Shackles are used for connecting chains, wire, ropes, etc.
[Illustration: Shackle.]
_Stock:_ One piece of 3/4-in. round iron, 12-1/2 ins. (for shackle).
One piece of 1/2-in. round iron, 4 ins. (for pin). One piece 1 ×
1/8-in. flat iron, 1-3/4 ins. (for key). One piece 3/16-in. round iron,
2-1/4 ins. (for ring).
_Directions:_ Heat the 3/4-in. round iron bar two inches, then bend
this end on the anvil at right angles to the rest of the bar. Place the
heel on the anvil, with the end sticking up. Strike on the end with the
hand hammer and drive it down into the heel of the piece. Repeat on the
other end of the bar. As one can always force the metal into any shape
one desires by first driving it one way or the other, skill in making
the two ends of the bar depends upon one's way of using the hammer.
This method of making the eye on the end of the bar does away with
welding and upsetting of the metal. A round finished eye is the result
of the natural bending of the metal. This holds good not only for the
shackles like this one but for many other tools, such as hand holds for
cars, wagons, etc.
_Bending:_ The shackle should be bent as shown in the sketch. First
bend it right back of the eye, each one at about 45°. Heat the body of
the piece and shape it around the horn of the anvil until the opening
measures 1 in. wide. The sledge and swage are best used for this
purpose. Place the swage on the metal and have the helper strike the
swage. The shape is not apt to be changed or the metal marred if these
tools are used.
_Pin:_ Take the 1/2 × 4 in. piece of stock. The end is heated and
upset about 1/2 in. Place this end in a heading tool and work a button
head on the end with either the cupping tool or a hand hammer. The pin
should have a slot cut through it 2 ins. from the head. To do this make
a punch to cut the slot the shape required. After the piece is marked
punch the slot by driving the punch half way through on one side. Turn
the piece over and drive the hole through on the other side. This
enlarges the metal a little. Reduce it to the 1/2-in. size to fit the
hole in the shackle. Cut a little piece of iron the thickness and width
of the key, 1/2 in. long. Heat the end with the hole in and drive this
drift into the slot. With 1/2 in. top and bottom swage and the drift in
the slot, reduce the pin to fit the hole. Drive the drift out. You now
have a nice rounded pin with a hole in, 3/8 × 1/8 in.
_Key:_ Take a piece of 1 × 1/8 in. flat iron or steel. Mark the shape
of the key. Cut it out and file to fit the slot. Drill holes in the
small end of this to prevent it falling out of the pin.
_Ring:_ Bend the piece of 3/16-in. wire around a 5/8-in. rod in the
shape of a spiral and saw off each ring as required. The ring should
fit the hole in the key. This method of making a shackle is the same
whether the material is 1/4 in. in diameter or any size up to 2 ins. in
diameter.