procure the usual type
of metal worker's hammer, a cheap anvil, a 9-1b. vise, a cold
chisel, a file or two, and a round piece of shaft iron, about 3
in. diameter and 2 to 3 ft. long. This piece of iron is
represented at B, Fig. 12.

The iron is held in position by means of the straps of metal C, C,
which are bent over the shaft tightly and grip the board base with
set or lag screws as shown. The wooden base should be about 2 in.
thick and large enough to make a good support for the iron shaft.
The process of bending the rings in this way is as shown. The
piece of strip iron is grasped at D. Then with the hammer the iron
is gradually worked cold about the mandrel as at E until the
perfect form is acquired. After the form is finished, the strip at
the terminus of the ring is cut off. In order to get a steady base
the wooden part may be bolted to a bench. In Fig. 13 is shown the
method of clipping off the completed ring. The cold chisel is held
upright, and by delivering several blows with the hammer upon the
same, the point is caused to chip through the metal and release
the ring. The shaft or mandrel is marked G. The cold chisel is
indicated at I and the position where the hand grasps the strip is
at H. The final operation in shaping the ring is by driving the
protruding cut, lip down, to the common level of the opposite
point, thus giving us the finished ring with the lips closed on
the mandrel as at J, Fig. 14. These rings can be turned out in
this way very speedily. The next operation involves the process of
uniting the rings in the plan to shape the design. The design work
is often worked out ahead and followed. Some become so proficient
that they can develop a design as they proceed.

Figure 11 is a design of grate front used for various purposes in
connection with grate fires. The series of rings are united by a
rivet between each at the joining point. With thin metal the holes
can be punched with an iron punch and hammer on an anvil where
there is a hole to receive the point of the punch after the punch
penetrates the metal. For the heavier forms of metal a drill is
necessary. A metal drill and brace can be purchased very cheaply
for this work. After drilling the holes, the parts are erected and
the rivets inserted and headed up as each addition is made. Thus
the series of rings are united and then the side pieces are
similarly riveted. The points at the top are then worked out and
joined on. These points are