Top view of a swage block showing various sized holes and sections
A swage block (or swager block) is a large, heavy block of cast iron or steel used in smithing, with variously-sized holes in its face and usually with forms on the sides.
The through-holes are of various shapes and sizes and are used to hold, support or back up a hot bar of metal for further shaping. Operations performed on a swage block include but are not limited to bending, cutting, punching and forming. The sides are scalloped to present formed shapes for forging operations. Shapes are for example the curve of a wheel, which could be used to finish a wheel rim, using a suitable hammer. Other shapes, such as the half hexagon, can be used with a matching top swage to form a hexagonal cross-section on a bar. The various shapes around the edge of the swage block all have corresponding shapes in the form of top swages to shape iron bar into various sections.
The image shows a 15-inch, square swage block with various semi-circular, hexagonal, and square shapes around its perimeter along with a selection of through-holes.
There are two general types of swage block: Industrial, as described above, and artistic. Artist Blacksmiths sometimes require a tool that will allow metal to be formed in ways that an anvil or traditional industrial swage block will not allow, a special Artists' block is then often used. As with industrial swage blocks, artistic blocks come in many shapes and sizes; common features are hemispherical and ovoid depressions, asymmetrical curves and non-standard angled planes (i.e. not 45 or 90 degrees). In addition, individual blocks may contain unique features of specific use or relevance to a particular smith or branch of the blacksmithing craft.
The example pictured below is a block ten inches square by four inches deep and allows a smith to form metal to various angles and shapes, most notably as spoons, ladles and funnels.
A swageblock (or swager block) is a large, heavy block of cast iron or steel used in smithing, with variously-sized holes in its face and usually with...
attaching to an anvil, and often a flat head for striking with a hammer. Swageblocks are anvil-like dies with various shapes forged into them, which are also...
in punching and bending operations. These are not to be confused with swageblocks, although their purpose is similar. The pritchel hole is a small round...
and machinery, including the rolling mill, the drawplate, and perhaps, swageblocks and other forming tools to make the metal into shapes needed to build...
wear and stress as individual strands (normally 19) break often near a swage fitting, and can be inspected while standing. Solid rod stainless steel...
wind sail or in strong wind. Rigging parts include swageless terminals, swage terminals, shackle toggle terminals and fail-safe wire rigging insulators...
additional side vent ahead of the doors on the front flanks, and an additional swage line in the leading edge of the front wing. Press articles from the time...
50 pounds (23 kg). Rope locks are not intended to slow a running line. Swage (compression) fittings or cable clips are used to terminate counterweight...
features that referred to Buicks of the late 1940s including a descending swage line (featured on Buicks starting in 1940 and sporadically until the 1970s)...
inside skirt of the bullet creating a gas tight seal to the bore. See also swage. Offset mount: A situation wherein it may not be practical to mount a telescopic...
utilized as a facelift. The T200 sedan and five-door hatchback featured a swage line running along the lower body to the rear door, which kinked downward...
the sleeve to tighten), swage fittings (where a stiff collar is compressed onto the hose), clamp fittings (where two blocks are tightened onto the sides...
Western Railway) is fitted into the groove. Hydraulically operated rolls swage the groove down on to the retaining ring. The tire is primarily held in...
operations, to allow manipulation of the anchor block and seating wedges. Often used during lift-off testing. swage A sturdy fitting surrounding a strand clamped...
Solihull plant in 1980. The car, characterised by its "wedge" shape and by a swage line sweeping down from the rear to just behind the front wheel, was commonly...
twin chrome trim, a black vinyl roof, a thick black metal trim along the swage line and sporty hubcaps. Interior featured black vinyl covered three dial...
designed to be sold alongside Nissan Micra and Nissan Juke. It featured a swage line at the side body panel, independent front MacPherson struts with coil...
Show. The swageless terminal can be fitted by using hand tools, unlike a swage terminal which requires a special press, roller die or rotary hammer machine...
1983 with a revised front end and interior, and a bootlid mirroring the swage lines from the sides of the car. The 1.3 L OHV engine was dropped, being...
the orientation of the wedge to the handle) and it is used when drawing. Swage (magagari) this is shaping tool, swages are either stand alone tools or...
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