Trip

Also, I have it on Ebay for sale if anyone would like to buy it :) http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blacksmithing-Coal-Forge/221142448050?ssPageName=WDVW&rd=1&ih=012&category=13869&cmd=ViewItem

A while back, I built a new firepot for my masonry forge, but I welded the air intake pipe on the wrong side. So instead of trying to rebuild it, I decided to build a small portable steel forge. what do yall think?

Looking forward to it, I got a TON of questions, but most are knife handle questions.

Cool looking knife. Keep up the good work!!!!

Weeeeelllllllllllllllll. The main reason I had decided to go with the helve hammer was because it would cost less, but I just sold my champion 400, so I got enough funds now to go back with the tire hammer design.

Man that's just down the road from me. Wish I had the $$$$ though. :(

Well I have been doing some reading online about this type of assembly and it looks a lot simpler. Could I not use a car leat spring? Looks like what they did here http://www.anvilfire.com/power/safrica/mech1.htm Thanks y'all Trip

Hey y'all, I was looking at some photos of power hammers on google images and found this style power hammer head assembly. What is this style head assembly called? It looks fairly simple to build. Would it work as a substitute for a tire hammer style assembly? Thanks y'all Trip

Well the tire hammer isn't going to get finished............ Instead I have decided to go with the simpler helve hammer.

Hey yall, As some of you know, I live next to the largest old order mennonite community in the country, and with that they buy a lot of good quality wood working tools. So with that being said, I have decided to try to shift the bulk of my smithing from rustic home furnishings, to tools. The way I plan on doing this is to learn how to make one specific tool, then practice until I can make a "perfect" tool every time, then market it, and learn how to make another tool. The first tool I am going to learn how to make is a axe, becuase I know several of the mennonites, and from what they have told me, they go throught more axes then a teenager will go throught electronics :). I have read a good bit on making axes, but there is one tool that from what I have read, I am missing, and that is a mandrel for forming the handle hole. Is there a place where I can buy one, or do I have to make it myself? Are there any other specialty tools needed for axe making? thanks yall, Trip

I can't tell you how many times I have watched that video on youtube. I hope to start making tools like that in the neer future.

Thank you all so much with all this great advice, I will take all this info into account next time a price a piece of my work.

Hey yall, With the comming of cooler weather, I have been out in the blacksmith shop a LOT more, and forging some new pieces. like the cookware set and today I am working on a fireplace set. After every project, I don't realy know how to price my work. Yall got any advice on this matter? Thanks, Trip

Well I just finished the ladle, so that means that the set is complete. Here is a photo of the finished product. http://s1109.photobucket.com/albums/h422/kyblacksmith/?action=view&current=008d4bd17db9ee0ea36b885172447ada.jpg&mediafilter=noflash What do y'all think? Ttyl, Trip

Well this mornin I forged out a bread loaf spatula to go with the set. Here is a link to the pic http://s1109.photobucket.com/albums/h422/kyblacksmith/?action=view&current=96b806d60f42e24cf07d22b624d32f2d.jpg&mediafilter=noflash As soon as I finish my evenin cup of coffee, I will make a ladle............ I hope lol Trip

Hey yall, Since I have been working on my log house, I haven't had much time to do some "new" just for fun projects in the shop. I am wanting to do all the iron work for my log house (right down to forged nails for the flooring), I know it's a pretty big under taking, but it will be a showcase of my work. Right now I am working on a 18th century cook ware set, so far I have forged out a roasting fork and the wall hanger. Here is a pic attached I am wanting to make a ladle for the set, but I don't know how to make one. Any of y'all know how? Thanks, Trip

I built my forge out of blocks and then "faced" it with bricks, and basically built a steel table so that I could put paver bricks for the table of the forge, but if I could do over, I would just use 1/2" steel plate for the table of the forge.

First time in 12 years that I wish I we had a TV. :(

Well since I just bought a log home kit, I am having to watch what i spend, so I am going with the cheaper, and easier Ac 1HP 1725RPM motor. But thanks on all the good info on using DC.

The last 2 Day's I have been trying (key word, "trying") to make some decent knives, so I am REALLY looking forward to this knife chat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I guess I got it right. After hardening it in oil, then heating it to a blue heat (the dark blue after the straw color) and I then let it slowly cool. After it cooled, I set in in my vice and hammered it, and all it did was bounce my hammer right back at me. so I got it back to spring steel. :) so as far as I know I was successful at making a good knife blade....... Was I?????????

Well since it is a small knife, and it's already in the handle, it will make a cool letter opener. LOL I just watched a video on youtube that explained the whole process in lehmans terms(just what I need in that area of smithing :) ) Well I'm going to top off my coffee cup, and go to the shop, and try again..... This time, hardening first, then temper it......... I hope :o thanks, Trip

I don't know, I may have hardened it, tempered it , or I could have turned it in to mickey mouse for all I know!! LOL But I do know that once I got the shape I wanted, and was done forging the blade, I heated it up to nonmagnetic ( I had a magnet) and quenched it in motor oil. So what did I do, and if/what do I need to change on my HT technique? Thanks, Trip

Hey yall, Well this is the first knife that I have ever made, besides a few rail road spike knives. This knife is made out of a piece of dump hay rake spring tine. When I tempered it, I got it up to non magnetic, and quenched it in old motor oil, and the deer antler is from a buck I killed about 2 years ago. So hows that for a first try, and what do I need to do to improve it? I hope to try to make another one tomorrow. This knife took me about 45 minutes to make. Thanks, Trip

Well yall, I just thought I was going to have a new firepot, but I welded the "tuery?" backwards, so it wouldn't fit in my masonry forge. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I took out my existing firepot, took out the old clinker breaker with a cordless sawzawl, raised the bottom plate up to where it was 3.75" deep, and made the bottom hole bigger (2.5"X2"), and put in a piece of 3/4" rebar in the center of the hole. Also I disconected my electric blower, and hooked up my big 16" Champion 400 blower. I guess all that fixed it, because I just did my first successful forge weld, since having this masonry forge!!!!!!!!!!! I am one HAPPY country boy!!!!!!!!! so I guess I will make a mobile steel forge out of the extra firepot. Thanks for all your help yall, Trip