Problem Solving

Hi Someone gave me two cross pein hammers (3 and 4lbs) but they have fiberglass and jacketed fiberglass handles which are very uncomfortable to use. I would like to change them to wood but don't know the best way to do that. Has anyone done that? Thank you very much Rub

Hello All, This is my first post and probably should have been an intro but I came to the forum to find some answers so here goes... I am fabricating a Clutch actuator lever for a 1929 Harley Davidson motorcycle and have a need to bend the machined shaft about 90 degrees. I made the new part out of 9/16ths 1018 CR round bar. Might not have been the right kind of steel to use for this but that is all the local Metal Supermarket had in the right size. Here is a link to some pictures of the old clutch lever and the new machined shaft I have to bend. When all is done the less tendency for the shaft to twist the better since that is the action on the clutch lever. Ha…

So everyone here who has a large vertical air compressor can relate to crawling under the darn thing daily or thereabouts to drain the tank by unscrewing that brass little threaded screw to let the water drain all over the floor or into the rag. I've only had my compressor for six months and i'm already tired of doing this all the time. Anyone ever built some kind of a drain or trap where the water can run out of the base and accumulate into some kind of trap? Even a gas on/off valve (plumbed from a 90dgs angle) sticking out of the bottom of the compressor would be easier then getting up under there and fiddling with that screw. What can I do to invent something be…

Does anyone here about have any good photos or info on the construction of wooden block and tackle? (aka snatch blocks to some). I have an opening to make quite a few but I am still sorting out a few details. Goals: Wooden body. Wooden sheeves Steel hooks and appropriate tackle. Any help will be appreciated!!!

Had a big indoor yard sale at our local arena a couple of days ago. I managed to pick up a few goodies but happen to see a set of solid brass fireplace doors for sale for $70. Didn't have enough money(after my other purchases) so had to pass them by. Well as luck would have it, I went down to the local arena with the wife(she happens to be the Recreation Administrator for the town:D) and here are these fireplace doors sitting out back by the dumpster. They had marked them down to only $10 and STILL didn't sell them:o. She checked with the people who ran the yard sale and they assured us that yes, they were out there for the dump and if we wanted them to take them. So into…

ok my friend keeps talking about how, if you get a piece of steel to the right temp. you can spray it with WD40 and it will leave a cool looking blueish sheen behind. What color am i looking for before i spray it on?

How does one make spring steel and how does one make stainless spring steel?I know I can get it from the scrapyard [spring steel that is] but I would really like to make some myself.Any advice is aprreciated. Blessings to all.

I've just a had a phonecall froma lady in teh Shetland isles asking if I can make her a Tusker Obviously I replied "a what now?" :confused: After searching around online I've found this picture as the closest to her description. Item number 6. The blade beneath the handle measures 7 1/2" by 3" and the blade at right angles is 8" by 2" . It is used to cut rectangular blocks of peat, so need to be made and treated like any other spade I suppose Does anybody have experience making this tool, or any suggestions as to the best way of going about it? I'm thinking starting witha large sheet of steel and cutting a slot across half way. The lower half bring out to form …

Hi all. Haven't been around for the past couple of weeks. Computer problems. :mad: Anyway, about 10 years ago I got permission to start tearing down an old store that was built in the late 1800's to early 1900's. I came out of the deal with a lot of heart pine that was mostly bug infested- though some of it was good to use. But I came away with two sets of doors that I am keeping as patterns for doors on the shop that I hope to build one day. With these doors came two bars. They are both pretty thick. I plan to use one of them on the new doors. But the other will be used most likely for knife fittings. I can tell by the way the pieces swell around the holes in t…

Good Morning All I am in the process or rebuilding a small forge blower and need consultation. The blower seems complete, however there is a 1/16" of side play between the impeller and the case. This is enough play that the impeller shaft will clunk around within the case tapers when it is centered. When one moves the impeller shaft to either extreme the tolerance is fairly good on that side. This is by hand. I don't know how it acts when operated. I realize we are not rendezvousing in space, however I would like not to operate something that cracks and creeks more than I do. I do not want to limit anyone's experience or imagination, but I am hoping for a "cut of…

It's been hot and dry here all summer. The handles on too many of my hammers,handled punches and chisels are getting slightly loose. Is there some way of getting a little moisture to the wooden handles? Just some humidity to tighten them up? I would prefer not to have to re-wedge all my handles, since I'm sure the problem will end as soon as it rains here. Would an application of linseed oil do the trick?

G'day I'm stuck I have a small shop in a craft village in OZ. It's 4 days a week and we get coaches come in for a look but all i'm doing is larger items,I am trying to do keyrings-necklaces and small trinkets . Can i please get some help on any ideas as i'm to smithing 3 months,i have been doing it cold with machines. But i now have a coke forge and are trying to think of things to make? . I have tried small leaves snake necklaces and i am blank at the moment If anyone could help that would be great if u cant that"s Ok too Cheers John:confused:

I'm at a creative block. I have a friend wanting a stand for some ceramic garden stones like some of the plate displays. I just can't come up with a good idea for a look that isn't mass produced looking. Anyone got pictures or ideas of something similar?

Hi. This is my first thread and believe me, I've searched everywhere for an answer before asking this. I know some of you have this type of bellows. What are they called? Drum bellows usually refers to the African pot bellows, so I usually call them round bellows. Does any one have a diagram or plans for how are they made? I've found that it seems to be 2 types of them. I attached some pictures and my own mspaint drawings to try to explain what I think and make myself clear. The first type has the same mechanism as the common teardrop shaped bellows. The lower chambers both fills the upper one and blows air to the forge and when it goes down it fills again and …

ok can someone please explain how your supposed to "enhance" a piece of work with a brass wire brush at a black heat. I built one of these but i cant figure out how to "Enhance" it like the instructions say BP0096 Leaf Candle Cup | Blueprints 000-100

Well, I got the go-kart out now that it's time to start driving it again, and last year, my brother tried to fit the kart between two trees and bent the front brackets that hold the tires in place to the steering system. The part where the tire attachs to the cart is perfect, the bracket is obviously out of place. My question is, how do I fix this? I have three options I think, lemme know about any others or how you would fix this. 1) I could heat the bracket up with a torch, and straighten it out with the post vise and anvil. 2) I could grind it off, straighten in forge, then re-weld on. 3) Grind off, and get new metal, grind it to shape, then HT so that it won't …

I have a champion 400 forge blower and it is tight and runs smooth but pretty dry looking in the grease hole. Two questions. How much lube do you put in the case and how do you get the case open? Does the top part of the case come off? I see a line in the casting but it does not lift off. I dont want to pound on it. I havent been able to drag the thing in out of the weather yet so have not taken it apart. Just planning ahead. Thanks Dave

I live in the western NC mountains near Spruce Pine. I recently got a Buffalo Forge. The forge has a 2" air opening. I tore it apart and found that the bearings on screw drive need to be replaced. Every thing else looks good. There are no numbers on the forge or on the parts. All it says is Buffalo Forge Co. Buffalo, NY. It is a hand crank forge with about an 18" diameter round table or bigger. When you crank the handle, the bearings made a grinding noise. Any suggestions where I can find the bearings I need? Can any one help me?:)

Hey yall, how in the heck do you pattern weld a horseshoe?Is that even possible? ive tried 18 times so far and i always end up with a giant metal spoon. Here's what i'm doing can someone point out where i went wrong, I'm using a cutting torch with a rosebud instead of a forge so im guessing thats whats throwing me off but i wanted to check. 1. Heat horshoe 2. Place in vise and bend in half by beating it with cross peen 3. Pound flat on anvil 4. Straighten out over anvil 5. Reheat and stick back in vise then twist with a pipe wrench 6.(heres where im having trouble) Heat either end to a bright yellow and attempt to hammer together. 7. Failed 8. chunk horseshoe at …

I looked at the centaur tailgate shear, but I am not seeing how the thing works. does the steel go between the cutouts? Tail Gate Shear-Centaur Forge

Who made this latch, how does it work, and thanks for letting me know.

Hi guys its Dm here and ive got a bit of a problem,well i always get told by people of what metals are good and stronge and they use names like 1050 or 1080 and i just cant figure out what these numbers mean,i have searched the web for hours looking for a chart or something explaining these numbers but i just cant find anything,if anybody has a chart or something explaining these numbers and a way of telling what they are normally called i will greatly appreciate you showing me. thanx in advance Dm

Found in box of junk i bought on ebay. Its not a dogs nail trimmer,nor does it punch a hole,just leaves an impression that looks like kernel or corn.

4 of these firepots were imported to the UK from the USA about 25 years ago. The blacksmith who imported them wanted a lifetimes supply but only managed to burn one out over the 25 year period. I have the remaining 3. They are about 1.5 inches thick.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE NUMBERS MEAN ON LAWN MOWER BLADES? EXAMPLE: JBJ 9488 3362 I HAVE ALOT OF THEM & AM CURIOUS ? THE #'S GIVEN VARY AS DO THE LETTERS,BUT THE FORMAT IS THE SAME.:confused: