This was originally printed in "The Rivet - May/June 1993" and was reprinted in the UMBA Journal, Volume 16, Number 5, September-October 1994. This entire article (text and graphics) is available as a single file, "courting_candle.pdf" - approx. 44Kb

    This will be a two part article. The first part details a tool that I have made and use in my shop. Part two details it's major use in forging out a "Courting Candle", which is probably it's main use in my shop, though it has been used elsewhere as well, and with some  mdifications, could become more versatile yet, I believe. 

    For our initial purpose, start with a 12-14" length of 1" round stock. Use the smoothest surfaced material available, cold rolled steel, or perhaps a strut shaft or something similar, trying to keep as  close to the 1" diameter as possible. Fuller a groove about 1-1.5 " in from one end, and draw the small section out to 1/2" diameter, and scarf for a lap weld. (Fig #i)

    Measure off an appropriate  length approx. 3" for a l"dia. shaft) of 1/4" round or square material to make a ring that will fit around  the 1" dia. part right next to the step. Weld it in place. This becomes a bearing surface. (Fig #2 - Actually, make two - one will be used later.) Using a 10-12" piece of round stock, upset one end to  about 9/16" for about 1 inch. Scarf to match scarf on reduced end of large shaft, and weld the two  together. (Fig 3)