ofafeather

Sometimes they're also more expensive but well worth it from what I hear.

Power might be another consideration. Running extension cords or other issues might caused the tool to work harder because it is under powered. I recently had that issue with a jigsaw on a 50' cord. I let it rest when it got hot and used a different tool when I could.

What sizes would you recommend?

Hi, All. Just getting started here. My mother in law has would like to buy something for the smithy so I thought some tongs might be useful, especially since we are working mostly with scrap. I am thinking of getting 3 pair. What sizes and styles? I thought 2 pair of OC V Bit and one wolf jaw. I need to hold 1/4" and up, square and round stock mostly at the moment. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.~Eric

Getting there. Got all of the rafters notched. Hopefully can get at least some of them up tomorrow.

Thanks, David. Will certainly post some pics. We took a bunch. Got one rafter laid out, notched and cut and laid out the other 6. Hope to cut them today after work. Our forge (Chile Tabasco propane forge) arrived last night. We took it out of the box and started getting it ready to go. Lots of packing material. Can't wait to fire it up. Maybe Friday. Sigh.

Hi, All. My wife and I decided to put up a smallish lean-to to house the smithy for the moment. The footprint is about 11' x 7' with a 12' x 8' roof. It will start with just being the roof and posts and eventually will close in on at least 2 sides, maybe three; the back and left side, which faces the wind. The front is 11" wide by 8' tall, sloping down to about 6' high in the back. We have the posts up and set and need to put the rafters up. We'll have a metal roof which well get sometime this week or the beginning of next. Today is a beautiful day in the north east US and I'm hoping to get the rafters up when I get home from work. Light goes fast though this time of year. The building is designed to be able to be either expanded or abandoned to become a wood shed should a better smithy building be warranted. Now comes the dilemma. Our forge is supposed to arrive today! If I work on the building I probably wont' have time to test fire it. If I take the time to test fire it I may not get to work on the building while the good weather lasts. :confused: Oh well, having the forge will be good motivation to get the shelter done! Everyone should have such problems. :)

Thanks, all. It's good to understand as much as I can. My propane forge is supposed to arrive some time this week so the more I understand the better.

Hi, as I have never used a propane forge and have only used a coal forge once, yo may understand where my ignorance comes from. My understanding (maybe faulty) was that it is fairly easy to "burn" mild steel, especially thinner stock (like the point on a taper) if you are not careful. This was one of my experiences in my one day at a coal forge. I thought (again, may mistakenly) that one of the benefits of a gas forge was that the mild steel wouldn't burn, especially if it is properly tuned. Thus the idea of having several irons in the fire without the fear of burning them. Could somebody please address this? Thanks.~Eric

Do you use boiled linseed oil or straight pure linseed? I'll second the auto wax, also other paste waxes. Wood workers often use paste wax to preserve their tools. Another light oil used by Japanese woodworkers is Cameila oil. Many woodwork tool suppliers carry it these days.

I like The Backyard Blacksmith Color photography that I think should win some awards, and written by a lady blacksmith.

John, I really like them and will have to make some of my own, once we actually get forging, that is!

Pulled this one off the internet CNC Machining Services | Dutchess County | Poughkeepsie NY Also try: North East Muffler Inc 5654 State Route 22 Millerton, NY 12546 518-789-3669 They are a general auto shop but I know they do custom pipes so may have a variety of welding options. Good people, too.

Grant, what exactly is that? I can't really make it out in the picture.

Found this one in the Blueprints from Hofi. Good picture of cross section and excellent description of how he uses it. I Forge Iron - BP1007 How to use the Hot Cut

Great conversation, folks. The more input the better for me. Thanks.

Sounds good. I should start making a project list. I haven't gotten started yet. Still waiting on a forge. Soon.

Nakedanvil, for me it's just the fact of having a wedge on hand and no 1 1/4 axle, which I could probably get fairly easily. Does the Hot Cut have to be hardened and tempered? What should cross section look like? How would it be different from a Cold Cut (not the kind that goes on your sandwiches!)? I like the idea of forging one.

Hi, All. Have an old pair of snips that I would like to make into tongs. It is bolted, not riveted. What is a good shape to turn then into? I don't have any tongs yet. Thanks.~Eric

Hi, All. Can someone tell me how to make a hot cut hardy? I would like to use a splitting wedge and cut or grind the shape of the shaft, especially because I have no welding ability. Any suggestions? Also, how should the edge be shaped and does it need to be heat treated. Also, should I make another hardy tool with the cut off from the splitting wedge? If so, what would be a good choice. BTW, The hardy hole on the anvil is about 1". Thanks.

I think that's a great thing Thomas. I like that idea very much.

Thomas, that's great. My wife likes your idea of an allowance :confused: Actually, we talked about it and decided it would be a good idea.

Thanks, Mark. I appreciate the offer. My wife and I will take a trip up there at some point. There is also a Metal Supermarket there that has similar stuff. Don't know how they compare.

Give or take a year I can read, really I can.

Actually, you won't have to twist too far as A) she's going to participate, too and she loves the scrounging nature of this craft and that so many things can be recycled or found for a song. She's the thrifty one in the family. I am the spend-thrifty one. We're good for each other.