I don’t make miracles with a hammer. If you want a half‑micron tolerance, you’ll have to keep the grain straight by forging it in the right direction, then hammer it flat while it’s hot, check with a straight edge, and re‑heat if it bends. Use a good, high‑carbon bar, heat it evenly, keep it on the anvil, hammer along the grain, not across it, and straighten it with a lathe or a grind if you can’t get it perfect the first time. If it still isn’t straight, you’re doing it wrong.

I’ll see you keep the flame like a watchmaker, not a drunk. If you wobble the rhythm, the grain will drift and your shaft will never be true. Keep it steady, keep it hot, keep it straight, and don’t come back asking for a second chance.

Just remember, if the first strike isn’t perfect, you’re out of business. Keep it tight, and don’t waste time on apologies.