LarryM

Here's a link to a set of plans to get you started on you power hammer. Yes combination dies will be more useful. Which are rounded on one and flat on the other. http://www.ferrumdg.com/ferrum/images/stories/PDF/krusty.pdf hope this helps Larry

If there going to be used to reinforce concrete. I 'd bend the squares and weld one corner. Three less cuts to make per square. Larry

If it is close by you then go weld with to see how it works. Make sure it will weld at all the setting on the dial. BTW that is Lincoln 225 A.C. Amp welder, Alot of people call them tomestones because of their shape. It is a real workhorse if it works that is a good price. It is a 220 volt input so might have to make new curcuit to hook it up to house current. These days the copper in leads is worth quite bit. Larry

I know it is true at livestock auctions, Watch for what we call spotters they are hired people in the crowd who bid stuff up and will drop it on you when get their price. Like the rest of the guys have said set a price that you are willing to pay and stick to it. If you are not disciplined enough to stick to your budget get someone you can trust to do your biding for you. Hope this helps Larry P.S. Have fun. We expect pictures and details of your purchases.:p

Thanks, Richard for the up date. I was kind of worried about him. With his breathing problems in the past. That's why I asked about him last night in the chat. Larry

Kevin, Dose it run like that at high speed? If so the main metering jet, in the carburetor is partially plugged. If it only dose it a idle the idle mixture is not right. Either way the carb. will need the be rebuilt. The surge up and down is the engine governor working when RPM drop the governor opens the throttle. When RPM increase the governor closes the throttle. A new spark plug would help as well. It is running too smooth, and fact that it is running tells me it can't be a electrical problem. There are no idle or high speed adjustment on this carb. They are adjusted at the factory and sealed. The only adjustment you have is the float level inside the carb bowl. Hope this helps Larry

I get my 10% discount because I buy a whole box at a time. Or as many as it takes to get a break in price. I agree a cheap exploding grinding wheel not worth bring in the shop. BTW I had to learn the hard way too. Larry

Ken, Clifton is located on the western slope of Colorado, about six mile east of Grand Junction. I live 32 miles form the Utah border. My father lived in Creststone for while as well as Center, Colorado. So I know where Monte Vista is located. I'm a Colorado native. I've lived here most of mine life. Except during the 1980's recession was gone for about eight years. Have fun with that press Larry

That's why they name machinery,trucks, hurricanes, etc,etc, after woman because they are so powerful, and unpredictable:D Hope this helps:) Larry

David, Check out this IFI thread. There's a lot great ideas and links the get you started. BTW welcome Iforgeiron. Do us a favor, go to your user profile tell where you are located. Larry

You might try talking to her about your strange activity, in the backyard after you present her with a peace offering. Make a nice set candle holders, or something similar. You never know she might become your new student. Might save $1000 fine. Larry

Ken, That's good looking press you build, nice work. What kind of steel are the dies? I like to the scale sheild that you have to protect the jack ram seals, great idea. I've wanting build one these also for quite sometime. I think with the proper dies you could do forging, and maybe light punching. Thanks for sharing. Larry

One thing to remember is to, hammer toward to back of vise. If you hammer toward the front or handle you cause more damage to the screw and ways. If you have material in the vise pulling toward you, to bent it dose the same thing. Also try to center your material in the jaws. I'm with the above posters try to locate a leg vise. In a leg vise, since the jaws are not as heavy you can make a tighter 180 degree bent around the jaws. Larry

Amanda, Sounds like you have already graduated for the University of Hard Knocks! So it will all be down hill from here. Where there is a will there is a way. Like the about have mentioned you have found people here that are willing to help you get started. BTW Welcome IFI. Larry

I have alot of gray hair and, earned everyone!! Larry

Littleport22, Why are you using the MiG tip to start with? Just get a number drill the size you need to drill into the side of the pipe nipple. Available at most hardware stores. There's link below that shows a very simple propane burner. You can scale it for your needs. Hope this helps. oliverburner1 Be safe, LarryM

"If you like want we do tell your friends. If don't like want we are doing tell us"

I can't never did nothing. Then try came along and worked wonders. My fourth grade teacher Mrs Watkins. Larry

Thanks for all the replies, I agree you should give your stuff to someone that will get the most good for them. Before you check out or are no longer using them. I particularly like the estate auction at Quad-State. To many times collectors horrid valuable tools and equipment aspiring smiths would love to have. Thanks again for the replies Be safe. Larry

Has anyone thought who is going get belongings? The reason I ask this question is I recently lost a good friend. Who's hand written will is being contested. He willed everything property, farm equipment, tools, and etc to a friend, and former classmate. The family gets zero. So mine thoughts are the family should get the lion share. Last question do you have a will on file? Be safe Larry

Dave, This a post I made awhile back check it out. I have built this bender and, it works real nice. The brake rotor idea will work but it is alittle more work. Hope this helps you out. Good luck getting job. Keep us posted on your progress. Here's the link that was in the other post that I forgot to link you to!!! DUH!! http://www.bbssystem.com//files/smaug57metalbender_102.pdf It really makes a nice little bender. Larry

Jerry, Thanks sharing those picture. I have been working on my power hammer off and on for a couple of months. I can't wait to finish it. This is my busy time of year getting fields ready to plant, weather permitting. I really like the way you have your dies mounted. In fact I might just steal that idea:D:D. My dies are also combo dies 5" X 2 1/4" square, made from a tool bar. The steel is 1080 I think. I have not heat treated yet. I also made a set of flat dies from same material. Thanks again for the pictures really helps!! Thanks Again Larry

Hi Harry, Welcome to Iforgeiron. First things first, go to user control panel and tell us where you are located. There might be smiths in the area that can help you get started. To answer you question, the kind of punch you described is a tapered round punch used to line up bolt holes in building frame work. A hammer drift is more oval, or square shaped with a short taper. It is driven into the hammer head from both sides to make the handle hole, that is taper in both directions. When the handle in installed the wedge will lock the handle to the head. hope this helps Keep hammin':) Larry

Mary, My name is Larry I live in the area in Colorado where Jimmy has been working for sometime. It really saddens:( me to hear that Jimmy has been hurt. My oldest son also works in the drilling industry. I continue to worry about his safety. Not only to and from work, but on the job as well. He and you both will be in my prayers. Meanwhile I will be thinking about him. Tell him hi for me, and to get well soon. Please keep us informed on his progress. Sincerely Yours, Larry McCollum

Clifford, Rebars a good practice material. I've had it break when hit cold after a water quench. So do some experimenting. I have also made hot cut chisels and punches out of it. If you don't want your project to be hard don't quench it. Like rlarkin said, it is recycled steel so it is unpredictable, As far as carbon content. Have fun practicing. Be Safe Larry