Richard Furrer

Glenn as long as I can cut the end off a car part, heat it to almost red, pack the edge, get it flood light white and quench it in a mud puddle facing north and stick a used broom handle on the other end I think everything will be just fine. I happen to very much like the way this list cuts to the quick when ideas are crowd sourced. On the great whole the suggestions here are either presented as "what if I...." or "I think it works like..." or "when we did that type of work 30 years ago We..." which are all very valid starting points. I have quite a few engineering students into my shop (had three freshman Northwestern students in last weekend) and I have learned a great deal from that interaction over the years. I often bend the ear of the Profs and past clients who are in industry. I think it wise to use and abuse such relationships when faced with fundamental issues in the blacksmith shop. What we do is far beyond just hitting things with hammers even if we choose to look at it otherwise. Ric

I just saw this thread. Shall I send you a few books from my library to pass the time? I do not have many people with official inter-library loan contracts, but you qualify. What is your current interest area? Ric

I always liked that video Donniev. I am sure the solution will involve a multistage hydraulic operation to gather the upset and punch the holes. With proper use of induction heating those two operations could be done in one heat. The overall manufacture time and the production time are related, but given the cooldown needed one would be better waiting for a natural cooling (forced air to keep fine pearlite is an option) from one shift to another or one day to another and process in batches....maybe a "left twix right twix". Without specifics as to alloy, shape and size it is near impossible to give specific answers. Ric

I have a million BTU natural gas line at 5PSI to the shop. My interest in the oil burner is max temp. I can run coke for very hot fires, but I would like to see if the diesel can do the same for some uses. Ric

I will let you know in a month or so. Ric

I rather like those chain vise. Will you be making them? Ric

Any Progress on the Fisher anvil or swage block castings? This thread is from 2013. Ric

John, I rather like the trunnion style for the rotation aspect of it. Question: Would investment casting allow for more design freedom? Ric

Anyone know if John Newman of Hamilton, Ontario is still casting swageblocks? I can not locate any information. Ric

maybe all three Pat, but I would wager the steel being welded and the filler rod......same with chrome issues as well. It has to be there to be an issue. Ric

Well, The answer is a sliding scale of what you wish for overall tonnage (50 you say), speed and hp you wish to run. So we seem to know 50 ton and 7.5hp at 3500 rpm so for 50 ton at 6" cylinder you need 3537 PSI for 100,006 pounds of push. Given that psi and hp the gallon flow theoretically is 3.63 per minute and the speed (minus 85% efficiency is about) 0.425 inches per second. So you need a pump with the specs of 0.233 cc per revolution........assuming all the above. More or less. Ric

I just saw this posting and needed to share. http://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-12-manganese-welding-fumes-neurological-problems.html Time for a different mask with filter and an exhaust system in my shop. Ric

try low heat (red) and a wooden mallet (2x4 is OK) Ric

None, but I would like to hear as well.......and if they have coke. Ric

As all these tools are older in manufacture and specs change over time it is always a good idea to measure the very one you are making the tool for and not depend upon the factory specs. Have a look at FX2 steel for dies..I have some on my 3B Nazel and they are only now showing wear. They can be machined "as delivered" from Finkl Steel with carbide cutters and need no heat treatment after. They offer several other steel in hardened, but millable condition. FX2 is the only one I have used, but others seem good as well. Just a thought. Ric