Qhforge

Norcal and I had a great forge day and wanted to share the fun. Fueled by Smith and Forge Hard cider. We worked on a few things including the start of a fully forged turning hardi tool for me and a few tomahawks and a file knife started for Norcal. Norcal also helped me weld on some separators for my hammers on my anvil stand. We also figured out that we have too few tongs between us we only had 6. I had 4 of them :D . Just more things to make in the future.

I have 2 forges, My whispermomma double propane farriers forge and my Champion riviter's portable coal forge. The great thing is that i picked up the Champion for .... $80 yes thats it $80. The lady didn't even know what it was and I didn't want to totally take advantage of her. A friend and client of mine just fired it up and it fires well for how small it is.

Yeah I learned the hard way with grinders too. I was cutting grooves into a rack holder i was making for work and the thing grabbed, launched, hit my face shield and put a nice groove in that, hit my chest, and tore through coveralls, shirt, and skin. Burned for 3 days and itched for a week. And mine still had the cover on it, just came back on me wrong.

Very nicely done, i would have to practice alot more before I try that.

Thanks frosty that means alot coming from you.

Thanks. The main reason for a longer leg it to allow for the key ring hole. The nail hole marks are usually even with each other. I do make some completely even and they sell just as well as the others.

working on it my phone is giving me trouble. First off, I used 1/4" pencil rod,(I got it from Lowe's and Home Depot for free as it is used to tie their rebar bundles together for transport. They throw it away. I just straighten it out first) heated and flattened it. Second, I use the horn and curve it into a hook, then cut it even. Third, I give it a few taps to compress it (if needed) and place it back in the forge to heat. Then I use my hold down and mark it with a small rectangular punch to look like nail holes. Fourth, I put a deeper hole at the longer leg for the key chain ring. I drill that hole out, and grind the scale off with my belt sander. I round off any sharp edges as well. I have left them unground before but, shine sells. And last but not least, I add the rings and they are ready for sale. This is a great starter project or for if you want to practice your bending on the horn. The great thing is that you end up with a sellable product for very little cost. Plus if they are not perfect, it is easy to quickly modify and people usually buy them anyway. I made thirty start to finish in less than 4 hours and sell them for $5 apiece.

Mini shoes for key chains that I sell for $5 a piece.

I did not make this one but I have copied it.

Maybe I can find a cheep muller online.

Thanks odd duck I will try that.

No, I have been going through my sand by hand using my riddle to help break up any clumps.

I am also thinking that I need to make a finer riddle. Won't hurt to try anyway. I have a woven wire mesh with 1/16th in holes. Should I try for 1/32th in holes?

Thanks for your comment, I will try to find some diamataceous earth for a parting compound.

I am casting aluminum. I also need a better parting compound, neither flour nor baby powder worked with the sand. They made a paste. I did use some dried out casting sand and it worked ok. Just wondering if there is something better that I don't have to order online. Sorry for the sideways pics, my phone always does that.

I used the formula from the backyard casting booklet for my green sand. I also used his clay and mixed it with #30 mortar sand from homedepot. The problem I am having is that seems too coarse and I am not getting the detail I would like. I am also getting sand inclusions in my castings. Should I scrap my sand and buy the oil based or is there a solution to my problems. I will add pictures.