One piece steel nosecap

[sdilts]

Has anyone made a 1 piece steel nosecap using Jack Brooks forming tool? I have been trying and just about get it but the steel tears on me. I'm probably doing something wrong. Thanks for any advice.

[Mark Elliott]

I have made one piece steel nose caps with my own forms; iron and wood.   Steel is usually pretty ductile and doesn't require any annealing; assuming you aren't working it too much.   Just to check,  this nose cap doesn't have a groove for a ramrod does it?   Those type of nose pieces are usually two piece.  I have used 22ga weldable steel sheet from Lowes when i have made my one piece nose pieces.    Some pictures of what you are doing might help.

Mark

[Curtis]

Sdilts, I have made several one piece caps from brass using Jack's forming tool, but have never tried steel - not sure steel is malleable enough to take all the bends when cold.  I believe the tool was designed to use brass. My only suggestion is to make certain your steel is dead soft.

Curtis

[Dennis Glazener]

I have made several 1 piece steel nose caps. Two things that are important. Mild malleable steel and making sure you leave just enough on the "flap" to reach the bottom of the barrel. Too much causes problems with the fold. I use 2 hose clamps around a steel mandrel. Last one I made I used steel from a empty propane bottle.
Dennis

[Goo]

I have made several 1 piece steel nose caps. Two things that are important. Mild malleable steel and making sure you leave just enough on the "flap" to reach the bottom of the barrel. Too much causes problems with the fold. I use 2 hose clamps around a steel mandrel. Last one I made I used steel from a empty propane bottle.
Dennis

                                                      How did you cut that propane bottle open?     You are still here so im guessing it was not accomplished with a cut off wheel?     

[Dennis Glazener]

Ha ha! I shot a hole in it then cut it with hack saw.
Dennis

[fahnenschmied]

Ive made a few, but not with any purpose made tool.  Ive usually started with a piece of electrical conduit, sawn open.  It forms easily and is just thick enough to be able to hammer the wrinkles out and still leave enough thickness to file smooth on the front face.  The key is patterning just enough to fold over to do the trick.  I anneal it several times as it goes.

[PPatch]

Ha ha! I shot a hole in it then cut it with hack saw.
Dennis

Cleaver man! I was also wondering how you managed to purge the propane canister.

dave

[Martin S.]

Where do you get the steel mandrel?

Did you build it yourself?

[Mark Elliott]

I forged my mandrels (and swage) from 1 1/2"  wrought iron bar and 1/4" mild steel sheet because that is what I have.  I have also used hard maple with stainless steel hose clamps.

[Dennis Glazener]

Where do you get the steel mandrel?

Did you build it yourself?

I made it from an old piece of steel I had laying around. I have made them from maple wood but steel hold up better.
Dennis

[Martin S.]

Thanks, guys.

[sdilts]

I've got some 22 ga sheet steel from Lowe's that I've been using. I think I'll try the mandrel and hose clamp trick and forget about the groove for the ramrod. Thanks everyone for the feedback.

Steve