CurlyGeorge

You will still eat a lot of lump charcoal, but the heat efficiency is a lot better with the lump. You can buy it by the bag a Wal-Mart or a lot of other stores. Of course, it would be cheaper to make your own. But, depending on where you live, it may not be practical. Do a forum search for making charcoal. :)

Beautiful work John. I wanted to make it over for the demo, but couldn't get away. One of these days. Thanks for posting. :)

You have to put the piece that you are heating down into the fire. With charcoal, use a slower steady blast of air and it should heat up nice. That being said, are you using charcoal briquets or lump charcoal? Lump charcoal will work a lot better. :)

In my demo forge (a rivet forge), I lay a fire brick on edge on each side of the fire. This helps make a deeper fire. Works great. :)

LOL. I love Grant's idea. But you may better wait for rain or use the garden hose and give it a really good soaking. :)

Man, I gotta get one of these!! http://mikesenese.com/DOIT/2011/10/drilling-square-holes-with-a-reuleaux-triangle/

Hey Dan. When I was welding aluminum truck tanks we used the carbide bits in an end grinder. We called them a back gouge bit. Aluminum does have a habit of loading up. We always took a small screw driver and put it in the area between the teeth and tapped with a small hammer. Took time, but it would break the aluminum free and clear the teeth. It can be a pain in the bisquits. But it worked and was a lot cheaper than constantly replacing cutters. Hope this helps. :)

For a first hawk, I'd say that it looks pretty darned good. :)

Frank, thank you for posting those pics. I have been setting here racking my brain, (OUCH), trying to come up with a way to make the hook from the tubing. The picture gives a good view of it. :)

On the ones that I make, I just use a tapered pin to start the flare and then heat it back up and use a small ballpein hammer to finish the flare. File it smooth and you are done. As for the hook, the only way that I have done that is to forge the hook and weld it on with a welder.

Great idea. That one will definitely get made. Thanks for sharing. :)

Ed, Kathy and I are very glad to hear that Bella is back home and doing well. We will keep you in our prayers, my friend. George

Cool looking knife. I like it. Thanks for posting. :)

Well guys. I sold the Vulcan. A friend of mine is starting to get his kit built up and is using a RR track anvil. I bought the Vulcan for $125 and sold it to him for $150. He is tickled pink!! Another one saved from oblivion. It will be put to good use. Thanks for all the comments. :D

Hey Derek. The hammer guide is in fact a pipe that I cut and welded to a bracket. No, there is no adjustment, but so far haven't needed any. Bring your dad down and let him take a look at it. I have a total of about $55 in it, including the hardened bolts for the dies. I'll send you a PM. :)

Hey Eric. Stan (trying-it) did that. It was under "Building on a theme". Here's the link.

Hey Derek. Here's a picture of my tire hammer anvil and hammer. The hammer is 3" round and the anvil is 8" round. I forget how long each measures, but they work great.

Beautiful work. I love the contrast between the wood and black iron. Looks great!! Thanks for sharing. :)

Good ideas, Michael. Thanks for sharing them. I can use a couple of them, now. :)

Now that's a shame!! I hope that your post helps spread the word and that they get caught trying to sell it. :angry:

Nice looking job, John.

Coal ash has sulphurdioxide in it. When wet, it turns to acid, which increases rust. I suspect, but don't know for sure, that the smoke may do the same.

Javan, that is my intent, passing it on to a beginner or at least to another smith that can use it. I am not and will never be an anvil collector. But I can't let deals like that just get away, either. :)

:o It ain't gonna grow on me THAT MUCH, Steve. LOL. It's gonna stay right there in my shop. Nice try though, Buddy. :)

I had a demo and camp, this past weekend. While I was there, I saw a fellow that had what he said was a 135# Vulcan for sale. Well we talked for awhile and I bought it for $125.00. When I got home, today, I put it on some bathroom scales and it actually only weighed 125#. But $1.00/ pound was still good. So now I have to figure out what to do with another anvil. Anybody got any ideas? It had some light surface rust on the face and horn. The edges are in very good shape. When I gave the face a quick brush of with a flap disc, it shows some very small marks in the face. But overall it's in very good condition. I was happy with the deal. :)