creek

Thanks everyone for all your comments! Pat, no matter how much air I put in it it just doesn't get any easier to move around and there's plenty of hot air around my shop! Maybe I should use helium! But seriously I put it on the wheel so that it would be easier to move around and to put extra weight down at the base, plus I have a bunch of old wheels layin around so the cost was cut to a lot less. Thanks again everyone! I you would like a drawing and some formulas go to Saltfork Craftsmen site for the Davis' drawings, they deserve all the credit for spelling it out for me and making it simple!

Great job!!!

Here's a couple of photos with the swage black in it. I like the way it holds the block in place at the say height no matter what side it sits on. I worked with it for about 9 hours yesterday and did not have any problems it, what's nice is that you can grab the block from "just" about anywhere and get a good stable hold on it. I can tell a good difference in having steel under the block instead of wood. That could just be me justifying it to myself for building it out of steel but I do feel more stable! Thanks for all the input.

I like the stand! My shop dog has a hard head too, but he won't sit still long enough to form anything on him. Thanks for sharing.

It's been awhile since I've posted anything, been busy but lurking in the shadows. This is a swage block stand I made the other day to replace the stump I was using. Made out of 1.5x1.5x0.25 angle iron, the pipe was 3/8 thick wall, do not know schedule, base plate 0.5" welded to an old steel wheel that was laying out in the dump. This design is based off the Davis' design at the Lazyass Forge. I made some changes so that no matter what side the swage block sat on, the hammering side would be at the same height for ergonomics. The weight and proper height made a big difference in the usefullness of the block. The swage block I have, but not in photos, is the Saltfork Craftsmen. The stand weighs 110# and the swage block weighs 65#. The photos are sideways, sorry, maybe Glenn can fix them

Thanks for posting that! Francis Whitaker had a miners candle holder in one of his books,Beautiful Iron, he has the steps in it cold. He uses 1/4"x1-1/4"x10" and says final forging before bending is 20" long and shop time 1.5 hours. But going by the date he did it , he already been smithing over 40 years, so 2 hours I would say is very good!

Semper Fi Devil Dogs

Very nice job! Thanks for sharing.

I believe at one time on this site there was some pictures of an anvil made from a forklift tine. It might have been a blueprint, not sure.

I've had one for about four years now. It has come in handy from time to time. But like everyone has said, your gonna have to do a little work once you get it, that is how they offer it at the price they do. But it is very nice to have around.

Thanks again Hofi! The pictures and instructions are great. I was also wondering about the knot. I was thinking that there was a blueprint or something of you doing a knot but can't remember.

Another great demo Mr. Hofi! I have another process to get to forging. Going to try it this afternoon.

This is what was posted on The Forge Forum
"Long time forge member Jerry Frost has been seriously injured in a
tree felling accident. He has suffered major head injuries along with
broken ribs a punctured lung, spiral fracture to his leg and broken
foot. His condition is critical, and he may not survive. Jerry is at
Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage, in the CCU Pray for him and
his wife Deb."

That had to be an exciting night! thanks for the photos.

Those axes are great! I showed my dad and said he would love to have an ax like that to "scare of the savages that try to steal my wine!" He has quite a collection of wine, over 2000 bottles! What kind of steel did you use to make those? I wish I could get those smooth and eliquent lines of transition that you seem effortlessly display in all of your elements of forging. Thanks again!

That's really universal type of tongs! I've been wanting to make a pair of the woop tongs for a while. I think that's my next tool project! Thanks for the photos and for motivating me to make a pair.

That's a great design! You two do make great neighbors. What color were you going to paint it?

How much does the heat from the hammer effect the length of the set spring? What is the tonnage on a press that size? Thanks for posting the pictures Mr. Hofi!

They are great hammers! Next, if you haven't already, learn his hammering technique!
There is some blueprints here of the dvd is also full of great information. The technique has improved my ability to forge longer and with more efficiency and I'm steel learnin.

Appreciate the post! What type of steel do you use?

The Saltfork Craftsmen sell a swage block that is pretty reasonable and generaly only requires a little bit of clean up and work to have a good swage.

That is excellent work! I would have to agree with Frosty, there's just the right balance of material without being to busy. Keep up the great work!

awesome job!!! What type of steel did you use to make to punches? How did you make the punch for the eyes? Seems like the training is going excellent!

I would check with you local blacksmithing group or blacksmiths. The prices will be a lot cheaper, no shipping, than if you by of a site on the net. Plus checking local you get to meet other folks with similar interests, blacksmithing!!!!!

Has there any idea when the classes in New York will be rescheduled? I was disappointed that the class in June was cancelled! I was ordering my travel tickets to the class when I found out. I understand the reason for canceling and am looking forward to going to the next one!