The low wall I have was bent in purpose-built fixture. And, I've bought inexpensive actions that were cracked or broken through that last screw hole, and seen one or two with a rather distorted looking hole.
Hence, my question. I'll not bother again.
Brent, I've found that the main key to a successful bend is to heat the steel to a red heat and hold it there while bending. Before the tang is heated it's often rather brittle, as you have seen. The factory bend does not begin until behind the tang's machine screw position and Bubba obviously doesn't know this, also Bubba apparently doesn't believe in heating/annealing the tang before and during the bending process.
IMO Steve is doing the single-shot community a GREAT service by sharing his pics with us. I wish more smiths were skilled enough (AND confident enough in their skill level!) to share their tricks as Steve is doing, but all too many of them don't.
Brent, please don't stop asking questions! Hey, I just gotta ask YOU one: haven't you ever told your students that old (but still tried-&-true) chestnut about "The only dumb question is the one you DON'T ask!"?
And also remember that anyone who resents your questions or even your challenges is probably not very confident in his ability to justify his position, ergo his position may be somewhat weak when examined closely (grin). Cast your memory back to another forum.....
Regards, Joe
