herchammer

I think that this is an inspiring piece; a rough beauty to it, and, the subject-matter tones down any "whimsy". Beautifully done.

I made a few of the gifts that we gave, for Christmas, this year. I actually hammered this one out Christmas day. My folks were going to be going to see my sister, later in the week, and offered to take it to her. I made her husband an assortment of wall hooks for his woodworking shop. (no pictures though). Still working on skills and techniques, but sure enjoying it. I also tried my hand at the hearts that Brian Brazeal demonstrated, and they're rough, but I think I will get them down eventually. Sorry about the picture quality.

More time at the forge, and less fear of trying something unfamiliar.

Mark, you hit the nail on the head for me; I always seem to be trying to do the work without the proper tools, and that rarely works in my favor. I'm waiting to replenish my coal supply; I've scheduled some time a couple of weeks from now to go pick it up, but once I've gotten the fuel I need it's "tool time at White Barn Forge"! JohnB thanks for the link.

Thanks for the replies folks. I'll have to talk to the boys in the machine shop, and see what they think about material choice. When we talked about it yesterday, they didn't balk at the mention of something harder, but they may not have been thinking that in-depth, about what the project might entail. Thanks for pointing out possible mill limitations Steve. Phil, I'd love to have the ladle and spoon depressions as well, but didn't want to press my luck. These fellas have been great as far as letting me use the power shear, slip roller, and hydraulic brake; I'd hate to "wear out my welcome" with these guys. Randy, those sea shells are very cool!

Howdy folks, 'got a question for ya. We are scheduled to receive a new CNC mill, at work, and the guys, in our metal tech shop, were trying to come up with a couple of projects as "test runs". I asked if they could mill a shovel blank swage block for me, and they thought that would be at least one worthy project. So, as this is not my area of expertise, what type of steel would I want to use for it? 5160?? I didn't think I knew where start, with trying to determine the answer, then I realized " of course I know where to start". That's where you fine men and women come in. I'd genuinely like to know what you would, or have, used.

Happy Thanksgiving! Couldn't have said it better myself Rangerdave.

Those are great! I love that idea.

Well, spoke too soon in my earlier post. Sunday morning I got up before the kiddos and me wife, and fired up the coal forge. I was able to make a second leaf key fob, so the twins wouldn't fight over the one already done (why three year old crumb-monkies would want a leaf key fob is beyond me). I was then able to move on to drawing out the reigns on my first set of tongs, and also made a couple of hooks for hanging my fire rake, and poker off of the forge hearth. Later that afternoon, I worked on another hook for the forge hearth, and a drive hook, for the wall, to hang my coal shovel on. It was a good day! ;)

no work here this week. there is just never the time, it seems. I did replenish my small coal supply though, so when the time comes, I'm fueled.

Arean, I really like that, It's a beautiful and simple design, that will do the job and look good too.

ok, Frank, Aljeter, your surprise prompted me to actually measure and I will have to revise those initial estimated measurements. 7" deep, appx.3" at base, and 10" square at hearth level. Sorry fellas, guess that's what I get for "off the top of my head" . Ii didn't mean to mislead anyone. Thanks for the idea double_edge2.

It was gonna be a great day! I had the day off, and was planning to go out to the smithy, after taking the twins to the sitter for the day. Just imagine, eight or nine hours to play at the forge, to brush the dust off of unused skills, and to work on important lessons. I dropped the kids off and when I got back to the house, my lovely bride was awake, and there went my day at the fire. So, I came away with about an hour of actual hammer and fire time, and I tried the leaf key fob. I need to work up a veining tool, but I got to draw out, and shape the leaf, and draw out and twist the tendril. It was fun, that's what matters for now.

Tom, the firepot is 8" or 9'" deep, and approximately 5" square in the base and it expands up and out to about 12" or 13" square at the top, or hearth level. It's very heavy; I don't think I've ever noticed any manufacturer's mark on it. I tried more fuel, and lifting the fire today, with some success. I got my heat in the center of my work, but that's as far as I went with it, as I was very limited on time today. Thanks for the information Tom.

I think I'm gettin it, more coal, more wet coal, and more coal.....I'd better get that BAM membership paid,and find the coal captain! LOL.... Thanks so much folks this newbie really appreciates the help! :lol:

bigfoot, that's what I was thinking, just hadn't thought about how to get that ball of fire elevated in the fire pot. I have no problem heating the end of the work, shoot I've burned more than one piece by getting distracted, but getting the heat in the center of a longer piece, has always been a challenge. I've just been going about it wrong I think. My fire is built too shallow, I don't think I'm taking enough time in the prep to build a good deep fire, and then build on top of it.

Thanks Frank, that is the kind of information I was hoping for; you've basically validated what I had conjectured privately. I think I have been skimping on the fuel.

Arean, I think they both look good! Hey, at least you're gettin back to the anvil. I'm trying to knock the rust off, myself. Happy Hammerin'!

Bob S. I suppose that could be the case, but, I'm using a Canneday Otto hand cranked blower, it seems to put out a lot of air. Arean, I haven't had much clinker build up, but I do watch for it. Thanks CG, I'll give that a try.

I am looking for some instruction on how to bring the heart of the fire up out of the lower part of my fire pot towards the hearth level. I need to do this in order to heat the center of longer pieces of stock. I'm fairly certain this has been discussed here before, but I've not found it. HELP! Thanks for suffering the questions of a new guy. :wacko:

Thanks for the info John, I'll add the length of sheet metal and see how it does. I may have to manufacture a second bracket to help hold it. I have one just below the eave of the building now.

built the first fire in the relocated and now drafted forge. The hood drafts ok, not as good as I had hoped. I think it may need 10" pipe rather than 8"

Nathan, I like the "if it don't rust, don't trust" rule! Thanks for that addition, and great advice on the yard sales!

Well Frosty here are a few pics. It ain't pretty, but it didn't cost me a penny; and if it works well BONUS! ha ha. I've got to fit up a collar, and the pipe, with a support. As you can see, it is just propped in place at the moment. I will attach support legs on the end, and a support bracket on the stove pipe.

jy I like the look of those! may have to give those a go.