Lefty

Thanks for the input everyone. I will pass your thoughts on to my friend Joe.

Dan,
I gotta say that your description is very believanle. After all it was known as the "Iron Curtain."

Lefty

Both tools are made of iron.

Thomas,
I had never heard of a muller so I looked it up. Interesting stuff.

Anyone else have any ideas?

Thanks for the help,

Lefty

Howdy all,
A friend shared these photos of some tools he picked up.

Any idea what they might have been used for?

Thanks,
Lefty

Mike,

I think there is a sketch in The Art of Blacksmithing by Alex W. Bealer.

I loaned my copy to a friend so don't have it now.

Lefty

I bought this rivet forge with small champion blower at the Rose Bowl swap meet about 7 years ago for $125. Living in Southern Cal. you don't see many forges or blowers for sale.

Lefty

Sabre,

I might add something you probably already know. Starting the fire with coke will greatly reduce the amount of smoke. Sure, there will be some raw coal in there, and it will smoke like heck, but not as bad as starting with all raw coal.

Once the fire is burning well I try to add a little coal at a time to the outside of the firepot. I push the old material towards the center of the fire and add the coal along the edge of the firepot. Try not to wait until the center of your fire is all burned down too much. It's better to add a little at a time than wait until your out of the hot stuff.

If I do get carried away and deplete "The Good Stuff" I add a bunch of material to the outside of the pot and pack everything together well. I then poke a hole down into the center to direct the air flow straight up, give it a bunch of air, and take a break while the coal cokes down.

Hope this helps someone,

Lefty

Here are a few shots of my forge. Picked it up at a flea market about 9 years ago.

Lefty

I like coal because there is no ash getting blown out of the fire pot like you would get with charcoal. And it's a lot cheaper here also.

Lefty

"If a good edge you will win, forge it thick and grind it thin."

"Eat to live, don't live to eat."

"There are two theories about arguing with women. Neither one works."

Yep, it's a railroad spike.

Lefty

Howdy all,
I have been lurking a while and posted a few questions but I don't think I have posted photos of any of my attemps. Here is a spike knife I just completed.

Thanks for looking. Any and all comments or suggestions appreciated.

Lefty

I'm new around here buy I'll tell ya what I think.

It's a portable bar-b-que that attaches to the bumper of your truck. If you look at the second photo you can see the depressions in the side where the rotisserie skewer would be held. A scoop of coal in the bowl and your ready to go.

Lefty

Thanks Matt. I am gonna give that a try.

Lefty

Matt,
Thanks for the info. Do you use some type of drift to form the eye.

John,
Thanks. I have sent you a PM.

Lefty

Howdy all,

I am new to the forum and have been checking it out. Just amazing!

I need some help. A friend of mine has asked me to make him a froe and I am not sure how I should form the eye. Does it need to be welded? Any suggestions?

I have read that the froe need not be made of tool steel since it need not be very sharp. What are your thoughts on this.

Thanks,
Lefty