Dragons lair

John, Thanks for the update. Had not heard of the Sylva gathering will look for it next yr. Hi to Tom and Carrie. Ken

John, Is Will Rogers still teaching there. I was in the first class held there. No one showed up at fire on the mountain this year. May try to stop in. I am in the Asheville area. BTW the forges are modified Mankels. Ken

$25.00 buy it now I would call that a deal. Ken

Only thing I can say is Semper FI Not just to to my bros. TO all who servie It don't matter GREEN , bLUE BROWN. WE know who we are what we did. BO rah i will drink with any combat vet. USMC 63-69 Bros we are alive rember those whor aren't. ken

Weather you want to carve a nice rail anvil. Cut one out of heavy plate, or make a mold cast and ht. You will spend more time/money than a new one. My first was a rail anvil about 36lbs sq hardy rd pritchel hold down and hot cut. Shop time + matl about $750 for a great hobby /jewlers anvil. 150lb torch cut trenton $200 142 H-B $250 88lb H-B $60. I won't make any more.

At the risk of irrattating a lot of you. My tools as taught by a swedish grandfather are kept or restored to best condition. Anvils are belt sanded radiused and blackened at best. Vises are cleaned tightened and blackened. Grew up owning many vintage cars and bikes. drive your vintage with faded paint, rotten rockers. ratty interior. dripping oil, blowing smoke. Not for me. my vehiclesand tools don't require patina. My 88lb Hay- Budden came with a great face. No horn Now it has a horn. My 142 Hay-Budden had rolled edges and a few deep chips pits now flat faced, even radiused edges.I may be wrong but I am D--m happy with my tools

best plan for auctions go off season and crappy weather. Used to be on a list 5 houses for an older hobby was great till i got a call drove down. Quickly found out about in season auctions. Items were going for 150% of retail. If you go set a price then walk if it goes over. Ken

When you stop learning you be daid. Frosty hit it right on the head. I have done a few things that the masters,experts. professionals. said YOU CAN"T DO IT THAT WAY. My rule is if you don't like or can't do it my or some experts way DO it your way. Safely of course. Ken

I found a great use for barbed wire. on my welding sign i welded 3 strands together on each each side. Heavy gold flake paint. In the wind they move enough to lool like sparks. Ken.

I have a 330amp tig a 250 mig and a 180 mig I would advise at least a 175-180 amp 230volt set up you can weld about anything around the shop. NO you cant braze with a welder. Unless you buy a high end tig welder. I can do brass, copper or aluminum with mine. Ken

Think smaller a propane tank will make a decent forge oil tanks make great giant BBQ cookers Ken

A 140 air line with a pinhole or break will scare you. A pinhole in a 3-4000 lb hydro line will hurt or kill you. Think water jet fluid at mega pressure will cut steel will do same for flesh. Have had air lines pop just change your drawers. Hydro leaks may require the undertaker to do it for ya.Be safe guys. Just a thought self contained hammers that require a big compressor? Ken

Check out ebay matchless antiques always has all kinds and prices and he is in michigan his name is steve. Ken

Tig it if you can. I snapped the blade on a TL-29 30yrs ago tigged it ground it used it. Its still in the tool box. Ken

I emailed member jamesrjohnson the US dealer for anyang had a response within 12 hrs. Try email or PM. Ken

Did some on a neighbors. Never got them quite right. Close just don't get it Ken

Perhaps an add on to the language translation page. kings english? I know about boots spanners bonnets wings and such from 6 yrs of MGs and Healys. (grin)

Yeh I like easy. Cost? About $5 worth of kero a week or fire up the gasser heat a big plate 2-3 times to heat the anvil. When you get over 60 its harder to get going when its 30-40 in the shop. Heat comes on just before opening. Ken

Ceiling fan controls are way better than dimmer switches. Name says it all(fan control vs light control) Have also used router controls (again motor speed control) If it will hold a tennis ball in mid air its tooo much. Ken

Frosty you must have been very good to get out of the corner so fast. (GRIN) Ken

Hey Dennis you left out one thing. Cost of the equipment to do the work.In my shop I hear it all the time. How come it costs so much for 10-15 minutes work. Its my time plus the gas,electric,ect Plus the 50 grand in equipment. Hope to scooter over one of these days. Ken

Say what? dem words got more than 4 letters. Ken

I spent many yrs welding aluminum patio furnature piece work. Got about 2yrs out of a 1/4 in 3X3 top. It dished about 6" in the center. Now in my own shop I have a 5X5 hydraulic lift table with an extra 1/2" plate on top. Best ever was a 2" 3X6 aluminum top. Tables are like anvils heavier is better. Ken

An astronomical number of aquariums can't be wrong. Silicone can be applied under water if need be. Ken

Better than the yellow pages just ask Frosty. Quicker than google anyhow.(grin) Ken