swedefiddle

Do you have a compressor? Run a hose with an needle valve adjuster for air volume. Neil

Good Morning M31 To straighten out a coil spring. It is a lot easier to heat the complete coil spring in a propane forge to at least orange/yellow. Using two tongs drop it over a verticle solid pipe/post, Using two sets of very good tongs, one person pulls like crazy, another person controls the motion of the coil spring on the pipe (which is being held firmly). One coil spring is about 10-15 feet long. Every year I show my class how to pull a coil spring, it is an eye opener. Neil

Why try to reinvent the wheel. There are so many forge designs available on this site. Learn from other peoples mistakes and cures. You are not saving money by trying to build your forge. Why not buy a real coal/coke forge. Pay for a real forge the first time, not the third or fourth time. There are lots out there. :) :) Neil

Good for WHAT???? Changing the air in a lavatory?? Wherebe is that that you is?? Add your location to your name. Sam Newbie calls home, Ditch twelve :) :) Neil

There is a Blacksmith Association in your area. Hook up with them. There will be "Western States Blacksmith Conference", August 22-26 at Government Camp on Mt. Hood. Check it out on the NorthWest Blacksmith Association website www.blacksmith.org Neil

Pi R2 = surface area Pi D = Circumference Cake R Square Pie R Round :) :) Neil

I've got both, get the Grizzley. Neil

It looks good from here. No pictures, no description, must be like brand new!! Neil

Keith, Forge a piece of coil spring or whatever kind of better steel you have available (I have used spring shackles instead of coil spring), into a tapered punch. Start with a piece of 5/8" coil spring, about 4-5 inches long. REMEMBER TO START SQUARE, THEN OCTAGONAL, THEN ROUND!! Forge it into a tapered punch from about 1/8"-3/16" at the tip, taper at least half way, this will give you a tapered punch about 6-7" long (or so). Heat up where you want the hole to red to orange hot, hammer the punch in the spot you want the hole until the punch stops moving (about 2-3 blows in 1/4" material), turn the piece over and punch from the back side, in the dark spot. Punch through a bolster or through the pritchel hole, from both sides until you get to your desired size. Punch a bit and quench the punch, punch some more and quench the punch. If the punch get too hot and you quench it, it will harden, then it will break. Then you can reforge the taper and continue. Patience, work fast and smart. Not like a bull in a China Shop :) :) Neil Neil

You mean that is NOT HOME???? :) :) Neil

And we think that we are advanced today!! Leonardo was three hundred years before the internal combustion engine that he so greatly needed to make his concoctions work Don't laugh at the 'THINKER'. :) :) Neil

A gummy Finger???????? In the nose??????? must be special!!!!!! :) :) Neil

Good Morning, Tim check out Blacksmith Supply Neil

Good Morning, You felt a tinge of your grandfather's energy, PRICELESS. If you make it better than when it was new, it would then not be your paps knife. Enjoy life with the treasures you are dealt. Enjoy Paps knife. just my humble $.02 Neil

Good Morning, If you are hard pressed to have a hardy holder, take a piece of 1" square tubing and weld it to something or cut a hole through a section of your fork tines. A hardy holds other fixtures, what, is up to you. K.I.S.S. (Keep It Stupid Simple). You could get a swage block with different size hardy holes, they are out there. I have a half dozen different configurations. Neil

Mr. Archer, Don't commit to using the edges of the plate only. If you make a stand that you have the choice of flat or on edge, that is better. Flat is a great upsetting block and for setting things on to check for flat. If you stop being in a hurry to find an anvil, one will come your way when you are not looking. Anything can be an anvil, even a rock. Like what has been said up above, hook up with someone in your area. Time spent is worth GOLD. just my $.02 Neil

Good Morning, Some people react to the smoke more than others. Some people with mild emphysema can't be anywhere near it, it closes off their air passage. You will need a hood and shield part way around your forge tray. The shield will stop the wind from blowing your smoke all over and the hood will take all the smoke and create a draft to pull it up the chimney at the top of the hood. I have seen a hood that was made adjustable up & down, when they were starting the fire they lowered the hood and this forced the draft. When the forge got hot they raised the hood to still keep the draft (it had 8 work stations around one fire). Raise your forge. 2 feet is too low unless you are 4 feet tall. Work with your back straight. I have a video of Blacksmith's in other countries that dig a hole in the dirt to get to the height they are comfortable. :) Neil

I can see the problem from hear!! Just turn it a little to the starboard and you will get the port. If you fill it with concrete it might have a vibration, That wood bee bettor!! :) No problem two difficult.

Good Morning, Eric I'm glad to hear you are up and about. Movement is what we take for granted, I hope to hear you fiddlin' again. Neil

I used charcoal last weekend for the first time. It sure requires lots of attention and a pile of fuel to get a big heat. I can truthfully say that I won't go out of my way to use charcoal again. Neil

Hearing is always helpful, especially when you don't have to put the speakers in your earz. Eh, Bud Wuts dat U say?? :) :) Neil

California Blacksmith Association has a listing. Neil

Timing belts, like what is used on automotive engines, are measured by the pitch (the distance of one complete tooth, high and low. ie 3/8", 1/2" etc.), the width of the belt and the length of the belt. Any supplier of belts has the catalog so it is easy to order one. Quite often different suppliers will print their size and logo on the belt. Neil

Why are you wasting your time at the keyboard. Use your head that the good mother gave you and not your back. Bee safe, not young and brave (read stupid). Get it to your home, even if you have to pay for a truck. geesh!! :wacko: Neil

Good Morning, You can learn to forge to the shape that you want, with the piece of material that you have purchased. Then you can put it down and copy what you have done, to a piece of spring steel. Then you can talk to your local spring business, where you bought the spring, about doing a heat treat for you. This is like wanting to learn how to build a car, but you want to start with a sports car. Not impossible but a great way to lose interest in a real hurry. Most new people just want to start out with a sword, not just a measly lesson in how to forge and maybe make a letter opener first. I don't want to pee on your parade. Look for a Blacksmith Group in your area and learn how to forge and why we do certain things. Maybe in a couple years you can graduate to a crossed-Bow (yes I know the spelling). Neil