Parrothead

Hmmm, it moves easily under the hammer for me. Of course, it's what I'm used to, been forging spring or 5160 the most since I began forging. I don't see too much difference between it and mild steel, but I can tell a big difference between 5160 and Nicholson file, which is supposed to be 1095 on the new ones. The file is much stiffer under the hammer and resists abrasion more, so it takes longer to sharpen.

What I really mean to say is I don't know how to draw out a flat piece. I bang a lil one way, then try another and all I end up doing is burning up a bunch of coal. It will be the weekend before I can get on my computer to upload what I have done so far. When I see the beautiful knives shared on here I feel a lil embarrassed, but everyone starts somewhere I guess.

Thomas, are spring shops fairly common? Is that what I would search the phonebook for?

James, simple and great idea for my leaf springs. Think i will try that next. The lady I spoke to at the tool steel place wasn't familiar with 5160. Kinda shocked me, but maybe tool and die makers don't use 5160??

Rich, I found that page, thank you. It appears what I found is fair, not a great deal but not robbery either.
Stormcrow, I'm having a hard time shaping and drawing the leaf spring. It's about 3/16 or1/4 by 2, guess I just can't make it move like the round and square pieces I started practicing with.

Thank you, I only checked on their minimum purchase today as I was afraid a full bar would be out of my hobby fund allowance.

Hi everyone. Still very new to working with metal, as my hobby time is quite limited. The other week I was excited to score some leaf springs out of a dumpster and have been practicing moving the metal around. I found it acts different from the rr spikes I've played with.
More to the point of my post. A few weeks ago in one of the post someone sorta "scolded" a newbee for using unknown material for a knife. At first I thought that it was kinda rude, but now believe very good advice.
So after checking with a local tool steel supplier here is the quote I got today. Both 3/4" round by 36" 1095 and o1 $17.50 and 1/8"*1 1/2" by 36" o1 flat stock $41. Were these good sizes to check on for a beginner? Are the prices in line with what yall are paying? My goals are to make small skinners and work up to a large Bowie.

Thanks,
Tom

Are you using waste oil for fuel? Curious about your burner design. I've thought about something similar, forge and furnace combo. But was worried about too much volume to be an efficient forge. Please keep us updated with your progress.

Thank you. Between work and family haven't had a chance to really heat it up. Hoping to be home this coming weekend and have something to come out of the forge.

Here is the almost complete forge. Needs a little tweeking yet. The plumbing is a corner fence post I cut and welded into a T. My air comes from a salvaged furnace blower. With the bottom missing out of my T its almost just enough air. When I cover the bottom its a little too much air.

Thanks carlson, I will try tonight.

I added the file in the browse box, but I never saw anything to actually upload the pics. Just the button to post or preview.

I started with firewood in a wheelbarrow, then coal in a stack of firebrick. After getting tired of spending my precious playtime getting ready to play I assembled this thing. Nothing orginal I can take credit for, just a lot of time looking at what others have done.

The only purchased materials in this are a piece of pvc pipe and a fence top cap. Everything else was salvaged or found on side of the road.

Ok, where my pics??

Im at a loss. Ive downsized the pics and still no upload.