SmoothBore

It's good to think about this issue, ... but be advised, ... there is no universally accepted "right" answer. It's something that you'll eventually work out for yourself, ... to your own satisfaction. I'm not saying that we're all "unique little snowflakes" that cannot benefit from the experiences of others. What I am saying, ... is that the physical differences in our bodies, influence our results. Obviously, not all "work" is the same, ... therefore, the type of blow is constantly changing as well. --------------------------------------------- As my hands become more and more "Arthritic", I find that "stroking" blows with a fairly heavy hammer, ... generate less "wear & tear" to my joints, than the high-velocity impacts of "vertical" blows. ----------------------------------------- I used to be mystified at the popularity of the #25 pound "Little Giant" Power Hammers. To me, they seemed nearly useless, ... while a #100 pound machine. was of obvious merit. But you see knowledgeable, experienced guys using them ..... Finally, ... I "get it" now, ... and am working on a design for a light, quick, horizontal Power Hammer. .

If you work at something long enough, ... you tend to get calluses. And that's a good thing. That thickening and toughening of the skin, is natures way of protecting and conditioning you, ... so that you can function more effectively in the real world. The same thing is true, if you're "thin skinned" in your associations with others. That other guy wasn't put on this Planet to make you feel all "warm & fuzzy", ... and it's quite likely that his life's experiences have lead him to hold opinions that are different from your own. And again, ... that's a good thing. There's much to be learned from "rubbing elbows" with a variety of individuals. If you've lead a sheltered life, ... your first response would naturally be, that the "other guy" has got it wrong. But eventually, ... if you're thoughtful and intelligent, ... you'll come to understand that he's not necessarily "right" or "wrong", ... just different. And if it wasn't for those "different" guys, ... we'd still be Knapping our tools from Flint. .

Hmmm ..... that sounds kinda' "political" to me. As well it should, ... and it's a perfect example. In these times, when Government intrudes into EVERY nook & cranny of your life, it's impossible to "separate" it from the rest of your day-to-day issues, ... and still carry on an intelligent conversation. As for the "offensive" simile, ... well, ... we live in a time when an entire generation is searching desperately for something to be offended about. I'm just doing my bit, to insure their ambitions are fulfilled. .

Insulation is always a good thing, ... and is relatively inexpensive. Consider this, ... both "Thermos" Bottles and Ice Chests are insulated, ... for exactly opposite reasons. And the Sound deadening effect of Insulation, is an added bonus. .

Now THAT'S funny. And they say Commies don't have a sense of humor .....

Your garden variety Liberal does tend to be defensive when confronted with harsh reality. I guess you could say it's their "Traditional Method", ... of coping with a failed ideology. Of course the actual intent of the "offending" post, was to expand on the idea that YOUR own "Traditions" are just as valid as those of the past. .

Yep, ... when you live on a hill top, with a half-mile of gravel driveway, ... you NEVER relinquish any Tractor Chains. I actually run 2 "sets" on a 2-wheel-drive Ford 4400. A set of "Road" chains, drawn down tight, ... with a set of loose fitting "Off-Road" chains over top. And my 75hp 4x4 tractor is chained-up on all 4 wheels. I never take any of them off. ( For years I thought the 4x4 tractor was "unstoppable", without chains, ... until 3" - 4" of ice on the driveway, taught me otherwise. Had to run in 2' of snow, in the woods, rather than up the driveway, ... which was no problem. But up hill in fresh snow, on top of the solid ice "Bobsled Run" of a driveway, ... just wasn't happening. ) .

You asked the wrong question. Try asking, ... How can I "Clay" my Forge, using only the things that ARE available to me ? Notice how it's called "Claying" a Forge, ... not "Refractory Cementing" a Forge. This should be a clue, ... that plain old Clay is a serviceable material. .

Well now, ... I'm lazy as home-made sin, ... and slower than the thought processes of a Liberal. But I like to "make" things, ... "traditional" things. And sometimes that requires "traditional" techniques, ... and sometimes not. The common factor in "how" I make the things I do, ... is that they're ALL done, in whatever fashion I xxxx-well-please. ------------------------------------------------------ When I was very young, ... there were still a few working Blacksmith Shops in this area, ... performing a variety of Mechanical Repairs, and Fabrication. By 1970 they were mostly gone. But while they were still open, ... they ALL used Arc Welders, Oxy/Acetylene Torches, Cut-Off Saws, Grinders and Power Hammers. Had they not, ... they wouldn't have lasted long enough for me to have seen them in operation. I'm sure glad THEY didn't have the Internet, ... telling them what to think .....

If I were attempting this project, ... I'd probably wrap the steel about 1 & 1/4 turns around whatever I had, that was slightly smaller in diameter, than the intended size. ( Because it's much easier to "expand" a ring, ... than to "shrink" one. ) In my case, that would probably be a Brake Drum off a Semi-Tractor, ... ( about 17" OD ) ... that's waiting it's turn, to become a Dinner Bell. .

No matter what you use, or how you attach them, ... all file handles will eventually work loose. For that reason, I prefer to heat the file tang and bend it back on itself, to form a "teardrop". Easy on the hand, ... easy to hang up, ... lasts forever. .

This is a good idea, ... that can most likely be adapted to fit your circumstances. Imagine the black part of the above pictured fasteners, is the part of your Door Pull that's set into the door. As I see it, the Door Pulls would be mortised, or otherwise inlet, into a blind hole, ... ( that does not break through the opposite side of the door ). The inlet portion of the Door Pull would then be retained by the through-bolt, coming in from the edge of the door. The retaining Bolt "head" could be hidden by recessing it in a shallow counter-bore, ... and filling the counter-bored hole flush, with a wooden plug. Using an "extra long" through bolt, ... that passes through the Door Pull, and continues on for a couple of inches, ... will greatly enhance the strength of the "anchor" in the wood. .

It's funny what people find "attractive". Of all the esoteric "stuff" hanging around the Shop, the thing that gets commented on the most, is a replica "Bear Trap". .

Stumps work great, are readily available, ... and cheap. On mine, ( Maple ) using a chainsaw, ... I "relieved" the bottom surface about 1/4" deep, ... leaving 3 "feet" ( about 4" square ) evenly spaced around the circumference. ( Any object with 3 points of contact, will sit firmly on a rough, or smooth, surface, ... without wobbling. ) On the top side, I traced the shape of the bottom of the Anvil, ... and Routed it into that surface, about 1/2" deep. My #177 pound Peter Wright sits in that Routed pocket without being fastened down, ... and hasn't moved one bit, in the past 15 years. I can grab the Anvil by the Horn and Tail, and easily "walk" it around on the floor to position it as I see fit, ... or scoot it off to the side, as needed. In the exposed wood surfaces around the base of the Anvil, are bored roughly 1" diameter holes, about 6" deep, ... to hold Punches and Chisels. I should put some Hammer Loops around the perimeter too, ... but haven't got around to it yet.

Once in a while I'll make an item "to order" ... but most of it is given away, ... or intended for my own use. Since the "Office" is already "cluttered-to-capacity", ... I'm not sure what I'll do with the Harpoon I just finished, ... but I always wanted one ..... .

Couple of things to know about Lancaster ..... -- Sahd's Salvage, in Columbia, is by-far the best scrap yard in the area. -- The area is blessed with several weekly "Flea Markets" ( Root's on Tuesdays, Green Dragon on Fridays and Saturday's Market, ... on Saturdays ) ... that are an endless source for "used" Tools. -- "Farm Sale" season begins toward the end of March. ( many, many tools ... in every kind of condition ) .

A long time ago, I began to realize there are many, many things you can do, ... and a much smaller number of things you should do ..... The trick is in knowing which is which. .

I have a light chain with a hook on the end, that hangs from a roof truss. When not in use, it's hooked off to the side. When needed, it gets looped under the "long" piece in the Forge, and hooked back into itself, at the correct height. There's another similar chain, hanging near the Welding Table. Don't know what I'd do without em'. And now that I think about it, ... quite soon, they'll be another one over at the vertical band saw. .

A single "link" of sizable chain, ... with one end heated and somewhat "flattened", into a "tear drop" shape, ... and set flush in the end grain of a stump ... might serve as a more durable "female" swage. A Ball Peen Hammer ( struck with a "soft" hammer, or mallet ) should do for the "male" die. An easy way to inlet the chain link into the surface of the stump, is to use an "Adjustable Wood Bit". First trace the shape on the stump. Then bore a shallow pocket that's slightly smaller than the diameter of the "big" end of the link, ... and a smaller one for the other end. Chisel away the remaining bits, ... and use the "red hot" link to "burn" the final shape into the wood. Gouge out, ... or burn out any additional depth needed to complete the spoon. .

We have diverse backgrounds, ... and that varied "experience" influences how we think, ... and express ideas. I have an Engineering background, ... and fully understand that when communicating with a Tool & Die Maker, about HIS area of expertise, you need to be quite specific about materials. But when discussing the same issue with an Accountant, that same level of specificity just gets in the way. To the Accountant, ... if it's a Tool, ... made from Steel, ... then "Tool Steel" seems like a perfectly appropriate term, ... to him. To the Tool & Die Maker, drawing any conclusions about the material, based on it's appearance, is unacceptably imprecise. But someone with experience in "re-purposing" scrap metal, can tell at-a-glance ( from the texture and patina ) the difference between a rusted piece of Mild Steel, ... and something with a higher level of Carbon. So, ... depending on your perspective, the same question can be either "reasonable", ... or "ridiculous". .

With a Coal fire, perhaps the shape and style of your Forge "Pot" ( Duck's Nest vs: Rivet type ) has the most impact on the efficiency of the fire. Both of those are, of course, "Bottom Blast" Forges. I don't have enough experience with "Side Blast" systems, to make intelligent comment on their characteristics, ... but would assume they would be more versatile, in regard to the shape of the fire. Since I make it a "point", to never be in a hurry, ... I tend to keep my Forge Fire small and "manageable". This is sometimes "counter-productive", ... but when you've eliminated any serious "Profit Motive" from your "Business Plan" ... it's not a problem. .

Low scrap prices have not yet had an effect on the cost of "new" steel, ... but maybe someday ..... If there's an "upside" to the situation, ... it might be, that you won't need to "guard" your junk, quite so vigilantly. .

Back in the dark recesses of time, they used to make something called "Friction Tape". Perhaps they still do ..... Otherwise, I'd ask Baseball / Softball Players what they use on their bats. Building up tape, to create a bit of a "Palm Swell", will help a lot with fatigue. .

I find that Cold Chisels make very good Cold Chisels. Seriously, ... you can pick up old Cold Chisels at every Flea Market, ... cheaper than you can buy the material, ... or even run your vehicle around scrounging through other sources. Rework them into whatever configuration you like. Worn out Jackhammer points work good too, and are often available at Tool Rental outfits. .

I use a stainless vat, and wire mesh basket, salvaged from an old deep fat fryer. It's just about perfect ..... .