FieryFurnace

Thanks for that pointer. On the scond one I did not do that tuck prior to scrolling and once I started scrolling I realised something wasn't right. So I undid it and then redid it.

Yeah I was kinda thinking the same thing! The stand on the small one is falling apart so I was going to build a new heavy duty one (which would make it worth more,) but I did figure it might be nice to keep!

I have a kinyon, but it's a bit different than yours. (Old style with the cylinder attached directly to the head. Mine has stuck in the up position once or twice, and what causes it on mine is that the roller valve that reverses the flow of air through the main valve, does not get compressed enough to switch the flow. On my hammer, I just have to loosen the screws that hold the roller valve in place, and scoot it over a bit. I'm not sure if your style even uses a roller valve, but if it does, make sure it is being compressed all the way.

Thanks for the tip! I think I understand! I am going to keep practicing.

I don't particularly like the penny scroll. Just don't care for the way it looks. I've never personally forged one (that I remember,) but I have seen them forged in the past. Well, it's one of those things you keep putting off but eventually have to try. So today I tried forging a penny scroll. Here are three that I did. The first was 1/4x1-inch and the other two were 1/4x3/4-inch. The first one was a complete and utter disaster. A crack developed after a couple of heats and it was such an unrepairable mess that I didn't even start scrolling it. The second turned out better. It took about 8 to 10 heats and was ok. The third took five heats total and was much better although the penny isn't the greatest circle in the world. Here they are first, second, and, third pictured left to right. I did a whole bunch of techniques today. Just playing around in scrap. The penny scroll was the only one I'd never done though. All of it was done with a hand hammer and anvil except for one of the round tapers. (One was done with a hand hammer, one with the power hammer.) My results were as follows. square corner in 1/2-inch square bar: 5 heats drop-the-tongs weld in 1/2-inch round bar including, scarfing, welding, and dressing: 4 heats (round bar with slit and drift hole) round taper in 1/2-inch square bar: 2 heats by hand, 1 heat under the power hammer 1/4-inch tenon in 1/2-inch square: 2 heats fish tail scroll in 1/4x1-inch flat bar: 3 heats 1/2-inch round slit and drift hole in 1/2-inch round stock: 2 heats snub end scroll in 1/2-inch square: 3 heats penny foot in 1/4x1-inch flat bar: 1 heat two 1/4-inch round holes punched and countersunk in 1/4x1-inch flat bar: 1 heat total I have no idea if these times are good by comparison with a smith of my experience. I sure hope they are! Anyway, thought you all would enjoy!

1"x1" round slugs hammered down to about 3/8, then stamped. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl-Sqigzw9E&feature=plcp

A "round tuit" is a little funny piece of metal. It is a round disk of metal that is stampted with the letters TUIT. The idea is that when someone tells you to do something and you tell them "ohhh I'll get around to it" you do have a "round tuit." Mine are about 3/8-inch thick, 1.25-inches wide, and are stamped with the letters "TUIT."

Like everyone said, for starters, list your location. There are probably smiths on here in or around your location so we need that info. As far as an axe head being easy, I wouldn't recommend it for a starter project. (Then again, I don't make them!) If you are going to create a single item in a mass-production type setting, you need to know your market (how many you will need to provide,) know how to reach your market, and then build your facility to accomidate those needs. You'll need a general idea of how many of what you are making, you are able to sell, and at what price you can sell them. That's going to let you know if this is even doable. From the little bit of information you listed, I gather there will be two people (you and your friend,) producing these "things." In that case (and assuming that what you are making actually has to be forged,) you are going to need two forges and forge stations, coal or propane. If you are producing large quantities in a time efficient manner, more than likely you will need a power hammer. So you are looking at basic equipment purchases of 2 forges 2 power hammers 2 anvils 2 pairs each of the appropriate tongs needed 2 each of several sizes of drifts, mandrels, punches, slitters (depending on what it is and how you are making it.) whatever types of appriate hand hammers files, grinders, sanders for finishing proper steel and a steel source If you are making production axes, knives, swords or whatever, a heat treat furnace might be handy. Probably a bunch of other things that I'm forgetting. And a shop to put it all in. And if whatever you are making requires a wooden handle, you'll probably want a few basic wood working tools. Now you may understand why you need to know the market and what kind of potential sales you are dealing with. Business is an investment, so make sure you've got a solid chance of making money. You are jumping in head first. If you want to just do it as a hobby, a hammer, vice grips, hair drier, brake drum, a big rock, and a leaf spring will get you going.

KYBOY: do you get metal at Sandusky over here in Columbia ever? I know they don't carry it, but they may be able to order it in small quantities. I've talked to them about ordering other types of specialty steels before. I've got no clue what it would cost! Here is there number! 270-384-4716

Ok I kept track of what I made April 30th thru May 29th. This list, shows most of what I made during that period. week one 1: custom fireplace crane 2: horseshoe toilet paper holders 8: customized sign bars 2: 24-inch wall-mount pot racks with 12 hooks 100: "round tuits" 20: dinner bells 10: leaf hooks 1: hat rack 2: change dishes 5: horseshoe hearts Total hours worked for week one: 38 week two: 4: toilet paper holders 3: bath towel bars 2: camping tripods 1: forge welded tree 28: "round tuits" 1: fire poker 10: crosses 5: horse heads Number of hours worked in week 2: 17 week three: 10: horse heads 4: dinner bells 2: camping tripods 8: leaves 6: leaf hooks Number of hours worked in week three: 15 week 4: 20: s-hooks 4: heart hooks 3: change dishes 6: crosses number of hours worked in week 4: 12 Totol number of days worked: 15 Total number of hours worked: 82 The hours listed do not reflect the time I spend doing business related paper work and stock/supply trips. During this month of keeping track I had a two day vacation, and a total of 8 days at craft shows. I do not work on Sundays, and I spent one day on a trip going to pick up a piece of equipment.

Create yourself a "photobucket" account. (www.photobucket.com) After you create your account, use the "upload" button to upload your photos from your computer to photo bucket. Then copy the "IMG" code on your photo and past that code into your forum post, wherever you want the picture to show up. When you post your thread, your picture will appear.

You want to try to talk my dad into that....go right ahead.....I couldn't convince him! LOL It's my dad's truck. I don't own a vehicle........uhhhh yes I'm 19 and I've never owned a vehicle. No it's not because I'm a reckless driver and dad doesn't want me to have one. I wouldn't have the shop I have now if I spent my money on a vehicle. I'm saving and working toward getting one next year. I'm in no hurry! Oh and although it was recked on a trip I planned, I was not driving. :D

Awesome! You need my shipping address to so you can store it somewhere?

LOL already got a spot figured out for it. It's going where the old saw is now. The old saw will eventually get a new heavy duty stand and some infeed and outfeed roller stands, and then get put up for sale probably. Some good infeed/outfeed rollers for the new saw are in order as well, but that's on down the line. I've got custom jobs to get going and stock to build up for an upcoming show.

Tail lights have a tendency to go out after being impacted by a Camaro at 40 MPH. (Ice is SLICK!) We need a new bed, but our truck is hard to find a bed for, and they are REALLY expensive! Good point about the weight. I always band a bunch of rods together when I need to cut a lot of one thing. That allows me to work on other things before having to tend the saw again. Like anything, tweak it to fit you. Good idea though and I'll keep it tucked away in my "useful information file" in case it is needed.

Well I needed SOMETHING to spend my money on! LOL No really I think this is something that will be a great asset to my shop. My current bandsaw is a standard jet with a 4x6 inch cutting capacity. I've fought with it a lot trying to get it to cut square. It is old and has seen service in more than one full time blacksmith shop. I've had the need to cut larger stock several times in the past and either have to cut it from different directions on my saw, or use the torch and grind. I found a deal on craigslist, checked the saw out through the manufacturer, and decided to buy. I went today and picked it up! It's got an 8x14 cutting capacity and runs $3500 new, (according to the manufacturer.) I got it for $850. It was manufactured in the '80s but the guy that bought it only used it to square log ends when building his house. It is still on the factory crate base.

Hey there! There is a guy down in Glasgow Kentucky with anvils for sale. Look on bowling green craigslist. Not sure of his prices, but you might give that a try. Having said that, you certainly made the best of what you have, and turned out a nice looking piece of hardware.

It is very possible that you ended up with a cold shut. Be sure to use a soft radius edge when forging those areas. Most of the time, it seems like those cracks come from overworking and area and working it too cold. They will go away as you get faster at forging, and learn the temperature range that the steel should be in. I would suggest not doing the twist tongs. get some good 1/2-inch round bar, and try forging that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BoFD-qv2OM&feature=plcp

Everyone has a bad weld every once in a while. The lower die still looks fine.

The thought has crossed my mind....with a few jigs and such I could make them rather quickly. The material was 1/2-inch round coil spring. I usually use approx 1/2-inch coil for tongs with up to 5/8-inch jaws. Not sure how long a piece I used.......maybe 6-inches.

LOL yeah good way to end the day!

I had the SAME EXACT failure about a week ago and I've only been running mine since December 2011. Bad penetration into the 1/2-inch plate. Our dies are S-7 and were profesionaly heat treated. I ground off the old weld, ground a new weld groove, and rewelded with my mig welder. After they cooled I tested the dies by chamfering square stock cold. It still didn't touch the S-7, so I'm not worried about reheat-treating.

The hamer is GREAT! Especially since my air hammer broke down. :D I don't really use the tire hammer for hand held tooling much. I save that stuff for the air hammer. I do have some nice short tools that I can and do use under the tire hammer, and it has enough control to use hand-held tooling. Both sides of this pair of dies are taper dies. Just different pitches of taper.

I forged these right quick before I came in for the night. Probably took an hour, but I didn't rush and I didn't time myself either. I hand forged the jaws, boss, and the beginning of the reigns. I usually do that on the power hammer with an edge-of-the-anvil tool, but I was in no hurry, and wanted to swing a hammer for a bit. The reigns I tapered on the power hammer. I also made the start of another pair on the same pieces of metal, but they will need the reigns forge welded on. These are made from coil spring and hold 1/4-inch square, round, and flat.

I will second Karine's post. I was thinking we needed to locate the legal info, first. We should go ahead and have several montly meetings first anyway so we can get to know each other. I can host a meeting in my shop as well. Let me check the callender and see when I could have something. Probably be around July for me. (Which would be great because my birthday is in July so everyone could bring me a bunch of new tools! LOL that was a joke!) Seriously! If I could go ahead and set a date now, that would allow most folks to put it on the callender.