An easy mode of making a crank consists in piling and welding a number of bars until the width and thickness of the mass is equal to or rather greater than the thickness and width of the intended crank. When such a piece is closely welded and finished to suitable dimensions, the two extremities of the crank are marked upon the work to indicate the junctions of the crank with the two intended axle portions. At these two marks the drawing down is commenced by driving in fullers, and afterwards continued with hammering in the usual manner. All further forging of the work is performed upon the two thick portions remaining for the axle ends, the solid crank part having been finished previous to driving in fullers at the two axle junctions. The length of the component bar, and therefore the length of the two axle ends, depends upon the length of the shaft required.

To make a crank by this plan of piling, and without cranking, the work may be of any required convenient length, because no bending is intended, for producing the crank part; consequently, no inconvenience will result through the irregular form that is produced during cranking. And if, for portability, a crank having two short axle ends be first made, any additional length of axle may be welded to the primary crank-piece, that the axle ends may be produced to the length required. A bar fullered in two places to produce a solid crank is shown by Fig. 188.