Don A

Thanks for the help. I finally got a response from the Airgas folks, and it looks like I'm good to go with the GPN tip. I got the "T" rated hoses as well, so I'm about ready to fire it up. But yeah, spot heat is my #1 concern at this point, though I'm sure I'll do some cutting. I would eventually like to buy or trade my way into an acetylene rig and learn to torch weld, but that's waaayyy down on the to-do list for now. Don

Very interesting. Are you forging it out with a power hammer or a press? And before the mill, what type grinder were you using? Thanks for posting this. Don

All you need is a "T" rated hose (all gas) and propane specific tips and you should be good to go with the set-up you already have. Then you only need an oxygen bottle and a standard propane tank. I gleaned some good info here: http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/24022-oxypropane-set-up/ Also, Google "acetylene to propane conversion" and you'll come up with some good stuff.

I have a torch marked: CA-370-V The acetylene tip it came with is marked: 1-1-101 Anyone have any idea what would be the proper number for a Propane tip for the same torch?

I'm in the process of piecing together an Oxy/Propane rig. You might want to look into that, unless you want to eventually use the torch for welding (I'll leave that to Mr. Lincoln). For cutting and isolated heating, propane looks like a more affordable solution. I've found a good deal on some 100lb propane tanks on CL, but in a pinch you could use the one off of a gas grill. Also, it would be handy having one gas for the torch and the forge (if a gas forge ever becomes a reality). A good vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2amO0T3vkQ

Thanks to all of you. I'll let you know what I come up with.

John, Again, I really appreciate the time you take with these explainations. I would like to ask about your actual riveting process, particularly on a tenon. Do you heat the tenon in the forge, pass through, and rivet in that heat, or do you fit the tenon cold and heat the head with a torch? I think I know your answer, but I wanted you to elaborate a bit, if you don't mind. Thanks again, Don

Some time ago I bought a Radnor torch set (cutting torch, welding torch, regs & hoses). Radnor is apparently an AirGas store brand (I paid about half what they normally sell for). These markings are in the components: Gauge: Fuel – Acetylene Hose: Acetylene Only – Grade RM For the time being, I want to use Oxy/Propane for light cutting, but particularly for localized heating in my forged work. I figure the hose is a no-brainer, but what about the gauge? Will it work with propane? A salesman at the local AirGas implied that everything just swapped over, but I’ve read enough cautions to doubt that. I’m trying to decide if I should just try to sell this rig to an acetylene user (it’s still unused and like new at this point) or if I can just buy new hoses and make it work. Any other advice on the Oxy/Propane rigs would be appreciated. By the way, I have qualified instruction lined up when I get everything in order. I just wanted to get all of the preliminaries take care of. Thanks, Don

Dave, Here's some links to CCC kitchen pictures, but unfortunately, none show the cabinets. http://texascccparks...king-class-123/ - http://newdeal.feri....ibrary/c04b.htm - http://www.criticalp...king-in-kitchen (a short video) - http://images.cdn.fo...43917-image.jpg (wait, there might be some cabinets at the extreme right of this picture, but the handles look like wood) I will bet you that whatever the US Army was using in the 1930's would be the same. This was a massive government program, so the were setting up these camps to be quick and efficient with no frills... a place for men to eat, sleep, and work. So, think government / military / Depression era. I'll bet whatever they had was none too fancy and could be easily mass produced. Good luck, Don

John, Many thanks! I've got a job on the drawing board right now that may well be joined with those square tenons. Any hints for putting the square tenon on a piece with a rectangular cross-section (1/2 x 1")? Don

I don't really monitor the rise & fall of scrap prices, but I have a bucket full of yellow brass I need to be rid of (that didn't sound right did it... I mean it's in the way, not stolen). How much is it currently bringing (rough average)? Have I missed the peak, or is it still as high as it has been? Is there any web site that gives average or national scrap values? Thanks, Don

Mighty purty! Keep us posted.

Yes, thank you.

Very nice. Would you care to elaborate a bit on how you formed the tapered hoop?

That's a good looking forge... and a fine rake as well. Looks like you're hooked. Keep hammerin' Don

You're killin' me Dave. I'm wanting some more shop space so bad I can't stand it. But seriously, I appreciate your posts as you expand and progress. I'm filing away all of these good ideas for when I finally break ground on a new building. Now get busy... all that steel ain't gonna forge its self B)

Wow, thanks for all the good input. I think a feller could eventually figure out how to do his own appendectomy from the collective knowledge on this forum So, before I start doing my own homework, someone briefly explain the LLC process and what that entails. And Nathan, I have 10 acres, two Highland cows, two cats, and mentally challenged blue heeler. I've thought about the farm angle, but I'm afraid some of my purchases might be too far removed from agriculture to pass muster... like your predator control unit.... unless I could write of a Little Giant as a walnut cracker... hmmm I do appreciate it.

My best advice would be to get some new known steel, like 1084, and go from there. I have forged a lotta scrap, but it is always a gamble. Who knows what that spring had to endure in its first life. By the way, what kind of forge are you using? If you're using coal or charcoal, be sure your fire is plenty deep and that you're not over-doing the air. Also remember that as the carbon content increases, your forging range decreases. High carbon is, from a non-scientific perspective, forge at orange heat, stop at red.

Wow. I love copper and I love wrought. Very nice package.

Very nice Peter. I really like that maker's mark. Good work.

That was great. I miss real cartoons.

Assuming you mean a pick-up truck and not the UPS truck... Pulley (or block 'n tackle), stout rope, stout tree limb, come-along. Lift, move truck, let 'er down easy. Then use the dolly. I have used the tractor for lack of a come-along. Be careful and don't have anything under the anvil that can be damaged if it falls (except maybe a road-runner).

Great advice gentlemen. I really appreciate it. Any other input will be more than welcomed. Also, when giving such a business an actual name, is there any official hoops you have to jump through, or will a simple Google search suffice (to be sure the name isn't already being used)? Again, I thank you all.

I have always wanted to have a decent shop on my property, but never could justify the cost vs. my ability to generate any income. I have always tried to use the profits from my blacksmith work to finance my hobby… sell a little, buy an anvil… sell a little, buy a welder… so on and so forth. Recently, I have seen increased opportunities for more work, but find myself somewhat limited by the size and configuration of my forge and shop. It is all small and cobbled together over several years. In the mean time, my kids are considered adults now and we have lost all of our child tax credit. I don’t make an excessive amount at my day job, but now the government is going to be hitting me hard compared to what I’ve been used to. I was talking to my wife about my thoughts of someday having a new shop building and picking up some more work on the side. She mentioned that there might be some way to start a home business and write the expenses off to get some tax relief. I have lived around farmers my whole life and have heard them talk about “showing a loss” and only occasionally turning a profit in order to keep from being eaten alive by taxes. So, my end game would not be to get rich “pounding out the profits”, only to finance my hobby by doing some work here and there as a part-time business and in the mean time having some deductions to put on the “long form”. Basically doing what I'm already doing, only on a larger scale and with a bit more paperwork. Does this idea have any merit at all? Do any of you work on this part-time scale? We have been a “short form” family up until now, so I’m just looking for a good excuse to expand my meager operation. Thanks, Don

Very good job. Looks like the real thing... very natural. It would be great to see a step-by-step demo. Don, abiding in the Vine Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.