ironsmith

Thanks, for the replies! I have the typical 60 gal compressor sold at lowe's. i'll check the cfm today. but you guys pretty much pointed me in the right direction. now to try to embezzle the money from my wife for a cylinder. :) i just don't think the hydraulic cylinder will do what i want. thanks!

hey guys, I am building what i am calling a pnuematic treadle hammer, the plan is to use a 5 port 2 way foot operated valve with a 2.5 inch bore 10 inch throw hydraulic cylinder i have. my question is, how much weight can i use for the hammer head and still have it retract using 130 psi 60 gallon air compressor? I am planing on puting a flow control valve on the return side to compensate the speed of the retract. if you think the hydraulic cylinder is too inefficient can you recomend a pnuematic one ( I would like a 12 inch throw anyway) thanks for your help!

very cool start vaughn. what are you doing the base out of ? if you need any help I am near by , I now work in piedmont :)

yeah, they do for sure. like I said just foolin around at work! :) next time i have the iniitiative to make on, i will prolly drill and drift a hardy in just to say i did :D .

hey guys, goofed off at work today during my breaks and made this, 26" tall 19" long 4" wide. schedule 80 pipe legs. 1/2" plate feet and under mount for anvil anvil is fork lift blade :) 1 1/4 or so thick

poor old thing looks embarrassed. as long as he is happy. there's room for everybody here LOL :D

Hey guys, I am looking for an issue of the hammer's blow that had Clay Spencer's traditional joinery table how to article in it. I had heard it was available online for free but my hours of google-ing and bing-ing are coming up empty handed. anyone got a link? thanks for any help!

below is a jack shaft set up for a go kart., at #2 and #3 is the other shaft. you can use pillow block bearings to mount the shaft and a pulley on each end. #1 would be your motor and #4 would be the final driven part of your setup.

if you do a rams head, you can put the end of the horn into the ratchet and use it to twist them. works well!

I dis agree with gundog, a very localized heat and laying sopping wet rag on the neck before the handle should keep it cool enough. brian brazeal does this when forging and it really works well. be vigilant and cool the handle if it gets hot. have fun ! it's just a hammer...

well said Jim, I just hope i can retain the information. While I was there I bought the blacksmiths cookbook by Francis Whitaker, Ive read through it a good bit and it's awesome to see the same techniques taught in his class! Now i just need to learn how to make those jigs he does! His engineering background shines with the craft!

hey guys, was honored to get the opportunity to learn from Clay Spencer at John C Campbell Folk School. it was a traditional joinery class and it was Great! the other students were well accomplished smiths, and all took the time to help with the each other's projects.a great camaraderie! here is what i made. each peice was about 30 hours, including lunch and breaks :) this was a sign bracket made the first 2 days. this one took 2.5 days. thanks to Clay for giving me the scholarship allowing me to go!

LOL, I needed an excuse to make another one i guess. :P i just got a video camera last week, I will try to set it up when i make another one and film it. if the wife lets me i might try this weekend LOL. I use the same punch as brian does and a 3 lbs rounding hammer to do the eye. it's the same as with a striker, the progress is just slower, and you drop it a lot more since the billet is just lying on the anvil. as for cheeking and the fullering, that's for the power hammer.

It ain't pretty;)

I can handle them but I don't like to;) I he only sold 2 the others were for trading) I'm living proof you can .make these by yourself lol. Punches the hole is the hardest part. After that it practically makes it's self!

I am using some 2" stuff i bought from a golf cart place about 5 years ago, still have 10 feet of it , I got 20 or so feet of it in 2.5" it sparks like 1045 but you never know. anyhow haven't had any complaints about them so far just my personal feelings and observation.

thanks! practice makes perfect for sure. i want to start making them from 4140. i think it is superior to what i have now though. but i'm not going to run out of this stuff for a long while!

hey guys here is a picture of my 12th hammer. it weighs 2.79 lbs the heat treat appears to be really good. I hope the new owner is happy with it! he's making me some tongs in return ;) happy forging!

I thought your beard was dipped in anhydrous borax... :D

LOL How long was that handle in it ? did you throw a wide swing there Alec? your right about it being great to use. has a nice balance compared to my 10 lbs hammer. mine feels wobbly as you swing.

Hey Brian Brazeal, I am just curious how many people has swung that sledge hammer now. LOL I am guessing low at 200, :P

thanks for the tip C.D.

hey all, so far i have made 11 rounding hammers. I am fairly happy with how well i make them, all except the final grind on the shape of the rounding face. If you guys could give some pointers as to how you finish the grind on the face especially the edges, i would appreciate it. Thanks!

Gotta chuckle from your story Frank. I like your stories. you should write another book :))

I just wanted to say Thanks to Frank for coming all the way out here to South Carolina and giving us a three day class on some intermediate blacksmithing skills! there were 19 people in the class and I think we were all honored to have him direct and teach us. I really appreciated the stories you told during your demo Too, it kept the whole thing light and fun! Frank, I wish i could afford to fly out to your school and take some more classes from you (maybe in the future) . anyone who has a chance should definitely go!