Make this poker head with basic blacksmithing techniques.

A problem with most store purchased fireplace pokers/rakes is they are often too flimsy to really handle a good-sized chunk of firewood and they are so short you can't really get close enough to the fire to be effective.

This is a fairly simple, yet decorative, fireplace poker or rake. You will need the capability to join metal either through arc or oxy/ace welding and some type of forge. Stock needed is one length of 1/2 inch square stock of suggested length 26 inches and four lengths of 1/4 rod six inches each.

Start by putting the quarter-inch rods into a 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch bundle and weld one end of the shaft. Then weld about one inch to 1-1/2 inches of the upper end. (Photo 1)

Photo 1 - Start with one length of 1/2 inch square stock - 26 inches long and four length of 1/4 rod, dix inches long.

(Note: For jobs of this nature I like to use stainless steel welding rod. You can buy it off eBay for about $4 per pound delivered.)

Use your forge to heat up the weld area at the bottom of the bundle and forge it into a square shape. Then heat the top and forge it into a point. (Photo 2) You can touch up the weld areas with a small angle grinder. A nice alternative is to make the weld area at the top shorter and weld on a large nut. This can then be forged into a top ball.

Now comes the fun part. Heat the rod bundle to a consistent heat, place the shaft in the vise and twist one and a half turns in either direction.

Photos 2 - 5

Most people go clockwise. Try to keep the twist consistent through the length of the rod sections. (Photo 3) Reheat and twist half of what you did before (three-quarters turn) in the opposite direction while pushing on the twist slightly.It should open up into a bulb-type shape. (Photo 4) Now reheat and use a screwdriver or long-nose pliers to tweak the shape to that desired. It will become your handgrip, so don't make the bulb too fat for a comfortable grip. Looking

Completed Poker

down the shaft you want the bulb both in line and centered on the shaft. This can take as much time as the rest of the poker.

When satisfied with your bulb handle, forge out the half-inch stock into a longish point and cut it off about 3-4 inches long. Now forge out another point of about the same shape and length. This cut off portion will become your rake hook. (Photo 5) Weld it to the shank and then curve back into the hook. The wiggle to the point makes it a bit more interesting.

Completed poker is shown in Photo 6 (left).

For a finish first heat the entire poker in the forge to make the appearance of the metal consistent and wire brush. Heat the poker in your oven to a consistent heat of about 400 degrees. Use a piece of paper towel, saturated in vegetable oil, and touch it to the metal. When the poker has cooled down enough so the oil just smokes a bit when applied, coat the entire poker until it cools. The vegetable oil will act as a natural rust inhibitor.

(If you want to cheat a bit, find an old welding chipping hammer with a spiral wire handle. Cut it off and welded it on a shaft to make your decorative handle.)

In the next article I'll show you how to put a simple, yet very nice, decorative twist in the shaft between the bulb and hook area.