FrogPondForge

Ahhhh, but the 110# is Russian. Mike (DadofFrogPond)

SJBC, I see you are in scenic Delaware, we are practically neighbors. We got our coal from Nolt's Mill. They are in Witmer, PA (near Lancaster). You take 896 all the way up, cross 30 and come to the end of the road. Go left and then take your first right. That should be Mount Sidney Road. Nolt's is 360 Mount Sidney Road, Near the RR crossing. Blacksmith's coal was $9.50/100#. Way cheaper by the ton. It is nice stuff, we generated very little clinker in the few times we have used it. Maybe alot of fines, but it burns well. No help for your New England tour, but good to know. Enjoy, MIKE (DadofFrogPond)

The 55# anvil from HF is cast iron. There is really no hope for it. HF does have the "110# Russian" anvil (AKA "Submarine"). It is cast steel. I got one for my son's starter anvil, it works. I think it is the only steel anvil that they sell. My nearest store said they were discontinued, had not had one since July. I found 3, 55mi away, in Vineland, NJ. They probably have two left, they are not on display anywhere in the store. The best part was that they were only $59.99 ($0.54/#). Too bad you already have the 55# C.I. ASO, $30 more and you can actually use the "Submarine". Good luck, MIKE (DadofFrogPond)

Could gearing be used to reduce the number of turns at the flywheel, using more common 4-5 turns-per-inch threaded rod/nuts? The overall torque should even out. I could see a big toothed belt drive, with a heavy spring-tensioner on the tension side. This would give the over-center release effect. (like the springs in a power hammer). There are belts, gears, chains, etc., that can transmit hundreds of horsepower. Just a thought. (FrogPond'sDad)

And don't forget these guys: Budget Casting Supply Price includes freight. (Lower 48) Good hunting, MIKE (FrogPond'sDad)

Wallace! Hello. Glad to see you here! http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f7/klinker-breaker-not-4782/ Be sure to see #9 I'm guessing you have an "in" on spikes, (with your night job and all), Linda and I stopped at a few places on the way home and picked Tom up 20 non-descript spikes to play with. He had fun. He'll be gone for a week (Sunny Florida). We should get together when he gets back. He has 16 spikes left . Thanks, MIKE (FrogPond'sDad) PS: Wallace's location will be VERY similar to ours. :)

Use a threaded stud and put some coarse sand in the epoxy and it should anchor pretty well. MIKE (FrogPond'sDad)

Clinker breaker? The tool was a gift. My forge has no "breaker". I have not had a clinker issue yet. TOM

I built a little stove for the kid's fort. It is still in the garage, but I'll test it someday. People have asked for one. I think you can build them for camping, but not in a home. I understand there is alot of money involved in getting EPA certification for in-home stoves for resale. I often toy with building an insert for the house, still a little cautious. Good luck! Mike (Frog Pond's Dad)

I was either going to build a stand for the anvil, or work on the forge. Working on the forge won out. Yes, I know I have to build and anvil stand. And I need tongs, and some hardy tools, and I need to mount the vise. All in due time. TOM

I had a chance to work at the new forge. It was great fun. I made a few railroad spike knives to start out. I posted some pics: Page 2 (Forge pics) Let me know what you think, thanks, TOM

Glenn, the HF chop saw is junk, but I knew that going in and probably coddle it a little. I have pretty much cut the same array of shapes from couple of inch bar to angles and tubes. We had a 3-phase 14" chop saw at the machine shop that made quick time through stuff that the HF struggles with. I take my time and apply most of the cutting pressure to the guard (in line with the wheel). The pivot is weak and, if you bear down on the handle, it bends and the cut goes crooked. It only cost as much as a couple of good wheels though. Everything I do with it ends up being a bonus. MIKE (DadofFrogPond) PS, we also had a HF chop saw at the machine shop. Once we took the head off of the base and cut out a door hole in the side of a trailer. It survived it to cut again.

I have probably cut a mile of steel with the $50 Harbor Freight 14" chop saw. I bought 5 blades with it and am on #2 or #3. It is so cheap as to make converting hardly worthwile. I do use my 10" miter saw on aluminum (carbide tipped). Works super! Mike (FrogPondsDad)

Chris, yes there are some pics coming but it is COLD in the shop tonight. I'll get things organized again soon. Usually after finishing something, I have about the same amount of time cleaning up as it took to build. Tom just got home from wrestling practice, he may have more tonight (A wrestler, drummer and blacksmith....I'll bet he works up some biceps eventually). Dad is pooped. This Christmas it was a forge and house (or "run in shed" in equine parlance) for his little brother's new donkey. I could use a few more elves around here. Tom's forge was a zero dollar invested project. I like the blower (but HATE ebay), it is doubtful that he will need it for some time to come. The shop vac kicks out plenty of (free) air for now. Thanks, MIKE

John, There really was no plan. I kind of got the parts together and built my way out. These threads and forums are a good place to start: Yahoo! Groups Yahoo! Groups Yahoo! Groups Yahoo! Groups Homemade CNC Torch - CNCzone.com-The Ultimate Machinist Community This forum is probably THE place to find out more xxxx: CNCZone Plasma Group Mostly plasma stuff, but the machines are essentially the same. One of the moderators there (massajamesb) got his interest from reading about my machine here: CNC Torch - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board The darn torch machine aways steals the show. It is but a tool, I have many other projects (in various states of completion) out there. It always seems to come back to the torch table though. At least Tom got his forge done Good luck! MIKE

Tom tells me that he is getting some reaction. I thought I'd better take a look. Thanks for all of the input. There is a page of the torch machine pics here: Torch And another project I did with it here: http:www//.accuratepower.com/Rest There are a few threads about it on related boards out there, I'll try to dig them up. It has been a few years since I built it, I have forgotten most everything, except how to use it. I've been thinking about the hole sizes in my grate for a while. I used this pic as a guide: I figured I could make a bunch of different plates to drop on top of it, if it turned out to be way too much. I think I'll draw and burn some to try out. Maybe one with a slot off to one side for a little "side draft". Tom fired it up yesterday and things seemed to be going "OK". With the ShopVac slowed as far as it would go, it still doesn't take long to get things HOT. Maybe it will be a coal-eater in the long run. Walk away from it for a few minutes and it'll burn steel, but keep a close eye on things and there is not alot of waiting. I think he will be alright when he gets the hang of it. It will surely be easier to block some off than to open them up, so I erred that way. Regarding the ash dump, I wish I had a longer and smaller chunk of scrap for it, I went with what was laying around. Clogging the air pipe doesn't seem to be a factor. Open the door and kick the vac on at full power and the ash just flies out. The real issue is that the hinges are at the bottom of it all. Grit will get packed in there a little. If you flop it open and shut a few times with the blower on, it does clear this out too. You can also adjust the volume a little by proping it open a tad. I'm sure he/I will be fine tuning a bit. And yes, that really is all just a bunch of junk I had laying around. I sat on that washdown tray for 20yrs.. And to think, my wife says I should throw some of that kind of stuff out. I didn't know it would make such a nice forge, but I knew it was something. I have a ton (literally) of springs (leaf & coil), fork truck pins & forks (the square bar "cubing tine" kind), drops from the torch machine, wire rope, automotive valvetrain stuff (springs, valves etc.) and more (lots more) all around the place. I haven't thrown out a chunk of steel since my 4x4 building days (long ago). When Tom said forge, alot of bells went off for me. And being 15 and fit, it was easy to make him drag it all together and clean it up. He will have fun using it, and I know where he is. Thanks for helping and humoring my son, this is a GREAT board. FrogPondForge's Dad (Mike)

Thanks everyone! I'm super grateful to have my dad and friends like Wallace. I'll keep you guys posted as I make headway. Wallace said he would help me with some tongs, but for now I'd be happy with a nail or beating some round bar into flat. Happy New Year to everyone. Thanks again, TOM

My Father and I fabricated a coal forge. I put together some pictures and captions for folks to look at. I build my first fire tomorrow, CAN'T WAIT! Have a look and let me know what you think: My new forge Thanks, and enjoy, TOM

Thanks Santa! Tom FrogPondForge

I too will be fabricating a coal forge soon. It is for my son and I was shooting for Christmas. I am kind of hung on the clinker breaker as well. Try as I may, I can't seem to navigate to the pictures mentioned. (Newbie) Could you show me the way? I go to "Galleries" then "Smithys" to no avail. While bungling, I bumped into an index including "Forges", looked through it, didn't see Sam, and moved on. Now I can't find that index again.... Anyhow, I will at least be following this thread. Thanks, MIKE