Jim Coke

It’s hard to even picture such a loss .. Prayers sent..

Just stuck.. Put it in the refrigerator than try again.. Forget the heat..

Greetings Dueulear, Weld a thick 1 in washer on your tool , secure the tool holder than an air chisel at washer to remove. This will scrap your tool but save your holder.. There is no need for your tools to be so close tolerance a fit into the holder. Press on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Pr3ssure, Ya got the right stuff. An open mind sharp ears and a great attitude. You will do well . Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings DU, You will find that you need to anchor your base to the floor if you have not already done so. Have fun with your new toy. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings. At my home and shops I have a ton of nuts bolts metal and resources. The closest hardware is 30 miles away and over the years many local friends have stopped by to tap my inventory. Instead of just giving them what they need or charging a few bucks I developed a slick system. They must return the item to my stock but not just one but 2 . If they forget we’ll you guessed it.. No next time. This way they still have to purchase the item.

All you need is 1in shaft locks from Grainger. Weld them onto you 1in shaft.. And yes the tools bottom in the holder. Look at the tools in my box.

Depends... You don’t want to bottom the tool in the ram. The force is best put on the face.

Greetings Du, Yep you are missing something.. Various tool holders have different functions. Many are designed to hold smaller diameter punches and drifts. You really don’t need a full stroke for many projects. Where in Mich are you located? I have several different holders that I have made up over the years. Welcome to fly press 101.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Pr3esure, If you wish to remove all the paint from your anvil just get a quart of water soluble paint remover. There are several out there but I prefer the orange one. It’s easy apply than wait an 1/2 hour than scrub into the cracks with a hand wire brush. Rinse off with a hose than do it again. When your happy with the look finish with tung furniture oil or equivalent: This will make it as new.. Have fun.. I have done several. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings all, Ah yes another voting season. The salvage material makes a great hanging paper towel holder.. Great stock to have on hand... Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings G, An old water style fire extinguisher works well . They are stainless steel and you can cut them in a boat form with a cutoff disc easily. Just forge up a few supports . I use them for many things.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

I can’t imagine the pain ... If we could only turn back time.. PRAYERS SENT FOR ALL

Greetings JHCC, You can purchase a variable speed 4 1/2 grinder. Milwaukee and Bosh make great ones . I ridged mount mine so thy can be clamped in a vise . Kawasaki also makes one but a cheaper model.. I have all of the above and for sure go to tools.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings all, I spent a little time at the forge today on our first snowy day in northern Michigan. I staggered the twist on a pineapple twist to a new look. The yield was larger diamonds in the center and smaller on the ends.. Kinda cool.. Great for a handle where you want a smother section for a easier hand grip.. Have fun... Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Michale, Blacksmiths are long bearded rough folks that just came out of the woods .. Yea right with a heart of gold.. Kudos you are a kind person who now has a new friend for a long time.. Thank you for sharing.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings LBS, Mine is designed for the hardi hole.. Three locking points that are just bolts with shaft connectors with a drilled hole for a handle .. This allows for adjustments and other uses .. Great tool and easy to make.. Have fun.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Grumpy, Looks like the one I designed to support long stock on the anvil ... Same concept.. Forge on and make beautiful things

Greetings. BF, Ya still got it.. I thought you resorted to opening you beer with a can opener.. LOL Indeed a challenge. Can I order one? I love dementional work.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings 313, I have had my P 6 Karachi for years with no problem.. lookin to buy one from OWA? Great folks.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Congratulations Theo, Indeed a class act. Very well thought out and executed in such a short time. Keep up the great work. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Ohio , Sounds like a normal start to me. I started the same way 40 some years ago but back than there was no internet or available references let alone mentors to learn from.. Stick with IFI and learn . Keep at it and ask questions.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Jon, The metal shim on mine is for two different thicknesses of blocks .. Yours only needs a cut slightly larger than your swage. My much larger blocks are set up the same way.. This makes it much easier to work on the edge.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Jon, Great to see our friend AJ is not just sitting around. Have not seen him in a while. Just a suggestion or two. Ya need to support your leg vise at the bottom. ( steel plate ) .. If you make a cut out in your stump for your swage block it makes it easy to do edge work ..Have fun with your new stuff.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jjim

V BLOCK FOR SQUARE STOCK ? Ya need to support the stock at the point of chisel impact ..