J W Bennett

I got up the other day and there was fresh snow falling on top of the last 2 previous snows. It was like a Thomas Kincaid Christmas card outside and I thought I'd put up the rest of the outside lights that I keep putting off. I almost felt "Christmasy" if thats a word. Little did I know I'd end the up making snow pigs.

What! You aren't sure what a snow pig is? I am relatively sure you've all made snow pigs, If not you have been far luckier than most. Let me explain....

Remember long ago when you were small and the world was big and exciting and you hadn't learned terms like romance, mortgage,mother in law, divorce, child support, tax audit.....you get the idea. It would snow and they would close school and you and your friends couldn't wait to play in it. So every screamin' heathen for miles would go out and build forts and have snow ball fights and sled all day long(Ahhhh too have that energy today). Somewhere in the course of that endless day you would plop over flat on your back and wave your arms and legs like you was having a Kaniption fit. (Does anybody really know what those are?) Anyhow then you would spring back up on your feet (before mean Jimmy Joe Bob from 2 roads down could hit you with an ice ball) and inspect the beautiful snow angel you just made.Which brings us back to the original point of all this.

As I said I was feeling the Yule spirit so I went out to the shop and got several strings of lights, extension cords, a hammer some nails. Might as well grab a screwgun and a few screws. Lets see I'll probably need some twine and let's not forget the tie wire. Oh almost forgot the tacks and some electrical tape. I think I've got it all now.

I start across the drive, headed for the short section of split rail fence with my 2 prime examples of mans best friend following close behind. Did you know that when ice gets a fresh layer of snow on it it's even slicker than normal? I know I knew that but sometimes I'm just..just.. well stupid. Anyway about the time that I realize I'm in trouble is about the time that I'm flat on my back. :shock: I can no longer breathe because the force of my Butt hitting the ice has drove all the wind out of me and into the gray winter sky that for some reason now has stars wondering around in it in the middle of the morning. As I lay there tied up in lights and baling wire I realize the tacks have found their way inside my bibs. The above mentioned best friends come over to see if dads okay. They are not small dogs, Dads hurt and needs some luv. They start licking my face and knudging me while I am trying to get to my feet. Between their energetic efforts and my 325 pounds of less than coordinated grace I whaller on the ground for about ten minutes before I make it to my feet. As I stand there covered in snow and slobber(the dogs and my own) looking to see if the neighbor or worse my wife might have witnessed this event :oops: I look at the ruts I and my two faithful companions have made in the snow, I think back to those days long gone and realize that is no snow angel.
It's gotta be a SNOW PIG. My the changes the years bring us. :wink:

I think I'll go back to the house and have some Irish coffee :?

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!!

JWB

irnsrgn

That is impressive 8)


JWB

elkdoc

Thank you,
I can make alot of things, some nice some not. Just don't ask me to spell'em right

JWB

frogvalley

The center bearing is more of a loose fit guide. There are no grease fittings. I haven't seen any problems yet.
The heavy hammer weight was designed (cobbled) to use what I had available but It seems to work.

The Dies are 1 set of 3/4" fuller dies and 1 set of 2-1/2" flat. They are both mild steel. I have been looking at other dies and I think a combination flat/fuller would be useful. I have also been thinking of some "spring" tools (swages, headers and veining to start the list).

The anvils are 5" sch 80 Pipe filled with sand and a section of 2"x 2" bar stock welded flush with the top and then capped with 1" plate. The baseplate is 1" plate. The center collum is 6" channel welded in a box. The top piece is 6' I beam.

The rams are threaded directly into the hammers. I'm not sure how that will work in the long run. But they've seen several long days and haven't broke yet. The useable stroke is 6" with redesigned dies it will probably be about 8"-9".

I threw it together and in all honesty since I got it working I've been to busy playing with it to finish it (BAD habit of mine) I am running it continously with a single stage 5hp compressor. However if I go to the larger cylinder on the heavy hammer I don't know if it will keep up.

The hammer would never hold up to commercial use without serious refinement but it does well for me at this stage. I will get some better pictures this weekend(smaller & brighter-Kinda like my brother) and post them.

One question, what is a clean concrete floor?

JWB

I wanted to Thank everyone involved with this site for the knowledge that you freely share. As I have stated before I am fairly new to smithing. Reading the articles and blueprints on this site has provided me with the basics of safety & smithing techniques/tools to accomplish more than I ever could have on my own. I am sure I am not the only one you have helped and would like to hear from others.
.

Once again thank you,

JWB

P.S.
I am posting a couple of projects I have completed using the knowledge gained from this site
http://www.yourimg.com/page/0519353/3COURTINGCANDLES1.jpg



http://www.yourimg.com/page/0519353/CANDLESCOUNCE2.jpg



http://www.yourimg.com/page/0519353/CANDLESCOUNCE3.jpg



Edit: use the BBcode to place the image directly into the forum.

frogvalley
I have finaly got some useable pictures of my powerhammer. They ended up to big to be inserted so I will have to link them.
The first picture is from the front-


I have nine images altogether to list.



















and finally




As you can see(if I 've done this right) it's nothing fancy and I'm sure I will make improvements as I go. Who knows it might even get a coat of paint
There is only one footpedal to control both hammers. The switch on the top right switches from left to right, thus avoiding accidently firing both hammers.
I have two 2-1/2" bore cylinders on the bench. One is for the heavy hammer. The small bore cylinder that is on both sides now is about right for the smaller hammer.
There are no bushings in the slides and nothing complicated about it, It does tend to want to walk across the floor in a days time.

It's ugly but it works and everything has been scrounged all I have is my time and labor,

Let me know what you think :mrgreen:

JWB

Edit: Use the BBcodes to place the images directly into the forum.
Edit:Resized images :?

I took some pictures today but I'm don't have my own web site so I don't really know were to go with them :oops:

Nice work irnsrgn. I don't have any horseshoes but if you don't mind :?: I'll give one of those a go with a diffferent base. My wife likes the looks of it.

JWB

I have been working on leaf keyfobs, kitchen utinsels, tongs and such for practice. In true "I been meaning to do that" fashion, since we got our first good snow I am sidelined making a snowblade for the dixie chopper.

A fella I work with just gave me 2 buckets of RR spikes. When I get the blade done it,s my intention to experiment with those.

JWB

I am new to the forum, I have been smithing for about a year but I have been a welder and fabricator for the better part of 20. The kids finally grew up and life slowed down enough to take a little time for myself.
Anyway :roll:
I have built a dual air hammer. One side is 24# and the other is 65#. It still needs a little refining but I enjoy using it. Like I said I'm relatively new at smithing. Once I figure how this forum works I might try to post a picture.

JWB