J W Bennett

I also use the pigtails. I have a set of relatively short leads for work in the shop and a set of longer leads I keep on the wall for work out in the white rock & cocoa wheats. Works well for me, Like Jr says the ground is about 10' shorter on the short leads and I have it about 20' shorter on the long leads. JWB

evfreek, Not sure what kinda deal you got on the whole set up but have a little patience and remember that drill was meant for the big stuff. Consider drill speed and proper drill practices. I don't know what you plan on drilling but With good bits and some experience that rig should drill anything you'll ever need. I've got a bad case of tool envy about now. JWB

Quick note 6010 is a DC rod and won't work well with your new 225AC. If you go with 7018 don't buy 50#. If you don't have an oven to keep it in it will draw moisture and cause problems. JWB

Since this is not the only project you will ever do I would pick a good all around rod that will be easy for you to use and perform well in all positions. I personally prefer 6011 for all around work. If I only had one rod in the shop it would be 6011. Good penetration and fast freeze. Not as pretty as 6013 but I feel you get a better weld. If pretty matters and since your welding flat then go with 6013. Everyone has thier own preference and this is mine. Good luck and congrats on the welder:cool: JWB

For cripes sake don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Use it an draw your own opinion:). Free is Free JWB

This is my new Hammer Rack. Basicly I followed BP166 and then added a few things to fit the needs of my shop. The base is a semi-tractor brakedrum with a piece of 1/4" plate welded to it. The center pole is 1' sch 40 black pipe. The pivots and spacers are 1 1/2" sch 40 black pipe. The bottom rack will hold hardies, Tongs and hammers. The middle rack is made of 5/16" round stock and has room for 32 hammers/hafted tools. It will also has room toexpand one more ring if need be. The top rack is made of 6" and 4" pieces of 2" sch 40 black pipe welded to the 1 1/2" black pipe pivot. This rack is designed for holding Punches, drifts, chisels, Monkey tools and files. The rack is approximately 6' tall and when loaded you can lean it to one side and roll it easily if you want to move it. It's probably over kill but I built it to use for demos this year. I'm trying to make as much of my shop portable as possible. As the last picture shows it will breakdown easily if need be. It did free up alot of space in the forge area of shop also. John

I made a swag out of a ball hitch following Jerry Carrolls BP0047 on candle cups and pans. It works great. I have attached the link below. http://www.iforgeiron.com/Blueprints/BP0047Candle_pans_cups_06/BP0047_Candle_pans_cups_06.htm John

Oh, I forgot to add it's the heavy metal end you smite the above mentioned object with! JWB

Sorry, Couldn't pass that one up JWB

You grab the long wooden end with your good hand raise it to a suitable height and then bring it down with great speed and force upon the object of your aggression:p:p:p JWB

Alan my condolences to you and your family from a fellow hoosier. John

Don, Thank you for the link. I will have to give it a go. A BP here would be nice in my opinion (adds a little more knowledge to the base) but that is up to you. JWB

Don, Nice Hawks! How about a BP on how you made them? JWB

McL, I like the wood base idea.Thats the one of the great things about the BP's it gives us a base to build on and try different ideas. Glad you liked the BP301. JWB

Happy New Year to all John

I like going thru all the BP's. You never know when you'll find a tidbit that maybe of use to you. As far as a favorite thats hard to pin down. I guess like Strine my favorites are the ones directly related to smithing. I also like the tooling BP's. JWB

Ron, This should keep you busy awhile;) http://www.iforgeiron.com/Blacksmith_Blueprint_Index Enjoy JWB

AP, The peppers don't look near as good as Bills but at least I have the basics anyway. I don't know if you've read the BP but those hammers are ground out from menards $6.00 hammers. JWB

Went into town this morning to get a few things. Stopped in to see my nephew at the spring and alignment shop. There's a reason he's my favorite nephew. If you look you can see the inventory tags on the new spring drops/cutoffs. I see lots of punches and chisels and maybe a dishing hammer in my future. That one wide spring section would probably make a good axe. Any one got any other ideas? JWB

Since things have slowed down and I've had a little extra time to try different things I've been trying out a few more BP's. I don't know how many of you have taken the time to go through them but if you haven't you really should.I have been wanting to try a 45 degree peen hammer ever since I read James Joyce's BP0193 cross pein hammers, so I printed out BP0343 by B. Norris and followed it and made a 2# and a 3# right and a 2# and a 3# Left. Wanted to try them out so I pulled up BP0303 Swivel Link universal tongs and made a set.The new 3# hammer made drawing out the reins not nearly as awkward. Decided while I was making tongs I'd try a set from Feukair's post"well I made my first set of tongs". I also tried BP0397 with Bill Epps' Chilli Peppers. Made my bride a string of peppers for in the kitchen. I have used a lot of the BP's over the past year since I found IFORGEIRON. I feel guilty because I need to submit more BP's than I have. Anyway I thought maybe some of you would like to share some of the results of the BP's you have tried. Thank you Glenn and all the contributors for such a great resource. JWB

Nolano, Congrats and happy forging! JWB

Merry Christmas to everyone. I hope everyone finds thenselves and their families healthy and happy in the coming year. John, Gina and Skye:)

Like Ten Hammers I have several differet size pair made out of Needle nose from yard sales and flea markets. Just grind the teeth off and reshape to your likeing. The ones I use to shape rose petals out of 16 gauge still have the rubber handles on them and I bend the petals at a red/orange heat. The grips make it nice when your making 10 or 12 at a time. JWB

Don A, "This would be a good test project for folks that like to make stuff and the destroy it. :cool:" I usually destroy it While I'm making it:p JWB

I finished 3 christmas bells for my bride, got candle holders made for my sisters and sister in law. Haven't made the Devilchild her gift yet, whatever I make her it won't be sharp or pointy;) JWB