DIY forged lanterns: decorative, for outdoors, drawings

Forged metal products add color to any interior and look very aesthetically pleasing. But not every home or dacha owner wants to have the standard solutions that the market offers. In addition, forged decorative elements are very expensive.

Homemade device for cold forging

Hot forging requires serious skills, equipment and work space. The ideal solution for realizing your design fantasies are cold forging devices. Not everyone can afford to buy such machines, but making the device yourself is not so difficult.

Types of machines

Basically, all devices that are intended for the manufacture of metal parts using cold forging are characterized by a manual drive. Few of them operate on the electric drive principle, although such a structure can be built with each of the devices. The only question regarding the drive is its feasibility, because the cost of the energy resource that powers the unit and the complexity of the installation process of the mechanism may not be justified if they are correlated with the amount of work performed and its regularity.

The table shows all the devices that operate using a manual drive and are related to the cold forging process.

Help: very often in some sources you can find the name of machines designed for torsion as well as for machines that do winding - twisters. However, this is not entirely true; machines that twist metal are torsion bar machines.

Video on how to make a cold forging machine with your own hands.

Differences of cold forging

There is such a thing as “stamping”, which is sometimes confused with the cold type of forging. Cold forging itself has 2 principles according to which this process can occur. The table shows the differences between the processes.

Cold forging, which is carried out on the principle of bending, is quite simple to do, especially if you have special stationary equipment that significantly facilitates the process. The advantage of this variety is that you can assemble almost any cold forging machine with your own hands without much expense.

Video review of a manual machine for forging metal

Making street lamps

Most often, home craftsmen initially take on simple street lanterns. Usually small wall lamps, such as sconces, are made (they just need much less metal), and less often - pompous street lamps on a massive vertical leg.

However, street or wall lamps, which are simple at first glance - with 4 or more sides of shades, require particularly labor-intensive design. Here you will have to work hard on an unusual frame, observing the correct geometry of the individual parts

They must be well fitted to protect the internal electrical components - this is especially important for installation in outdoor conditions, where rain, snow and wind are not uncommon

For effective ventilation and heat removal from the hot lamp, slots are provided in the housing at the top and bottom. They need to be equipped with protective visors to help remove moisture. Then you should carefully weld all the elements at the desired angle, providing grooves for the glass partitions, install them on the base, and glaze them.

Street lamp

When installing a forged chandelier (sconce) or street lights in your home, you can be sure that there are no exactly the same ones anywhere else. It is impossible to create two absolutely identical models; each is unique in its own way. The warmth that the craftsman brings into the product with his own hands makes the light of such lamps even more pleasant, cozy, and fabulous. Treat yourself to such a purchase or make it yourself.

Construction of cold forging machines

Each device for cold forging has its own characteristics and parameters. In order to easily make a cold forging machine with your own hands, you need to understand what each of them is.

Read also: Wester welding inverter circuit

Equipping a torsion bar cold forging machine with an electric drive

In order to increase not only the efficiency of work on a cold forging unit, twisting rods into a helical wave, but also to increase the speed, as well as ensure stability and not be subject to overfatigue, you can install an electric type drive.

Working by hand, it is quite difficult to make all the decorative elements made of metal rods the same, since the uniformity of the rotational moment in such a situation will vary greatly. In order to avoid errors in the manufacture of products, you can use:

• axle shaft from the car, which is installed on the drive axle;
• you will also need a differential gear pair;
• For protection it is worth using a casing.

From the listed devices you can build an electric drive for a torsion bar machine. It is better for such an engine not to exceed power ratings of 900 rpm and 3 kW.

Corrosion of metal

Metal corrosion is one of the important factors affecting the product. Elements of artistic forging of metal should be treated with painting oils so that corrosion does not appear for a long time.

On more expensive products, a special metal cleaning machine is used before painting. Despite the cost of such work, this is one of the best means for cleaning metal from rust and corrosion.

If the budget allows for expensive metal cleaning work, then you can afford expensive painting. Typically, for such work, zinc-containing oils are used, which can penetrate the top layer of metal and prevent moisture from affecting it.

Building a curl for the machine with your own hands

Before you start creating a cold forging machine with your own hands, you need to be able to calculate the parameters of a template spiral, because there are practically no special programs for such purposes. Such a template should not only be technically competent, but also have an attractive appearance.

The calculations for this pattern are based on a logarithmic spiral. Some nuances during construction can be highlighted in the following list:

• the beginning of the construction is taken at point R0;
• the turning radius will be equal to a fixed angle;
• the length of such an angle must be multiplied by the divergence of the coil;
• the discrepancy in the standard version is generally taken to be 1.2;
• for simplicity of calculations, as well as maintaining accuracy, the bending angle is best taken at an angle of 45 degrees;
• if there is a need to build a template that will have a denser spiral, then the 8th part (s) of the unit distance from the spiral should be added to the radius;
• As for r0, it must be equal in cross-sectional size to the diameter size of the workpiece for the spiral.

Important: r0 can take any value, it all depends on what characteristics the metal is used for the workpiece, namely its density.

Taking into account all the nuances, you can start making a “snail” template; for this, it is best to be able to solve equations that have a cubic degree and higher. There is no exact formula for calculating such a device, but there is one that allows you to achieve the optimal result. The sequence when constructing a spiral template can be like this:

• the initial point r0 is determined first;
• the turns that the template will have are taken arbitrarily, their number can be any;
• using tabular data, you should calculate the diameter (b), while ensuring that it is smaller in width in the opening for the template;
• using the formula, the radius R is calculated;
• the last step is to transfer all the obtained points in accordance with the scale, after which you can proceed directly to construction. In the process, let’s adjust the radius R in the final version using a similar formula.

Help: if it becomes necessary to calculate intermediate values, then this is done in accordance with the geometric proportion.

From building materials

As you can see, you can make a decorative street lamp with your own hands from any objects, the main thing is to have a great desire for it.

So, sometimes after renovations there are remains of cement and plaster left in the house, let’s try to use them in the direction we need.

Take a bottle with a capacity of 2 liters. Cut off the third part from the edge, and cover the neck hermetically. Now insert a 0.5 liter bottle into the container.

The narrow neck should be pressed against the neck of the large bottle. Fill the empty space between the bottles with cement. After some time, the cement should dry and then you will have a lantern for your flower garden; all that remains is to thread the light bulb with the cord.

Construction of a cold forging machine

When drawing up a drawing to further create a template for the machine, it is best to make sure that it has the maximum number of different variations regarding bends and waves. Having such blanks, you can create a cold forging machine with many interchangeable attachments, which will make it possible to produce various patterns and monograms.

Sequence of actions when creating a device:

• Initially, you will need a metal sheet, the size of which will depend on the number of patterns placed on it. The templates themselves should be placed in such a way that there is room for the manufacture of products, because during the process the material from the nozzles may shift due to lack of space. Also, if the templates are not sufficiently spaced from each other, complications may arise in the work.
• As for the variations of the templates themselves, they can be either simple or contain more than one turn of the monogram. You can make a similar ploughshare-type snail and think through the design of the bends in the disassembled and assembled state. At the same time, you should be careful when selecting the material for fixing the sliding parts - it should be as durable as possible.
• The change of nozzles can be ensured by making a rectangular slot; replaceable templates for forging can be inserted into it. They should all be attached to metal plates shaped like a rectangle. Fastening of such nozzles will be ensured using bolts.

Video instruction

Advantages and disadvantages of forged lamps

Forged lamps, like other lighting products, have certain advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages :

• versatility of use;
• practicality - forged products are easy to wash and clean from dirt;
• strength and resistance to external mechanical influences;
• stylish - they are decorative elements and are used for zoning space both indoors and in the local area.

Flaws:

• significant weight, requiring the strength of the building structures on which the products are mounted and the reliability of their fastening;
• to ensure long-term operation, metal elements must be treated with anti-corrosion compounds (painting, galvanizing, etc.);
• high cost of finished products.

Street lanterns will decorate the landscape and provide illumination of pedestrian paths

In conclusion, I would like to draw attention to a number of nuances that you will encounter if you have forged products on your farm or want to make them yourself:

1. Products made by forging require special care, especially if they are installed outdoors (cleaning from dirt, painting).
2. Before painting - this applies to products made by hand - it is necessary to apply a layer of primer to the elements of the lamp.
3. The manufacture of forged products should be started only after drawing up a drawing or sketch indicating all dimensions.
4. The shape of a finished forged product cannot be changed; it remains unchanged, but the decorative elements can be changed.
5. The cost of a finished forged lamp is quite high, it depends on the size of the structure and its complexity.

Forged lanterns are not only light in your home, but also beauty and style, confirming the status of the owner of the house.

Assembling the device

This version of the machine is used as an example because of its simplicity. Knowing the basic principles and sequence of equipment design, you can upgrade it at will. To assemble all parts of the equipment into a single whole, you will need to use:

• drill with carbide type drills;
• welding machine;
• a saw cutting metal or a hacksaw;
• metal sheet of the selected size;
• round metal pipe;
• metal rod;
• bearings of different sizes;
• bolts size M8.

To assemble a cold forging machine with your own hands, you need to use a proven sequence of actions:

1. Initially, you need to assemble a stand that will serve as a support. To do this, all its components (pipe sections of the same size and the joints between them at the top and bottom edges) must be connected into a single whole. The design may resemble a stool in appearance. The connection is made using a welding machine, and the sections are cut with a saw.
2. The next step is cutting the metal sheets. You should get circles of equal diameters and four triangles with equal sides. Triangular-shaped elements must be welded to the bottom of the connected pipe structure in such a way that something similar to a pyramid is formed. The base, which has a wider area, must be welded at the central point of the cut circle.
3. Four strips that are located horizontally must be attached to a circle with an already welded element. This should be done using bolts; for this you will need a drill to make the holes.
4. The next step is the construction of the handle. To do this you need to use two rods of different lengths. Their sizes can be determined by correlating them with the diameter of the circle. One rod should be commensurate with the diameter, the other should slightly exceed its size. When bending the first rod, you should maintain an angle of 30 degrees. Then weld both rods to each other, and then weld another rod into the lower part. There should also be a jumper between the first two sections, to which a lever is attached by welding, which should maintain the direction towards the structure made of rods.

A bearing for future directional variability in the device must be attached to the end of the attached lever, as well as to the segment located at the bottom of the structure. The upper section serves as a mount for a metal coil, which must be installed horizontally - it makes it possible to bend the metal. On the lower side of the segment, where there is a free end, a hole should be made equal in diameter to the size of the pipe section.

Read also: Polishing steel parts

• The last step in the algorithm of actions when constructing a machine for cold forging with your own hands will be the connection of the designed handle with a part of the device similar to a “pyramid”. These elements are fixed after putting on the handle with a wide-diameter nut, to which it is first necessary to weld a metal circle, which will allow the template itself to be attached to the machine. Next, the “snail” template is attached by welding.

Anyone who decides to take up forging seriously and make a cold forging machine with their own hands should be very scrupulous at the stage of creating drawings and calculations. Otherwise, the creation process is quite simple, and once you understand the principle of equipment design, you can come up with various variations of it that will help improve the product.

One way to decorate areas is to use forged items. Fences, benches, gazebos, stair railings and other similar structures look very decorative. Moreover, in most cases, these products are not forging in its traditional sense. Most often, this is done not in a forge or with a hammer and anvil, but with the help of some devices that allow you to create a wide variety of patterns and products from metal strips and square rods. To make such products you will need cold forging machines. Some of them you can make with your own hands, others are easier to buy.

What kind of devices are used?

Cold forging is characterized by various curls, bends, twisted rods, etc. Almost every type is made on a separate device - a specific machine. They can be driven manually or electrically. For small volumes “for yourself”, manual cold forging machines are used. Although they are not particularly productive, they are much easier to manufacture. If it is necessary to put production on stream, similar devices are made, but with electric motors. In this case, there is almost no need to physically work, but the complexity of making the device increases significantly. In our material we will talk about manual machines for cold forging.

What devices are used:

Torsion bars. With their help, tetrahedral rods or strips of metal are twisted in the longitudinal direction. The result is twisted columns, which are also called torsion bars.

This is what a torsion bar and the machine of the same name look like

This is how they make a flashlight

Device for cold forging snail - for forming curls

For bending anywhere and at any angle - bending machines (bending machines)

Machine "Volna" - for the formation of the appropriate relief

Machines for shaping the ends of rods. In this case - crow's foot

For a beginning craftsman, the most relevant machine for cold forging is a snail. Only with its help you can make many interesting things - from a fence and gate to a bench and other similar products. In second place in terms of necessity is a torsion bar machine. It adds variety to the details. All the rest can be purchased or made as you improve and gain skill.

Homemade “Snails”

In essence, this is a modernized bending machine (pipe bender), but these improvements make it possible to easily make curls from fairly thick rods (up to 10-12 mm cross-section) and repeat them with a high degree of accuracy.

One of the homemade cold forging machines

These cold forging machines have several designs, but the easiest to implement is the one with a round table with a central leg. A lever with rollers on bearings at the end is movably attached to the leg. They make the bending process easier.

The table surface can be made of steel sheet with a thickness of 10 mm or more. For the leg, you can use any thick-walled round pipe. It is important to make the structure stable, since lateral forces will be applied, so side posts, spacers, and a stable base are needed.

Drawing of a cold forging machine “Snail”

It is easier to make a lever from a square pipe with a thick wall - at least 2-3 mm. The cross-section of the pipe is 25*40 mm or so. Attaching the lever to the leg can be done on a bearing, or you can simply take a small piece of thick-walled pipe of a larger diameter, put it on the leg, and weld a stop strip on the bottom so that the lever does not fall down. The option with a bearing gives easier movement, but if there is lubrication, the second option also works.

Lever mounting option

The shape of the lever is also important. The lever is double, the upper part is working, the lower part is supporting. Wherever there are connections, it is advisable to add reinforcement, since the efforts are significant.

The lever must be reliable, with reinforcement

A mandrel or jig is fixed on the table - the shape along which the curls are bent. They are made in different diameters so that you can make curls of different diameters. Such mandrels can be prefabricated to form a larger number of bends. Each such sample must have rods that are installed in holes in the table. This is how this template is fixed. Also, its shape must be designed in such a way that the end of the rod is well fixed in it.

Variant of conductors for the snail

Often, mandrels are machined from a metal circle of a suitable diameter using a grinder, but there are options made of metal with steel plates welded onto it, curved accordingly.

How to make a similar machine for cold forging is in the next video. There is also a good description of how to bring the ends of the workpiece to a decent state - ordinary raw edges look very rough. There is special equipment for processing them, but, as it turns out, you can do it without it.

Forged partitions

Simple zoning of any room in a home can be done using metal partitions. The intertwining patterns of the individual parts of the divider do not “load” the space. Filigree decor is suitable for conditionally highlighting a relaxation or work area. They are used to divide the dining room area into two parts: for cooking and eating. The metal of the partitions can be painted. The most unusual are the models covered with gold or silver colors. The antique effect emphasizes the originality of their design. The shapes of the partitions can be any: trapezoid, rectangle, crescent. They can be installed in wooden frames or mounted without additions. Ceiling partitions are a separate type. They are mounted above the thresholds. Non-standard dividers do not take up room space. Ideal for creating oriental decoration.

Torsion bar machine

As already mentioned, these cold forging machines allow you to make longitudinal bends on the rod. This is a relatively simple design. The main task is to fix one end of the rod motionless, attach a lever to the second, with which you can twist the workpiece.

A piece of profiled pipe with a thick wall (at least 3 mm) is suitable as a base. The retainer can be welded from the same rods, leaving a square gap of the required diameter. You can use a properly sized cable clamp (available at a rigging store). Any of these stops is welded to the base.

Cable holder - great for holding rods

Next, you need to somehow ensure grip and torsion of the second part of the workpiece. This can be done using two bearing units. A pipe of a suitable diameter is inserted inside, and a handle is welded to it on one side - the design resembles the letter “T”. On the other hand, a clamp is made in the pipe: four holes are drilled, nuts for 12 or 14 bolts are welded into them. The result is a good clamp - the bolts are tightened after the rod has been inserted.

Next - a matter of technique - use a lever to screw in the required number of turns. This is not to say that this work is for weaklings, but with a lot of leverage, everything is not so difficult.

An even simpler machine for making torsion bars using cold forging is in the next video.