SmoothBore

Yes, ... which are "better", ... Redheads or Brunettes ?

I suspect it has a lot to do with your personal experience.

"Hmm for some reason my tablet does not like turnscrew. As one word."

The thing we call "technology", is often misunderstood.

There is a tendency to think it simplifies our lives, ... when in reality, it often places an increased burden on our own faculties.

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In America, we call it a "Screwdriver".

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There's a wide variety of products available through gunsmith's supply channels, specifically intended to yield a "blued" finish on steel.

You might also try googling "Birchwood Casey Perma Blue". 

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Long, long ( 40+ years ) ago,... after breaking "yet another" sledgehammer handle, I set out to make a "bullet proof" sledgehammer.

I had made any number of "soft" hammers, by pouring #3 zinc alloy into a simple mold, and inserting a knurled bar for a handle.

Having access to a wide selection of "moly-steel end drops", ... and a fully equipped machine shop, ... it was a simple thing to "turn" a hammerhead, and knurl some pipe for handle.

So, ... I welded it all together, ... and hit something with it. 

That was quite the "learning experience." 

From that moment forward, I had a much clearer idea of the actual function of a hammer handle.

That horrible monstrosity is still laying around here somewhere, ... but I can guarantee that the head is still pristine and new.

Just thinking about it, still makes my hands sting.

The original post proposes a fairly elaborate solution, to what is otherwise, a simple problem.

Which is fine, ... if you want to do it that way. "just because".

But using a bending fork to form an 18"+ diameter circle, introduces truly unnecessary levels of complexity.

Traditionally, "tire" rollers were among the first simple machines adopted by Wheelwright's, ... and there's an obvious reason for that.

Such machines are still very common.

But lacking that, the diameter you need can be easily rolled on just about any kind of ring roller or slip roll.

( YouTube has videos of how to make your own simple ring roller. )

If it were me, I'd start with a double length of strap, and roll it into a continuous coil of the desired diameter.

Then I'd make one saw cut across all the overlapping ends, ... Resulting in two rings, ready to be butt welded.

( Wrapping a steel strap around a circular form, can yield an acceptable result, but inconsistencies in the material, or in its temperature, will tend to yield an irregular shape. )

Next, ... If curving spokes were a good idea, you would see them on motorcycle wheels.

You don't, ... Because they make centering the hub unnecessarily difficult, while contributing nothing to the wheels utility.

Again, ... If you want to make the project difficult, for whatever reasons, that's a different issue, and you should do whatever makes you happy.

I really do "get it", ... and often waste unconscionable amounts of time on simple little things, ... just because "that's the way I wanted to do it".

Either way, ... Enjoy.  

I'm a lousy teacher, ... and lack the patience to "suffer fools gladly".

But it's been my lot to have "trained" literally hundreds of machine operators.

Not surprisingly, ... that experience has taught me, that "you can't fix stupid".

That's the harsh reality.

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Having sat in way too many "morning meetings", representing the Manufacturing-Engineering Department at a major US automaker, ... you become quite accustomed to communicating to people who have never actually done anything, ... simple facts that often fail to match their preconceived notions.

Now, you have all enjoyed that same experience.

As had Saint Paul, when he so eloquently stated in 2nd Corinthians ... "For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise".

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Just my opinion, ... but I've found there are few things in the world, as useless as a "speeder" wrench. 

Everybody has a couple laying around, ... and they're NEVER worn out .....

On the other hand, Potato Forks are quite useful, ... but conjure up unpleasant memories of sweating in the garden.

Fortunately, it can be "re-purposed" into something less traumatic. 

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Fortunately for us as a species, people are always thinking of new ways to do things.

And when you're developing new technology, it's essential that you think "outside the box".

But when you are not developing something that is essentially "new", it's also essential to reign in your ego, and allow yourself to learn from the preponderance of experience that already exists.

In theory, "conventional wisdom" has many pitfalls, ... but in practice, "reinventing the wheel" rarely yields improved results.

As a young man, I was as arrogant as they come, ... in my high regard for "my own" ideas and designs.

Some might contend that is still the case.  

But the passage of a half-century of hands on experience, has done much to enhance my respect for the practices of those who have gone before me.

I am by no means a Luddite, but do view arbitrary changes, with a healthy degree of skepticism.

If your primary goal is to massage your ego, ... then by all means, ... invent unique, personalized techniques, as a means to that end.

Otherwise, what's the point in seeking a "new" solution, to a problem that's been solved for centuries ?

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On 6/2/2016 at 2:57 AM, Frosty said:

Now make one that shoots steel ball bearings at say 250mph. in a heavy duty cabinet of course,

Frosty The Lucky.

Shot blast cabinets have been with us for decades.

There are others, but the ones I'm most familiar with, are made by a company that calls itself "Wheelabrator", ... and of course, Pangborn.

1 hour ago, forging-fool said:

Why do you feel the need to reinforce the welds?

A closer examination of the referenced post will reveal a desire to reinforce " critical corners with hidden welds".

I would do this, because I've lived in the real world for over 60 years, ... where unforeseen influences often come to bear.

The original post by "Jonathan", clearly indicated a beginner's level of expertise, and a desire to create something of enduring quality and utility.

The question posed, was ... "Do collars, bradded tenons, and rivets need to be reinforced with a weld?"

In the case of a neophyte hoping to successfully complete a project of this sort, ... the simple answer is YES.

Having made no mention of specific Luddite tendencies, it would seem that "Jonathan" was seeking advice from more experienced practitioners.

It is my opinion, that sacrificing strength and utility, on the altar of traditional esthetics, is not the kind of choice that evolved our predecessors to the current state of the art.

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Well executed collars rivets and tendons are all effective means of joining what is essentially ornamental iron work.

That being said .....

I would still reinforce critical corners with hidden welds.

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For what it's worth, ... A "spring tooth" harrow is a great "donor" for post vise springs.

Lacking that, new individual replacement teeth for "rock rakes", are readily available.

Sure, if you want to make it yourself from a suitable material, and fiddle with getting the temper right, ... you can do that too.

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14 hours ago, Bill M said:

 

Not sure what to do. 

Why not just measure the female thread ?

A simple inside caliper should be all that's required to ascertain the OD of the thread, and a "pitch" of that size should be equally simple to determine.

Keep in mind that the female thread will be slightly larger than the male screw.

And by measuring the distance from any given point on a thread to the same point on the next thread, ( in inches ) you can arrive at the pitch, by dividing that distance into 1 inch.

Yes, this assumes the thread is an SAE rather than a metric size, but the conversion from one to the other is no problem either.

Quite possibly, the thread used on the pivot bolt ( and the actual diameter of that bolt ) will be a good indication of whether metric or SAE threads were used in its manufacture.

On a square thread of that size, minor errors and ambiguities in your measurements will not significantly affect the outcome, as the differences from one size to the next will be substantial.

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Generally, I prefer a mild steel chipping hammer, ... to prevent marking up the work.

I knew a girl like that once.

Her "true" weight didn't exactly match that which was printed on her "profile" page.  

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On 5/20/2016 at 3:12 PM, JHCC said:

Drinking ropes is never a good idea.

Of course not, ... you smoke rope .....

I think the tool you need, ... Is a shovel.

And then, depending on the length of the rail, ... a tractor.

5 hours ago, Alan Evans said:

Hello Athen.

I am fascinated by your query...That you want to find out about how and where to publish a video of you learning to do something...even before you have made the video, learned how to do it, or even attempted it.

Who are you wanting to share this with? And why? 

Is your main interest video publicity or knife making, cinema verité, cataloguing your journey for posterity, sharing your personal journal....?

Alan

In reading postings on this forum, I too am often intrigued by perceptions and motivations.

As is so often apparent, by some members "obsession" with grades and types of steel, and the provenance of its manufacture, ... "aesthetics" sometimes plays a significant role, in what is essentially a "pragmatic" practice.

I think, in a fundamental way, the lack of commercial viability in modern day blacksmithing, "frees" many hobbyists from the constraints normally associated with pragmatism and profitability.

Thus, we find practitioners with knowledge and skills commensurate with the manufacture of nails and wall hooks, ... asking questions that are only marginally applicable to journeyman toolmakers.

This is not intended as a criticism !

But merely as an observation, ... regarding the clear disassociation of "traditional" motivations and influences, ... as opposed to "modern day" conditions.

Today, in a "non-commercial" environment, it's not unreasonable for a neophyte to aspire to the same level of knowledge and understanding as a seasoned expert, even though he may lack the practical experience to properly utilize that knowledge.

As always, ... Information is power.

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21 hours ago, littleblacksmith said:

I understand that when swinging a hammer with your thumb parallel or on top of the handle is bad.

                                                 Littleblacksmith

As opposed to what ?

It's good to remember, that there's always somebody, ... somewhere, ... saying something. 

Being a dullard, I tend to let most of that kind of information just wash right over me, without making much of an impression. 

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Although to the best of my knowledge, Ron White doesn't claim to be a blacksmith, his most famous line surely applies to many situations encountered in my shop.

"You can't fix stupid".

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You know, if it was me, and I just wanted a few pieces, I'd be inclined to "fake it".

That is to say, ... Why not take an appropriate length of round bar, stick it in a lathe and counter-drill one end to the necessary depth, leaving the "blade" end solid ?

The end result would be indistinguishable from a piece that started out as a gun barrel.

Another possible "variable" that might be a point of concern, is the possibility of "contaminating" your fire with residual copper, transferred on the work piece.

While this is not particularly "likely", it is certainly possible.

Why take the chance, when other, more suitable materials are readily available ?

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If you need a "lesson" about copper contamination, toss a penny in your forge, ... and become enlightened.

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Didn't you see the Da Vinci Code ?

I'll bet there's a lucrative market for custom made self flagellation gear in Rome. 

Store your gear for future use, ... and send me all the orders you can get, for hand forged Chain Scourges and Branks .....

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