aessinus

Probably not that colony then. They could have been really miffed with hitting the ground & popping the side off

@ThomasPowers Hood, smoker & some driving gloves are all I have. Usually just the smoker is sufficient to open a hive, so long as it's not too hot. @JHCC Are many of your wild colonies Africanized?

Moving the hinge to the ground was Kevin Olson's suggestion. Since they were full forks, I figured "Why not"? It will look like a hand-vise for the Jolly Green Giant, but it ought to be sturdy. After checking load ratings for Thomson ball-screw shafting vs acme, I ordered 1-1/2" acme & three nuts. At <$90 from Mcmaster, I'm fairly pleased to have that be the only purchase so far, and that's enough shafting to do two more vises, maybe. On the scrounge for something both hold two nuts, in time, to prevent them locking. I have a 4" ball hitch, but it's justs looks too big. Hunting a 3" & several buddies looking too. Still need something fairly heavy wall for the hinge barrel & settle on an initial mount design.... If only work would stop interfering with my play time.

Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate, but when I do I'll give my 6# a dressing & a go. I knew my 3# wasn't going to yield even 50% of the time.

The sheer plethora of interests here astounding. JHCC, did you hive the colony?

Yessir, it is already hanging with my Grandpa's Crescent 15". Now I'll be forced to stop at the pawn again. Oh the weights I bear!

I didn't think to snag a pic, but picked up a 15" adjustable wrench for $2 at the pawn shop. Between roof tar & rust, the only thing legible was MM by the head. I've been needing a twisting wrench to keep in the tong rack, so a cheap import should do, no? Vinegar soaked overnight to loosen the rust & some acetone to take off the tar. Once the screw was moving the jaw, I started brushing. Lo & behold, beneath a layer of black paint was a Rigid with only the plating rubbed off the high spots. Must have been in water with some bare iron, because there is barely any pitting. Pretty sweet deal

Very consistent style; I really like the elegant turned eyes. Timed exam today. I hope I'm up to it. Just curious, what weight is your hammer?

So what's the trick, Frosty the Tease?

I noticed your mention of charcoal 1st thing. I make my own from scrap pallets (free). My firepot is about 4" with some firebrick hunks to help mound it up in my ancient rivet forge. Cut way back on your air or use a dump gate; the fleas will let you know when it's enough. Does not go out when the forced air stops. Works a treat on small stock (<3/4") because of the minimal scaling and doesn't seem to decarb nearly like coal.

Slag, thank for the reference. Ah, but does the tinfoil impart a metallic flavor?

Trying to square up tiny screws can be tough. Twenty years ago I had access to an old hardware by work. You had to blow the dust from the bins just to see what was in there. Lots of NOS fasteners. Unfortunately the owner passed away & the kids didn't want it. Prior to the DG's dresser, look at blacksmithbolt. They even have some old time brass hardware to set off a black oiled finish.

Glenn, this quote needs an anvil stickie! its not in the anvil section, so he would not have seen it anyway. With so much being asked, this most likely wont be, Pray he learns to read before he post too much moire. I am splitting the rest of this into the forge section,

Just saw your post. If you have just a single entity, it's near to a harness & collar hook

That is really a slick rig, more impressive as a one-person build. You should be proud. Hope your paint dried before the rain.

Try a google search with the keywords "iforgeiron soup can forge ITC rigidizer" Be safe and Welcome !

I keep hunting sledge blocks to save my smallish anvils too. Big ones seem hard to come by & my two small ones have already seen hard use. Now to locate some thing similar myself. I really like the idea of integral legs. I have some T22 (I think) boiler tube 3"OD with 3/8"wall that would make sturdy legs......

@ausfire - My toolmaker bells went off! I'm not artistic, at all, but the texture wants to be touched every day... Eyeball scaling agin the thumb of the glove it looks to be 18 - 25mm? Looks so much like driftwood, absolutely gorgeous. You should forget more often. How would it work for handle scales on a big "Perfect Handle" twisting wrench? Too heavy for cutter scales; a heavy slow use tool though might work. You would have to saw split it, which stabs me in the heart a wee bit....

I have some heavy-duty commercial bread loaf pans, made in gangs of four, that should just about fit under wood pallets. A stack of those could make a dandy "chest-o-drawers". Thanks for the inspiration!

I would think it just fine, about all I use for fuel is charcoal. I actually prefer it over coal for stock under 25mm. The reduced scaling from the oxygen depleted fire is very noticeable, very little no scale.

Hugs sent posthaste, Boss.

Try parboiled & reducing to a broth. Two cans of whop biscuits, quartered makes dumplings. You can cook over the forge.

Javelina are odd critters. Not much reason to eat them unless you are starving or they still have their stripes. Feral hogs are different. To them, you may be the game.

mother of invention.... How did it work?

Agreed, that is a nice river. Ausfire, bears are okay. They taste like....racoon or groundhog. Just saying.