Pancho07 Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 Made this the other day, it's not as smooth or clean as I'd like but it works well so I won't complain too much. Not too pleased with the handle but it doesn't feel too bad, thinking about tweaking it but I may leave it for something to look back on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 I have many pieces and tools to look back on and see how I've improved. If it works, use it. Later down the road you can make another one and compare. Just keep at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgewayforge Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 In way of any comment, you might see how it feels both with the offset to the right and to the left. I find that I flip my coal rake over in my hand to rake the coal up on the left and the right side of my forge; yours looks a little hard for that operation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pancho07 Posted May 20, 2016 Author Share Posted May 20, 2016 I had thought of that and I've actually been using it for a couple days, and haven't had a problem working both sides of the fire yet, if it becomes an issue won't be tough to change angles. 1 hour ago, Ridgewayforge said: In way of any comment, you might see how it feels both with the offset to the right and to the left. I find that I flip my coal rake over in my hand to rake the coal up on the left and the right side of my forge; yours looks a little hard for that operation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausfire Posted May 20, 2016 Share Posted May 20, 2016 It doesn't need to be flash to rake coal, and that will do the job for years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pancho07 Posted October 8, 2016 Author Share Posted October 8, 2016 Just as an update for anyone who may be interested, the only complaint I have with this after 4months use is that the basket is alittle harsh in the hand when you step away from the forge for a few weeks. Otherwise it moves coal around very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 Is it the scale or the general shape of the basket that irritates? Looks plenty functional. Frosty The Lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pancho07 Posted October 8, 2016 Author Share Posted October 8, 2016 Very functional, with a work hardened hand it's not too bad but when you let your calluses fade the texture on the basket is just a bit rough and the overall shape is uneven, squashed on one side and over round on the other. It was my first basket twist so if I ever do over the handle I'll just completely redo the rake and keep the old as a reference. I wouldn't change anything other than the handle shape or length, it can get a bit warm if you leave it in the forge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 9, 2016 Share Posted October 9, 2016 A blacksmith would just rework the handle just needs a little tweaking and vigorous brushing. Heat it twist it tight, open it back up pry the bars even and it's a done deal. Basket twists take practice, that's not a bad first, better than mine. The only actual fault I'd find is not brushing it smooth before calling it good to go. Frosty The Lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pancho07 Posted October 9, 2016 Author Share Posted October 9, 2016 I honestly think it's les the brushing as I drew it out from 3/4 so it wasn't smooth to begin with. If I were to make another one I would take stock that was the right size already, mig it together and the twist and shape, or take a stage and smooth it out. When I did that I was in my stubborn in going to do it the way I think it should be done instead of the correct way. That wasn't that long ago but I'd like to think I've grown quite a bit since then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmoothBore Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 On 10/8/2016 at 10:26 PM, Pancho07 said: If I were to make another one I would take stock that was the right size already You see, ... that one taught you a valuable lesson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 I love seeing a person making progress up the curve. Frosty The Lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pancho07 Posted October 14, 2016 Author Share Posted October 14, 2016 On October 8, 2016 at 8:22 PM, Frosty said: A blacksmith would just rework the handle just needs a little tweaking and vigorous brushing. Heat it twist it tight, open it back up pry the bars even and it's a done deal. Basket twists take practice, that's not a bad first, better than mine. The only actual fault I'd find is not brushing it smooth before calling it good to go. Frosty The Lucky. Something else that I've been thinking about on this and it sounds better than me being too lazy to put it back in the fire is its a constant reminder to do better the first time than to call it good enough when it should have been better the first time. Still I've gotten used to it and it would probably feel weird if I fixed it now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 There was a post last year about a nifty little tool for tweaking basket twists: here it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 1 hour ago, JHCC said: There was a post last year about a nifty little tool for tweaking basket twists: here it is. Ayup, that's it, the Tweaker! The good kind, one you WANT in your shop, not the kind that's there casing the joint for a midnight shopping spree. These really are handy tools for getting baskets even, much better than the traditional pair of screw drivers. Frosty The Lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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