Making a Garden Hoe
Source: Submitted to the July 1896 edition of the Blacksmith and Wheelwright by S. A. Smith, McKinney, Tex.
From S. A. Smith McKinney, Tex.
A garden hoe is a very useful instrument and one that blacksmiths are often called upon to make. Fig. 1 of the accompanying illustration shows the design of the steel that is used in the makeup of a garden hoe.
It is 3 x 1/4 x 6 inches and fullered as shown in the illustration. Punch two 3/8-inch holes at A in Fig. 1; then split from A to B and cut from C to E, making the point of the hoe. The ends X are bent round perpendicular and brought together as shown in Fig. 2.
I have found the garden hoe made in this way a very strong and durable tool and can conscientiously recommend it to my brother smiths.
I haven’t created one of these yet so consider the materials, tools, and procedure to be educated guesses.
Materials Needed:
- 3 x 1/4 x 6 inches
Procedure:
- Layout and mark steel per Fig 1.
- Fuller in at points C.
- Punch 3/8 inch holes at points A
- Cut from points A back to points B.
- Bend ends X up and bring together.
- Weld ends X & taper to a point.
- Attach handle.