Eddie Mullins

I'd say that was an exceptional first!

Hope you get better soon Thomas, I went through the same the beginning of last week. I actually managed to forge for the first time in quite a while this Sunday.

Man this is odd timing, I just saw a link to this very similar contraption a couple days ago http://www.wimp.com/choppingfirewood/ . My first thought was a potetial platform to be modified into a treadle hammer : ) . I see after watching Glen's I see there are a few of them on youtube. You can see a fellow struggling a little on this one

WOW! Very impressive. Trying to judge the scale. Whats the wing spread on it?

Very nice!

You are one of the posters I keep an eye out for, usually some good info to follow.

I also like watching what the 3rd world smiths are using, and what they are capable of producing. I should have saved the link, but recently watched a video taken in the Philippines of smiths forging Bolos. They were using something resembling a cannon barrel, not real sure what it was, certainly not what we typically consider an anvil, but obviously very effective for them. I think the London pattern offers some versatility and convenience but certainly not necessity. I like the Swiss Army knife analogy. In some respects I think its marketing/perception as much as anything. I also think that there is a little pride and nostalgia involved. I'll admit I like owning a LP anvil not just becuase its functional but its also what I identify with the early American Blacksmith. It kind of gives me that since of history and connection. That said my next anvil will be a striking anvil.

Maybe you could make a small scale version out some lighter weight / softer metal than can be bent cold.

This seems quite simple yet challenging. At first thought I would agree with your approach that no changing in dimension is required, but in practice I am not so sure Jim's approach or similar may not need to be employed. I might give this a whirl just see. I think it could have a few applications.

Thomas gave a couple of suggestions, what about candle holders? I've seen acorns made from pipe. Whats the wall thickness? Maybe you could make monkey tools? Could be lots of uses.

I'll add another vote for Swage blocks! I also would vote for a beefier sweet spot. The anvil I have now is a 70 LB london pattern and works great for lots of things. I like it better than some larger anvils I have used, but I can't do real heavy work on it. For that I have a stiking anvil in the works, maybe something of that design would be desirable as well.

Thanks!

I understand the puropse (I think) but can you explain how ou set it up for different stock sizes? Are you just measure from the saw blade out ro where you want the guides clamped and the squaring them up somehow? I have a small porta band that I mounted and built a small table for, I'd like to build a larger table for it so I can use guides, squaring things up and splitting stock is by eye and chalk line now.

Got any pics of your fuller? I can't quite visualize the spring adjustment.

An Anvil helper is very handy to me for punching tongs, The helper is a bar that fits into the pritchel and bends around back to the anvil, providing support to rest longer items on. http://www.iforgeiron.com/page/index.html/_/blueprints/original-series/bp0092-anvil-helper-r320

Well , keep it up LOL.

Banking the fire - I thought this was probably a common practice for those in the know. My forge normally burns itself out pretty quickly, possibly becuase I have a rather small / shallow pot. I have had it go out while I was doing other things and wasn't ready for it to go out. I have to remember to kick the blower on every now and then, so still a little surprised by my success with this, but will just accept it and carry on. Glenn I also agree safety must be considered. My forge is behind closed doors so no concern for wind gusts and with my fire pot covered I am comfortable with what I did, but I guess I shouldn't reccomend this to others as their situation may not be the same and there is always some risk involved. I don't know that I would do it with an open shop or forge outside that was exposed to the wind.

Pattern looks a lot like a cotton picker spindle to me ... https://www.google.com/search?q=cotton+picker+spindle&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=mBbxUtqENcb0oAScpILwBg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg&biw=1338&bih=810#imgdii=_

Awsome knife!! Does that damscuse pattern have a name?

I accidentally discovered something this weekend I think will be quite handy. This may be old news to most, but thought I would share. I was forging and decided to break for lunch. I like to have a supply of coke to restart my forge with so as a litttle experiment I decided to try something to make sure I would have some ready to go after I ate. I mounded up a little green coal, then set my coal scoop over the top and raked more coal around the side kind of sealing it off. My thought was that it may smolder just enough to leave me a supply of coke to easily get going again. Well when I returned about 90 minutes later, I moved my scoop and discovered there were still hot coals there. I was suprised as the fire normally burns itself out in just a few minutes. A little air from the blower and I had a fire going again in seconds. It was like I just put it on standby mode and then turned it back on again. I repeated the same thing at dinner, worked like a charm. I'm still not real clear on why it works, but only having to light the forge and deal with that initial smoke cloud from the green coal once per day will be great. Anyone else do this?

Very cool indeed.

Nothing to contribute, just an interested observer. Lots of good info shared here I plan to make use of. IFI just keeps on giving.

One of my favorites, Sheffield balde forger. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpeyhC-UIFg

I am in the NE corner of AR so not sure about your area.The Blacksmith Organization of AR does have a website it recently started, but I'm not sure of the addy. There is a page on Facebook, that may be a good place for you to start for Blacksmiths, knifemakers, I'm not so sure.

I'm pretty new myself, and from my experience, 1 hammer just isn't going to satisfy you if you keep at this. I have about 14 now and still want others : ). About 1/2 of mine came from flea markets or estate sales. I have also bought and modified a few cheap HF hammers and am well satisfied with them. The handle fit is key for me and I am no longer hesitant to reprofile a handle. If you think your handle or head needs some tweaking, I say have at it and have fun.