Jacob Nothstine

I used the plans on anvilfire.com project number 48 under the iforge how to. To make the square hole I used a small hand file tang, I think it was a round file. Kind of looks like a nail if you were to cut it off the file. The nail header I made worked fine.  

Frosty, I was not going to do a single bevel on the axe, as you said it would be dangerous and wrong for it's purpose. 

Thanks, Jacob  

I look at several Scout web pages and could not fine anything, I think I'm over thinking this. Most of my smaller axe (hatchets) are single bevel for woodworking or large axe for splitting. Going to go with a 35 degree angle, I check on the angle of some of the higher end smaller axe and they are 30 - 35 degree.   

Thanks, Jacob   

Stopped at a garage sale before work and pick up a hammer, Stanley 45, and some Emmet vise parts for $17.00

Went to the scrap yard at lunch and pick up 140 lbs of scrap mostly 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 round and square, they were all longer lengths the cart is 6ft long. Also pick up a bar that is labeled Penn. Flexor Steel have to do some more research on it. All for $13.00 and a couple of cigars.

It's been a good day, and sunny as you can see by my shadow.   

Picked up a vintage Collins Boy Scout Axe at a flea market. It was in bad condition but I got it cleaned up. I now need to sharpen it, and put a handle on it.  I ground out a few nicks that were in the blade. My question is the blade angle would 35 degrees be good all around angle?  How sharp should it be for a camping Axe? I was thinking going to 220 grit. Any idea on what the origanal handle length was?  

Going to teach my 9 year old son how to use it, and give it to him when he's a Boy Scout. 

Thanks, Jacob 

Read a lot about the Grizzly 10" contact wheel but have not tried it, still working on building my belt grinder. It around the same price. 

https://www.grizzly.com/products/10-Aluminum-Rubber-Wheel-For-G1015/G9242

Get a small swage block and start making ladle, shovels and spoons. When you get your forge going you can make handles for them. When I use mine I'm setting down and have it on a stump.   

snap gages - I spent about 20 minutes looking on line for what they were. Going to sell them might get enough for a propane refill. 

Thanks, Jacob 

RR spikes can be hard to hold, you will need tongs that will go around the head of the RR Spike and hold it tight. Gravity like to pull them onto the floor. You will also have to do a lot of hammering to get it to move or shape. I would start with long stock so you don't have to use tongs the entire project.    

I would fine a metal supplier and pick up some 1/4 mild steel round and square. Cheap around .70 a foot by me, cuts easy, heats up fast, bends easy and you can make a lot of different stuff. Hooks, candle holders, harts, nails, pop holders, hotdog cookers, marshmallow cookers, pokers, corkscrew,  practice twist.   

Hit the scrap yard at lunch today, and spent $5.00 for all this. The large lathe turned rings start at 5" and go down to 1" will make a nice bending tool. The C shape things are made by Do All not sure what they are maybe a gauge for lathe work marked 1 -1 1/4, the green tubes have new Jacobs tapers. I also found a 5" round disk to complete the set for my bending jig and a nice oak cart with heavy duty casters. 

Pay to have a transformer put in and run a new meter to the shop. If you are doing a knife business you will want to keep track of electric use for taxes deduction.  You will also need the extra power for your power hammer, large press, and oven for heat treating. 

I would check with the city before you do anything, see what the codes will let you do.  It will be a lot more work and cost more, but you wont get a knock on your door telling you to remove all things that are not up to code. I had to take out all the wiring in my old garage because the city was not happy. Also had to paint the back of my garage as it was snowing out to bring it up to good standards. We made our place a rental property so they were picky. 

My neighbors are close, To help with noise I put a chain around my anvil. Some anvils ring louder then others, I'm lucky my anvil is not to bad unless you are pounding on the horn then it rings pretty loud.  I also went from a cut off saw to a band saw to help cut down on noise and dust. 

I would pick up a copy of "The Backyard Blacksmith" By: Lorelei Sims a lot of good information, also has projects for beginners.  Once you start making stuff you will find out quick what tools you need. 

I would use a paint stripper. I have had good luck with Citristrip on other tools. You can fined it at most box hardware store. I don't thing you would have to take it apart to get most the paint off.  

I purchased a BB hammer #2 Cross peen hammer it a great hammer, I like the feel of the handle, the balance is nice, and it moves metal great. Came with a video on how to use it ( hofi Style hammering). This is my main hammer. Second up is a Heller rounding hammer 2.5 lb, I picked it up from a estate sale for $8.00

I would try to go to an event like SOFA and try a few hammers out before buying. 

Photo is of the Heller hammer you would have to fine one used.

I had a 1968 Bronco, I used PB Penetrating spray for a few days before I trying to loosen any bolts. It works great. 

http://blastercorp.com/PB_Blaster_Testimonials.html

Before you cut them you might want to check some of the larger welding gas supplier. Some place will trade you tanks even if it's a different gas or the tank doesn't have a current test stamps. 

Here is the shop glasses I got my 8 year old son. They are comfortable, and wrap around his face. Have not found any good gloves yet. He uses my leather gloves. I like to use 1/4 square stock with him because it's easy to move, bend or twist, you can also make a lot of different projects with it.  I use long stock so we don't have to use tongs to hold it. I have done most of the holding up to now, I'm starting to let him bring metal in and out of the forge. I found it's also good to have a game plan of what we are going to do, and even practice with a cold piece of metal before hand.  

Scouts are great my son is a cub scout, had his scout group over last year to make slingshots for there wood working project.

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DPG82-11C-Concealer-Anti-Fog-Safety/dp/B000RKQ1NI

I found this online the other day, might give it a try. 

I think the treadmill motor would be good for a 2 x 72 grinder. The only problem is the shaft might be 17mm, you can get a 17mm drill bit and drill out a pulley so it fits the shaft.  If you don't have a controller look into the MC-60 controller they are easy to hook up. I put a treadmill motor on my drill press and lathe they work great.  The other motor I would cut the shaft shorter and get a buffer wheel adapter. 

Could it be the start of a spring Fuller? The tool you found are in good condition, the tongs I find are rusted and bent. 

Might check out your local scrap yard, I picked up 2 electric blowers the other day at the scrap yard for maybe $4.00 for both. One worked the other didn't. You might find one you can modify to fit your blower. 

I was at a blacksmith event a few month ago and they had this vise for upsetting. Used it on a cup holder demo and it worked great. Been thinking about making one. 

Good article, I have been trying real hard to de-clutter the garage. I decided that anything I have not used in 1 year was gone unless it was real important, I also sold any doubles of tools this winter.  It help me out to set a goal, new anvil this spring or pick one up at Quad state what ever comes first. Have a good size anvil fund now just waiting to fine one. My biggest problem is metal scraps, took a load to the scrap yard last month. Need to break down and do another load this month.