Neal L

I went to a spring shop once an saw them arch a spring using a hydralic press bending a short section at a time. Maybe one could be straightened using the same method. I also remember them heating the spring to punch the hole for the center bolt. They let it air cool in front of a large squirrel cage fan

:confused: I found a belt dreven blower cheap yesterday. It had a lot of play in the bushings. I took a scocket and knocked the one worn the wotst out. It looks like it is a babbit bushing. Do any have sugestions? Where can i find babbit to repair it?

If you past up a deal on a bass boat so you can buy a power hammer. posted

Another reason you now see flat appearing belt in the automotive industry is one belt, because it is flexible, can power all of the accessories, with the use of spring loaded idlers, where in the past it took many v-groves belts. The belts have mico-grooves on the inside which give the grip and the smooth side runs against the idlers. The belt is also fast and easy to install which I'm sure saves labor in the manufacturing process.

I really meant that as a joke, not a criticism. I still don't get a lot of it but if other people appreciate it then thats OK by me.

This gives me an idea....take my mistakes back out of the scrap....weld them together...call it a sculpture. I don't get it either. I guess i'm just not the artist type.

:confused:People in here seem to be getting mad because they can't agree and then the insults start being flung at each other. What ever happened to agreeing to disagree??????

When I get frustrated because I can't find things is when it gets a good cleaning, otherwise i keep it clean enough to walk in.......mostly

Try this link. Steel s-draft drawing I built this side draft and it really does a great job.

I've looked through the blueprints, but I can't find one on making a nail header.:confused: Does anyone know of a good source for instructions on how to make one? Not that I'm into making nails that much but I would like to make a few to go with pieces that I make sometimes.

The link says it's made by Harris. I have a Harris and I have no complaints. i've had mine for several years...I hope the quality is still good on the new ones?????

I recently heard a politician us this phrase may times "I will forge a plan". Thing is, I dont' think the politician ever said what that plan was......but that is normal for a politician.

I,m so inpressed to hear a younge person giving such serious thought to his future. I can't advise on the millitary (i never served). I will say get at least 4 years of college, one day that piece of paper will be the difference between gettin the job you want or not. I know, I have been passed over a couple of times because I only have a 2 year degree. Learn a trade also, there are a lot of college graduates that have trouble finding jobs. Hard work will get you where you want to be no mater what path you choose. You will have to work harder to move up the ladder if you don't have the degree. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!

I wouldn't do any more than a little work on the face and maybe the horn with a belt sander. It is definitly useable as it is.

When you have used it it few times let us know how it well it draws. I have my pipe run strait up with no bends in it. I'm curious to know if that will have any effect on the draw of the chimney.

I built my side draft hood using the plans on this website Steel s-draft drawing It draws really good. Do you have a drawing for that fire pot? I would like to make one for a portable forge I plan to build.

I was thinking some of you might enjoy seeing a West African blacksmith shop. I thought about this after the post about standing problems. This guy shouldn't have that problem, but if i worked in that position all day I would have other problems. Tell me what you think. I hope the picture shows in here ok. This is my first attempt at posting one.

I've went to Maddison 4 years ago. Good event and I want to go back but I have conflicts this year. Go to Southern Blacksmith Association, Inc. - southernblacksmithassoc.org to see more about who the demonstraters are this year. By the way there was a lot of rust to chose from the last time i went. I'm only 3 hours away and I'm thinking about going just for the day on Friday.

I won't call this a solution as much as an observation, but three years ago i went on a Mission trip to Mali, West Africa. I was suprisized to find the smiths there sitting. The main one I watched working was sitting on a car rim with a board across it. The anvil was on the ground and the forge was a side blast also built in ground. I had rather stand, sitting like he was would kill my back. I'll have to see if I can find some of the pictures and scan them so I can post them. I took these before i had a digital camera

I just want to say hi to everyone and that I'm a new member here. I do a little blacksmithing when I can (not nearly as much as I want to). The one thing I have found since I first started this abour six years ago is there are so may people willing to take their time to share the knowlege they have with others. It's one of the things that I think make this craft so much fun to learn. Who know maybe I'll get to the point one day when I'll be the one sharing what I know with others. :)