Jump to content
I Forge Iron

picker

Members
  • Posts

    68
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by picker

  1. Picked up some marble and granite remnants (Free) - they turn into nice little curio tables.
  2. I re-read this gem of a thread. In my younger days, as I entered the competitive business world I learned many of these lessons through trial and error. Success came in fits and starts. I managed to maintain a blacksmith business for 13 years. Now, after a hiatus of 18 years, the economy has dealt me out of the career field I've been working. I'm seriously considering re-opening my business once again. I'm conducting a feasibility study, and wanted to re-read this post to confirm the things that at one time evolved into a second nature in my business dynamic. Thanks again.
  3. Hello? I recently came upon this anvil in Rogers, Arkansas. Sorry, it is a Craigslisting and this is the only photo other than a close up of the date 1886 stamped into the lower rear waist. It is listed as a Fisher anvil. I am not real familiar with these anvils, much less identifying them through a photo. Weight is listed at 135lbs. The asking price is $625.Any insight would be appreciated before I make a trip to view it. Thanks. Chris

    1. njanvilman

      njanvilman

      At almost $5/lb, it is on the high end for anvils of this type.  It is in good shape, but not perfect.  It is hard to tell what is under the paint.   Go and look at it, check the rebound, and inspect carefully.  Take some cash, and be prepared to make an offer more in the $400 range(or less).  You never know.

    2. picker

      picker

      Will do. Thanks for the reply.

      Chris

  4. I recently came upon this anvil in Rogers, Arkansas. Sorry, it is a Craigslisting and this is the only photo other than a close up of the date 1886 stamped into the lower rear waist. It is listed as a Fisher anvil. I am not real familiar with these anvils, much less identifying them through a photo. Weight is listed at 135lbs. The asking price is $625.Any insight would be appreciated before I make a trip to view it. Thanks. Chris

    Fisher.jpg

  5. Hello,

    Just curious to find another smith located here in NWA. I'm considering tooling up and making another run into business in the area. Just thought I'd send out professional courtesy and say howdy.

    Chris

  6. Used all types of forges. Coal forge is romantic, but not practical unless you're in an industrial setting, or away from folks who will complain of the smell. Sucking down coal smoke for extended periods will shorten your life span. Works on your nervous system after several years. I like working on a coal/coke forge if I have something heavy duty and I want to be a boss with a hammer.
  7. Is that an 8" face or 6"? Looks like a decent vise.
  8. Sorry to hear this. Hate thieves. Suggest you get a dog. Preferably, a bad dog. :angry:
  9. I learned how to forge these little gems long ago. I sold them for several years in Western Horseman magazine. Folks liked to have them custom made from a shoe worn by their favorite horse. Occasionally still do demos on punching and chisling techniques

    © C. L. Bliss

  10. picker

    Picker

    It is an old Mexican model named Tarentella. I picked it up in Arizona. It is showing it's age now. I don't play it any longer. It sits in the corner. I play a Mid- Mo M1 now.
  11. I had an engineer buddy who picked up junk on tracks all the time. He brought me a 20" piece of 137 track. Must have been an end cut, because it was shiny and new. My other buddy had a nice Clarke metal cutting bandsaw and he cut it in half. It took several hours to cut through it. The railroads get all the best metal. The 137 grade was top of the line. I traded one half, and kept the other, mounted it on a stump and used it for incidental work. It was impervious to anything I did on it.
  12. LOL- I set my beard to smoldering once upon a time too. :lol:
  13. I can't stress enough to new smiths to always use a form of eye protection. My experience was pretty scary. Several years ago, in my haste, I neglected to wear my glasses for a brief piece of work. Sure enough, a speck of hot metal got me in the eye. It was on a long weekend and I felt I needed to finish my work and I would see my doctor on Monday. Bad decision. I couldn't get the fleck of iron out of my eye and I couldn't sleep for two nights. When I went to my doctor he informed me a small rust ring was developing on my eye, and he referred me immediately to an eye surgeon. The surgeon had to remove the metal with a laser. I didn't always protect my eyes in my younger days with any shaded or smoked glasses either. Which may have contributed to my having early symptoms of cataracts, and which I eventually have undergone two eye surgeries for lens replacements. Please, always protect your eyesight!
  14. picker

    Picker

    Yes, I even found the time to pick and grin- thus the moniker "picker" I also play a banjo, guitar, and other stringy things
  15. picker

    My son doing a little work

    This is my son Nick. Working on my 177 Champion. I miss that anvil. It was a workhorse.
  16. I picked up several rem cuts of marble and granite from a local company. Made some nice end tables, coffee tables. I actually made a few for my own home. Sold several, gave a few away as gifts.
  17. My one attempt with the Flame Blade pattern. The War club was an after thought since I had the plasma cutter cut me out a couple of edge patterns. Had a Native Lakota friend provide the ornaments. I still have it mounted in my Sun room. The Flame Blade needs a better handle- I'm not much of a wood worker, or handle designer.
  18. picker

    Fireplace screen

    I occasionally put some of these out with Native American or Cowboy themes
  19. picker

    Firewood crib

    This was a popular item. Made several dozen back in the day. sold them all. No copyright. Feel free to remake a little different or better.
  20. picker

    My post vise

    This was my post vise- dated 1896. 8" face. A few dings, but worked as good as it did when new.
  21. The rule of thumb, or elbow as stated by George is correct. My work was accomplished on an 8" face railroad post vise. You'll want to make sure the vise is mounted securely to a post that has a diameter large enoough to hold the vise, and the weight of the work you're working on. My vise could hold material weighing several hundred pounds (wagon wheel). You can buy treated telephone pole culls. They've been treated specifically to be placed in the ground, so they last a long time. Make sure the placement is optional for the work you'll be doing. Prefereably, if your right handed, place the vise on your right, and far enough away from any work area or sharp eges of other equipment so the lever isn't impeded. But, close enough that your hot work can be clamped in without losing too much heat. You will have to dig, and if you have a mechanical auger, the better, or you'll have to dig, and dig some more to place the post. Anywhere from 3-4' is deep enough. You can go deeper if you care too. Don't use concrete or cement to secure the post vise in the ground. You will regret it when you have to dig the post out. As it ages, weather conditions, humidity, and the torque which transfers from the vise to the post, it will eventually create weak points and the post will start to split and you'll have to replace it- which means...dig out the concrete or get the backhoe and chain the post and wrench it out. To secure the post in the ground, use dirt and clay only, with a few pebbles and small rocks mixed in damp layers. You can add a little sand which will fill in any air pockets as the post settles. Tamp each layer down solid with the edges with a 2x4. Use a level to keep the post plumb to a degree. You can also wrap the post in scrap leather, wire (Piano wire is great if you can acquire some) or both to keep it from splitting prematurely. Especially, if you're using 1/2" or greater lag screws securing the vise 4" or deeper into the post. I used this method, and my post vise was used daily for more than 13 years before the post had to be replaced. Good Luck
  22. picker

    Show me your vise

    Yes, I found that buying a treated telephone pole cull and cutting to length lasted quite awhile. To get more mileage out of them, I would wrap the stump in piano wire (if available) or leather. A nice steel post a great option. Good industial I beam works great if you can find some. good luck
×
×
  • Create New...