How to Forge Iron Leaves
- 1). Draw the shape of the leaf on the 1/4-inch thick flat iron. Trace around a leaf to ensure the proper shape or look at the leaf to draw the shape. Example shapes of leaves include a teardrop, long and narrow, curved, pointed and oval.
- 2). Put on the safety glasses. Light the torch with the striker. Cut the leaf shape from the flat iron.
- 3). Place the cut leaf on the surface of an anvil. Heat the leaf until it is red hot. Hold the torch approximately 3 inches above the flat iron surface. Move the flame in small circular motions over the surface until the metal begins to glow red.
- 4). Turn off the torch. Hit the surface of the red hot flat iron with a forging hammer/leafing hammer to shape. Continue to hit the metal until it is no longer glowing red.
- 5). Place the hot iron leaf in a bucket of water to cool. Allow the metal to sit in the water three minutes. Remove the iron leaf from the water and place it on the surface of the anvil so the opposite side is facing up.
- 6). Light the torch and reheat the flat iron until it is glowing red. Turn off the torch. Hit the surface of the red hot flat iron with a forging hammer/leafing hammer to shape. Continue to hit the metal until it is no longer glowing red. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 until the leaf is the desired shape and thickness.
- 7). File the edges of the cooled forged iron leaf to remove knicks, uneven metal and bumps.
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