the iron dwarf

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I want an induction forge

the answers you seek have been posted above, some here may get a little jaded from the regular posts of a newbie who want to make a sword, most have never worked metal before and are convinced that the secret is as simple as adding a new app to their phone and within an hour of the first time they light a forge they will have the best sword in the world. it happens often here. some try to explain that such skills take time to learn, many years in some cases and often the newbie is convinced that those here just dont want to share the secret and are being mean to them when in fact they are being told the secret and that is it is hard work and practice. you were asked above if you could add your rough location as it would mean people could help you better, it is no good telling you to check out a place in the US if you are in australia

there are several places that teach here, hereford is well known and friends of mine went there and now run a business in the area. Warwick isanother

thanks TP

have a nickel anode from a former electroplating works. it weighs 10lb 8 1/2 oz ( 4.77kg ) and is 28 3/4" ( 73cm ) long. when new it would probably have been 2" by 1" but has eroded down to a sort of chunky sword blank shape. anyone got any idea what the current nickel price is so if people are interested in it I dont try to over or under sell it.

the screw for mounting a giant buffing wheel maybe, not seen one bigger than 2" diameter before

im just a 'shortfellow' but I may borrow a few things above ;)

we try to help people out ( as soon as we find out how they got in ;) ) im just a beginner at forgework, not done any blades but I think start small and work up. I meet lots of people who think getting a forge means they will be making fantastic swords in 2 days and it is often difficult to get them to slow down a bit and think and then find out what skills they need to learn. I cant help much but some who may seem to be discouraging are really trying to help. you can get spring steel in many forms to practice on, if you know people who fix cars get a broken or unwanted coil spring and heat it till you can straighten a section then make a knife from it, anti roll bars, coil or leaf springs all can be reused and made into useful items. you can learn not only how to shape them but also about heat treating them and failures dont cost much

what type of sword, there are thousands of types from history all over the world? for use? for show? EN42 or 45 spring steel is often used by people I deal with who use them to fight with

if you are ordering mild steel then here in england it comes in 20 foot lengths, what lengths you need may determin where you have it cut to get it home also how long a piece can you carry.

sometimes just going over it with a wire brush and then shine a light from different angles can show things up or use a bit of chalk and rub it off so it just leaves it in the markings.

nice work Secor and Billyo

type of fuel? how close is the fire to the bottom? the casing for my forges does not burn through easily because the fire starts 1" above the base and its bottom blast

7" would even be too short for me ;) Hector Cole is a very helpful bloke and he is near swindon.

so nuge the best way to protect your ideas is to not put them on the internet, not sell them and even not make them, just keep them in your head. there are those on here sharing their ideas to help others like the small detail tool thread from yesterday but you think no one else should be allowed to make that tool? if there was to be only 1 maker in the world of power hammers because everyone else would be copying the idea it would lead to very high prices and no incentive to improve the design, likewise with cars would you like to only have the choice of a trabant and nothing else. unless people are 'passing off' their work as that of another which is a different matter

yup, great

a thick chunk of hardenable steel machined so there was a flat plate on top and a square peg on the bottom that was a good fit in your hardy hole would have given you a nice smooth place to work for those things that need it, hope it is ok and works well. off to light the forge here soon and get some work done

picked this up a few weeks ago, in poor shape and covered in black paint. so far it has had a light rub with a scotchbrite pad to get some loose stuff off, next maybe some paint stripper and then it will be ready to rehome. overall it is about 18" long and 24" tall

there are several members here from down under, moony is the first one that comes to mind. if you add your rough location to your profile it will save others asking whereabouts you are all the time

I get an idea of what to make but make it my way, I made bottle openers recently because I seen them here but mine are done differently and are much cruder and uglier but the work, anyone wants to copy them im happy with that and am happy for you to make your own ideas too. I would not exactly copy things others make unless invited to like when black frog recently did a thread about his bottle openers but would not sell them

your hair dryer will be blowing out hot air normally, unless you have a switch position for cold. restricting the flow with the heat on is bad and will cause it to overheat as will slowing down the motor, first disconnect the element or better still remove it if possible then as long as you know that the type of motor it has can be used with the speed controller you have you can use it more safely or you could restrict the flow if you want but dont shut it off or the motor will get hot.

best to restore it by using it rather than grinding it, after a time it will get shiney and smooth with regular careful use, any hardened surface will be thin. i have a lighter weight one in much worse condition to clean up soon.

mostly with 6mm i often see very rough cold finished, some looks like a long pitch studding and rarely see black mild steel and it varies a lot. will try some 8mm next time

i tried recently, after a few seconds it spilt into 4 pieces but went from cold the too hot to touch, will find something softer to try