How to bend forks

makeandcreate

Without calling Uri Geller!
I've seen some pretty cool hooks, wrist cuffs and picture holders made by bending forks. Struggling to find any tutorials using good forks or with a nice finish - they look a bit lumpy. Got a couple of heavy od forks I wanted to use.
Is it simply a matter of using a clamp to hold the fork and brute force or would I need to apply heat to the tines/handle before shaping.
Any help/advice would be great.

looksee

Not an expert, but I think depending on what the fork is made of, you could do it just with a clamp (vice). I suggest you would use some sort of former - a piece of wood about the same or slightly smaller than your wrist so the fork doesn't just bend at a sharp angle. I have shaped thick wire for various uses like that. You need to take it slowly and may need to move the fork through the vice to control the shaping. I would practise on one that doesn't matter first!

makeandcreate

Thanks. Had another look and found someone selling a jig type thing in the U.S but it's 170 dollars! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TU5JvMNiNU
Does make it look easy & such a nice curve.

Jellybaby1

I wonder would heating the fork and then bending it work? Much like a blacksmith would bend horseshoes. I have bent my own forks by trying to open treacle tins but it wouldn't be a pretty bend though, that was an accident actually.

makeandcreate

Mmmmm treacle.
Going to try and make a sort of form - have an idea what I want just not sure what the things are called. Off to the hardware store tomorrow and see how I get on.

looksee

Just watched (some) of that video. How can all that depressing faffing around be considered craft?

aonb

Look on PINTEREST - there are lots of fab fork hooks, and bangles etc etc etc on there - there were some tutorials with some of the pins

makeandcreate

aonb wrote: »

Look on PINTEREST - there are lots of fab fork hooks, and bangles etc etc etc on there - there were some tutorials with some of the pins

Thanks for replying - Pinterest was were my whole fork obsession began (along with boiled jumpers, cut up tyres, pinch pots & many, many more).
A lot loo
k fab with no tutorials, or the ones with a tutorial the results are a bit hit and miss - when you look at the actual curve on the piece it can be quite lumpy or have a distinct bend not a smooth curve. I've seen the flatware cut, drilled and then joined together with jump rings but tbh I don't want to invest in so much equipment. But I want a handmade finish - not a homemade finish iykwim.
But I think I just need to find the right sized steel tube to make a form and bolt it down with a small gap to slide the fork handle under. Then bend it over one way, turn fork around and bend the other side. I'll post a pic up when I have one done (if it works!)

fergal.b

Here is a simple little jig that will give you a good selection of shapes and sizes, as you will be using soft metal you may not need to heat it and could get away using a length of timber to give you some leverage.

kylith

I reckon a round bit of wood and a few taps with a hammer would bend the fork handle. I don't know if you'd have to use heat on the tines, but I suspect a needle nose pliers is probably the tool for the job.

tina4t

sounds good

makeandcreate

Thanks for all the replies. I think I just need to get the tool box out and jump in and not keep searching for the holy grail of fork bending.
Fergal - just the still image on that vid scares me. Hardcore crafting - it's a worse addiction than hardcore porn ... I mean pawn ;-)

aprilhare

I would suggest heating the fork, it would take much time but if you are that persistent in making your craft it would work out pretty well

gothic pants