Jim Coke

Greetings Randell, Your kinda all over on your projects .. Hand forging a tapered triangle I'm sure is possible but it would take forever... i have done it before but I cheated... It's simple .. Just forge a tapered square then cut in half on the diagonal With a band saw.. Post some pictures or drawings of your completed projects or drawings it would help with suggestions.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim Hows dat Frosty

CONGRATULATIONS DAVE, You are a fine young man and will do well. I wish you happiness and a bright future.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings drillpress guys, It is a radial drill press .. Very handy for drilling at an angle.. Great finds they will serve you well.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings, Started my day with a few friends ... 10 more and I wouldn't have to cut the lawn.. Forge on and appreciate beautiful things Jim

Greetings Humphrey, That would be a tinsmiths tool. Many manufactures made different stake plates to fit there tools.. Most likely it's cast iron .. I have others like it and never use them .. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Michael, Forming rings not so much .,. I have used half round bottom swages to form rounded ends with great success. You just keep rotating the forge stock in the form and than finish grind... Worth a try.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings , THIS OLD BOYS RULES ON ANVIL PURCHASES... ( 1 ) Establish a budget and anvil size you wish ( 2 ) Double number 1 ( 3 ). Keep the cash in your pocket ( 4 ) When talking to people always change the subject to blacksmithing and anvils. ( 5 ) If a prospective anvil purchase does not feel right walk away another may show up tomorrow.. Good luck on the hunt Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Kozzy, My good old boys guess is ... The adjuster with the Acme threads is from a table saw or similar machine.. The clamp was probably made to close a burlap bag.. That's what I got.. HAVE FUN Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings again, You will never know until you try .. Many smiths only use charcoal alone with no effect on the metal. Good luck Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Randell, You might try mixing some bag charcoal with your anthracinte. I have used many rivet forges and one trick is a large mound of coal . The hot spot should form about 4 inches from the bottom.. Once you have learned fire control with your forge you can make the new part for your blower mount.. I hope this helps... Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

One of the first Fishers.. Got one like it ... I thought mine was a Badger also until Josh ID it for me... Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Biensman/ others , I have done several sculptures and other things where I wanted to preserve the temper colors .. I will pass on what I do.. I use clear enamel but the trick is just a very light wisp at first than let dry completely.. Than follow up again several times with a light wisp.. Give it a try it always works for me.. Have fun.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings LBS.... ( The abreviation for pound is LB go figure. LOL) "There is a big difference between doing something wrong and something one does not like" As a past vocational teacher and a present mentor in a trade school I can honestly say that I have learned many things from my students and employees.. He is just jealous.. Always keep an open mind and a closed lip. You are doing just fine ... As I always say. FORGE ON AND MAKE BEAUTIFUL THINGS Jim

Greetings Fishfinder , Your hammer requirements are directly proportionate to the work you are trying to accomplish. I built a custom hammer to do small work when I did a volume of repousse and sheet work. Mine is quite unique because the anvil portion is hydraulically controlled . The foot pedal controls the hammer and the depth as well. As with all hammers a lot of custom tooling is required. I would suggest listing the stock you wish to use and the finished product you expect. I would also suggest informing others how much you wish to spend or how many hours you are willing to invest to build your own. No easy answer.. Good luck Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Blyrion / others I see by your profile that you are from Michigan.. I have several gas forges but one of my favorites is made right here in Mich . I guess it is OK to mention the manufacture . Mankel ... Great forge and super support.. Look it up on the web.. Good Luck Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Mark, A day at the scrap yard trumps a day at school .. Glad you had a great birthday.. I spent part of the day machining a top for a friends cone mandrel that some on in the past chose to cut off.. Why?? I also made a part for a cool post drill that is real unique. This one the flywheel runs close to the wall and the only one I have ever come across designed this way.. Got way to many now but I enjoy rebuilding them.. Most of my students once I show them how they work love to drill holes.. Fun.. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings JT, Are you aware that by.pulling the pin it will allow the rear jaw to pivot. A real handy feature. Yep looks like a Prentiss. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings All, I have a bunch of bending forks but have a few favorites that are easy to make. The big one is 3/4 stock with 3/4 round bar offset on opposing sides for heavy duty jobs. The others are straight on forks from 1/2 and 3/8 round bar. The 3/8 one slides through the 1/2 for leverage. The straight on ones are great for adjusting scrolls and elements in a gate fence or fireplace screen., Have fun Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings BSWQ, Just drill a hole in it and observe the metal . Crumbly partials , cast , nice Curley parts , steel . Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings John in WA, It would be great if a truck went by your house and an anvil fell of in your driveway so you wouldn't have to look so hard. I know for a fact that Josh has driven thousands of miles and to great expense to add to his collection. I also have more than my share but guys like us started many years ago when anvils were considered scrap . You should be thankful we had the forethought to preserve the prcious iron. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings NH, The best way I have found to mount your anvil is to trace the base pattern than use a router to cut a 1/2 inch well to set it into. Than two simple brackets to hold it down.. Vice mounting is all about available space. Enclosed one of my portable set ups that is easily moved . Good luck Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings NH, Anvil base could be used but the vice mounted on the same unit not so much. You will soon find out that you will need access to all sides of your new anvil.. I suggest that you do some research on anvil stands and post vice mounts on this sight . I myself have posted several.. You will do well. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Vaughn, What might be a factor in your welding success is the tank material. I was told years ago that high pressure tanks like you have are a higher carbon steel some 4140. Maybe John will chime in with more info.. I love cool welding jigs . Have fun. Forge on and make beautiful things. Jim

Greetings LBS.. Looking good.. Just a few suggestions. Prior to twisting your stock file the surface clean on the Rubic's cube and your plain twist . Round the edges for hand comfort. A smaller diameter ball pien for the screws than a round punch for the screw to set flat. As you might of guessed I've made bunches.. Keep up the great work . Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Michael, Just an old drum and recycled stuff.. You can get a good start on a 3/8 or so plate placed on the ground. Have fun! Forge on and make some great grub. Jim