Tim McCoy

Thank you!

Yard sale finds ... misc. lengths 1/4" round bar used to tie up bundles of rebar (handles for striking tools), various pieces flat bar and some heavy wall box channel, scissor jack (great acme screw), 18# no-name sledge, and an 18x18" cast iron grate. Total outlay $7 Cash and $3 gas Cast grate will be top of a small sit-down welding table - no heavy hitting here. The sledge will be hammer for an Ollie I will build this fall - lotsa heavy hitting there ... I've been looking for a sledge this size for 8 months. Late note: Just started cleaning the sledge hammer head, removed the broken handle and cleared most of the thick covering of rust off ... has the Atha Tool logo, horseshoe shape with word "Atha" clearly visible and the large "A" in the center. So, it's maybe 80+ years old. Both faces dinged, one has large chip missing and other has small chip missing. The face with the small chip missing is easily dressed. Any thoughts about a value?? Should it be shelved for display/conversation or do I put the old girl to use? I'm thinking finish cleaning it up (leave faces alone)and make it a display piece for old times sake.

Thanks for the internet archive link!!! That should save a lot of us tons of research time.

Prayers up from Vegas!

.. I did have a post here, but thought better of it ...

I wondered about whether to put this in welding or not, but thought that it was more appropriate in this thread. Yesterday, BIGGUNDOCTOR emailed me with a link to a $20 broken welder a guy had for sale on CL. I was at work, but called the lister and he said he would hold it til I got off work - in eight hours! What he had was a Lincoln 225/125 amp 220 volt AC/DC tombstone style welder. He claims that the amp select switch is broken. He didn't feel qualfied to make the repair/exchange. I figured that for $20 - what the heck?? Nine hours later I was in his garage with my $20 bill. As you will see in the photos, it is almost completely disassembled ... missing power supply cord, no stinger and the work clamp is a Pony brand clamp, leads are in fair shape ... everything else seems to be there. The schematic is still inside the cover. Price on a new switch is about $65/75. Should make a good repair/rebuild unit for winter. Thanks BIGGUNDOCTOR !!! :D

Any Orc would love it!!

Must be school - most of them look to be no more than 12-15 yrs old. And look at all that coal laying on the floor - must be pre-OSHA ...

Thanks for all the input about what I thought was a funny photo. Like someone said, a photo is worth a thousand words and this one brought out that much and more. Staged or not, the photo caused many of us to really consider what it is about working metal that is truly unsafe! Even cultural differences and what's fair and right about buying products from countries that take advantage of a person's need for food that will allow them to skip what seems basic safety . . . all brought up because of a "funny photo". Beating metal, welding, dealing with fire, grinding, lifting heavy stuff, and using power tools (homemade or store bought) and working in less than ideal conditions with all the resulting outcomes is serious business! Never forget that something as simple as a poorly thought out shortcut can kill you . . . sooner or later. :mellow:

Wonderful starting kit! No excuses now - get to hammering!

Found this cruzin the web looking for old vulcanized fiber (cardboard/paper) welding masks/helmets. http://www.joe-ks.com/archives_jan2008/PaperWeldingHelmet.htm Nuff Said??? :lol:

Brian, I want to echo what others say about your work and your willingness to share/explain/exhibit. I don't know about anyone else, but I believe that it is time for you to put out a book (if you haven't already). You accomplish in short order with emails and a few photos what others seem to have trouble explaining in larger formats. Thanks for all that you do to encourage and help all of us that want to be better at blacksmithing. Tim :D

Poleframer, That's very innovative. More photos when done please! Tim

Prayers for healing and peace from Nevada ...

Blacksmith workers of the world unite!! Zowieeee - gotta love it. Donate a beater and turn'em loose :lol:

Saw an article about new floor cones being offered by Salt Fork ... see the link http://www.saltforkc...7_July_2010.pdf says they'll cost about $200 ... might be a members price. Something to check out though. 36" tall with a 10" base tapers to 1.25" ... slots on two sides. See post #8 this thread for an update

Too much/pound. If your considering spending that much money get a smaller new one or keep looking for a used one.

Look up "Kopis" or "Falcalta" ... you may see some lines that are similar to what you have created. Also, google "egyptian swords". The end of your blade is similar to designs that are very old and effective in swords.

Go find North Coast Knives on the net ... 10 pages of knife blades that you can use for ideas or mimic.

Fun to review some of the older threads ... my votes go to The Enchanted Cottage The Searchers Seven The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter Silent Running The Vikings

You do NOT need to pay full tilt for the Hofi Video ... you can either google "Rent Hofi Video" or go to the following link and rent the show for usually less than $10 ... it's well worth that much. IMHO the technique is very straightforward and requires only constant practice (like a golf swing is demanding in that it is "different") until it becomes second nature.

It's always a treat to throw out an idea here and see what returns! As a learning blacksmith it helps to find out other people's thoughts are about processes. Thanks to all of you for the links and the ideas - BIGGUNDOCTOR - stop by the place you mentioned, find me a $20 post vice and I'll polish that wreck of a car you drive :D

Excuse the pun, but that is really "tasty". Well executed!

In Windows Internet Explorer you can go to the lower right corner of the screen and resize any photo/page ... maybe some of the other browsers have a similar feature :huh: