Smokeman

When I started getting into this, I bought a cheap Craftsman 14" cutoff saw.
I figured that I would upgrade when I decided if this work was for me. Well it's been about three years now and the Craftsman is still what I am using. No need to replace it yet.

I roughed out the blade then drilled 1/4" hole. I then heated and punched through the 1/2" hole. I left the punch in the hole while I finished forging out the blade. I then smoothed it out on the belt sander.

The drift hole is around 1/2". It is round. I will do an oval the next time as the hawk has the tendency to slip and turn.

Thanks Guys, I used 1-3/4 Top Rail Material from King's for the top. For the middle and bottom I used 1/4 X 1-1/4 Flat Bar. I forgot to mention the 33/64 Cobalt for all of those holes.

Thanks guys for your nice comments. Buddy, My friend didn't want a magnet to hold the doors shut and he wanted it to look rustic, so I made the scroll wide enogh to cover both door sides. I then used a carriage bolt to secure it. The scroll can be swung right or left to allow the doors to open.

Here is a photo of an iron fence job that I did. All in all, it was 30' of panels at 33" in height. 1/2 solid rounds for the pickets. Powder Coated Finish. The lady that I did the job for was happy.

Finished up this Fireplace Screen for a friend today. Thought I would post it since I have not posted here in a while.

I like the idea of compressed air. I actually tried out my forge with an air nozzle. With my 60 gal tank, I used very little air for quite a while. How about just putting a gate valve in the line and have it fastened to the forge for easy operation. Open it for whatever air flow is needed.

Boy, I got into this thread at the right time. Since we are talking Charcoal, I do have a question. My shop is not considered air tight. Can I burn wood charcoal in my forge without a chimney while inside the shop ? When I tried a little of the charcoal out, I dont see much smoke at all and it seems to burn clean.

PS: Good post Frosty I just got my 55 gallon drum and am getting ready to try my first charcoal burn.

Bentiron1946- Things are a bit different out this way. This is a rural/country area. Not really even a town. The spears are 6" centers. Not really any major code/rules here.


Johannes- The tips are forged iron. I Bought these from King Metals. When, the big question is "when" I ever build or get that power hammer I will most likely make them. :)

I like it. Thanks for sharing the pics.

A buddy of mine called and wanted an old time looking pool gate. This is what he got. 1/4 X 1-1/4 Flats. 1/2 Round Stock with Welded finials and a forged latch.

Many Thanks Frosty, I like that ash dump. I was thinking of doing a side draft also. Question, do I need fire brick around the pot or can I just throw the coal in the way it is. The plate is 1/4" thick. Thanks

I was thinking of that when I was putting it on Sabre. Galve will hurt ya. If I light this up outside, will the galve burn off ? I looked at three local stores for plain old metal T's but all everyone had was Galve.

Hey Fat Pete, hows it going buddy. Yes, I plan on boxing it in with angle. Still trying to decide on what hood I might use..

Thats a good idea piglet, never thought of the rain stack cover for the ash dump. I might have to look into that one. Thanks for sharing that information.

I was just down your way last week, went with the family to Turkey Point.

Hi Sabre, the firepot is a cast iron disc brake drum off of a six lug chevy truck

Hi folks, After speaking with Glenn and the boys in chat last night, I had a few questions and everyone was kind enough to answer them for me. I started on my new shop forge today. I currently use a two burner gas job and decided to build me a bigger coal forge to do some big stuff. Anyway, here is progress for today. Let me know what you think. Don't worry, I'm not thin skinned, I can take the bad with the good. I still need to fabricate the sides where the coal lays and build a hood of some type. I used a disc brake drum off of a six lug chevy pickup for thr firepot.

Thanks again for your advise here folks. You people are a great bunch.

PS: The beverage in the one photo is in there for scale. It was good though on this hot day in PA.

Rutterbush : Sorry, I only have one barrel left. You can sometimes find those used barrels on ebay for a few bucks. My mind is always moving and I always look at things and think of ways to make things out of them.

Brucegodlesky: I quenched in warm oil, nose first and it took a nice edge. The file bounces right over it. I am not sure what those barrels are made of because they are a hard metal and I had to anneal before I started grinding.

My other hobby is building Mauser Sport Rifles. When I remove the old military barrels, they cant be used for much. I decided to make a 8MM Mauser Barrel Knife. I guess I have too much time on my hands.

I figured that I would post it before I throw it on an auction.

Still working on my first Tomahawk made from a Railroad Spike. Thought I would share a couple pics of my progress. Planning on doing some burning on the haft, not sure of what yet. Anyway, here they are.

Hi Guys, I made my first kitchen knife for my wife. Now I can go out in the shop anytime I want.

Actually my first knife with a handle.

Good Job, Nice even twists. Grandma will like it.

Hey thanks guys for your input, I apprieciate your thoughts.

Hi guys, I want to mount one of my iron snakes onto a rock specimen. Any ideas as to how I could mount the snake for a strong bond that wouldn't look crappy and break off ?

Thanks in advance .

Hi Pete, After I hammered it, I roughed it with the grinder, I used a red then green twist lok on the air grinder to smooth it out. I then worked up to 600 grit wet & dry paper. Thats it.