Nolano

Thats a good idea, QC. I had planned on drilling a large hole in a 4x4 steel plate, then resting the foot on that, but your idea is better.

Err, I mean, the nut isnt missing, but the protective end of it is. It works fine right now, but it needs a cap to protect the screw.

Thats really impressive, even if you did cheat and use modern machine tools .

Wow. THats a really pretty anvil. I dont know why they use black and white pictures on the Nimba site... They really dont do them justice, IMO.

Well, Clinker is just the impurities of the coal, I think. Its usually silicon and whatnot, hence why its hard and glassy. Other than that, Im not sure.

Well, I finally got a post vise. It seems to be a 5" vise, that weighs maybe 40-50 lbs. I made sure the screw was in excellent condition. It really is. I doubt it will need much work for a long time. all it needs right now is a bit of filing to remove a burr. It was $75, because the nut is missing and the screw is exposed at the end. I am going to make a cap for that.

I especially like the second one.

Wow. How can you even lift anything that big?

My anvil rings like a fisher without the sandbox! Guess what! It is a fisher! Well, Ed seemed to have stolen my idea(GET OUT OF MY HEAD ED!!!! ), But the way he did it is nice. Oh and by the way, Im guessing you got a Nimba anvil, right?

Well, let me rephrase what I said. The Bealer book is not a good book to pick projects out of. If you just want a good collection of blacksmithing books, then its one to include. But if you want a book to really tell you how to do things, then it may not be one you would want. But its a moot point, because you have it already. And while I dont have The New Edge of the Anvil, I've heard its an excellent book, and it looked good while I was flipping through it at the library.

That is definately the same Bomlin. He mentioned he was getting a Peddinghaus 225 anvil.

A nice use for the table saw is to replace the blade with an abrasive cut off wheel. Makes an excellent cutter, for whatever kind of steel. And the blades only cost $3-4, tops.

I have "The Complete Modern Blacksmith", which really is a fantastic book. Oh, and by the way, the Bealer book isnt a very good book. it seems that whenever you get somewhere, something important has been left out, or something like that. I dont really trust it.

Well, I know someone with a weed burner. He says it sucks up so much propane that a 5 gallon tank freezes up in seconds, so you may need a rather large tank.

On the topic of railroad spikes, and the availability of, I was at my local scrap yard yesterday. There was a 50 gallon drum FULL of them. I checked through a bit, and I didnt find any high carbons, but it was still an interesting thing to see.

Its still there, actually. Just came back today. Im sure with a major de-rusting and some modification, it could be a press. There was some neat stuff there. They even had large sharp carbide tipped sawblades, along with a lot of stuff you have to wonder why someone threw away.

Well, I have a mechanic friend who I acquire leaf springs, coil springs, and torsion bars from, but the stuff I mean are like the people who get lucky and find a nice #250 anvil at a scrapyard and whatnot like that. The neatest thing I ever found at the scrap yard was some wierd old shear or maybe press kind of thing. I have no idea what it was. But I do try to go the scrapyard as often as possible.

Blah. It seems like everyone has scored something cool at a scrapyard but me. I found a 25 pound vise before, but I had a better one already.

For the screen, you may try some light guage expanded steel, which should be available at a steel yard or at a hardware store in small quantitys.

Nice work. Im really envious of the handle, mainly. I just cant really figure out how you can manage to make it look so nice.... But then, I should probably invest in a knifesmiths book, if I want to do that stuff. I'm also relatively curious about the brass rivets, though. I've never figured how they are fit so well, and are flush with the handle....

Well, In my experience, rust melts at about a thousand degrees or so, and becomes a hematite red stain that can be difficult to remove, although it doesnt always show up. I left the rust on the handle of my railroad spike knife, but youd never notice.

I like them. Better than most spike knives. Especially mine.

My resolution is that I'm perfect the way I am, and forget anyone who thinks otherwise. Just kidding, I dont do new years resolutions.

The Complete Modern Blacksmith is an excellent book to pick up under any circumstances, also. Its a great book.

ouch. I bet that shipping isnt cheap.