Woodeye

I'm a Marvel Mystery Oil user for my blowers and general lubrication needs around the forge and have had no issues in my unheated Wisconsin man cave.

I will be the off one out - I angle my fire tool handles at 45 degrees from the flat of the working end. This has always felt the most comfortable for using as the wrist seems to be in a natural neutral position.

Well done Archiphile - I have been reading those vary same ABANA instructions this week regrettably after I pretty much messed up a first attempt. I hope to find time this weekend though I have a few other items folks have asked be to make up for X-mas. Tong making skill development is something I have set down as a goal for the upcoming year. I have plenty of tongs collected over the years so have never put much into it. I have just decided it is a skill I should have as I continue to pursue my smithing interests. Great Fun it all is!

Very nice memorial cross - rugged elegance. I too am sorry for your loss - the emotions that I am sure flowed heavy while the cross was being created will make it a special addition to the garden.

Right - good idea not to use the torch. Does it get cold enough in Asheville to really have a problem with LP? My house is heated with LP here in Wisconsin as are many others and we all have these huge tanks outside with no problem. I have never really had any problems with the smaller tanks in my forge for that matter either. Perhaps you don't really need to worry about it.

Chris your are correct - Grainger is the supplier with the ABANA discount.

I built a box from half inch foil covered insulation board large enough to slip down over my anvil and stump with plenty of room to spare. I then wired two porcelain light fixtures which now hold 100 watt bulbs. This set-up works great to gently and evenly heat the anvil and anything else in the box - anvil tools, hammers, lunch whatever. I turn it on in the early morning when I let the dogs out and it can get the anvil to 50 degress F in a couple hours and much much warmer given more time. I'll try to post some photos tonight if anyone is interested. Woodeye

Thanks for the feedback Aaron - I have given the concept of an hydraulic cylinder some thought. I checked the local TSC. The smallest cylinder was 2.5 in bore with a 12 inch stroke at about $90. Not a bad price but I am trying to keep the size down at least on this hammer to minimize the air volume needed. I am sure that other TSC stores may have what I am looking for and agree with the concept of using an hydraulic cylinder. The mounting might be a bit of a challenge though. I checked out the Teco site and have spec'ed out a cylinder (I think as there are a zillion options) that seems to meet my needs. If I have time I am going to give them a call and get a price - I'll update with what I find. They do seem to carry the full line of pnuematic supplies but I am going to campare with McMaster with the 10% ABANA discount. Woodeye

Thanks for all the feedback - I'll check out what has been offered up and see what I find!

Hey Group, I'm preparing to build a Kinyon style hammer and am having trouble finding a source for an air cylinder - 1.5 - 2.0 inch bore, 8 to 10 inch stroke with 3/8 or 1/2 inch NPT ports with a decent mounting scheme would be the goal. I have been through McMaster Carr and Grainger with little success - all ports are 1/4 in these bore sizes. I have searched the eBay world with limited hits and mostly one off various cylinders. It seems to me that there has to be a good one stop shopping dealer of all things Pnuematic that should be able to supply just about everything needed but I just can't find one. Can anyone out there point me in the right direction. Thanks in Advance, Woodeye

I am right handed and hit with my right hand. My anvil has the horn set on my right side. This way with tongs in left hand I can bend down and to the right and seen under and behind the horn to see what the heck is going on down there.

m brothers (or his teacher) has hit on the simplest most effective method i have yet to come accross. The nose cone I use is made by a spiral of 1/4 rd. I wrapped around the horn. Added a little curl on each end - one to hook on the screen door spring and the other, left a little sticking out, for a handle to slip it on and off. These are truely effective, light and elegant (for a blacksmith). Woodeye

Happy Blacksmiths = rusty old metal and coal for Christmas!

Have fun and good luck with the new raffle idea - having the family there should help and the support will be great I am sure.

Very nice work - All hand forged?

Well done video and a nice piece of iron work as well. Skillfull forging technique on your part also. Great stuff for the beginners and intermedates in the group. Woodeye

Often we are our own toughest critics - nice job on the fire poker first attempt and lots of good suggestions here for future improvements. Woodeye

Finnr - sorry to hear about your back - I had serious issues with mine last December and early January - not good timing given all the snow we had last winter (good thing we have 4xd vehicles) Scratch - SO many times I have other obligations on key weekends on this one my wife will be going to a wedding by herself - I'm sure I'll be paying a price for this in the future.

Thanks for the welcome responses Finnr and Scratch - will either of you be at the UMBA fall meeting Nov. 8 in Burlington at Centaur? Or anyone else out there for that matter. Eric W

Hello Everyone, Glad to be here. I have been blacksmithing for a couple years with great enjoyment. I have taken one class from a local smith and am a memeber of UMBA and ABANA. Will anyone out there be going to the Hammer-In 08 this weekend in Grand Detour, Ill? I am planning on being there early Saturday and will only be able to stay for Saturday. Woodeye