Ratel10mm

As John says, it's a filler. We even used whatever dirt was around Moony's smithy a couple of years ago to get a couple of forges going. No fire bricks, we weren't messing around! I don't know if he ever replaced / enhanced it with anything else to be honest. John & Owen, if I recall correctly Bob Oakes' side blasts don't employ fire bricks at all, just sand. Never saw what Pete Oberon's was lined with, and Owen I never thought to ask you mate . And other than Dave Budd's iron age setup I haven't had experience of any other side blasts. So you've got me curious - do the fire bricks add something useful beyond (presumably) a means of containing the fire? I'd have thought if you used them to surround the fire like a pot, you'd have to be able to move the side bricks without busting them to get a long heat? Cheers Matt

You could try a bottle blanket which would be sold by your local refrigeration parts wholesaler. It's essentially an electric blanket that goes around your bottle. I have seen these with thermal cut-outs to avoid excessive heating - something that I think would be a very good idea for a LPG bottle. You'll need to do some research because they're not intended for bottles of flammable gas, & I take no responsibility should you decide to try one. However I'd think it'd be more efficient than a fan.

It looks to me like the OP doesn't mean forging one from wrought iron, just that they'd like one forged, not cast or machined? Good luck lads, it looks like it will be an extremely fun project. And for what it's worth, Moony, Forgemaster & a couple of helpers forged a small anvil from 4140 at Get Hammered last year. Took a couple of hours (if that) under Moony's 700CWT.

Thanks Jason. Here on the Gold Coast it's ok so far, no real flooding like on TV. I spoke to double_edge2 yesterday & he was ok & expected to remain so. Haven't spoken to any of the other QLD blokes. Matt

FoF, if you go to the BABA website, there's a page listing all the members who have stated their willingness to host apprentices or journeymen. May help a lot if you decide to go to the U.K.

I'm with Rob here. However the HVAC/R industry way to do it, if you're interested, is to use an anemometer to get the air flow velocity. take several readings across the face of the duct (I usually do 9, more for a larger duct). Velocity times duct area = air flow volume. Or get really clever (expensive) & use an air balancing hood as all the air is directed through the hood, taking care of the calculations for you.

Merry Christmas everyone. :)

Hmmm. I thought I'd posted here, but it seems not. Belated happy birthday Adam, & many happy returns mate. I hope it was a really good one. :)

Thanks very much everyone. Had quite a good one, thanks. Met some in laws for supper, & my wife took me to a place called Mavis' Kitchen, near Mount Warning for an overnight stay. They have some extremely nice accomodation and superb food.

You note he hasn't asked me? Happy birthday Dale, and I'm glad to hear it was a good one. And especially glad to hear you've found a sawbones who thinks he may be able to fix you. B)

Very handy for me as well since Mike's asked me to do a write up for th ABAQ newsletter. Thanks Dale. :)

Dale, if I had the money & somewhere to pit it, you'd probably already be on your way up here with it in your trailer! Because although I stand by what I said about the price, that hammer wants a nice home! Can someone who'll give or that pleeeaasse buy it?!

Hmm. Seems like quite a small version to me? For that money, I'd be much more inclined to get an Anyang from Moony. However, spring hammers are fun!

For what it may be worth, in the U.K. it seems a common practice to wrap the springs in leather (fairly heavy leather, obviously) & sewn up. The idea is that it stops the bits of spring even as they start to fly. From what I hear it works very well.

I'm able to see the larger version. I'd say the base is one section, chiselled & split at the bottom, drawn round with the curls coming off chiselled again, and very cleverly joined a the top so it isn't obvious. It's a lovely piece Chalky. :)

I have heard that Borax has recently been replaced with borax substitute in the U.K. There's been a fair amount of talk about it on British Fora, so a chemist or online may be your best bet?

Hi John, I hope you enjoyed your visit to Moony's. There are some that are lift off still - mostly imported - but I've seen some of the local micro breweries still use lift off caps as well. Twist caps are convenient for sure, but they're destroying one of mankind's favourite gadgets in the process! ;)

Well, OBVIOUSLY I'll be there next year! Thanks to everyone for making this year such an excellent event! Glenn, we NEED a big thumbs up smiley please.

Just the one for me.

In the airport now! Mind you, I'm Going to visit my sister before G. H'd.

That's brilliant mate, WELL DONE!!! ^_^

Adam, Longstrider is one of the UK's cutting competition instructors & a serious competitor himself. I'm bringing my comp knife as he suggested having a bit of fun 'on the side' so to speak & figured some of you migh like a go. Basically, you can use a knife limited to max. dim's of 10" blade, 5" handle, 2" height in the blade. No limit on width. It MUST have a lanyard (although that can be improvised - my Parachete has some paracord tied around the choil, for example). And then you cut stuff. Rope, beer cans (don't worry Dale, no beer is wasted. We'll fill your empties with water), tennis balls, golf balls, jelly babies (they're seriously hard!) an anything else you can think of really. Daft but lots of fun. :D

Less than a week to go before I head off (I'm visiting family en route). Must remember: biltong, port, tools, sister's coffee, comp knife. By the way, if any of you own a knife with a blade around 10" long, make sure it's sharp & bring it with you. ;)

Quite right. It's a bit difficult to share if it's full of air, for e.g. Not to worry, it's safe & unopened in the library, waiting to be packed in about a week's time. :D

How did I miss this? Happy birthday everyone! :D