Jim Coke

Greetings Justin, I feel the amount of belt surface area on a 2in pulley is not enough for initial start of the hammer . Ever wonder why many heavy load machines have multiple belts and larger drive pulleys... I think you would loose a lot of control on start up and overall control.. I have a line shaft shop and have made that mistake.. It takes a lot of energy to get things moving... More than likely what would happen is you would push the tension pedal hard attempting to get started and the hammer would go faster than you wanted... I have a lot of pulleys and have never seen a 2in 5in wide drive pulley with a 3/4 shaft size.. I hope this helps . Maybe others will tune in with advice... Good luck Jim

Greetings Justin, I think you will find 5hp is fine BUTTTT.. A 2in flat belt drive pulley 3in wide will slip under power.... I suggest you set up a jack shaft style set up.. ( surface area of the belt contact ) Good Luck Jim

Greetings Korben, I spent 65 years in Oakland County ( Royal Oak ) I operated a blacksmith shop for the last 15 years and now live in the north country. If you get a chance look into a tour at The Cranbrook Metal arts program... ( right down your alley.) If you go look at the sign at Christ Church and the Rectory gates... Yep I made them.. Right across from the Yellen gates at the entry... Also look into Michigan Artist Blacksmith Asoc. We are a bunch of great people and have some neet things in the schedule.... MIblacksmiths.org I wish you well and welcome Jim

Greetings John, Super nice work.... I know fire screens are a pain. I always have a problem keeping them flat.. Dragons look super and a super nice original design for your knocker... Thanx for sharing. Jim

Greetings JJ, Nice work... Did someone say bacon.... Test run today? 5ish and I like red wine.... Keep up the great work Jim

Greetings GR, Now that you have received a whole bunch of good advice I will throw in a bit of mine... I am a great supporter of education and the John C Folkschool in North Carolina.. Log on to there web sight and take a look at what is available that would give you a jumpstart.. It's funny . Being an old guy I have been to many daughter and granddaughter graduations ... At the end of the ceremonies they always seem to say. Now this is a place to start... Work hard , invest in yourself, watch and learn.. You will do just fine... Luck is that point where PREPERATION MEETS OPPERTUNITY I wish you well Jim

Greetings Kyotie,, Wait till she is not home.. Make her a nice leaf hook.... Invite her over and show her how carful you are .... I'll bet the noise complaint will no longer be an issue.. Never give up your a blacksmith Jim

Greetings and welcome Nate, I feel you will do well and have access to more expertise and help with your future blacksmith ventures on this sight than you can ever use.. I would make only one suggestion... Change your profile name... I find it hard to type toxic anything... I wish you well Jim

Super nice.... I'll bet its loud.... Now one day I'll come a knockin.. Jim

Greetings Slim, Sure looks like a fun place to be. No shortage of big boy toys.... Well done.. Jim

Gotcha Doc If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck .... IT'S A DUCK

Greetings, Its a Vulcan... A common American made cast anvil.... Looks about 100 pounds... Good luck Jim

Greetings R.. Now that's a fine looking hammer.. You are lucky to have a friend like ML to work with.... Keep up the good work... By the way you look good on that LG hammer.... Keep Knockin Jim

Greetings all, Patience and wisdom Some of the best things I have learned in the past 40 years of smithing I learned from my students.... We should all learn from each other in peace... Jim

Greetings Kyotie, Sounds like by this thread you have been a busy boy... Looking at your forge... Do you have an ash gate??? Looks like you are pumping a lot of air into your forge..... You will also need a better system for the air inlet.. It looks like your coal could fall down the tube..... What kind of coal are you using ??? Best take a look at other brake drum forges on this sight... Keep going.... Jim

Greetings, If it begins with F and ends with E ... Its for me.... Don't leave your scooter parked to long at the hammer in.... It might just turn into a tool or sculpture... Welcome to our world... Jim

Greetings, Looks like a cast Brooks BUTTTT The pritchel hole is on the wrong side... The face looks dented.... no handling holes..... It is wide faced like an English anvil... Its a mystery... Be sure to check for hardness with a small ball pien and rebound... Good luck Jim

Greetings Kyotie, The best thing you can do as a new blacksmith is complete your profile so that you can get some area help.... Most guys in your area will be more than willing to show you where to get coal ... Be smart and find a local smith.... Just an old boy with good advice... Jim

Greetings Newbie, Your on the right track so to speak.. I think your best move would be to develop your skills at the correct level... Get your track anvil at the right forging level than work on your hammer skills.... Next time you do a taper forge it square first ... than octagon ... than round..... Keep hammerin Jim

Greetings Curly, It looks a little crispy from the pictures.. I would just power wire brush it before any cleaner or WD.. Next use a hand belt sander on the face to see what you have... If the face and horn clean up than a coat of furniture tung oil will keep it rust free... Glad to see your progress Jim

Greetings Neg, Looks like you found a nice one... I have several and enjoy all... When I have students in the shop they are amazed on how well the work.. When you mount your new chuck and the bar and table make sure you true the chuck at 90 degrees to the table... The biggest problem I have is the people that I let use them want one and they are not that easy to find.. Keep crankin Jim

Greetings Kyotie, RE meaning it was something before.... Recycled.... Reworked ....Remodeled.... Bar meaning where you go when your done messing with junk metal.. AHHHH the lessons we learn.. Lesson learned keep up the good work. Jim

Greetings, Now those are some sweet bugs... Super work and RAID proof... Love them... Jim

Greetings Steve,, Welcome... I think when you get more involved with blacksmiths and non ferrous you will have a blast... You have a great group in Ohio ..SOFA .. Southern Ohio Forge and Anvil...In Troy ... Give them a shout A great group with a lot to offer... Have fun Jim

Greetings Macbruce, Very impressive... Its a shame you only have little toys to play with... I went and got older and had to downscale the big toys and moved to northern Michigan... Still got my share of hammers but not like yours... I'm jealous... But I no longer have the big commissions to do... One day when I go to visit my daughter in Evergreen I'll give you a shout .. I'll bet we could share some great stuff... Keep it thumpin Jim