SmoothBore

We often forget that the steel we use today, is quite different from the wrought iron that was in general use, back when much of the "conventional wisdom" was formulated.

Apples and Oranges.

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Bead blast it.

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Sounds like an application for Luke's trusty "light sabre". 

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On 10/25/2017 at 10:23 PM, ThomasPowers said:

The skills are like tools in a toolkit; the more of them you have the easier projects tend to become.  Having the right tool for the job is a joy.   

AMEN.

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It seems unlikely that vegetarian concerns are relevant to a STEAK flipper. 

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For many years I designed processes for "Welder/Fabricators", that also incorporated a variety of simple bending and forming operations, ... as-well-as heat treating.

So, I have to agree, ... that the line between "Forging" and what I'll call "Advanced Fabrication", ... is a bit blurred.

When Oxy/Acetylene and Arc Welding equipment became available, I'm certain that Blacksmiths were among the first to embrace the new processes.

So, ... you might make the argument that modern day Welders ARE a natural evolution of the Blacksmith's craft.

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I've often used a magnetic chuck to flatten shim stock, ... but never anything heavier.

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Sounds like you're talking about a folding, or collapsible sort of "Brazier".

Rather than the inverted "A" design, ... I would think a basic "X" shape, would have benefits of functional simplicity.

By making it slightly asymmetrical, and joining the "long" ends of each half together, ... the the ends of the opposing rows of flat bar will allow enough "bypass" for the assembly to fold completely flat.

Pipe spacers of 1" to 2" in length, inserted on the center pivot bar, ... between each piece of flat bar, ... will give you whatever spacing you desire, ... and guarantee the flat stock will have plenty of clearance to fold into itself.

Rather than "Gate Hooks", ... a length ( or 2 ) of chain, welded on one end, and hooked over a peg at the other, ... would serve as a means of adjusting the spread of the "legs".

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This is discussed frequently, and it always causes me to think about my own habits.

And I can honestly say, ... that I have no preference.

My "3-point stump" type anvil stand, is easily rotated for the best position for every job.

I do roughly equal amounts of work in the Hardie hole, ... and at the Horn, ... and not-so-much forming "over the edge".

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In my opinion, ... having a bit of "downsized" gear is a good thing, ... but far from essential.

Hands-on lessons about perseverance and overcoming adversity have a lot of value as well.

The thing that immediately registered with me, was the psychological  benefit of successfully accomplishing a new and difficult task.

That self-confidence is an invaluable "tool", ... that will always "fit" his hand.

And one that is sorely lacking in the majority of his, video game obsessed, nanny-state coddled peers.

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While past generations were often forced by necessity to "grow up" too fast, ... it seems some of the current ones never do .....

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10 hours ago, SLAG said:

The doctrine of "De Minimis Not Curat Lex" springs to mind. It translates to "the Law does not involve itself with trifles". That shall be only one lines of defense, & it will, also, figure prominently in a vigorous countersuit. (perhaps even in disbarment proceedings raised against plaintiff's counsel for abuse of the judicial process.).

I'm sure that's true.

But I'm equally certain, that points of Law become meaningless, in a politically driven agenda.

If the "powers-that-be" want you, ... they will get you, ... and trivial, archaic concepts, ... like "Equal Justice Under the Law" will not deter them.

Better to keep your own council, ... and maintain a low-profile.

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1 hour ago, John McPherson said:

Tramp elements that find their way in to re-melted scrap ..... Copper, lead, sulfur, phosphorus will all cause problems in even trace amounts.

In a solid fuel forge, Lead or Copper contamination is an often-overlooked problem.

The first badges used by the Texas Rangers, were cut from a silver Mexican Peso.

I've made several silver initials, ... to inlay into walking sticks, handgun grips and fishing rod handles, ... by simply drilling and filing with Jewelers Files.

( A "scrap" grade, 90% silver, half-dollar, is only about $4.00 or $5.00 at a coin shop. )

Suitable discs of copper, aluminum or brass could be easily made by removing the pilot drill from a hole saw.

Old "Club" brand cookware would be a suitable "donor" for some 1/8" aluminum.

Or discs of any material could be "parted off" on a lathe, ... or even sawn off a bar of suitable diameter.

Or, what about UHMW or Delrin, or Phenolic ?

19 hours ago, gote said:

 1984 is long past but the era may still be in front of us.

AMEN.

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4 hours ago, gote said:

OK but I sometimes see a situation where the listener choses to interprete a word in a way the listener knows the speaker did not intend.

This quote makes my point.

Choosing to misunderstand, ... can only happen, if the word has first successfully communicated to you, it's intended meaning.

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"Traditional" is one of those words that need a context. It means belonging to a certain tradition. Without that tradition being specified, it can mean anything.

Concur.

No, ... I don't buy that.

In political discussions, I often refer to members of our Congress as "honorable gentlemen".

As we all know, the majority of that group are neither honorable, nor are they gentlemen.

I use that traditional term, because I find it ironic.

And that irony accurately conveys my meaning.

Thus, ... words mean whatever the user wants them to mean. 

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Well, you know, ... they're just words .....

And as such, ... they mean whatever the user intends them to mean.

I know this doesn't help define the term "Traditional", ... but then, who's to say I'm here to help ?  

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Just "for what it's worth", ... it seems to me, that $30 would buy you "several" struck tools, of any sort you prefer.

Sure, I "get" that you want to make it yourself, ... but why make it out of "pricey" mystery steel ?

And how did the seller justify the price, without knowing what he was selling ?

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Well hello, ... I'm impressed that you understand State-of-the-Art tools are not needed, in order to begin "hammering".

And further, I believe a willingness to improvise, is a fundamental aspect of Blacksmithing.

We see quite a lot of inquiries from beginners, who are essentially asking "where can I BUY all the things I need" ?

Which, in my estimation, misses the whole point of becoming a Blacksmith.

The question I think they should be asking, is "how do I go about making the things I need" ?

Purchasing Agents "buy" things, ... Blacksmiths "make" things.

Good Luck in making yourself into a competent craftsman.

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A 1 ppm concentration of a trace element equals one pound in one million pounds (500 tons) of coal. You must ask yourself, how many 500 ton quantities of coal do you intend on burning?

Exactly.

The good old interweb provides us with endless "data",   ... but precious little perspective .....

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27 minutes ago, Meridianfrost said:

It is astounding that you can't extrapolate that from a simple phrase. 

Ah yes, ... the "egocentric" world view, rears it's vain and arrogant head.

That's OK, ... most kids outgrow such imprudence , ... once they've been weaned.

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On 8/11/2016 at 3:20 PM, bustedknuckles said:

 Why do I find sailing tools at auctions 40 miles from the great lakes ?

When Odysseus ( Ulysses ) finally returned home, ... bone-weary of seafaring ... after his 10 year absence, fighting in the Trojan War.

It is said, he vowed to shoulder his Oar, and walk away from the Sea, until someone asked him what that thing was, that he was carrying.

And that's how all that nautical gear ends up so far inland. 

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For what it's worth .....

"Pinch" Bars, were originally used to move railroad cars on sidings, ... by prying in the "pinch" between the wheel and the rail, ... to position them alongside loading docks.

As many a 4 men with Pinch Bars could work simultaneously, ... though 1 or 2 were usually sufficient for "spotting" empty cars.

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They sure are pretty, ..... but all right handed.

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Another vote for Milwaukee, ... and Metabo.

I've got a LOT of Milwaukee power tools that are over 30 years old, ... and still going strong.

( Maybe this means they are good tools, ... and maybe it means that I don't work very hard. )

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