archiphile

I have a craft fair coming up on the 25th of April. I am going to make a few firesets up and I was wondering how folks attach the broom end to the handles. And where do you get the material for the broom end. Thank you for all of your assistance. Best, Archiphile

Perhaps I will save my money and wait till I can get some O1 and the like. I do not want to waist all that effort and have it turn to junk during heat treat.

Steve, I have forge welded before,all though, not for use on a knife. This will be my first knife. I can not answer the last question because I do not know the answer. As for material, I have some 4140, and some 1095. The thicknesses on the steel is as follows, 3/8" and 5/16",respectively. From what you said Thomas, it looks like I will be using a 1" wide billet,which could yield a knife of the size that I want as far as width goes. With the thickness of the steels that I am thinking of using, if I start with three layers that should be easily forged by hand. Thank you both for the replies. Keep them coming, I need to know all that I can before I start.

So,as it goes,I am feed up with cheap, pour edge holding, poor quality knives. I had thought of putting together a billet for a patterned welded blade. My questions are as follows: How wide do I make the billet? (I want my finished product to be 12 1/2"overall and 1-1/2'-2" at the widest point with a thickness of 3/64"-5/64".) Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated. Best, Archiphile

I would take care in welding the jaw of that vise. You might not like the result. I would take Thomas Powers up on his suggestion. You can always replace the pads. If you damage the vise with an improper welding procedure, you might not ever forgive yourself. I think it best to err on the side of caution and make yourself a fine pair of pads.

Good show man! Now ya got the bug hard and it wound let you go until you have your own shop and tools. This will only serve to increase your skill and knowledge, as it will allow you to "practice" when ever you wish. Happy Hammering and good lick

I think that I may have miss-read your previous post as "argumentative" because most of it was typed in all capital letters. That's all Mr. Hofi, but, I do find it interesting that while some of the other folks on this board clearly subscribe to your system of blacksmithing, I have not had the fortune as to be exposed to your system, with the exception being, the BP section devoted to you alone. And so, after reading the suggested BPs I also find it interesting that your system of making tools is not all that different from theirs. As to the other posts on this thread I am pleased that this has been a learning experience for all. Brian and I are working hard on getting that BP ready for flight. (although,right now, he is doing most of the work.) Just as soon as it is ready we will submit and then see where it goes from there. Let us all keep in mind that Glenn and Andrew are so busy with everything that they can't find their butts with both hands!

I built my forge and I set my height at 3' AFF. Just comfortable for me. I am 6' and 250lbs though. You do what you like and what feels comfortable for you.

I have to say that when I posed the question here I did not realize that it would garner this much attention. Nor did I realize that it was also and issue of such hot debate. Thank you all for your gracious replies.

If I were you I would invest in an Oxy/ Acetylene torch set-up. While the initial cost of the rig is large this is offset by the time saved in the cutting and heating process times. If you cannot purchase a O/A rig see if you can borrow one from a local smith. I am sure that some one close to you would be happy to lend you there rig to cut that piece of plate you have there.

This (MILD-STEEL-COAL-FIREPOT-Fabricated) I got the dimensons for my firepot. I welded the flangeon my pot and therefore I skipped the bolt holes and I made the hole 2" in dia. I cut slots so i don't need a cover a tuyer cover.

I made my own firepot out of some scrape 3/8" diamond plate as well. My firepot measures 13" x 8" at the top and 8" x 5" at the bottom and is 4 1/2" deep. I would not use 1/4" plate as it will burn through fairly quickly I think. If you could go to the scrap yard I would get my hands on a piece of diamond plate. Diamond plate was designed to be walked on, and therefore, it is extremlly tough and has a good heat resistance. It will take you awhile to burn through that.

I have been wanting to make one of these for a while. I have a chunk of 2" bolt stock that was used as a tension support in some structural steel. I was wondering that since a flatter is not intended to be used for heavy forging work could one get by using stock that is not Tool Steel? I would think that non-tool steel would work a trick since this hammer is NOT designed to be used as a heavy working tool. Thanks for the input and advice. Archiphile

This right here is the best way to get what is needed for a vast array of projects. This is second only to making your own things as you are able.

No the guy in the video is NOT Mr. Hofi. BP stands for BluePrints look at the top right hand corner of you screen and you will see a link to blueprints.

It looks like whom ever purchased this vise originally got it from Sears. Link 1897 Sears Roebuck & Co. Catalogue - Google Book Search The link is to the 1897 Sears and Roebuck Catalogue I was reading on anvil fire that the post vise was so common that it was sold by weight a majority of the time. I looks that that was the case with your vise. Very few folks did not put their stamp on them .

I would suggest that you pick up this book. Tool Making For Woodworkers By Ray Larsen ISBN: 0-9643999-8-9 Mr. Larsen talks specifically about how to make an adze in that book. I bought it when I went to Old Sturbridge Village. Great book tons of information about tool making and blacksmithing in general. I paid about $23.00 US for it a few years ago. Best, Archiphile

I am not sure about coke in central MA. Just out of wonder, where in Central MA are you headed. Would love to put a face with the. PM me and maybe we can set something up.

Welcome to IFI Kamhal. I am no gasser either but I would say that you should try and get your hands on some blanket insulation called Kaowool. That would help keep the heat in. As to the burnner and such I will let someone who is more knowledgeable about how that stuff works answer those question.Hang in there and good luck.

Ted, I think that it would be beneficial to the rest of the forum if you could post some photographs of the vise and what is left of the logo. This would help us to be able to see what you have and give us a good idea of where and how to start our search for the information which you seek. Best, Archiphile

Good work man. Look like you are off to a fine start.

I am soooo jealous I would have loved to find something like that in my neck of the woods I mostly want the blower now though as I have built my own forge and firepot. A really nice blower would serve me well. (this hard dryer thing just is not cutting it.)

The guy in the store says that he would be happy to order for me anytime I want. I have to go soon and get some more coal.

I called not to long ago and got "this number is no longer in service"I am not sure of the exact date of the call. Hell I could have even dialed wrong...(good ole dyslexia strikes again) I think that I will call them on Monday. I would rather have a truly local supplier. Than have to buy from Aubuchan Hardware. Hey while were at it, how does there coal burn? Thanks Best, Archiphile