jeremy k

Forget the prichel hole, punch from one side 3/4's the way thu, then on the other side in the same heat, - take your time a bit - cool your punch in the slack tub - even let a few drops of water hit the sweet spot your punching, locate your sweet spot, then with one quick firm hit shear the slug. The problem ppl have is trying to shear the slug out when its to hot - hence the roll-over of the slug edges and the chasing it back and forth thru the cross section, let it cool a bit so it shears. Practice is key. I use flat ended punches.

Frosty - don't fret - there are rotary dial apps for cell phones you can download!!!

Renaissance wax.

You have the basic form needed, now it's just some practice with it to get a feel for using it with hot steel. The shoulders on the leaf are also controlled during the spreading of the leaf - that is were more practice come into play, so you can get the metal to move where you want it.

Pictures (multiple views) would be a great help to see what your experiencing.

Mark Krause comes to mind of someone very familiar with those types of power hammers also.

Use only hose that is rate for propane.

I understand your concern with the wool concerns from the manufacturer, but I'm sure you wont get far with them as far as your end of that issue - repair and ridgidize as per your needs - I still think the cushioned support of the body will solve that mechanical damage from the over the road vibrations(If this is what is causing some damage to the interior) Otherwise I would believe the deterioration of the liner is just normal user usage, and that is normal consumable results of any forge.

The forge body could be set on a cushion type mount, so direct vibration from the road stops before getting to the forge - could be with some rubber mounts mounted down away from heat effected area.

Charles - re-lining is no big deal - burner mount - is it just mounted with just 2 threaded bolts welded to the forge body(is that what keeps failing?) - no problem weld on support to help hold the gas line end, which will be more stable during traveling down the road to your clients. To much offset weight is hanging off the 2 mounts - a support is all that would be needed.

Just wondering if this would be a noticable difference vs. the way thousands of blacksmith already have had there gassers plumbed.

Thank you for the pictures.

Picture of the pattern being talked about?

2 or 3?

Jason - looking good - did you drill out the pin holes and put oversized pins in to take up the wear. When I poured new bearings on my 100LG, I set up a mini scaffolding so it was lots more comfortable working than on just a ladder. I've always wanted a 250LG, should have jumped on the couple I could have over the years.