Finnr

Looks great Sam!
Finnr

I have a Harbor freight anvil that bought mainly because I had to. My old railroad iron anvil died. Had I been able to get a real anvil quickly I would have saved my money. It took several hours of serious grinding to make the horn useful, and yes the face if softer than is good. On the other hand , it's making me money till I get a better one.
Finnr

Beautiful! I want to be just like you when I grow up. LOL!
Finnr

I am going to have to buy at least a couple more copies of this one. Every time I want to check something in it I find I have loaned it out to a student. surely a good book for getting started
Finnr

Definitely in the thoughts and prayers up this way
Finnr

In my field of woodworking, turning to be exact I have spent the last about seven years becoming established to the point that I can expect top dollar for my work.

In smithing I am a new face and don't plan on getting top dollar for some time to come. Though I am lucky that I do have carry over from one craft to the other in my customer base.

It all takes time. It also takes many a meal of Raman or red beans and rice to get to a certain level.
Finnr

my favorite hammers are re worked Harbor Freight cheapies. I also have a couple of excellent antique cross peens, One from e bay and one I bought at the last hammer in the local guild held. All much moe economical than Sears.
Finnr

I have never used hornbeam for a handle. It's not extremely common around here. I rive out either white oak or hickory for mine pretty much as Jerry does
Finnr

Nice job! If you have access to The Mastermyr Find, it has severalvariations on the same style. They are far more complex some having five ir six springs.
Finnr

For about ten years I had a small piece of a hammer under the skin of my belly. Never had it removed because it didn't hurt. Moral of the story. Wear a shirt when you are working. Don't strike things harder than the hammer head .

The hunk of hammer worked it's self out in due time.

Finnr

That's a new one on me Strine. I just have to give it a try!!
Finnr

Far too young. I'll keep the lad in my thoughts and prayers
Finnr

When I have no choice I shovel out and get ready for the next mess.
Finnr

the mix I use for both wood and iron is 3 parts beeswax 2 parts each boiled linseed oil and 2 parts mineral spirits or turpentine. all by volume.

Shave the wax into the other ingredients and let sit give the mix a shake now and then to get it dissolved. Or if you are in a hurry you can warm the mixture in a double boiler over an electric burner. BE CAREFUL this is a highly flammable mix do NOT use an open flame.
Finnr

Those are the Harbor Freight 110 pound Russian anvils. I have one I got at HF and before it was completely useful I had to regrind the horn. I like it quite well. It's a bit soft and has a real loud ring. Other than that it beats the dickens out of my old railroad iron anvil,
Finnr

Having lost mine I know just how special Dads are. I will definately keep yours in my thoughts and prayers.
Finnr

That's real similar to my Wells Bros and Co vise. I'll try to get some pictures tomorrow of how the pedal was replaced on mine.
Finnr

I use a lot of Royal Oak lump charcoal when I am not able to get coal. It works very well and is available in most big box stores. I am in the process of building my own charcoal cooker to make my own as my woodworking shop generates lots of scrap.
Finnr

It's great to hear that the little one is doing well. May she keep on the road to full recovery.
Finnr

I have a left and a right that I made from HF hammers, I use them all the tme.
Finnr

Today a Wells Brothers pedal vise wandered into my Blazer for the sum of 25 bucks. Near as I can find online it's pre 1912 before Wells and Wiley & Roper merged.
Finnr

Pro wood turner here. Mesquite is tough stuff and very hard om tools. He is better off to just go out and spend the money on the M2 tools from Packard woodworking. The only hand forged tools I use are on my medieval pole lathe.
Finnr

I have a hammer exactly like that one and one made from a Harbor Freight drilling hammer. They are my favorite hammers at this time.
Finnr

Howdy! Pleased to meet you!
Finnr

Another way I have found to locate tools is to join your local blacksmith's guild, club or what ever. You will find that smiths are some of the friendliest and most honest folks you will ever meet. Badger Blacksmiths here in Western Wisconsin has given me a whole new bunch of friends, great advise and some real fun times.
Finnr