Backwoods Blacksmith

Nice use of different textures and twists.

I agree with Volcano. You would be hard pressed to replace the material for what you paid. Plus the shanks are already formed and the right size.

If you are going to machine it anyway use solid stock.

No language lessons necessary. Pretty neat!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another good way to build up an end is to double or triple bend the end and forge weld it all into a big blob.

3/32 6010-11-12-13 50 amps 3/32 7018 80 amps 1/8 6010 etc 80 amps 1/8 7018 125 amps. These setting could go up or down as much as 10 amps depending in the thickness of metal, the weld prep and the machine. No machine acts the same. These are suggested settings by the manufacture. There should be a MSDS and information sheet in the box of rod. Read it.

I saw these leaves/seed pods? demoed in a post with single pictures. I think by Brian B. Never could find the post again. Anyway, thought I would try them and add to the flower. I had no idea of size of stock or the finished size so just swaqed it. Came out way bigger than expected. I still dont know what they are ment to be but used them for leaves. Will be sized differently next time the flower will be bigger. Had fun and got to make two new tools. :D

Tony, Do not change the 3/8 pipe to 1/2. It is not necessary. All of the ports on the 5 way are 3/8. Do use 1/2 hose for the volume. The action is so fast the momentary difference in size is not a factor. Get the Ron Kinion plans for either #1 or #2. Both explain the valving and where to get them. I built # 2 and am pretty happy with it. The # 1 seemed to be more complecated with the valveing. Good luck and have fun

It is probably anthicite which was used to fire up their heating system. All you can do is break it up into grape and pea size pieces and try it. If it cokes up and doesn't turn to ash use it. But I would bet it won't work well. What you want is soft bitumas which as not used in heating systems. Good luck and have fun.

You would be able to use the same pump with an electric moter. The alighnment may change due to the difference in mounting placement and height. If you have a 5 hp gas moter you can go to a 3 hp electric.

Why do you need to buy tanks? Most welding supply houses supply the tanks when you buy the gas. If you own the tank you have to wait for them to be refilled, which could take a week or more.

Another option is to use the tooling for air chisels and air hammers. Many times they are of an s-7 type air hardning steel. Forge to shape, heat to non-magntic and air cool. Air chisels tools come in a varity of shapes and are about 1/2 in in dia. Air hammer tools come in a lot of different shapes but have a large hex shank which an be quite long. check with tool rental places for tools that have been abused and cannot be redressed.

coil and flat spring steel. Anti sway arms axle shafts. do not use rebar. use parts from American autos as Japenese may not be what we want.

That is a great work of art.

Try to keep your metal in the high orange almost yellow range. Watch your metal heat and it will soon become the same colar as the coal. Once you get into the yellow range you are close to weld heat and then burning which is what caused the sparks off of your piece. Take your time. Don't push the heat. Keep your fire deep and the metal in the upper third or on the top with some coke covering it. Too much air will burn more fuel and your part. When you get to the anvil, hit it hard turn it and hit it again. Keep the metal moving. When it quits moving put it back in the fire. Try to think about where you are going to hit it before you take it out of the fire. Using coal allows you time to think about your work and what you want to do next. Take advantage of the time. Good luck, have fun and don't grab to hot end.

I had a very similar problem with mine. I found that I was not getting enough oil to the shuttle valve and it was hanging up in the open position. I also had to put at restricter on the rod end exaust. This did slow it down. The eneritia on the up stroke would over travel the limit switch and bottom out. Then you have to ballance out the up and down stroke to hit hard and not over travel. I took the shuttle valve apart and greased the o rings ensureing lubrication. Do not use grease on the UMHW as it will slow down the action. If you must use lube, use a real light oil, spareinly. How much clearence is there in the shaft and UMHW? This cannot be too tight. The shaft carrier should slide easily with little resistence. I have no restriction at the main exaust port only at the cylinder. If you want to discuss this more? bland2879@yahoo.com

I ment L6 which is used as a cutlerly steel and in large sawmill bandsaw blade. Also banding material is1045 not 1095.

Looks great. Nice job on the wrap.

I have used the steel banding material with A6 and mild steel. Got good contrast and welds easily. Banding material (Iam told) is 1095. Easy to get and is in the right widths. I have also used nickel welding rod as a pattern addition. I knock off the flux, twist 2 or 3 rods together weld and forge flat. Add to the mix. This was junk rod that had gotten wet and the flux was falling off. Needed to use it for something.

This spliter was set up to run off of my tractor.Sold the tractor and I put an axel and towbar on it.Added a 3hp 220 volt single phase mtr and 11gpm 2 stage pump. The mtr is 3000rpm Works pretty good. I can remove the press stuff, put the wedge back on and run it off my generator to split wood.

I did a similar conversion to mine. I put on an electric moter set up and did a bolt on top and bottom plates to change tools. I don't plan on tipping mine vertical. Looks good

Nimba anvils were being sold at the NWBA confrence last month. I recomend them highly. nimbaanvils.com

Good luck with 1/4 or 3/8 spring. way too thick. The origional spring was about 1/8. 1/4 mild steel will work with a roll bend better than a V bend. Quench at non-magnetic in water.

The dies are 2 1/2 X 6 in 4140. The hammer is between 70 and 80 lbs

Got the air issue squared away and made some top tools. Ready to go to work. Have three projects on paper. I can see that more storage space is needed. I will be making a shelf between the anvil and the backbone :D