Jim Coke

Greetings Lilblacksmith, I don't know if there is a proper name for the scrolls but I call them transverse because they change directions from the original bar.. It is an aquired skill to make them and takes a bit of practice.. It's the same as forging a blade but forming it in a scroll form.. It's very difficult to describe in words so just start with a chunk of 1/4x 3/4 and give it a try.. Just use the picture as a guide. Post your progress and if I have some time I will try to form up a few in stages so you could see the procedure.. Good luck and keep up the good work.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Matthew, Pictured is a fuller that I have my students make along with a few bending forks to make the scrolls and other things. Notice how the fuller fits in the hardi . It is also designed with a guide on one side to aid the top bar to stay streight.. Just a thought you may want to try. Have fun. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Jake,/ Lawn Jockey Super nice restoration., Now lots of tools to make.. It's cool to use your fly press to make tools for your press.. You will find the wheels are great for transport but you will have to anchor it to the floor or the wall.. Lots of energy ! Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Aus, Just a chunk of 3/4 round stock. Isolate the tail end to about 3/8 and forge square.. Taper the body to a point , the bottom will end up flat so it sits well on the table. Mount the tail end in the vise against a taper support and form the ears and eyes.. Complete the tail to taste.. Cute lil fellow .. Have fun.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings FF, Beautiful design and indeed a chalange . I love the free space and the flow. The pass through style and fasteners are over the top gorgeous . In my shop days I would have loved to have a commission like that but our codes are quite restricting .. Keep up the great work. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Rmartin, Both will work just fine.. If you are searching for perfection stop and fire it up and have fun.. I have many small forges and they are all slightly different . Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Harry, Mice swim poorly ... Just forge up a mouse eating dragon.. End of problem .. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings John, I'm sure if we met face to face we would have a lot to talk about.. We are on the same page . Our automotive graduating class just had 9 students sucesfully pass the state test for auto brake service . Our future workers are in a catch 22 . Because of the system it is to their advantage to keep income lower because of our government requirements and pay scale for health care contribution. Again wake up Goverment , higher wages means more tax dollars.. Not to mention the income requirements for state assistance. I applaud company's like Toyota who during change over time don't lay off the employees but use that time to cross train . We for sure need more company's like that. I feel it's time that our Goverment take a new look at what our future work force is facing. Rant mode off also

Greetings Rockstar, You bring to the table many good points but we all must look for a longer lasting soloution. Our business in this country have been forced to cost cut beyond belief to be competitive.. Unemployment insurance , health care cost, higher wages for employees that have longer term seniority . Many company's today find it cost effective to outsource employees or use part time manpower services to stay afloat which just brings in another factor in lower wages for the worker., I find many of today's workers only work part time and depend on side cash jobs for a live able income., Yet another point for our government to consider .. Federal and state tax.. Yea right.. I feel the only true soloution is to bring back the company sponsored apprentistship programs and give our youth a job with security and pride.. I mentor in a local trade school during the school year and teach blacksmithing throughout the summer . My way of paying it forward .. Our assistance programs are topped out and the cash advance preditor company's are a sign of what the future will bring, Wake up America .. Just my humble 2c Jim

Greetings Mr. Dark Have fun with your build.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Reading, Copper being copper soft and maluable as a cut plate will soon deform and will not fit well on your anvil.. Wonder how I know that? Been there.. I'm not so sure buss bars are pure copper? Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Charles, . Keep the faith. Do what we all do as blacksmiths . When things are not working for you just put it back in the fire and start again.. We all have been there . Prayers on the way.. Forge on Jim

Greetings Ethen, I love it when our youth come up with ideas.. If you think about it a little longer the impact surface on a ball would be quite rough on the top die.. The nice thing about the flatter pictured is that you can use it round side down to draw out the metal.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Joel A few more from my inventory.. The oldest is not marked but I am sure it is from the early 1900s . Forge on and make beautiful things. Jim

Greetings Andy, Blacksmith / metal art is a tough business to make a living .. I see a ton of problems that you will have in a very short time to start., A few have already been addressed but I will list more.. Commercial ordinances .. Steel storage.. Welding area,, office area .. Only one exit .future equipment space .. Drill press .. Grinders ., ect ect.. The big one Insurance.. Keep the faith and go to plan ( B ) I had a successful shop for years and have been in your position . Any way I can help I would be glad to offer my 2c Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings John, Great vises... Just clean it up and put it to work. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

BE DECISIVE .. Make a decision .. The world is full of flat squirrels who could not make a decision. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings John, If you pull the pin ( sometimes they are rusted in and jamed but will come out) the rear jaw will pivot for odd shaped clamping ... Very handy at times .. Well worth spending some time restoring.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings , Never pass on a great deal.. You may not need more tools but they make great gifts for worthy students .. I do not go out of my way to find things I guess I'm just lucky..! Below the whole pile for under 20 bucks.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Michael, The rod size is 1 inch and I have bushings that allow for many sizes of pulleys. The rods are staggered at different angles and allow for positional bending and straightening .. The pictures only show a small amount of functions that my design can do. A few more. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings All, I designed this bending jig years ago and it has served me well ... Not much it can't do. I posted this before but it is lost in computer heaven. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings SR. I posted a picture of the one I made earlier on this thread. Similar to yours.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Theo, Backup the truck, . The value of them as a set far exceeds that of new steel for knife making.. If you do not want to keep them just put them on EB . It's like taking a new Snap On wrench to make a leaf. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim

Greetings Steuart, Very nice home for your beautiful anvil but you should consider a drewel catch pan for those that you show it to . It for sure would keep your floor drier .. LOL Forge on and make beautiful things Envious Jim

Oh well.. Not so much No safety glasses handkerchief for acid vapor protection The finished blade did not match. My son would never shoot a flintlock without safety glasses. Magnetic north .. What's up with that? Anvil shooters... Check with ABANA Just this old grumps 2c Forge on and make beautiful things Jim