nealj

left arm prostetic for me but it works great for holding a punch or chisel.

How are you attaching the hammer head to the handle?

I just realized my last post could sound rather sarcastic. I do appreciate the responses to my original question. My remark was more making fun of myself and was not trying to put anyone else down. Thank you for the info and ideas.

We need help a thread about saving bent nails.

I did a spark test and I believe the ones I tested are wrought so I guess I will rig up a screen or magnet to seperate them from the ash. I will have plenty by the time I am done with this so if anyone would like some and is in the neighborhood feel free to let me know, I will be more than willing to share. As for the wood, I am more into metal than wood and by heating with it I am killing two birds with 1 stone. The building has to be gone and it is less wood to cut. If someone wants some I will also share. In my experience with old lumber that I have tried to save is I generally end up burning the pile after a few years of wondering what I'm going to do with it.

I'm tearing down an old grainery in the yard and burning the wood in an outside wood boiler. They certainly didn't spare the nails so whenever I clean out the ashes I get quite a few big old square nails. Anyone have a reason for me to save these? I saw the thread on horseshoe nail spoon jig but this would be a lot of spoons. I guess it's just the pack rat in me talking.

You guys are breaking my heart. I bought one of these at an auction for I think $10. Havent hooked it up yet and now don't know if I should bother.

Nice to see another Minnesotan. Hope your part of the state was sunnier than ours this weekend. We woke to snow and wind Sun. morning and ended up with 4-5" of snow.

Have fun with all the great info here.

Neal

I switch back and forth with my regulator all the time from acet. to propane without any problem. Maybe I'm just lucky. What is the danger supposed to be?

Yes from IForgeIron for $19.95. Contact me to order a copy.

Paid $25 for these 5 pairs of tongs. Anyone have any idea what the odd pair could be used for?

I can't find any info on your plans any place on the site. I have nothing against buying another set of plans, even better if it helps support this great site, but I would like to know at least what kind of hammer it is. Would anyone have an image of one built from these plans that is already in the gallery?

I did a search for treadle hammer and noticed a set of plans for sale in the IFI store being mentioned in some old posts. Is it still available any place?

Thanks for the reply Apprenticeman. I followed your build it looks like a nice simple design. Are there any changes you would make to your design?

I am thinking of trying to put together a treadle hammer. I bought the Clay Spencer book from ABANA, but was wondering if anyone had any modifications to that design that they found worthwhile. Thanks in advance.

thanks for the info

I will try to make it down to Albany. Looking forward to meeting you. Do you know any source for coal in this area?

Neal - were abouts in Western Minnesota? Brainerd area here.

I thought it was time to get out of the bleachers and post. I truly enjoy the helpful attitude on this forum. I have way to many things going on to be too serious about blacksmithing, but I play around when I can. So anyway thanks to everyoneon this site that I have learned from and hope to learn more.

As a young man my grandfather apprenticed in a local blacksmith shop and later bought it. He worked in it the rest of his life and then my uncleworked in it until 1986 when he died. The shop still mostly intact went through several different owners including a local historical society, the local school and the town but none could afford upkeep on the building and it's contents. So this year after20 some years our family took ownership of it again. It's brings back memories every time I unlock the door and smell the coal forge. I have a picture of my grandpa as a young man in front of the forge with a plow share on the anvil. I will post it if I can figure out how.