Trip

Well that's why I am asking what kind of steel would be best to use because I don't know much about steel. I assumed 4140 would be ok since that is what my smithing hammer is made out of. Thanks, Trip

Hey yall, As some of you may know, I am building a log house, and I am st the point where I am needing some special wood working tools, but I would like to make them myself. The tools I am needing to make is a small carpenters axe, some old style framing chisels, and a LARGE draw knife. Now I was wondering what kind of steel I should get for these tools, I was thinking 4140, but I don't know enough about metal to be comfortable buying a load of it. Thanks, Trip

Thanks, The hooks do move in the eye a little bit, but not bad, and I forged the hooks pretty deep so that if you hung a coat or hat on it, it wont fall to the ground. Glad you enjoy the video's. Thanks, Trip

Hey yall, Here are some photo's of a coat rack that I made today. Its a little different from any thing I have ever made before, but I kinda like it. Yall see any thing that I should have done different, and what do yall think?

2 months ago I found one of the first pieces I ever forged, and remembered how hard it was for me to find info on proper forging techniques, and it was then that I decided to make a series of video's that I hope will give newbie's the info needed to start forging. So here are the links. This video is about building your own coal forge and firepot In this video I show how to light a coal forge by just using 3 sheets of news paper I hope these video's are helpful and happy forging. Trip

The other day, I had to go to the scrap yard (its also a steel supply yard) to get some metal, and as alway's I got to the scrap pile and see if the metal I need is there, since I can get it for $0.35 a pound. Well as I was looking I saw these HUGE shears, and just had to get them, if nothing else it would make good tool steel. Then the day after that I had to go there again because of a mis callculation on materials :( and as I was going through the scrap I saw this cart. As I was weighing in my metal I asked the owner "how much you want for that cart?" and he replied "$0.35 a pound" and I quickly said "i'll be RIGHT back!!!" and went and got it. so in both pieces I got about $30.00 and that = a happy blacksmith :)

Will Turner from the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean The Curse of the Black Pearl"

I'm glad yall liked the video, thanks for all the compliments!!!!

I sell on ebay and craigs list.

So here is "HEAVY FORGING HD" useless link removed

Oh and I forgot to mention that I made the handle from a 50-75 year old hand split Red Oak tobacco stick. The handle has a slight bow to it, but it feels good when forging.

I got to use the hammer for the first time yesterday, and I love it. Even though it just 2.6Lbs I can still move more metal with it than I can my 3.5Lb cross peen hammer!!!! I hope to do more smithing than welding this week, so I will upload a video of it in use.

Yes, but if I remember correctly, I talked to you while you were out there, and you said that the first few day's your arm was killing you.

But I shall point out that the only striking you did was on the anvil. I did ALL the striking for the hammer too!!!!!

Like I told you yesterday Dave, The only reason a person needs a HUGE sledge is becuase they don't have enough lead in their britches to move the metal them selves. :) ROFLOL

Not sure why, but my right arm is just a little sore???? ;)

Here is a preview of what's to come in the way of a video of forging Dave Custer a striking anvil, and a rounding hammer for myself. http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?feature=youtube_gdata_player&v=2WQtcRqKkPw&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D2WQtcRqKkPw%26feature%3Dyoutube_gdata_player

Sounds like your talking about a power hammer of some kind.

Hey y'all, I'm thinking of building a clay spencer desing inline treadle hammer for my shop ( I'm just about done with the tire hammer) I found where ABANA sells the plans, but I'm not a member, so do I need to become a member to buy plans from them? I don't realy want to pay for a years membership just to get the plans. Thanks, Trip

My best friend Dave Custer made my touch mark for me for a birthday gift last year, since I didn't have one. It uses my initials "CS" inside a square box.

Hey yall, Thanks for the great info!!!!! Well I was thinking 14x14 would be kinda big, that's why I was planning on using fire brick to eat up the inside room, and then put kwool over the fire brick on all sides (except the bottom). So is there a "normal" size for a 2 burner gas forge?

Try this link. http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?feature=related&v=VxzdqcPzXj8

Well what I am thinking of making in it will be knives, maybe a sword or two, and round tuits. I would like to make it to where I can forge weld Damascus in it. Sorry yall my tools are already spoken for. Lol. I WILL be buying a co2 detector this week!!!! I was thinking about knocking out one of the 3 windows in the winter shop and installing a over head hood for the gas fumes.

Hey yall, I'm thinkin about building a gas forge for my winter shop (its heated and insulated :) ) instead of building a new coal forge/ flu. I know I will need some ventilation, but I am planning on setting the gas forge next to a window I can open. I am looking at building a 2 burner, using this type of burner http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?feature=related&v=VxzdqcPzXj8 is that a good design? Also I have a 14X14 inch steel box made out of 3/16" thick mild steel (used to be my hoffi style forge hood) How long should I make my forge? What should I line it with, Kwool, or fire brick? I am planning on using a 100 gallon LPG tank, what kind of regulator should I use? thanks, Trip

I could lift it with one hand.......just as long that hand was on my tractors front end loader joystick. :D