youngdylan

I think the giant statue in Brazil is made from a bit more than 1/2 rod:) Nice work though

I've just bought this kiln to try to get to grips with proper heat treating. Not blades but jigs, PH and other tooling. Mostly 4340 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110563439221&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT There's no temperature controller with it but there's plenty of VERY cheap ones on ebay. They're almost too cheap. Does anyone have any experience of them. Or has anyone got any advice on temepertaure controllers/thermocouples in general. Maybe I should go for a programable controller, eg with times, ramp up ramp down etc?

Thanks again John. Kinda busy for the next few weeks but thats one more to my ever growing "to do" list.

In the early days, before I "knew" what I was doing (very little change there then) I hard faced some mild steel dies I made for my Kinyon. The rods were marked HF-425 if that means anything to anyone. It was super hard stuff, barely grindable. The face is full of thoses marks. I thought I'd dropped a b******k welding them. I did use them for a a fair while (out of ignorance of the danger) and they stood up to a remarkable amount of abuse all things considered. I now make all my dies from 4340. The "micro texture" they impart on to the work is just wonderful in it's own right. I often texture copper sheet using these dies, it's such a subtle but beautiful effect. http://www.verdigrismetals.co.uk/assorted/sidegarth%20textured%20copper%20letter%20box.htm I wouldn't recomend them for serious forging but for texturing with light blows .... If you're curious you can see my thoughts on repairing anvils at http://blacksmith.org/forums/threads/405-What-s-so-special-about-anvils-anyway?p=1595#post1595

Look further Sam, see past the steam engine, read between the lines, study the why not the how, open the mind ....... the book has a WEALTH of information. I constantly refer to it for inspiration

Yeah careful aim with a sledge hammer would be needed, maybe if there were two of you "at it" you could maybe use a flatter or wide set hammer. 45deg,can be done on the jig but I've just ended up doing it straight but pulling the eye a liitle further from the edge, doesn't weaken it too much as fc says it's probably just as easy by hand but if you want consistantly accurate results for lots of tongs, it's great .... but then again if this were the case you'd probably have a power hammer

Trying to think of any Aussie writers, only one I can think of is Germaine Greer ........... the word great doesn't spring to mind in this case Oops, appear to have ineterupted again B)

H. Is that the Sandia recuperative style forge. I keep mulling over experimenting with one (one day). The heat from my 3 burner gets unbearable in 400 sq ft. It should also cut down on fuel cost at run the forge hotter. A win win win ..... if I can find the time. Got any pictures/ info?

I think it proabley would. I use the jig on my 25kg Kinyon and its not used at full tilt when shaping the jaws. I use the 40kg Anyang for drawing the reins. I guess it depends on how heavy your anvil is. I've got a 200kg Brooks and would quite happily use it. Make sure the "business" side of the jig is on the "anvil" side of the hardy.

Before this jig that was usually my approach, modify existing tongs. Either resahpe the jaws ....... or mig weld bits onto the jaws.

so what's the book for then?

Thanks H.

I'm all eyes

That would be a bit rum for a book thats pretty much all about power techniques and tooling.

oops, looks like I need to research my maths, that should have been £31 is approx $40. Still pretty good though

four ....... he's got four the lucky xxxxxxxxxx

well said

Is that the same France that one of the Bushs said had no word for "entrepreneur"?

I just love listening to Aussie banter, pure poetry

I'l have it then Actually that's the great thing about black/blade smithing. You can start with a bit of rail road track a small blower (hair drier?) and a readily available chain store hammer hammer ..... pretty much how I started out........ and then progres by making,finding,ebaying,buying kit up to whatever level you want, either as hobby or to earn a living. I JUST LOVE IT. I can't think of any other trade/craft that is as accessable, challenging and do-able on such a wide range of levels as this thing of ours! JUST LOVE IT.

Thanks for the offer Sam but is probably just as easy to get a pallet courrier to pick one up direct.

...and acess to all the stuff in your Massey work shop John. Little bit more than 4k there. :D

keep trying to learn Italian myself, absolutely love the country but I guess I still struggle with English

John I'll bang out a load to replace my previous collection of generally s*** tongs I've made in the past. I'll make a stack of blanks (with longer jaws) so when I need a particular tong I'll just pick up a blank and shape the jaws accordingly. I'm not adverse to mig welding bits on to the jaws. I'll try and find out the English equivalant of 5160 and order some in when I've used up the EN8 I got. What else do you use it for ? Looking forward to your video and yeah the tup going into the bore is a big drawback to the Anyang. That said my KA75ish Kinyon is ok for that.

he does love them but just won't admit it, even to himself. What's not to love about mole grips .......oh no not again :D