Akad

Ok, here's the deal. We have a bunch of these small, football-sized compressors. We've sawn one open, taken the stuff out and placed some refractory cement all around the interior. My dad plans on using some carbon rods in combination with a welder of sorts, and using that to melt pieces of scrap metal and what not. He used to work in a foundry, where they used a similar apparatus. I know this doesn't sound safe AT ALL!!!! which is why I'm apprehensive about ever trying this. SO I guess the question is: could this work? And if not, where can I get an actual smelting pot for melting metal in?

Cool, thanks. xxxx those things are expensive; but I guess they do save a lot of time.

As much as I appreciate all input and advice, it is true that I do not like to be preached to, hence the last paragraph of my post. I thank you for your response, but I like to have my questions answered, rather than my experience critiqued. I have received more than enough criticism on safety and technique to know not to do anything incredibly stupid. I have learned "when in doubt, ask a more experienced person," which is what I'm doing here. People have a right to their opinions, but I did not ask for one. I also have done a few searches, but the "desired information-per-post ratio" is lower than desireable; but if I try to make the search more specific, no results pop up. But that happens with most searches. Thanks, everyone, for your replies.

Ok, first and foremost you should probably know that I'm working with leaf-springs as my metal, and I have a small gas forge. I'm making knives, daggers, and short swords. Question #1: Where do I get oil for quenching? I know using water as a quenching medium is bad for the steel, so I should use olive/canola oil right?So where should I look to get oil in large quantites, and how much would it cost? Question #2: I know that tempering something well requires much experience and trial and error. What guidelines are there that I should use while attempting to temper the steel as far as color, and time in the tank go? Question #3: You need to harden the steel before you temper it correct? If so, I ask Q #2 for this process as well. Question #4: What kind of steel are leaf-springs made of? I know it's not the best, but it's ok, and readily available. I've tried to temper a sword before, but the results were WAY less than satisfactory (It shattered... but it was kind of cool though) so I have not tried to temper a sword ever since, (I just leave them annealed) and will start practicing for my blades when I learn proper tempering techniques. thanks to all those that help me out. (Please do not comment about how I shouldn't try to make these items. With all due respect to master craftsmen and others with experience, I've made a some very effective blades without formal instruction... nothing spectacular, but that's what I'm trying to work towards, so it wouldn't make sense to waste time making nails and pry bars; just as a person trying to make a meatloaf doesn't practice by making cupcakes. Thank you.)

Basically I've just been thinking about getting a press lately (a standard-ish one, used for flattening) So i was wondering where I could get one and how much it would cost. Yes, I realize the answer is probably on the forums somewhere, but I'm too lazy to try to find it :D

Try to find some outdoors-y type of magazines, that's where I got mine. It's a pretty standard 70# anvil with no fancy things, just a flat surface and a horn. (although it's actually only 65#, but it was fairly cheap, less than $100 i know, i'll check the actual price sometime. I think the fact that "CHINA" was printed on it, with the "N" backwards is a pretty good reflection of the quality of said piece of equipment. Also, try looking through a scrap yard for a piece of old railroad rail. that's what I used as my first anvil, and it works really well.

Hello all. I was just browsing the internet when I chanced upon this website. Currently, I'm working on learning more detailed basics of blade smithing (swords, axes, tomahawks, etc) but am open to other things related to forging as well. I was surprised that there is an entire site of people as interested in such things as I am. I hope to make the most out of this site, and learn how to hone my metal working skills.