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How to Forge Steel Hoops

Forging steel hoops is one of the first and easiest exercises when learning the art of blacksmithing. With some commonly found blacksmithing tools, you can teach yourself the basics in forging and forge welding. In building a small hoop, you will need to familiarize yourself with the different parts on the common anvil, which will lead to the creation of more intricate and involved metalworking processes. These steel hoops can be made to any size as is needed.

Things You'll Need

Steel rod
Forge
Tongs
Hammer (sledge)
Anvil

Instructions

- 1
  Light your forge. Whether using a gas or coal fueled forge, light it first to allow it to get up to operating temperature.
- 2
  Place your steel rod into the forge. If the rod is too long to fit into the forge, heat parts of it separately as needed.
- 3
  Remove the steel rod from the forge using a pair of long-handled tongs when it has developed a red hot hue over its surfaces.
- 4
  Grasp the rod firmly with a pair of tongs in one hand and with a hammer in the other. Tap the rod around the horn of the anvil to created the circular bend necessary to form a hoop. Keep bending the rod around the anvil until the two ends of the rod overlap by 1/2 inch. Replace the rod into the forge whenever the red hot hue cools to a gray/black color.
- 5
  Forge weld the two ends of the rod together. With the two ends of the rod overlapping, pound the top end into the bottom. Forge welding involves sandwiching two pieces of metal together while red hot and forming them into one piece through striking with your hammer against the surface of the anvil. Turn and pound the joint of the two rod ends over the surfaces of the anvil to round them out, creating a even steel hoop.
- 6
  Allow to steel to cool naturally to slightly soften the steel, or submerse it into a water- or oil-filled bucket to harden it.

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