rcs7

Haven't posted or been at the anvil in while and thought I would post my attempt at Brian's design. I also wanted to say thanks, it got me out hammering on something and it has been a while...oh! wait I already said that!.

Russell

Sorry! this time with the picture attached. Guess I didn't have it sized right. :blink:

I put water in them to quench small parts in. I also used two soup cans painted black as part of the intake for my 93 RX7. Attached K&N filters to them. Worked pretty good.

Russell

I have a similar press and I was wondering what a good chuck would be. I've been looking and so far I know it needs to have a 5/8 straight taper based on what i measured.

Russell

Hi Brian,

Can you give a little more detail as to what each one is and what it's used for. I have a spring that looks much like the one you used, maybe I should be busy!

Thanks,
Russell

I have to ask what the golden ratio cure and the golden mean might be.

I'm very much the newbie to all this and it's a very interesting conversation.

Russell

Picture is a little blurry, but here's one I did a while back I still need to finish.

Russell

I can double confirm that it's north of town.

Although I never found it I did cover the south part town thoroughly due to Google maps.

Russell

Hey Matt,

Those are really nice. If you don't mind me being nosey, can you explain a little about they're made?

Our farrier has been leaving me rasps and he said I should be making spurs and bits. I've been thinking I should make him a set. I have my own ideas on how to make them, but not sure on how to size them.

Russell

Thanks for looking up the date (196822). It amazes me how old some of these anvils are and they just keep on going.

Russell

The number along the front edge of mine is 196822. Can you guys tell me how old it is? It weighs just under 150#.

Russell

Thanks Butch, I will keep that in mind when i make the handle.

S Willis, thanks for the compliment, I really like the hawks you make. They surely give me something to aspire to.

Russell

Thanks apprenticeman. I notice you make some nice looking knives. I'm hoping to get there one of these days.

I have a question for you guys about securing the handle.

I see some hawks with handles that pass thru the top and some pass thru bottom. It seems like the handles that pass thru top have quite a bit of material above the top of the hawk. Are the wedges oversized and sanded to match the portion above the hawk.

Russell

Thanks guys.

I bumped/upset the end to get the material needed for the eye. I'm not very experienced at it. Needless to say it was interesting.

I started another one this past weekend and couldn't get it to budge as far as the upsetting goes. All I could do was get it to do is bend. Probably not hot enough. I'll keep trying.

Russell

Thanks Hammerkid, The hardest part of the whole process for me was upsetting the end to get enough material to drift the eye. I still don't have a good way to do it.

Russell

Thanks Chuck, I will change the background. Sounds like I need to try out the super quench too.

Russell

That's a nice looking hawk and a good idea for the handle. I have few pieces of mesquite that I been letting dry, but they aren't quite there yet. I may have to settle for something else.

The mix for the quench sounds interesting. What do you store it in? I have a few plastic 5 gallon buckets laying around would that work?

Russell

After several attempts here's the first one I'm reasonably happy with. I still have some clean up to do and handle to make.

I'm pretty sure I got the eye shape backwards but not really sure. I don't have a drift to speak of, but I have a large cone shaped chunk of metal that got me close and rest has been file work. I also need to run it thru some kind quench, any suggestions?

Russell

I like the key chain leaf and heart hooks. I have yet to make heart hooks, they need to be next on the list.

How do you shape the leaf? I've been using a block of cedar and a rounded end of a ball-peen hammer to shape them. Just curious how others do it.

Russell

Stopped at antique store in a town Rockdale today. Didn't seem like much until he said he had some iron in the back. I wish it wasn't so close to christmas i would've spent more.

Here are few of the trinkets.

Russell

Nice knives.

I really want to learn to make them at some point. Pun intended!

Russell

Gary/Sabre, thanks for the compliments. The fork was a real trial and error type thing.

As for stabilizing the antler, I have no idea.

They have been in my shop all summer (very hot) and before that I have no idea how they stored prior. My brother picked up a bunch of them from a guy at a garage sale.

What bladesmithing forum did you find the info on stabilizing antlers, seems like I need to be educated. I sure hate to give them away only to fall apart.

Russell

Here are few items I've been working on.

I learned to make the hook racks during a class from Gordon Williams. It was put on by a good bunch of people at Balcones forge. It was a great experience from a really good teacher.

Russell

There are lots of things I would like to have. Here's the short list.

1. Wood lathe for making handles.
2. 1hp grinder and the belt grinder attachment to go with it.
3. MIG welder and some lessons.
4. Another blacksmith class. The last one was invaluable.
5. The time to finish my coal forge.
6. Several sets of tongs!
7. Seen this one already, more time!
   

Thanks Larry, I will write that one down.

Russell

Thanks a lot guys, worked like a charm.

I still need to change out the terminal block and get things covered up on the motor and it should be good.

Russell