Keeping Tradition Afloat With Bespoke Hand Tools for the British Boat Building Industry
By utilising our extensive range of manufacturing processes we can produce many types of bespoke hand tools used within many industries.
Our most recent manufacturing project was for a client operating within the British boat-making community, looking to produce a range of specialised hand tools to supply to both the hobbyist and professional sectors.
These tools, commonly referred to as making irons, bent irons, nib irons, crease irons, and raking irons, each has a specific use during the boat building process.
During the feasibility study, it was established that several of the components could be produced using a combination of upset forging dies and hot press tools instead of several drop forging dies. This ultimately offered a substantial cost saving to the customer while maintaining consistent uniform quality throughout the product range.
For production, a common forging was produced for 5 of the 6 tools. This entailed a combination of upset forging and pressing processes to form the required handle and fanned chisel. The final common forging is then manipulated using a combination of bending and machining processes to achieve the final iron shape.
One hand tool, the raking iron, was produced from a cut blank and then further manipulated to create the tapered handles and sharpened blade.
If we can assist you with a similar project, do get in touch.
