate idea. Nice work.
Watching Black Bear Forge videos reminds me of when I used to watch The Woodwright's Shop on PBS.
Thanks, that is a wonderful compliment
To all you 'smiths who are digging into your own buckets along with John, sure would be nice if you posted pics of what you come up with!
Many are posting on the FaceBook group plus you could use the hashtag #hookoftheweek on Instagram
I'm waiting for the day when you run out of hook ideas but I think I will be waiting a long time. Another nice one, John.
They just get better John, keep up this great series please
I will try to keep going for quite some time
I love the way this hook came out!
It is quite enthralling and fascinating to see the coersion of metal into the shape you want it to take. Equally so the journey it takes to get to that point. Happy times seeing you work and do your thing. Thank you Mr. Switzer.
Beautiful work Sir. Well done once again. I am envious of your creativity. Don't think I ever woulda thought of opening up that square tube as you did. Much respect. You inspire me.
Thank you for this hook sir! Truly an artist turning scrap into treasure!
I fear the bucket is running dry though...maybe we should send him our useful treasures to keep this series going!!!
No need to send stuff, I have many more buckets
If there was ever anyone who can think outside the box , you are him. Very nice job.
Outside the box and inside the bucket!
Since I found your channel three month's ago, I've greatly enjoyed watching your skills and creativity when making hooks from your scrap bucket. You usually end with a comment about how the piece could be modified and further refined. How about showing us something special? Take one of your hooks and bring on the bling!
I really liked this presentation for its simplicity yet at the same time you pointed out that it could be further developed. Projects are only limited by ones imagination and skill. You are my most watched smith.
Man some of these twists and hooks and what not I've seen on this channel would make an awesome, historically accurate iron gate. also very expensive... Some of my customers in Miami have gates in their houses that cost like 100k and craziness like that to import and install.
Gosh I sure do love "Hook of the Week" series.........Keep it going John, please.
I look forward to these hooks of the week it inspires so many of us thank you sir for these instructional videos
I really like the way the square tubing looks after forging great tip.
Excellent close up camera work, very impressed with another good project.
Thank you
This is my favorite hook so far.
Thank you for my fix, I was starting to twitch. 🤣 That turned out cool. I like that idea. Thank you Sir ⚒On!!
I always wondered what to do with all those pesky square tubing cut off pieces. Another great hook sir.
I haven't watched the video yet, but that hook is gorgeous! Now to see how it's made. 👍
Lol, I do the same think turn it on hit like say howdy then watch quite often
Another great hook John. Love it😊
Getting better all the time. Enjoying the channel. Thanks John.
I really like all the hooks you have made!!!
That is one of the op 10 hooks , that bucket is almost empty JOHN I hope you have your shed sorted .
Once again, made my day.
Lovely video as always. Loved seeing how you transformed the square tubing!!
The way the backplate ended up it reminds me of a knife section from a sickle bar, just about twice as large as normal.
Your a great teacher John. Thanks for all your videos.
This is great! Thanks for another great video!
Another awesome hook!
Great looking hook John,
Thanks
Well done John you got us hooked up again and a nice looking hook it is Sir :-)
I wish I had a shop myself, I keep finding random bits of metal in the road that could be made into - something! Recently picked up what I'm pretty sure is the end of a leaf spring of a car, with part of the bar that connects the springs. From the looks of things it just sheared off whatever it was attached to (if it's not what I think it is), but it really seems like it could be made into something... If I had a shop.
Great hook! Love the way the flat bar section bent semicircular as it rounded the gig. I figure it was cuz the end was rounded? Love it
The hook looks like the beginning of a cobra hook I really think you should try that one day
Guess I know what I am going to do today! Amazing John!
Very nice to catch you on here buddy I thought I had messed up on this but thank you for telling me us you were gone for last week lol was that ever a good therapy trick lol but glad you went and great to see hook of the week !!
Really fascinated with those offset tongs (bolt?) used after the upset. A definite ‘must have’.
Nice hook of the week. Now I can go to the forge. Have a great day.
Great looking hook by the way.
I really like this series, I hope you have more of these buckets.
And the square tube is a lot more fun...
I really like that one. The concave bend industrial artistic look .. I think it I try one I might lightly chisel accent lines on each side of the tubes corner lines. Thanks for the video!!
great video keep up the good work
I can't help myself, everytime I scroll this playlist I think of this one as the 'undies scroll' because I see that wall plate and think 'tighty whities', lol. Think my son has had me reading 'captain underpants' to often
I like the cow-skull idea, but what about an elephant head? The hook piece could be the trunk.
Awesome informational educational video experience Y'alls
Your house/shop must be filling up with hooks for everything.
Not to many. Most of these will be either given as gifts or sold
John the beautiful hooks you keep coming up with is got me harder to call excess steel junk.
I am getting worst than my Uncle who says never this anything out.
Could have even drawn out the ears and made those hooks as well. I love you you see in your mind what you are making before it comes out.
That would certainly be an option
Very nice.
Awesome thank you!
I have an idea for a hook for ya. What about a hook and handle for your wire brush? I noticed there was one missing. It would be interesting to make one that is built together. I love the creativity in just working with what you got. As always keepp being awesome!!
nice one
Good inspiration
Thanks
very nice
I know it must be extremely hard to forge anything, but as usual,you make it look easy. Maybe at the end of each video you include a few bloopers or mishaps (the less than dangerous kind)
A nice way to rivet!
I see an elephant with the trunk as the hook!
The condition of the scrap buck gets worse every week. It’s not even a bucket anymore. I think it’s hilarious.
When you dished the piece in the swage, it reminded me of the old shoe spoons we used to see all the time. It's not broad enough and too thick of course. Also, you were talking about making sure the rivets are flush on the back side. Could you have flushed them up some by flipping the ball peened hammer around to the flat face and working it down some or would that have had a negative effect on the piece?
What are you using the hooks for
They are really just an exercise in challenging myself to use the material on hand. Occasionally one has a use in the house or the shop, the other eventually end up in My Etsy Shop
Who made your touch mark
Henry Evers company. They should have a web site
@@BlackBearForge thank you
Hey bud this one is pretty cool. Turn the hook around make it a little bigger and add an belt and you made a chastity belt. ...lol. 🔥⚒🇱🇷....paul
Looks like an airplane wing
ورعه
thought that was a metal thong. oh well you can always make that next time :) lol
Baby elephant?
It could be