Mark Wargo New2bs

Good luck on the treadle hammer, it's tough forging the bigger stuff without someone to swing a sledge. Is the long 1" block going to be cut and used as camel humps for drifting? Mark

Clinton, Those are good looking bottom tools. Those will make some nice hammers. What is the radius on that larger tool? Are you planning to make wood handled-corresponding top tools or wire-handled? Mark

Those are nice. Took the boys camping last weekend and we roasted marshmellows. Will look at trying some of these before the next outing. Thanks for the ideas. Mark

Thanks for sharing that process Grant. That induction forge looks handy! Mark

Looks good Clinton. That for making rounding hammers? My wife will hold for me some, but she draws the line at swinging a sledge heheh. Mark

Brutal, I agree, the lively feel of these type tongs really does make it easier on the hands. an ATV is an All Terrain Vehicle. A catch all term for 4-wheelers and side by side utility vehicles that we use for recreation and hunting. they have small coil springs in their suspension. I straightened then cut them in half for my tongs. I really like the way that fork turned out as well. Mark

Looking good brutal. Did you make your tongs from spring steel? I made a set of those with the "habermann" corners from the coil spring off of an ATV and they work pretty well. Mark

Thanks for the links Lyle. If I can work out some childcare issues I'll try and make it over. Mark

Brian, I'm having a hard time finding registration material on Tannehill. Do you have a lead on that? Mark

Most of my tools are about 8 inches long. One is an eye punch, a round fuller, a hot cut/slitter, chisel/punches, and various sized straight fullers. I'm learning as I go and having someone knowledgeable guide you is certainly the best route to take. Good luck on your tools. Mark

Thanks for bringing this post back to life. I've attached some pictures to share what I've been able to do so far. The first pictures are of my first tools I tried to make. The second picture is of tools I made after attending a hammer class with Brian and Lyle. My hammer techniques still needs work, but I'm much happier with the results on the second batch. I'm planning to make another round of tools before too long. Mark

That is beautiful steel. Mark

Thanks Brian. Hope you guys have an enjoyable and safe trip to Tannehill. Mark

Brian, you and Lyle make some great looking tools. Are the bottom swage tools for the rounding hammers made from jack hammer bits? I'm guessing the punches and fullers are made from 1045 or 4140? Mark

Bob and Sam, I can't tell for sure how well it's going to hit yet. I had intended to finish it this weekend and mount it to a base, but I wound up working instead due to personnel issues. Hopefully I can finish it up next weekend and hit something other than copper pipe with it. I'm not comfortable hitting hot iron until it is mounted solidly. Steve, I don't have any adjustments on that axis, but now that you mention it, they certainly wouldn't be out of place. Arftist, I'm going to run it on the UHMW and see how it holds up. It is supposed to be much more abrasion resistant than carbon steel. Mark

Hey Arftist, what would be the advantage of bronze over UHMW? Mark

That is nifty indeed. Thanks for sharing that. Mark

Brian, I'm hoping to get over that way soon and do some work with you guys. I'd like to do some striking and I can bring a video camera and tripod. Mark

Thanks for sharing guys. Fantastic work! Mark

Very nice looking. How did you achieve the patina if you don't mind my asking? Mark

Here are a few more higher quality pictures that show details like linkages and dies. I need to add a jam nut on the turn buckle and I'm going to get the UHMW a tad tighter on the sides of the ram. I'm going to construct a wooden base to bolt it to so that it doesn't walk. I also need to get a contact wheel fabricated to replace the pulley that is currently acting as the drive wheel. Although it has bolt on dies (currently 4140 flat dies), I'm going to weld a nut to a strap fitted around the bottom die to accomodate spring tools with a bit of angle iron welded to the bottom. This should make it a snap to swap between dies and flats. Let me know if you see areas that could use improvement. Mark

Okay, so the drift serves as a "mini anvil" inside to make the hole slightly oversized? Mark

Just a quick photo to show the power hammer I built with the assistance of our local welder. The hammer weighs about 30 lbs. Only partially painted and a tad more work to do on it but it has bolt on dies and I will have quick change spring dies for use with these flat dies. Mark

The Vulcan would be Mr. Spock. Dr. Spock was a child rearing "expert". Most of the Ph.D.'s I know are pretty normal guys. Of course, most of them have black belts so we are equally comfortable talking astro physics, directed energy weapons, or kicking each other's faces in. On topic: Brian, at what heat do you hammer the sides of the holes to true up the stock? Mark

Nice Aaron. I've found that when you let folks know what you are doing they are generally supportive like that. Be sure to make 'em something nice as a thank you. Mark