Fosterob

I must agree with the others that that anvil you have is in very useable shape, probably better than most. Use it and if you then see a reason to do any specific repair later. My guess would be you will not. With the possible exception of a better stand.
Rob

This is what 1 fork off that find was made into: http://www.marco-bor...i.com/fork.html

Very nice use of old fork, I will have to do that seeing as how I have a similar fork that needs a use. Thanks for posting.
Rob

Is there a general size of a charcoal firepot compared to a "standard" size that most coal forges seem to be? I mean is it the same dimention across but twice as deep? Three times?
Thanks in advance
Rob

Very nice tray, especially the color :D

It is good to be safety oriented.
Rob

I think the point of his original post was where to get or how to make a "real" cruicible. People who know more about casting should know the answer to that.
Rob

The thermal expansion coefficient for aluminum is more than twice that of granite.
http://www.engineeri...ients-d_95.html

OOOPS, Sorry the granite-aluminum relationship I was trying to remember was weight. I don't know why I typed in expansion, I was reading Grants post on concrete... Granite and aluminum weigh basically the same per cubic foot. 165-168 lbs. Must be the same as concrete.
Rob

Induction is cool, but How safe is having molten steel drip out of your makeshift crucible onto the floor near those electrical cords we saw at the top of the video......

What are you talking about?? I saw no evidence of molten steel dripping on electrical cords.
Rob

Thanks for adding the video, it makes more sense now. You have built a nice machine there, congratulations.
Rob

So how do you use that to measure temperature??
Rob

I realize you're putting a bunch of steel in your mix, but I just wanted to mention as a little "Strange, but true". Did you know that normal concrete weighs just about exactly the same as aluminum? Strange.............but true.

Used to work at a place making polishing and lapping machinery. Granite tables had aluminum subtables due to the same rate of thermal expansion. Trivia for those inquiring minds
Rob

If the keg is exposed to fire it will rust. Did it. If you use stainless and want it to stay stainless then it needs to be lined for protection.
Rob

Looks like you nailed it .............The only critique I will mention is on the first post you mentioned ''The flat parts'' which aren't flat at all.....A little twist and some folds would cinch the gesture of the plant.....

I like to have plant based gates etc have as much 3 dimension depth as possible, usually 3-4" with a 1" frame. The seaweed is different than plants that grow in the air, it actually looks pretty flat if you go back to the picture in post #15.
Rob

Everything that leaves my shop is always completely de-burred, even if the de-burred edges/holes will be hidden after installation. Not worth the extra seconds to de-burr and risk a cut. If someone else is cut probably no repeat work. always de-burr everything.
Rob

Those look great, the only critique I have is that both elements are too much the same, almost as if they came out of the same mold. Same amount of leaves pointing the same way on very similar stalks. Maybe make another or rework one with a different amount of "leaves" on it to make it look more natural? At least turn one over so they would be mirror images of each other. My opinion.
Rob

What is wrong with the old one?
Rob

I thought it looked like they welded together the top half and added it to a bottom half of a "real" anvil. It is easy to see the welds there. Hard to say for sure though.
Rob

looks like you have been busy, looks good
Rob

:lol: :lol:

See the thread on "Tuning a sawmill blade" He has pictures of several types of hammers, one style is like Frank posted and others looked more like you described. Try this:
Rob

If your hammer is worn out to the point of not working properly then fix the problem instead of trying to reengineer it. Can you give more details of what is wrong with it? Also you should post your location under your profile.
Rob

You just like it because it is big enough to not be damaged by a baseball bat wielding youth. And beer.
Rob

Tell them it for a mail box stand, you like it for its blacksmithing heritage, not its usefulness, beer helps.
Rob

Yes it can be fixed. If you were to try and fix it it would be for you to learn not to save money/time. Some groups do anvil repair clinics from time to time. If you choose not to repair it remember that you have about 130 lbs of wrought iron there, do NOT scrap it.
Rob

Cratex is a company that makes them. Search that. I am sure there are others. I have used the chopsaw blades with great success on stainless tubing but heard the blades are no longer made. I think that was Bay State, it has been a while.
Rob