larrynjr

Ok, so here is the (for now) final product. It's still not as stable as it could be but it should work fine. If not I'll break down and buy a piece of round sheet like Frosty talked about.

I don't recall if I ever posted what happened with that post vise stand, I think I did but I'll repeat it here and give the current sitrep on it. soon after Brad and I welded it up, I was using it, banging on something in the vise and it snapped right at the welds. What I've learned since is that brake drums like that are cast iron and don't take to welding to steel well. Brad (eburgblue) did an awesome job teaching me to weld and the welds he made were the best I've had the pleasure to see but that confounded cast iron beat us. So I've sloooooooowly been working on finding a new way to mount it and am close to being done (pictures pending!) I flipped the drum upside down and put a steel plate under it. Drilled countersunk holes though the plate and have 4 3/8" bolts coming up through to the plate on the vise stand. I need to cut a wood filler piece to take up some of the threads on the bolts. Then once assembled I'll fill the upside down drum with sand to add weight and give me a place for tools. If I finish tonight, I'll post the pictures!

duct tape, sorry for not getting back to you sooner, I lost track of this thread and didn't realize you had asked me a question. The I beam is about 6" at the I x 4" on each end. The plate is about 1/3 of an inch or so.

So I just was browsing the archives regarding working with SS and it sounds like it's barely worth the effort. So if I make meat flippers and forks with mild steel what is the best way to keep them from rusting? Vegie oil after use / cleaning?

this is a very timely topic! I hadn't gotten around to searching the archives for SS topics but am starting to consider what to make people for Christmas presents and was thinking meat flippers / forks out of SS. Great minds think!

I wear a welder's split leg style apron. I'd have a lot more burn holes in my clothes otherwise!

I would have to call that a dual hardie monkey doodle widget

I would imagine the Pacific NW is a bit further afield then you are looking but I know that NWBA has some sort of scholarship that they offer to new members / new smiths. I was just checking their site but couldn't find any reference to it, you could try emailing someone there directly for more info. NWBA Blacksmith I believe it's is gear towards attending a short 3-5 day type of class rather than a college scholarship. They have had the recipients of the award write an article for the Hot Iron News that they publish.

Not sure if this is what you meant by a blow dryer for a gas forge but Jerry at Old Cedar Forge has most of his set up like this. Nothing special on the gas tube, just copper into the blow tube. gets to forge welding heat no problems.

I did a google search for Michael McCarthy blacksmith and found this; By Hammer In Hand... -- http://www.hammerinhand.org/maxpages/Home Michael McCarthy P.O. Box 303Cooperstown NY 13326 USA michael@hammerinhand.com email address bounces back as unknown.

Looks good Highlander, it's a quick and fun project to do and you get a very useful item out of the deal!

Pardon me Mitch for missing your name right from the start and calling you Robb! I've got a good friend named Robb. So far with only 1/2 day of use I haven't had any trouble with the clip wanting to lift up and off but the keys have popped off unexpectedly.

LOL Mike! That was funny, the people I know that are into carrying guns have called it "packing" not carrying but I see where you could get confused. Maybe a thread elsewhere on the site could cover what people "carry" or "pack". I'd list mine but don't want to hijack Robb's thread.:cool:

good looking work Tom, I like the knife, has a japanese kinda look to it.

Robb, here you go, it's similar to yours though thinner on the belt clip part. Mine's not quite as smooth finished as yours though.

there are so many different types out there that I doubt there could be anything considered standard. Post some pictures of the vice and most likely someone here has one like it and can give details and pictures as to what the mount looks like and the spring. Without those 2 items I hope you got a good deal on the vice.

I liked the belt key hook so much I went out and made one last night! got the belt clip to narrow to allow my belt inside though. A quick heat will fix that though. Thanks for the great idea!

That's great looking piece, I see nothing to rip on. Keep up the good work!

Hi Mende! Glad to hear and see you back on here. Definitely find yourself a forge that you can go to for study breaks!