larrynjr

A butcher is more like a chisel with a very wide blade, with a 45 degree angle to it. Here is a picture of one with a side set tool also. It is not particularly knife like.

You use the butcher to isolate a mass to be forged out into tenon's and filials. The side set is used to move the mass away from the shoulder after you've butchered down to your desired thickness.

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

not to be too dense but what IS an annular cutter?

I would have liked to make the bottom Heel bar with an upset and use a heel tendon, but my skill level is not good enough to do that.

I'm not quite sure I understand your "whippy" term, could you explain what that is to me?

Thanks Mark, that fits the description that mcraigl had done on the forging tenon thread and what I was picturing in my head from that description.

So it IS a type of guillotine tool, just with a much large working face. I may try to make one soon. Though the little blacksmith angel in my head says a guillotine tool may show up under the tree this year.....


Larry

http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f7/forging-tenon-7708/index2.html

here is the thread from the forging tenon thread. MCraigl was the one posting and explaining.

This was mentioned in the tenon thread recently and it is mentioned in the CBA Level III pdf as a tool to have. Does anyone have a picture of this? I'm not quite getting it from the description.

Thanks!

Have no doubt Peyton, these and all I've seen from you are equal to anything I have seen on this site. These are very cool and you did a great job.

Here are some views from my house, the "mountain" is to the North and the sunset is West. (where else would it set?)

Welcome to the site, it is always great to have new members. I remember last year about this time when I first found this site. It was indeed a hallelujah moment.

Darryl is a great instructor, I took his forge welding class this fall and anticipate taking an animal head class from him in the coming year. Thanks for providing the link to the youtube video Mark, did you also edit the DVD to create the youtube video?

Sorry to hear about your circumstances, you're a bit too far from me to make buying anything an option but I'm sure there are enough smiths near you that you will be able to sell your stuff quickly.

I hope things look up for you soon and you find a way to return to forging.

I'd be more worried about being outside in the snow on a sunny day (visible light)
quote]

The Army at least used to mess up lots of soldiers eyes by issue tinted goggles for use in snow. These shaded the eyes but provided no UV protection. With your eyes open wider your eyes get more damaged by the UV. Then the soldiers would get diciplined for not protecting their eyes...............................at least the unit(s) I was with, I saw that happen.

In situations like that, you are better off with no goggles and squinting your eyes, it blocks more UV that way.

I read various references to using acid's to remove the flux and vaguely remember something about vinegar.

Is vinegar strong enough to remove the flux residue or is there a commercial product I should be looking for?

I used to wear just the wrap around clear plastic safety glasses, until I got a piece of steel in my eye while grinding. No damage done but it made me think twice. I now wear the clear plastic shop goggles, that completely cover my eyes, underneath, top and sides. I haven't had any trouble with anything getting in my eyes except sweat now!

I keep bricks in front of the door of my gasser and tend not to stare into the fire much, so I haven't been too worried about IR damage. I will still look into getting something though, I want to continue to see until I'm no longer seen by anyone!

Apology accepted Jr. I actually hadn't had time to get close to my step son, my wife and I were still short of our 2 year anniversary when it happened, he was 21 and recently released from the Navy with depression issues. It is of course hardest on my wife and for me hard to see her go through this. She is working very hard to move on with life but I know that it is something that you NEVER get over.

I certainly sympathize with your loss and know that it is something you feel every day.

Thank you all again, Larry

Thank you all for your kind responses. It has been a difficult time for us, my wife especially. I recognise that the "quality" level of that cross is less than perfect, (not something I would think of selling commercially) but it was presented here more in the spirit of why it was made and not for critical evaluation. I appreciate that you all understood that.

Problem is, I don't want to back my self into a corner and end up being a robotic fabricator. I enjoy creative, inventive, fabrication, but I like to keep moving ahead to new ideas and projects.

very interesting article, thanks for posting.

Here is what Jerry at Old Cedar Forge is / was selling for coat / hat hooks. I think I like yours better though.

remember you asked.

I don't think I've mentioned this here yet, but my step son commited suicide the beginning of this past summer. My wife is creating a memorial garden for him in our front yard and asked me to make a cross to go into it. This is what I came up with. I used some "scrap" steel and riveted the pieces together.

I don't use a coal forge so I am no expert but it appears to be made using a cut out 55 Gal. drum. The tyer (sp?) and blower look like standard coal forge equipment. How much do they want for it? If it's more than the cost of a hand crank blower and tyer I would say probably not. But if it's a good price, go for it. You can always move the blower and tyer to a different forge body.

she won't even break down for one of these puppies? Old World Anvils - Stump Anvil

Dang, I hadn't heard about that. A great loss to blacksmith's everywhere. My prayers go out to his family and friends.