Mike Turner

I would look for a piece of 4140 or 4150. 1018 or A36(1020) is to soft for my liking.

Should work fine just keep in mind castable refractory needs to be about 3" thick.

Thomas As soon as I can get my hand healed up I will make a few and post them. I have a scrap piece of a pattern welded billet I think I will make one from it.

Thanks John. Simmonds only your imagination can hold you back in coming up with things to make especially for the equine enthusiast. You can make door knockers, bridle holders, hangers for halters and lead ropes, spurs and more. I know this is a very plain looking hoof pick but the punch is it is made and given to the customer while I am shoeing their horse.

Thomas I have done many horse head hoof picks, these are made between heats on my shoes and I don't sell them I do give them to the customer. I have made some with antler scales as Christmas gifts and have been thinking about selling them.

Just thought I would share this, I make these for my customers from shoes I pull off of their own horses. They loves these and I cut the shoe and forge the pick out in one heat.

My forge is very similar to the one that Thomas has posted. Ten Hammers how is the blown burner working out? Maybe you can post some pics here and tell Leviathan what you did. When using castable refractory you do not need kaowool or ITC. Also keep in mind castable refractory needs to be about 3" thick. I used 2 55 pound bags on my forge which is 18" X 12" tube with a 6" ID. The problem you will have with a hairdryer is the forge you are talking about maybe to much volume for it. You may not get enough heat from it. Also being plastic it may melt when you shut the forge off as the heat from the forge goes right back thru the burner.

Darren Ellis is where you want to get your refratory. Here is a link. Ellis Custom Knifeworks - Custom Knives, Straight Razors, Display Cases, and Refractory Supplies Burner design, it would help to know what your forge looks like and how big is your forge. Here is my burner being built. Here is my forge running.

I have 3 1/2 hp 8 amps Delta bench grinders in my shoeing trailer, which Delta does not make anymore. Non are used with stones 1 has grinding discs on one side and 6" wire wheel on the other. The next one is set up with buffing wheels and the third has a scotch wheel and a multi tool belt sander attachment which is a 2" X 36". What I do no about bench grinders is the horse power means nothing you want to look at the amps, a friend of mine has a HF 1 hp grinder and just doing my normal routine I can stop his grinder very easy and mine there is no way I can even slow them down. You get what you pay for, IMO I would return that grinder and by a higher quality grinder. I would surf the web for one, here are a few places to look not knowing what your budget is makes it difficult to point you in a better direction. Enco - Guaranteed Lowest Prices on Machinery, Tools and Shop Supplies Baldor knife making machines and suplies from www.trugrit.com I will post a few more later.

I use the same method as Irnsrgn has desribed I don't mess with the size of coal have never had a problem starting.

Very nice hammer Ty!!! Congrates on your second place. I went to a clinic with Ed just as he was about to move back and start working with Tom, great clinician.

Nice little knife Sam.

Hey Mike just keep in mind that when your burner blasts right on your work it oxidizes really bad. Do you have any pics of your forge?

Hey Mike this is what you want to see. My forge here is blown, but this is how your flame should look. I have a venturi burner forge for my everyday work and it is very oxidizing I have given up on trying to get it to a neutral atmosphere as it is different everyday depending on the weather. But it is NC Mamma manufactured forge so I won't complain much. Hope this helps.

Very Nice Jens!!!! can't wait to see the better pic.

I forge aluminum all the time I use the same methods as Rich Hale has described. If you take your eye off it for a second it will melt on you.

This won't work for us farmers as I buy 500 gallons a pop that is put in a storage tank. We purchase our fuel at about 16 cents cheaper than what is at the pump by buying in bulk.

Very nice Tek great job for a first knife. Can't wait to see number 2.

They are used in place of regular pins. They obviously need a larger hole and they are not peined. They are just epoxied in and you need to be careful not to get them to hot. A friend of mine makes and uses them a lot check out his web site. custom knife making supply - knife blanks

Hey Rich those did not turn out so well you should send those to me and I will hide them for you. Outstanding Rich.

Here you go Sam. Abrasives, buffers, grinders, handle material, knife making suplies and more Abrasive belts from many name brands from TruGrit.com

Jim makes fine hammers but just like Fionnbharr has said they are catered to the farrier and not for the blacksmith. We farriers tend to like our handles long and skinny. What type of hammer are you looking at of Jim's?

Welcome Ironmike, it was nice chatting with you the other day. Be sure to spread some of the knowledge you have and join us in the chat room.