Neighbors and passers-by might well have wondered why in the world I built a fire on the hottest day of summer. Fairly simple, really: I needed to reshape a piece of heavy steel rod.
This particular rod is the control lever for the front loader on my Kubota tractor and its previous shape significantly interfered with dismounting from said tractor. Grip knob stuck up too high and the whole thing stuck out too far into the access space.
Cutting off six inches on the length was relatively quick and simple using my DeWalt angle grinder. Changing the angle of a couple of the bends on it was a different matter.
I tried heating it with a propane torch. Didn't work. I remembered how Alvie Farris used to heat up and reshape metal using his old forge in Browns Grove, Kentucky. He was thin as a plank and tough as a pine knot. Even thick metal yielded to his hammer swings once it glowed red in the fire. Remembering that, I decided to build a fire.
After a half-hour or so of warmup, so to speak, I added a few pieces of kiln-dried wood to the pile of burning elm. Oak, maple, and mulberry. After that got going pretty well, I stuck the steel rod into the heart of the fire. About ten minutes later, I brought over the air hose. The addition of forced oxygen notched things up considerably! It went from "pretty good campfire" status to a pleasant little roar. Increased the temperature a few hundred degrees, I reckon. After several minutes of that, I tugged on my old leather welding gloves, grabbed the least heated end, and moved the project to the anvil.
With just a few hard licks of a three-pound shop hammer, that angle was tightened up considerably. Checking the fit led to some bending back in the other direction. Then, I heated the other end and reshaped one more bend. Preliminary testing indicates the control handle will still work fine and yet allow for less restricted access. In other words, I'll be able to get off the tractor on either side without bruising my leg or hip and without snagging a pocket on my jeans.
Sometimes, God patiently reshapes us over the years with some sustained gentle pressure and direction. Sometimes, he uses a hammer. Sometimes, he brings up the heat and then uses the hammer. And sometimes, he uses even more heat. And a bigger hammer. Whatever it takes… as long as we seek the shape of being perfectly formed to his will and purpose.
I happily admit that I rather prefer the gentle shaping. But also acknowledge the effectiveness of the more dramatic encounters. Sometimes, we bear the marks of the forge and hammer. And in all cases, are reminded that he who has begun a good work in us will continue it until its completion. I am confident the final outcome will be well worth the pounding.
No comments:
Post a Comment