Ellen

Best book I have found...and this includes Machinery's a host of others...is "Heat Treatment, Selection, and Application of Tool Steels" by William Bryson. Amazon sells it, so does Pieh Tool Co. It covers in readable language what Hofi just said about not ruining the steel. You can also check at machine shops and see where they sell their drops. Sometimes there are little shops that specialized in selling these materials, and like Hofi said, I've bought H13 and S1 and A2 in nice shapes for $2-$4 each. That's not much for a tool that will last many, many years. Good tools tend to make for good work.

Definition SCFM -- The term SCFM stands for Standard Cubic Feet Per Minute, referenced to a pre-specified pressure, temperature, and relative humidity. In most cases, SCFM is referenced to 14.7 PSIA, 68°F, and 0% relative humidity. By specifying these parameters, the mass flow of compressed air and gas systems is clearly defined.

Rick, nice job! Lots of possibilites there; I put a lot of horseheads on my work cause that sells well here.

In my flypress tooling class, John Crouchet used "Agricultural" vinegar he bought at a local feed and ranch store; it is a slightly more concentrated form of vinegar and worked nicely for removing scale. One thing I like about vinegar is no disposal or environmental problems......

For power hammer tools shorter is safer and better. Take a look at the set of power hammer tools at Big Blu Hammers and you'll get a good idea of what is common. Also, the Blacksmiths Manual Illustrated, available as a free download at the Cosira website is an excellent reference. Not a bad idea to decide what you want to use on your hammer then design to it. I think most air hammers have about 9" as standard clearance, but others here will know more.

Rick, here is the link for the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife educational programs: http://www.kdfwr.state.ky.us/Navigation.asp?cid=117

Rick, you've picked a fine new field to learn, one that will give you a lot of satisfaction and fun. I've hunted all my life, and spent a fair amount of time photographing wildlife in my off time. A quick way to start is to check with your local Fish and Game department, and find out when/where hunter safety classes are offered. While these tend to focus on youngsters, you would be surprised at the practical content, not only in firearms safety, but also in tracking and survival. Cost is generally dirt cheap too. I took one out of curiosity 5 or 6 years ago and it cost me $10 for the six weeks (one or two nights per week), and an all day field trip. Besides, it was really fun to watch the kids learn. A lot of Dads and some Moms take the classes with their kids so adults are not out of place. Enjoy!

I like to do my oil quenches outside my shop. Just in case. In a nice bare sandy area I have there. With fire extinguisher and lid, too. Burning oil can be horrific, esp. if it escapes the container and flows across the floor. I have a 8" square piece of heavy walled steel tubing about 2 feet high welded to a steel base I use for holding the oil. I also use soybean oil, which has a very high flash point. 35# at Sam's Club for $13. That's almost 5 gallons.

One person running a board as the expert can limit the variety of information presented. Not to say there is not good information there, but there are also a lot of strong opinions, and dissenters get deleted.

Irnsign, I like the way you think! Why run any risk at all when there are alternatives?

Although I did not get to meet Ralph in person I felt I knew him from these forums. I always found him to be generous with his time and knowledge, courageous throughout his illness, always cheerful, always with a kind word to say for others. He will be missed, and our prayers are with his family, Dawn, Nathan, and Shannon, in their grief. He will be missed by all here!

I have a Grizzly, and if you are just doing a few knives it is fine, in my opinion. Can't beat it for the price unless you're you're able to build one yourself. If I were in the business I'd probably have 3 or 4 different ones for different purposes, etc. If you've seen the VHS tapes on Pattern Welding by Jim Hrisoulis you will see an interesting variety of grinders and different quick changes to the set up.

I see my kidney surgeon again on July 17th. I've made a note to ask him a few questions on this topic, and will report back. I'm thinking back to welding on the lower parts of corral panels (where they rust out most often), and thinking of many times on windless days tasting the zinc and blowing my nose and getting a yellowish white tinge........ It is my understanding, and this is unsubstantiated by scientific research of the literature on my part, that (1) heavy metal poisoning is cumulative (2) that it stays in your body virtually forever.....

Irnsign, great idea. What would be a fair price for something like this? Thanks.

Superstition Forge, both for the adjacent mountains and the mystique of blacksmithing. Local folks seem to like it a lot.

I've welded a lot of corral panels, galvanized, always outside, and always from the upwind position, with a respirator the last few years only, before that I just "did the job". But, I just had a kidney removed for cancer and the docs say it can be a result of "exposure to industrial chemicals", and the zinc does come to my mind from time to time as an "industrial chemical". I recommend other ways to take a vacation and to spend your money on. If you want a power hammer but can't find the money ask yourself about coming up with the copay for the surgeon and hospital for kidney removal, and unless you are fortunate enough to have truly good health insurance you will find the answer the question on how to raise the power hammer money, but without a power hammer to show for it. So, my short answer is, don't do it.

Woody, Beautiful knife. I have problems photographing steel up close also. Seems like natural light works best for me, the flash ruins everything if it pops off, and these digital cameras are harder to use than the older ones........sigh! Think I'll go read the blue print here on photographing steel again...

Jens, Very nice job. Did you say how thick the blade was?

The pathology report was better than the surgeon expected: confined to the right kidney, not spread at all, and GONE. The support from the blacksmithing community has been stronger than I expected, and it is has helped me immensely. Bless each and every one of you!

Leah, Prayers for you and your mother have and will continue to be offered. When a stong and loving man, like your father passes, he does not leave a void, he leaves a legacy. He will always be with you and with your mother. His love will last forever, as will his presence. A person is never "gone", not as long as long as he is remembered.

Thanks to all for the prayers, kind thoughts, and dog or cat belly rubbing. It all helped...a lot. Got home last night, and am busy.....doing nothing.....grin! Doc expects about 3 weeks and I can ride my horse, swing a hammer etc. Just have to do my part with walking, eating right and not overdoing it. Thanks to all! Much appreciated.

Leah, Sounds like Geckos to me. Maybe you can get the Geico people to film a commerical there and make oodles of money to buy new tools with..... As far as I know the only poisionous lizard in the US in the arid southwest, the Gila Montster, and they are absolutley goregeous critters. OUr very own Thomas was getting injections of lizard saliva to help his diabetes, and developed beacy, shiny skin, and a funny way of slithering, a penchant for sunning himself on rocks, but we decided to just keep loving him anyway. I suspect when the food source is gone the lizards will simply move on. As far as I know you don't have to worry about else moving in to eat the lizards, their main enemies are birds......

I have no problem with any adult building or operating any of the older machines, and agree that some OSHA stuff adds to the danger. Some of their requirements on new farm tractors verge on being deadly to the operator. There is no subsitute for knowledge and common sense. I just think full disclose of known hazards is the proper route to take. Someone reading about home built power hammers or an old Little Giant, etc, without any knowledge of the hazards they can pose is not receiving all of the knowledge they are entitled to. Oxy-acetylene torches are a great example of multiple hazards if operated by a non-knowledgable person. My Grizzly belt grinder is a potentially deadly tool; operating it is my choice, I am aware it can fling a sharp knife at high velocity for a goodly distance. Just know what you are getting into is my whole, and only point. Heck. life is dangerous. It is a proven fact. No one has ever gotten out of it alive. Grin!

Ken is very helpful with his information, generous with his time, and I have heard nothing but good things from those who have bought tools from him.

I concur. Very nice site. Had the pleasure of meeting Matt at John's flypress class last March, at Amy's. LOts of topics besides flypresses there, on Innovational Iron.