Scary Mc

Shouldn't be a problem. You'll have to do at least two passes so just be sure to clean the slag off between them. Edit: I missed the stainless part.... Be sure to use stainless wire!

Perfect! Thanks so much for the help, Thomas.

I'm starting this thread here as I think it might get a few more hits than in the forge section. Feel free to move it if I've done a bad, bad thing. :mellow: I've had my old Mankel Farrier for a few weeks now and have gone through about 15-gallons of propane banging away on metal, mild steel, stainless, and copper. I'm wondering of I am adjusting my forge to get the most heat out of it, or if I could adjust things a bit better. I've searched the web and have tried to search this forum to no avail and am wondering if there is a good thread, ect. that might explain how to best adjust the forge. What color should the dragon's breath be, how much should I open the propane valve on the forge, blower aperature, ect. Ideas, threads, insults? Thanks for your time, Gary

Lacking a swage block or vise, wouldn't it be ok to use my anvil's hardy hole to forge this?

Brilliant, I'm going to try this on Friday!

The Harry Potter reference killed Raven's Claw for me. ; )

I can't say thank you enough times to y'all for all of the great ideas and advice I have gotten via this thread. I've been forging over the last few days and have a made few small pieces that I've had floating around my head for the last few months. It's so nice to see them to fruition. We have a weekly farmers/craft market on Main St., a few blocks from my shop/house and I'm going to bust my rear to get a decent sized and varied collection together for that. We'll see how it goes... I need more basic tools (punches, chisels, tongs, ect) but am making do with what I've got for now. Thanks again, Gary

I picked up some scrap 2" 1045 round bar yesterday and am going to attempt a hammer this next week. My question is whether or not it is ok to set the steel directly on the of the soft brick on my Mankel or do I need to find a way to suspend it above the soft brick? Many Thanks- Gary

Please Delete.

Did you preheat the anvil to about 300 degrees F before you laid down the 7018? How has it held up?

You might consider a machine shop. I wish I knew what to tell you otherwise

After a 15-year career in conservation work I went back to school last year and will be graduating this May with a degree in welding (SMAW, GTAW, GMAW/FCAW) and small business. I've got a good start on a reasonable business plan (my final project for business class) and am trying to decide on a name for said business. XXXXX I even have an empty shop that happens to be a 100yr old barn. The options listed are personal in nature, I have always had a thing for ravens and have a raven sleeve tattoo on my left arm. The next is my dog, Pecos, he goes everywhere with me and is, of course, a spotted dog. Thanks for your thoughts and consideration. -Gary Mc

I got i cleaned up enough that I think I can read 0-3-9 as the weight code. What does that work out to be in pounds? EDIT: I have that figured @ 93lbs, if I didn't jack it up....

Pic, so it did happen! ; ) Testing it out before I laid out the cash.

Picked up a two burner Mankel farrier ( ? ) for $ 180. It puts a steel shoe to weldi g temp in about 6-minutes with my untrained tuning. Did I get a good deal or did I get hosed? I'll post a pic when I get home...

Can we see more pics of your forge, Norsemen? Is that 2ft diameter pipe?

They seem to be fairly Front Range centric (four hours away) , though I will be joining the group.

Does anyone of of any smithing groups or get togethers in Western Colorado or Grand Junction area? Take it easy- Gary Mc

I most definitely will! We spend a lot of time in BV and Salida rafting and fishing in the spring and summer.

Thanks for welcome, y'all. I'll reading with rapt attention, Heck, I'm even going to look at a forge today!

I love it!

You are not mistaken as that is exactly what happened. It does appear to be the original face that was arc'd on though. Also, strangely enough it has a really nice ring to it. It's better than the anvil I had (none) and I gave him $40 bucks for what feels to be about an 80lb chunk of steel by Peter Wright. I'll still be on the lookout for a keeper.... I'll get her cleaned up and post a few pics.

The pics are less than stellar. If the face is broken off I don't know what to offer the guy. I need some sort of anvil.....

I'm going to look at this anvil in a few hours, the gent is asking $100 for it. At this point all I can tell is that it's old. Any ideas what it might be? Thanks, Scary

Morning folks, I'm new to blacksmithing and look forward to gleaning some of the accumulated knowledge of the board. I was recently laid off from my position as a backcountry ranger for the BLM and am now back in school getting my associates in welding while I wait for my old job to get funded again. If it doesn't I've got welding to fall back on. I became interested in smithing a few years ago while in Buena Vista CO and watching a smith in his shop. I then ran into a smith shop in rural Kenya with a HUGE coal forge and that further concreted my interest. I look forward to reading and learning! Take it easy- Gary