Kristopher Skelton

What Woody said If you go to forums.dfoggknives.com and search for "Xxxx forge" (or maybe xxxx fire) you'll run across an interesting forge by a Swiss knifemaker that is basically a box made of hard fire brick and some kaowool for a top. It gets hot! I'm currently using a standard size mailbox (bought new from Lowes, so it never saw service with the USPS) lined with superwool (non-ceramic fiber insulation) and ITC100. It needs to be bigger now, but it's suited my needs for quite a while. There is a rather large mailbox available (for packages and such) but their volume is such that you'd really have to consider how you're going to line it and fire it to get useable temps. If you use anything galvanized PLEASE be careful!! We don't need anymore deaths or illnesses due to metal fumes.

I tried that first, but I couldn't get the ring small enough to fit the screen So I had to make one the hard way ;)

That's what the ring was for Overall dimension is about 35x33 at the top of the arch. More pics at http://www.alchemyforge.net/fireplace-screen.html Edit: photo added

No offense taken I didn't mention traditional because I didn't want to close any avenue (for all I know someone makes their rings with tinfoil and a toothbrush ) Although, I suppose given my limitation of space and funds I end up doing things the "traditional" way. I appreciate the offer, and if I'm ever on the "other" coast I'll let you know and we can get together. And I extend the same offer, just drop a line. For the record, rings really ain't that hard but knowing several ways to make something is good in my book :)

Thanks guys! The gist of the problem was that the ring I needed to make is significantly larger than my cone mandrel (4-1/2" cone). 10hammers: not a production piece and as I tell people "if you want it to look like a machine made it, find a machine" I made the first one out of 1/2" round and figured if I was gonna make any more I'm gonna need an easier way to do it. I'll work 1/4" cold, but the 1/2" isn't agreeable enough. I went with "forge" welding (actually oxy-acet for the heating and then hammered the scarfed ends together). Ed (and Thomas): I basically used your method (work it around a drawn circle with hammers and bending forks and get it close to a drawn circle) and it sounds like good, ol' fashioned hard work may be the best way to go until there's a forming tool that I can justify purchasing I hope it didn't sound like I didn't want to do the work (because I DID do the work) but the hardest way isn't always the best way, and is usually the least efficient sometimes you jsut do what you have to because you can't justify buying a tool or making a jig for a one-off. The ring was for a fireplace screen that I finished monday night. I'll post pics on my website tonight when I have a fire going behind it (and I'll take a few of the ring, close up). I'll add random sized rings to my "do it while the forge is going anyway" projects along with twists and hooks. thanks again!!

If you don't have a floor mandrel or a swedge block, how would you make a ring 7" in diameter? I tried making a circle of 1/2" round stubs welded to a plate, but it was a PITA to get the ring finished. Plus it wastes the plate and is only good for the one size. Thanks all!!

I went to the ABANA website and found the "26 skills required for a journeyman smith" and I work on one of the new ones when I get a chance. I am nearly finished with a fireplace screen that is made of "S" and "C" hooks, forged rings, spirals, etc. Just stuff that I cut up, pounded out and filled the required space. It started to look a little like a sunflower so I pounded out some good sized leaves to stick in there, too. that's not to say I don't have "smith's block" but the above advice about an iforgeiron project, or an anvilefire demo, is a good route to take. There's usually at least a couple different skills involved in each project and you'll probably want/need to do them a couple times each. It gets a little annoying at times, but soliciting ideas from family and friends puts you in the shop working metal and they have a pretty, hand-made gift in exchange for a good idea. Then they won't leave you alone... it's kind of a catch-22 Good luck!!

"Existent" "Virus" does not need capitalization as it isn't a proper name and didn't appear at the beginning of that sentence. Sorry, had to. ;)

I was gonna say, why not make a chisel that WILL cut a grade 8 bolt and survive? Go buy a few and just try it. Maybe you'll need to switch over to an S series? 4140? Perhaps it's an edge geometry question... I dunno but I'd have fun trying. Isn't that how we got where we are today with our metals? Necessity being the mother of invention and all that :D

I would make the band slightly larger than needed to make an overlap. Then I'd drill holes that were slightly offset- say 1/4" holes offset by 3/32 or so. Then make a point in a piece of iron and drive it through both holes like a nail. This should pull the band tight and you can make the band tighter by driving the spike deeper without concerning yourself with expansion of the ring. You could even saw the end off the wedge if you thoguht it was tighter than you'd ever need It seems like it might do the trick Edit: last comment edited, no content lost

From ressurection to Off Topic Brad's idea to register your name with your state is a good one. However, in Washington state in order to do that you have to register as a business. The problem with that is, and I ran into this in 1995 so it may be different now but I don't think so, if you're a hobbyist and aren't making any money you still have to file quarterly taxes. And if after 3 (5?) years you aren't making a profit (that is to say paying tax to the state on top of your business registration fees) they won't renew your license. :x Then you have to wait 3 years or something before you can start another business. I recommend that you look into this type of registration carefully before "becoming official" and potentially losing the name that you've become attached to (unless, of course, you're using your own name).

I hope no one minds the ressurection of "old" threads. I'm a member of several online forums and new thread creation for old topics is a pet peeve I named my shop "Alchemy Forge" for what seem to me obvious reasons. I believe in the combination of the self with the four ancient elements: Earth (iron) Wind and Fire (in the forge) and Water (for quenching and cooling). Alchemists, in addition to searching for understanding of the world around them and the universe, sought to turn base metals into gold (notably lead) and sought the elixir of life (immortality). I would like to turn some iron into gold and while I don't seek an elixir that grants immortality, I do believe that the metal I work will last for generations. I firmly believe that people in the future will look at my work with favor and while my name may be gone part of me will live on through my work. I love all of the other smithy and shop names... thanks for sharing the stories!