nikkormat42

Looks a lot like my vise. http://www.iforgeiron.com/topic/18434-1826-ids-post-vise/

Hah, the same scenerio played out in my head as well. I'm sure its reality is probably less romantic. I was looking at it more closely and found these markings. XXX|• Any idea what it means? Jon

Thanks again Frank! Your helpful search tip produced some interesting finds. Defintaley see what you are talking about with the German characteristics. The mount, though its not a tenon, looks to be of the same style. Also the body appears to share the same features. The first two are German. The last two are French examples. I like how the French one has a swivel mount.

Ah! Thanks Frank. Never considered Germany but it makes sense. Do you have any photos of yours that you could post? Jon

Right, this will only see light duty. I have a heavier one for whomp'n on. I just have never seen one of this style and was curious as to it's possible history. I like to think of what stories some of my 'junk' could tell and what all they helped produce.

Need some help with identification on this. It's an old post vise that dates back to what I believe is 1826 possibly. There is a stamp on it with that number. Under that is possibly '1 Z'? Also there are four stamps with IDS on the 'waist'. One leg looks to be badly forge welded. The whole thing is crudely made. Would anyone be able to offer any clues as to it's manufacture or origin? I wonder if Mr. Postman will be publishing a post vise book in the future? It still works great! 3 3/4" jaws approx. 32 lbs. overall length 33 1/2" Thanks! Jon

Swage Block Gallery

Need help identifying this hunk-o-steel with no clear visible markings. The seller wants $600 for it. He says that he originally purchased it from a General Mills Supply Catalog in 1949. There may be markings on under the rust and paint but its currently 200 miles away so all I have to go on are these photos. No picture of the right hand side. The line along the footing is a distinctive trait that looks very similar to the Kohlswa shape. Its 32 inches long, 13 inches tall, 5 inch wide face, and a 1 1/4 hardy hole. Its also been welded to the base.

I have used my Red Ram bib apron for years. I consider it an essential tool in the shop. You can use it to carry 'warm' items from workspace to workspace. I don't lose my scribe now that it stays in the bib after use! The other day I was using the angle grinder on a piece firmly held in the post vise. I removed it and saw one little spot that needed a touch up. Yep, you guessed it. Holding it not so firmly in my hand I tried to hit one lick and the grinder got away from me and nicked my thumb and gouged out nice little impression on my bib. I got off easy thanks to the hide of a dead critter. Also, the 38100 Red Ram Leather Cape mates up nicely with the bib apron for arm and neck protection for welding. The apron was about $20 and the cape was $30. Jon

Thanks, Glad I didn't buy it!

As best I can tell it says McQueeny and has ***PLEX on one side. The other side says SF1. The fan housing is the same size of a Champion 400. :)

I see you got it but I'll post this for posterity. Number 19 of the attached Fig. 2 shows you the machined screws mentioned. Number 18 is the "hidden screw". Its inside the housing.

Don't know about the color but you can find an interesting cut-away view of the Champion 400 Blower Patent 804860 at Google Patents. BTW, my personal experience for maintenance is to NOT grease the lower ball bearings(shaft for the fan). Packing it with the thinnest lithium grease only made it drag. Once I got all the grease free it ran much smoother. Just let a ounce or two of lightweight motor oil sit in the in the bottom. The large cog will pick up enough from the worm gear to sufficiently oil everything else. You may want to un-screw the upper 4 grease cups and clean out the old "petrified" grease debris and lightly apply new grease. I know that helped performance on my Champion and it will now spin freely for about 2 and a half turns after cranking.

The stuff I got from Dixie Gun is 1/2 hard SS. It works great. Here is a tutorial that I did. Joe Keesler's Demo Another demo from the ABS Fall Hammer In 2006

They look fantastic. I can't believe how much air they pull. I am anxious to see it working in person. Sorry I couldn't make it out. Good works guys. Jon

The tool is easily made. The blade is made from a sharpened piece of a hacksaw blade. The tool that holds the blade is an Xacto knife cut short and fitted in the wooden knob for a handle. I believe the credit for this idea goes to Bill Moran. http://americanbladesmith.com/Moransilverwireclass04.htm Jon

Yep, the Christmas party is always fun! You should come out Aman. Jon

I just received my order from Dixie Gun Works. Much better service and faster turn around on shipping. I got my order delivered in 3 days. I am still waiting for my order from T.B. Hagstoz from last week. Also, Dixie Gun Works didn't make me order a minimum of $25 worth of wire and then charge me $12 to ship something that was less than an ounce! In fact, I just realized that I got 2 yards of wire from Dixie Gun Works for what T.B. Hagstoz charged me on shipping!! Here's the Dixie Gun Works site This is what I ordered "IP0301 German Silver Flat Wire Inlay - .008"" Thanks for the tip Jerry!

Thanks for the encouraging words Mr. Carroll! I'm made a mistake on the wire size. Its actually "SS Flat .008 x .055" but I don see how to edit my posting.

Joe Keeslar of the ABS recommended using T.B. Hagstoz. I ordered from them and was happy with the service. The wire used is "SS Flat .008 x .005". As the name implies it is flat and needs no refinement. It should be ordered as 'half hard'. Too soft and it will roll over. Too hard and it would not be malleable enough to go into the grooves and difficult to fashion around the curves. You are upsetting it slightly as you hammer it into the grooves. This assures a snug fit. Knife handles aren't the only thing. You can have lots of fun decorating your wooden tool handles and boxes too! I will be doing some 'Pique' work too. Thats like the round wire patterns that you see on the Samuel Bell Bowies. Can't remember the specs for that wire but I will look it up when I get home. Round copper wire looks good too. T. B. Hagstoz Home Page Telephone: 800-922-1006 (orders) 215-922-1627 FAX 215-922-7126 Address 709 Sanson Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 E-mail General Information: info@hagstoz.com I'm made a mistake on the wire size. Its actually "SS Flat .008 x .055" but I don see how to edit my posting.

Looks like I'll be doing a silver wire inlay demo for our next Forge Council meeting. Its August 9th at the Ag Museum Blacksmith shop. Hope everyone can make it out that day! I am gonna try to put together a little starter kit for the 'iron in the hat'. Do we have a decent chalk board? I might need to draw out some stuff.

Welcome Gerry! Glad you made it.

I guess just any person in college or younger. I never have understood the rules on conference fees or general public attending.