yt12

Frosty----really depends on the kid, ive started with a few easy projects with a coupla real youngsters-----lucky to have 3 nephews , young men now, had all 3 eager to keep going with the adventures-----all 3 still love doing these kinds of things-------with their kids !   

all things i lived through---and sadly--too few today-------i have given countless copies of one of my favorite books to nephews/nieces kids of friends and family----THE AMERICAN BOYS HANDY BOOK----alot of it dated ,most of it pretty fun-------gotta give it to them old enough to handle some easy tasks and have fun doing it.......and young enough they dont give it a 10 second look, a toss in a pile and on to the next video game....

had i only known------ive bored this board with my auction finds, but, anyhoo-----you may want to check your local on-line auctions-----they range the gambit -----i have had good luck with one that usually handles personal/household items, but often has odd-ball industrial items. most auctions have an opening bid of $1 ----whether a 2 dollar screwdriver or a $ 20,000 forklift-----some items generating huge interest-----some zero. have ended up with half a dozen car spring sets ....all brand new all for a buck----did pay up $3 for a set of 4 springs with all the air shock hook-up------would have sent ya these door springs, but they moved on down the line......

old new old striking anvil-----w horn-----may need a kiss with the grinder for a nose job.

too many projects too little time........1  1/2 x  3 1/2 x 18'  ( now 2 9 footers )  aluminum screed  ( you concrete guys know)  PLUS a freebie 8 footer   (appears a forklift tire found it at the 6 foot mark )----chinazon wants 350 for the big one ----150 for the small-----home for 20.

well.........i did it again--------auction listed as "     1" hex steel...5 ft"---------which i actually had a use for the 1"-------pick up was------1 3/8 hex  C1018-----7 ft..........Ill turn to the gurus-------whats a good application for 1018-------would make a bunch o hammers if a good fit ????.........tia

gotta add--------8 bucks !

gentlemen-----thank you for the replies ------testing is on the horizon------I will throw this out to any and all------for "standard, run of the mill C 1090" ( if there is such a thing) -------what are the common uses ? is it a good cutlery steel ? any anecdotal applications ? tia.

there is an on-line auction with a nearby pick-up---------not much interest in this stick of iron------7'  x  6"-----snowplow blade------the good news bad news good news------i was reading 1/4 " thick-----pick up was 1/2 " thick------tagged as C1090------I know C1095 is a popular knife blade material----anyone with experience w 1090 ?-------followed me home for $ 11  !!!!

bit of a side note------gotta love the casting of "COLUMBIAN"------almost looks like the "U" was forgotten and added after the fact.......

heehee-----dont check for prints  !!  ill bore you with the tale------got this and the 6" FPU at a farm auction prob 20 years ago-----before anvil prices went crazy -----and long before vise prices went crazy....still remember the auction was held in a field, after days of rain....these went near the end of the day , few bidders left  and i could sense NO ONE wanted to carry them out through the mud-----got the pair for 26 $ !!!!!............both in beautiful  shape other than some surface rust--------FPU weighs 100 lb plus.....

SB-------spot on-----flashback-------went back, long ago saw mr petes columbian vs rigid--------think thats the one !!!!

most ive seen end up as blades--------reason the teeth have to be dealt with-------each one can be the start of a crack in the finished blade

my unsolicited 2 cents------also on my list-----using large rasp (ive got a few)  for large cutters/bowies-------most ive seen leave a little or a lot of "tooth pattern" on the spine of the blade 

take the temper out----throw it in the heat, soften it up  then put a grinder to it.....

SB-------think you may be right

10$ per guess 

nuthin ?-----ok 2 guesses for FREE........

getting this ready for a clean-up---------this style is about as generic as it gets------5" jaws, only marking is "MADE IN USA" with a blank badge above it ------im guessing whoever made this badged for a number or sellers----bunch o folks have this vise on their bench !---pure curiosity, anyone have this vise ? any guesses as to who the maker is ? 

was years ago-----but they followed me home----and now on deck.........been downsizing and getting tools into younger hands which bring these 2 to light, embarrassed theyve been sitting so long......both in excellent condition other than surface rust.....#1  marked only "MADE IS USA" @ 5".......#2   one of my favorite designs------the Polish FPU where the front jaw remains stable and the rear slides-------the 3" and 4" are relatively common, ive seen 1 5"-------this monster is 6" weighs in @ 100 plus......not sure of plans, the FPU may get a restore......

3 1/2 columbian------wood base tracks into bench support---as does a grinder.........

spot on ShoreB------always been a parker fan-------this now goes w my 974 1/2 ------took about 100 years (seemed like it) to find a dynamic jaw for it........

took ALONG time-------finally found a collar for this 973 1/2 ------fabbed one from copper plate years ago----but always looking for an original replacement screw collar-------on deck-------the Polish FPU Bison------6"----------

my standalone stands outside-----got it YEARS ago ----came with a beautiful prentiss quick release (gets to stay indoors)-----the wilton was a yard sale cheapie-----stays covered and gets an occasional wd40 blast ------

none of my beeswax-------but im gonna add a coupla 3 things----good friend and beekeeper gave me about 3 pounds of the dirty stuff--had done a preliminary clean up-----but this wax was un-usable as was---took a large roasting pan----lined it w foil ( yes---wax clean up is a bear)------added 1 inch water-----on top ----a sheet of chicken wire mesh----mine had 1/ 4 inch mesh-----push center down slightly for a concave slope ( slight dip)   cover w  a single layer of paper towel add dirty wax in a flat layer and into 200 oven------once wax melts , take pan out to cool----slab of pristine wax on surface !!------plus-----the dirty paper  cut into strips is the best firestarter !!

"tube tester"--------oh my--------feeling my grey hair.........what few i have left.

vulcan........