Jim Coke

Greetings again Yves, I once made a complete railing to the second floor of an observatory with 5/8 round bar stock with 3/4 punched and drifted holes for insetting 3/4 bronze balls to look like planets leading up to a header with a bronze sphere. Yep I was punch drunk Jim

Greetings Sam, Slick tool... I especially like the temper colors... I call it possum ear blue... In my world as yours there is nothing that I call a true drop.. You do good work Jim

Greetings Yves, Like in all quality blacksmithing ( ITS WHAT MOST PEOPLE DONT SEE THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE ) Forge on Jim

Tim, I know that .... Just a little fun in the AM

Greetings Sand, Aluminum no sticky ... Cast iron... Steel ... Sticky... LOL Jim

Greetings, Thanx for the picture.... I would like to see the punch and the guy that punched the eye... Jim

Greetings Victor, Welcome.. I see you have a new anvil (Fisher) and a plan to build a shop... You have a good start on your venture and will have a lot of fun.. I have a collection of old tools and equipment and have been at it for 40 years.. If I can help in any way give me a shout... You have a great school in PA . Touchtone Center For the Crafts .. Look them up ... I wish you well Jim

Greetings again Ed, I agree with mark 3/8 and half in. stock is best for most scrolls I suggested 1/4 based on the size of your drawing and the pencil... Do some test pieces first before you make jigs... Jim

Greetings Trent, Looks to be a great anvil... You will need more pictures for positive I D. . It look like a 110 pound Trenton look a like.. Flip it over and see if the bottom is dished... Jim

Greetings all, I'm not from down under or do I do things upside down but when I test I have coupons of known steels for comparison. On a good day I come close... If I plan any amount of work on a die or tool I only use known steel... That's what I got Jim

Greetings Ben, Thanx for the picture... I have always been amazed what our for fathers were able to accomplish with so little... Jim

Greetings Ed, John pretty well covered the jig thing.. I just wonder if 1/2 x 1In is a wise choice for your stock for that size scroll .. Have you tried a sample scroll in that size material??? 1/4 x 1 scrolls look sooooo good. Jim

Greetings A, Like the boys said . Some light work on the edges with a sander and you have a fine prize... I prefer a 1/2/ radius that tapers to a 1/8 on the far side.. Lucky you Jim

Greetings again Ed, That was a compliment, You ought to see my pile of it was a good idea at the time... Once I set out to make a better set of tongs... Well now it sets in the pile .. And I have been at it for 40 years... Forge on Jim

Greetings Ed. We have all been on a quest to so to say BUILD A BETTER MOUSETRAP. You have a great head and will do well in blacksmithing but your idea as you will find out is quite cumbersome and limited... You will find its more trouble to make work than its worth... Keep on thinking Jim

Greetings again Frog, Unknown steel is always a problem.. You could check to see if is hardened with a file or a small ball peen. If it is you have a winner... Carry on Jim

Greetings Black Frog, Not so. That size stock would make a great brick,.. I would mount it in with a hoop and wedge system.. This mounting would allow for many functions.. As I said before I like a 1/8 radius on one side.... Make a hoop from 1/4 x 1 to fit your hardie hole with a wedge on the underside. Drill a 1 in hole aprox 1/2 deep in the center and weld away.. This will securely fit in the hardie hole and will take some side thrust.. I posted some of this style wedge tooling before on the hammer chase that I use for my bumblebee. Try it you will like it.... Hammer on Jim

Greetings Dave, It's like going shopping at the Fiat dealer for a vehicle and ending up driving out with a Cadillac at the same price, Some of us just get lucky Enjoy Jim

Greetings Rhet, The term ( now your cooking on the front burner } It comes from the old times when people used wood stoves.. All the burners did not get equally as hot but it seems the front burner was the hot one... What it means that if you are on the front burner your making great progress.. Keep a knockin Jim

Yo Mark.... Mac is from across the pond... Shipping would be a killer...

Greetings Sparky, To answer your question... It took about 7 hours to complete... The hardest thing is to plan required material for the 4 elements and what to forge first.. As you can imagine what goes in the fire first and how do I access it.. When to rivet and how do I match the jelly roll scrolls... I guess I have a goofy mind because it came out just as I had pictured... I have made others with different elements. The Impressions on the base were made on the flypress while still square prior to twisting... I always said to my customers " if you can dream it I can make it " I just hope you can afford it.... Forge on and do great things.. Jim Jim

Greetings again Rett, Now your cookin on the only burner... You should be proud... Jim

Greetings Knots, I think you will find brake rotors are cast and would not hold up as a bolster plate... Also they will crack and brake very easy.. Best use a better metal for your project. Keep thinkin Jim

Greetings Miz, When finished shovel your coals into a small pail. Put a cover over it and cut off the oxygen. The outside will be hot for a while but when you return you will have some starter coals left... Keep forging, Jim

Greetings Joe, Looks like a sawmakers anvil to me... Could be a Fisher... Or anything English... I'm sure anvilman can tell if is a Fisher... Nice find Keep pickin Jim