Backwoods Blacksmith

Thats it. Thanks

A while back, someone posted a nifty twisting wrench for RR spikes. I be danged if I can find it using the search mode. Any help would be apprecated. Also, is there any way to save a post of intrest. Thank you

I really like that. Very nice

Having suffered 2nd degree burns on my left arm, under my bicep and arm pit I allways wear a 100% cotten long sleeve shirt or sleeves when doing any prolonged welding. I got burned badly welding up a valve body on a lathe by not using protection. A little discomfort or the time it takes to cover up is not worth the pain and lost sleep, The Hanes or Carhart work tee shirt are heavy enough to keep from getting burned up to about 200 amps. Over that use double cover. Use a leather guard on the chin of your hood to protect your throut. Better safe than sorry

You want the wood to be well seasoned and completly dry. Are you going to stablize it yourself or have it done? You can force season it by using an insulated box and a heat lamp. Keep temp around 120. Weigh the wood before drying and reweigh every two or three days. Turn the wood every day to keep warpage to a minimum. When the weight no longer changes then it is completly seasoned. It is best to rip your wood before drying as this speed up the process. Once seasoned keep it sealed as it will absorb moisture like a sponge. Good luck

I want to thank all those that contributed the helpful comments. I was looking for input from someone that actually had one.

After research and checking steel and equipment prices I have deceided to buy a hammer instead of building one. For me and my shop area the KA75 seems to fit the best. Are there any past or present users that care to weigh in on this choice? I am also open to any other ideas. Thank you

Why do you think you need a resperator? Are you working in a closet?. Any space with cross flow ventilation will supply enough flow. If not, use a small fan to pull in fresh air. Tig welding is the cleanest of all open air welding. Keep about 15 to 20 CFM argon flow and keep the breeze off your puddle and no resperator is necessary. Read your msds that comes with your rod or ask for one at the weld supply. I have spent hrs welding using a resperator and I would not wish that on anyone. Stick welding stainless is a whole different ball game where air filtration is a must.

Before filing rub soap stone or chalk into the teeth. When you feel the file skate over the material clean with a file card. A little elbow grease and a piece of copper will push the clog out of the teeth of the file. Yes it will take some time. (minutes) Once clean, easy to keep clean. Good files are expensive.

Thank you for the information. I am looking for one in the 100lb range. Anyone?

Are the Kickass power hammers not produced any more? If so, by who? Cannot find on any search engine. Thank you

OOPS. SEMPER FI

SEMNPER FI from an old Devil Dog

Always purge your gas after shutting of at the tank. Do not leave static pressure on the gauge.

Two things cause clinkers. Non organic material: ie, dirt, sand, rocks. The other thing is melted metal in the form of scale or burned metal. Humidity, moisture, age have nothing to do with it. If you are getting clinker using charcoal there is either dirt in the fire or you are getting lots of scale due to an oxidizing fire. Too much air or the fire is not deep enough

You may get some out gassing from any chrome or other finish burning off. But if you have good ventalation and don't stand over any fumes being produced you should be ok. Once the finish burns off, no out gassing. Any alloy will remain in the steel unless you melt it and allow the alloy to seperate or vaporize.

This was only temperary. I have another piece of ceder to finish for the display. The screws will be finished the same as the lizard.

It would still be a # 1 tip but for propane. With that number it may cross reference with a Victor. Remember, propane burns about 400 deg cooler than acyletene but you should still be able to cut 1 1/2in with it

1 1/2 in dia x about 24in stands 3 1/2 in tall

Having been to many rendevous, these are nice to have early in the morning, hung over, trying to get the coffee fire stared. Since my pack mule was a 3/4 ton Dodge the extra weight did not bother me too much. But you are correct, very few mountain men had blow tubes, but they were common on wagon trains.

My mother just moved to a new residence and I wanted to make her a house warming gift. I came up with these after reading one of Mr. Hohi's blueprints.

I have been working on this on and off for a while. Here is the end result.

Fuller down a neck about 1 1/2 in from one end to 1/4 in. Round out the short end and roll the edge for the mouth piece. Roundout and taper the long end down to about 1/4. This will allow the blast to be more concentrated and direct the breath where it needs to be

Call the Manufacture of the gauge. Most newer actylene gauges have all fuel seats and diaphrams but not all. I used an actylene gauge on propane for twelve years before it effected the diaphram. I also used the actylene hose with no adverse results. Most of the journeyman size gauges are all fuel. The smaller hobby are not. Many millwrght and welding contractors are going to propane and are only changeing the tips.

Get 4 or 6 inch x 1/4 flat bar and weld it up