floor mandrels and swage blocks

[yesteryearforge]

Do you have a floor mandrel / cone mandrel and swage blocks and if so how often and for what purpose do you use them ?
I personally have two cone mandrels and several swage blocks but rarely use them , usually I use the horn of the anvil or swages in the hardy

[Ed Thomas]

Mike: Cone mandrels are absolutely worthless in the flatlands. They only work on hillsides. On flatlands, they simply roll around in circles whereas on the side of a mountain they roll pretty straight. Since these are useless to you down there, I'll take them off your hands and use them over here where they can do some good.

Mandrels and swage blocks are tools that you REALLY need when you need them, and are in the way the rest of the time. Think of them as small children. Only harder. And don't move as fast. And eat less. This is breaking down fast....

[Ten Hammers]

I have one swege block ( little over hundred pounds ), one short cone that is about 18"tall and has tong slot and one floor cone mandrel. I use the swege daily sometimes ( ladles, spoons, rolling handles, production work ). The cones get seldom use but I must admit that yesterday I used the floor cone for 2-3 rings from 3/16 x 3/4 and was very glad I had it. Rings of this nature can be forged on the horn, yes. I will also add that sometimes you will be happier working in vertical plane ( heat completed ring and tap down on the cone). True up as it cools on the cone and on the horn. The floor cone lives back behind the bandsaw and the small cone lives under the swege block on the stand. Neither eat much and I forget they are there until I need them.

[jeremy k]

For a demo we have used a swage block on edge with the half rounds accessible for forge welding cable and or odd shapes(such as welding a dozen old wire nippers together for a knife blade/ letter opener for an electrician) - helps to hold everything in shape for welding. Also laying flat you pick the closest hole size to use as a backup when punching/ drifting when the hardie and prichel in your anvil are to small. - makes life much easier when you need one. - JK

[welder19]

Unless it's something that you never need, then it's something you need.

welder19

[Bentiron1946]

I like to use the half rounds on the side of mine when making bells and the hollow on the one face when dishing bowl shapes. The large holes are handy for punching and enlarging holes. I have never used the hex nut slots for anything and the cursed thing is so heavy that I can't lift it to turn it over unless there are three men and small boy handy. The small boy is there to put chocks under it so we don't kill ourselves if it slips. I now have it at friends smithy for safe keeping. I don't want anybody tripping over it.

[ThomasPowers]

I have scrounged individual dishing forms and half round swages for the stuff I do a lot of so my swage block doesn't get used a lot---much easier to throw a handfull of swages/dishing forms in a bucket for demos than bringing a swageblock.

I never saw the need for a cone mandrel until just lately when I've been doing a lot of a project where having a cone mandrel would cut down the truing up time to almost nothing! I really hope to pick up one of the nose cone ones at Quad-State this year...

[Finnr]

I have no use for a floor mandrel in the work I do, but use my swage block all the time for assorted curves and whipping up small bowls, ladles and the like.
Finnr

[civilwarblacksmith]

I do not have a floor mandrel but do have one for the hardy that use to make rings up to four inches on. Since the cone is pointier than my point on the horn, it works for opening up the holes in projects.

As far as swedge blocks, I have 2, 3 counting the one at Union Mills- but that one is not mine. One is standard size for bowls, spoons, shovel blanks, with different half rounds and triangle shapes on the side. Use it for the ladels I make for the re-enactors. The other is a small swedge block that is roughly 3 x 3 x1. Looking the image of a standard size swedge with half rounds and triangle forms plus spoon and ladle dishes. This I use for making ladels using horseshoe nails and different small items. Good for demo and not as heavy. You can carry it in you pocket.

[flat creek]

I use the large radius that covers the complete end of the block to true up the tires before they are shrunk on the wheels.
Preston.