Flower/Vase Demo
Vase Materials:
- 12" of ¾" EMT conduit with 45° cut in the middle (makes 2 vases)
- Remove zinc coating if you use galvanized pipe. See Dealing with Zinc for ideas.
- Heat, flair out the base end to make an attractive base (use ball peen over the anvil horn).
- Heat, fuller in an inch or so on the base end to make the throat of the vase.
- Heat, start working the angled end over the anvil horn with a ball peen hammer to begin curling the upper edge outward.
- Continue until you get it curled sufficiently, then using brushing strokes with your hammer curl the top point backward.
- Start at tail and work base over the horn with a ball peen the same way you did for the top of the vase to expand the base outward.
- Flatten the base on a belt sander making sure to get rid of any sharp edges.
![]() Vase and flower from class |
Lag Screw Flower Materials & Tools:
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![]() From Rusty Dog Forge: This is how you form a candle holder from pipe using a spring fuller (I use a guillotine fuller). |
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I learned this version from Joe Brown at the Appalachian Center for Crafts. I'd forgotten about it, but I found 4 examples when I cleaned out a tool bag one day. It took me a minute or two to remember how they were made and it's probably simplier than my previous example. It's also safer since you can use "black pipe" and not have to worry about removing the zinc on galvanized pipe.
Materials: Approximately 3" of ¾" EMT conduitProcedure
- Create fuller about 2 ½" from the end of the pipe
- Create additional fullers every 3 " or so
- Cut pipe about ½ below each fufller to create a base
- Heat pipe above the neck, working the pipe over the end of the horn in order to flair it out
- Reheat the flared end and taking a pair of scrolling pliers bend flaired edges downward to create a rippled flair
- Grind the base to ensure the vase sits flat and remove any sharp edges
Alternate Tools for Opening the Vase
I've come up with several alternative tools to working the vase opening over the horn of the anvil. One is a hardy tool I made out of a ball pein hammer head and a second that is made out of a piece of rod. I've pictured them below.

Ball pein hammer head with dual hardy posts

A fluting tool made from rod

Gee Mom, look what else I've found!
- Muriatic Acid Material Safety Data Sheet
- Factory Direct Vinegar (Source for 30% vinegar)
- Blacksmith's Bolt & Rivet Supply
- Forging Vases
- Forging Vases Continued
- Wisping Vase Creation
Wisdom of my father: "It takes more of a man to walk away from a fight than to stay and fight." |
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