Glenn

From the email:

Can you burn chrome off of metal in a forge? What type gas mask do you need or do you even need to use one?

Irnsrgn is right, the best place to start is in the blueprints. BP0133, BP0138, BP0115, BP0051, BP0131, BP0035 will get you started but there are more BP's on file.

You can use the search feature on the forum to look for key words ("coal forge" gives 106 hits), and use the search feature on the opening page (different search engine) for another set of results. There is yet another search engine for the gallery for even more results.

It was a hand crank post drill, bolt to a wall style. From what I gather it had rust on most of the surface including the rotating shaft.

I posted it here as I am sure there are other drills out there finding new homes. The new owners want to clean them up but don't know exactly how, or what care and lubrication is needed.

From the email:

What is the best way to clean and remove the rust from an old hand cranked drill so I can start using it. How do you lubricate it, oil, grease or what, and how often. Thanks

Dawn,
We just got back from out of town and want to thank JimG for posting this in my absence.

Ralph touch many lives in the blacksmithing community and beyond. He was an inspiration through his actions and words of encouragment. Our prayers are with you and your family.

Welcome to the Blacksmiths Association of Western Australia to IForgeIron. Enjoy your forum.

Photo came from the IForgeIron Gallery. Hofi posted the photo.

FRANCH ANVIL DATED 1723 A FRANCH ROHSET ON THE SIDE AN
''MN'' MONARCHY NAPOLEON ON THE OTHER.
FOND IN A JUNK YARD IN THE OLD TOWEN OF JAFFA

When using an anvil in another shop, just drop a carrage bolt into the prichel hole. Doesn't kill the ring entirely but helps.

We need to add this anvil to the thread as it would appear to be abused to some, but with a date of mfg of 1723, the abuse if mostly use, and is in rather good condition for it's age.

The beauty of the blueprints is that there is no competition, a blueprint is showing how YOU do things YOUR way. Put ten different ways to do the same project together and a viewer can try all ten ways and one will work best for them. For instance, how many ways are there to make tongs? A blueprint on each would be a wonderful resource.

If you get Mike to assist you with this, I would like you to take careful notes from the time you arrive, to the time you leave, and write down any "other" tricks, ideas, or knowledge you gain from visiting his shop and watching him work with metal. Try to keep it less than a doctorial thesis.

Any chance of a Blueprint of the hawk from the RR Spike?

Anvils have not always received tender loving care. They show the scars, chips, dings, and broken parts of being misused. Show us photos of those anvils so we can better understand the value of an anvil in good condition.

Prairie Blacksmiths Association


IForgeIron would like to welcome the Prairie Blacksmiths Association to the Blacksmith Groups Forum. This forum is moderated by Irnsrgn aka Jr. Strasil.

There are times you heat and beat metal. Then there are those ideas that pop up and you feel the need to go from concept to production.

This VW has two engines making the car a hybrid?

New VW hybrid - click here.

Let's not get into a glass being half full or half empty. Just top off the glass (or mug) and enjoy the yarn.

If you quoted a length at say 5.9m it would be taken as 5m plus 9mm similarly, 5.91 would be 5m plus 91mm which amounts to a fair sized error. To overcome this we'd always say 5.900 or 5.910.

I would normally read this 5.9m or 6 meters minus one decimeter, or 5 meters and 9 decimeters. 5.91 would then be 5 meters, 9 decimeters, and 1 centimeter.

Therefore 5.9123 would be 5 meters, 9 decimeters, 1 centimeter, 2.3 millimeters (getting just a little bit closer to 6 meters).

Am I missing something in the translation?

I use architectural scales in 3", 1-1/2", 1", 3/4", 1/2", 3/8", 1/4", 3/16", 1/8", 3/32" of an inch, imperical rulers in 1/16", 1/32" and 1/64", a yard stick, engineering scales in 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 divisions to the inch, a 30.5 centimeter ruler, and a meter stick. Then there are grids papers in 1", 1/2", 1/4", 1/5", 1/8" and 1/10", as well as common logarithm (base 10), the natural logarithm (base e), and the binary logarithm (base 2) grids, and metric grids. I also have some 12-15 other rulers in measurements that are not so common, and a couple of speciality rulers that are "no to scale" to fit drawings that were "not to scale" either.

This does not address the travlers, calipers, micrometers, hammer, tongs, anvil, and etc. that a blacksmith uses for measuring.

IForgeIron > tricks > measuring has several ways to measure things. It is worth looking at if you have not read the material recently.

Working with a specific measurement is not a problem, but please, do not mix two or more units of measure on the same plan sheet or drawing.

Do you want to divide fractions, or decimals base 10? Imperical or metric both work, only one is easier. Just be sure to note on those shop drawings which is which, as decimal fractions and decimal metric look the same.

Do a search on IForgeIron for "fume fever" to get started. Then Google "metal fume fever" and "heavy metal poisioning".

Grinding on galvanized material also puts zinc particles into the air as dust. Getting different materials containing zinc hot can release zinc fumes, brazing for instance. Zinc is not the only heavy metal that causes concern. Welders have problems from inhalation of the welding smoke and the materials (heavy metals and otherwise) that the smoke contains.

When you get your research complete, please present it as a Blueprint as a reference for others.

A knife Garey Ford just finished.

One more anvil added to the group.

Leah, your father left you with both memories and a craft. Our condolenses to you and your family. Your on the list.

BP0167 by Paw Paw and Jim Carothers

Your link does not work. May I suggest you "attach" the image to the post by using the manage attachments file and then either browse your hard drive or use the direct url to the image. The image may NOT be behind a password protected folder or site.

Just a couple of loose wraps of light chain will reduce the ring of the anvil.

Bolting the chain to the stump keeps the anvil from walking.