the iron dwarf

so what are you going to use for fuel?

your steel tube will not last long, how many holes and how are they spaced out on it ( cant see on this little laptop )

its being tested so is not part of the forum yet I think, once you get an invite you can use it anytime

message sent

we have a chat here but you need to ask for an invite to join it

which part of the world are you from MS ( add it to your profile so it stops all the old fossils here going on at you about it )

it also helps as most questions depend on location.

what in the way of metalworking interests you?

there is a huge thread on armour archive about making the st florian full harness and it is fully documented by a master

http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=169445

spend a week reading that should help

here is another armouring thread

http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=171361

was given a quantity of chrome vanadium spring steel, hope to get the specs in a few days and then decide what it can be used for

if you want something in keeping with your name then look up some from that period, viking anvils were not 'london pattern' and a simple block will do most things you need.

a large sledge hammer head would be ideal

can they not be bought in SA either new or an old one with broken handle

there is a video that has been posted here before of blacksmiths in nepal making kukri blades on a sledge hammer head

you are in my thoughts Thomas

speed is very important for a forging press, you would need a much larger motor and pump for a reasonable speed also use limit switches to save on unwanted stroke and wasted time, if drawing out something that starts at 25mm thick the top tool on my press would start at no higher than 30mm and probably lower and the bottom of the stroke would also be set ( I can get just over 1 stroke per second on some jobs and the switches are quick to change to a different stroke if wanted )

as a guess I would say Chicago but is easier if people put a rough location in their profile.

read up on solid fuel forges BEFORE MAKING ONE will save you money and get you a better forge, there are plenty of details on here of cheap forges like the JABOD

next to my shop is a recording studio, any metal they throw out goes to me, I often get strings

mig welders are DC normally

well im off for a few days to tewkesbury near the welsh border, anyone else there please say Hi

which continent / country are you in?

giant rock boring bits may be tipped with tungsten carbide, that may be brazed in place

how large is this giant bit?

3 foot diameter?

6 foot?

why is your forge not getting hot enough?

you can straighten out the twist or upset it, neither of those need welding

what type of forge do you have?

pictures?

fuel?

never heard of a 6" burner before, that monster must use a lot of gas, most are more like 3/4"

so you are trying to heat the firebricks and casing and the shop, you need to insulate your forge by lining it with a ceramic blanket and then protect that with a ridgidiser so you dont breath in the fibers, also make doors for it to keep the heat in

frosty or one of the other gas experts will be here soon with more details

also unlike coke all the charcoal will burn, contain the area for the fire with a few bricks.

most things can be forge fuels, pine cones, peat, wood, anthracite or bitumous coal, oil,

mine is not pet

welcome to the forum, if you ask smoggy ( who will no doubt be here soon ) he may be able to help you, he lives only a few miles away, or if you can wait a while I can send some up there with him as he is coming down here in just over a week for a land rover show

welcome to another smith from England

22 minutes ago, Frosty said:

m, I wonder if my latest bunch of minions are more gullible? 

Frosty The Lucky.

they ARE minions so they ARE gullible

im no expert so wait till others who know more comment.

this is what I think......

maybe mill the top so when you have added the new plate it is about the same height as now or a little bit taller,

flux and cover both surfaces in braze.

when cooled place the new plate on top and heat evenly till braze melts

looking quite good now

does thing assist you in the shop?