EJRailRoadTrack

We should meet up when you get it in In all seriousness I think i'm only about 1.5hrs from you..

"Art is long. Life is short. Get going!" -Francis Whitaker And if you want to achieve this "art" thing there's no time to argue with people who don't understand, and don't want too. Great knife Mark. Just some jerk that can't appreciate the time, effort, materials, and knowledge involved. Atleast you still have the sage block!

I've seen people put them on larger grinders, put rooling arms on, and rig them up for 2x72 belts. Look pretty solid. I feel like adding more things on it would make it vibrate more, I could be wrong though.

I'm not going to be able to make it. Who am I going to miss?

This is exactly my point. Traditional for a blacksmith is using what's on hand to do the task at hand. @ThomasPowers yes, a lot of what I see is folks using a forge, anvil, hammer etc, then when they drill holes they use a post drill instead of an electrice drill press and now they are super skilled traditional blacksmith expert. Argh, people. And if you're going to do it period correct, count me in! One question, is my large attic fan from 1765? @Frosty exactly blacksmithing isn't something that can be said "this is how it is done and this way only", because everyone has different materials, styles, technology, and preferences!

I've been seeing a surge of blacksmiths selling they're work as traditional, which is great, but it begs the question; What is "traditional" blacksmithing? I personally see blacksmiths as craftsmen and women who use what they have on hand to create something functional, beautiful, or both. Here's where it's tricky. People have been forging for almost as long as there have been people. So really, "traditional" would be hammer, fire, and anvil. Yes? So then 99% of people who forge today are doing it traditionally! Now let's say that traditional blacksmithing is from 1840-1920. There were a LOT of advances in that 80 year period! Welders, non solid fuel forges, electricity become more redily available, power hammers in more styles then simple water powered trip hammers, and the list goes on. Wouldn't a blacksmith use these advances in his work? And many did. But limiting your work to hammer, anvil and fire then slapping traditional on it makes no sense. Maybe I'm making no sense. Let me know if I'm not alone or just complaining.

That's what power hammers are mounted on. Seems doable.

And I'm sure I could swing a 12, but I don't like to. I feel being consistent is more important. But yes, Whatever gets it done the safest .

Oh okay, I see! My mistake. Look forward to seeing how the hammer turns out!

@JHCC was he having trouble hitting hard? Accurate? If he was having difficulty with accuracy I would suggest stepping him down to 6 pound sledge with a short (20-22 inch) handle. I always thought I had to swing a 8#. But when someone who came to forge some tools with me brought his 6# with a short handle, I fell in love! Time for me to forge one myself, oh dear, the torture

Looks good. Let me know how those wheels work out for you!

Knowing what you wanted to forge would really help. The power I would need may be different from the one you need or the one the next my need. The Ray Clontz/Clay Spencer ture hammer is a good size and it has good control.

Oooh, That Damascus keyfob is sweet!!

But at the same time, look at your cold cut. Is it ground the same as your hot cut? What's the difference between the two? I think his point is that ONE AXE will do everything, but each axe is very finely detailed to do it's designed task the best it can.

I assume since you said you wanted it the same as your anvil that you are only going to use it for hardy tools? Yes no? Personally I would trade the plow for some fork lift tine OR sell it and buy some. Traditional striking anvil: Portable hole: I'm sure it could be done, but I would use different materials. Little info as to what you will be making would help too!