ChrisB

Did you mean Grainger with the 10% discount? I dont see McMaster listed on the ABANA website.

+1 trailer hub. I remember reading that Clay recommends them also.

what kind of tools do you have?

Hmm Iron Kiss hammers gets mentioned a couple of times then all of a sudden a Big Blue promo comes along backed up with two intangible slams against Iron Kiss.

One or two members here have one. Starting a new thread or using the search feature may yield better information about the KA-75. I was looking at buying one real hard this spring. I'll save you some trouble and sum it up.... # 1. It's not a power hammer. Its a power striker. That means you get one hit per pedal push. # 2. Those that have one or have used one think they are great. # 3. It is air hungry. You'll need a serious air compressor to feed it for continous operation. I'm sure someone will chime in and say they ran one off a 30 gal sears unit, however waiting for a compressor to recharge is annoying. # 4. It can hit real hard.

I thought about that, but my brother gave me this big speech last week about the riveters from the Golden Gate Bridge all went wacky cause the rivets were pre-painted. Plus I have close neighbors..

There is lots of info on building them on the web. Both Ron Reil and Larry Zoeller have web pages that detail building a forge. Those pages are a good resource in figuring out how much the materials are going to cost you. The big thing is figuring out your time value. I'm building one right now. Based off one of the BluePrints here. So far I have about 5 hours of my time and zero dollars in expense for the body and legs. Granted I'd say almost 2.5 of those 5 hours is in removing the old paint/tar off the forge body. (tip: the flap wheel on a 4.5" grinder moves paint much faster. Then blast it for final clean up)

I would like to second Frosty's safety recommendation. I used eye, ear, leather jacket, long pants.

I cut it open last week. While filled with water I drilled several 1/4 holes on the same line around the tank. Then used a step drill to open them all to 3/4. Used the Sawzall to "connect the dots". Removed the top and dumped the water. Note: Do this away from your shop. I did it a 15 ft from the door and had to smell that "smell" until it rained for two days in a row. Since then its been cut in two and the bottom section is 90% done as a forge. Just need to line it and put another coat of high temp paint. I did notice while welding on it that the "smell" would return. Once I got done welding it up and before paint I burned a sunday paper inside of it feeding it two sheets to keep the fire going nice and hot. That seems to have burned that smell out.

Call John at Iron Kiss. The Iron Kiss does have the clamping feature if thats what has you looking at the phoenix.

I've been asked about a name several times in the past month. So for now it's Gray Ghost Forge. I have a Weimaraner, she is totally bonded to me and follows my every move. Quite often she pulls a trick the breed is famous for..appearing out of no-where without a sound, hence the name "Gray Ghost"

Look for a sheet of 4x8ft 1" steel. Cut into strips and then weld up an anvil.

Went to the dump costs $10 to get in just to dump off some tin scraps. Left with 100lb propane tank nearly full. A large oxy tank with a good cert. 140cf Actelyne tank good cert.

Its been sitting for over a week filled with water. I havent touched it yet.

Mount your 7" blade in a portable table saw. Then make light cuts 3/16 at a time flip the brick and cut from both sides. You'll be though the brick fairly quickly and wont burn up your blade.

Awesome work. For those that dont know ipe its very nice wood. Very weather/wear resistant.

ok then next question. I'll assume these plans are designed for someone that doesnt own a welder. Looking at the plans at least a dozen drill and tap operations could be eliminated with some careful welding.

My question, how much is one really saving by building one of these?

make some micarta for the handle. Use some of your little brothers old prower ranger PJ's

I have about a 100 RR spikes non of my tongs grab them from the head end very well. Now I suppose I could make myself a set of Hofi Woop tongs from the blue prints however if I was looking to buy a set does anyone know of a set of tongs that grabs RR spikes by the head and securely holds them or grabs the shaft right at the base and wraps around the head of the spike in order to draw out the shaft of the spike. Thank you Chris

Welcometo IFI and your new addiction.

Very nice!

Jose will be along shortly he has one and is very happy with it which seems to be the general consenous about the KA-75. If you watch their videos they state its an on call striker more than a power hammer. I almost bought one but came arcoss something else..

I'm getting numerous requests for items that have extensive twisting involved. Mainly several pieces of stock twisted together. If you have a twisting machine please post a pic.

I have a empty propane tank that I would like to use as a forge body. The valve was removed a week ago. My plan is to fill it with water and use a cutoff wheel on a grinder to open it up. Any other tips?