urnesBeast

It is looking very much like I will be getting a bench top and making a stand. The first job is drilling through 2x4s the 3.5inch direction. Seems no drill presses have that kind of movement, so I will be starting on the press and finishing with a drill- unless there is a trick... How can something not fit under a bench drill. Is it because the table can not lower far enough? Can't the table be moved aside when needed? Doug

Is ti just a matter of running the thing and building a box wherever I see the sparks a flying? Seems simple enough. Good idea with the drywall, I should have plenty of that left. Should build it right onto the stand. Doug

My new shop is basically all window on one side. I am concerned that if the grinders are near the windows, they will quickly become pitted. How do you all deal with that? Any good guard designs, or do you mostly just place them in a safe place?

So, I asked a similar question for grinders and got some good answers. As I am looking around for a drill press, I find that the floor models are significantly more expensive. How are they really different? Also, with a longer steel pole can a benchtop be converted easily? Thanks, Doug

Let me second the motion. These are excellent books. Once the smithy is opperational again, I plan to do a self-study course working through them. The first should be particularly useful since I only have a hammer and anvil right now and need to make everything else after the fire...

IANAL, but you could find your local Notary Public and have them stamp your design. Easier than the method above.

How about everyone keeps the fruit of their labor, the government does not try to "do good" but simply restrains people from initiating force against one another or from committing fraud on one another. The "Invisible Hand" has done more to stimulate economy than some bureaucrat confiscating the fruits of my labor and giving said fruits to someone else. -Doug

I got the exact opposite advice on buying blacksmithing tools. Tell them you know exactly what it is for. If they want $100, tell them: I will give you $80 for it, and I will actually *use* it. Seems to me that would be enough of a story for the dealer to justify the discount. -Doug

NO! NO! NO! That is dangerous! If you heat the hammer, the head will fly off mid-stroke because the metal will expand in the fire but the wood will not... Try soaking the handle in the slack tube before heating. Doug

So 300 people do not need to do a search (August 2009) blacksmiths anvil made of WOOD on eBay (end time 08-Aug-09 20:00:00 BST)

When I say it went through the 'smithy fire', I mean the smithy burned to the ground. Not sure how hot or long it was in there. I would say about an hour at campfire heat, then quenched by the firemen.

You must be a master for doing branches, I am still trying to get good at leaves...

I made sure I had the tallest chimney in the neighborhood. 15 foot was enough, new chimney will be 20 because the GC is putting it up, not me.

Now, I put my roofing copper through the forge when I am doing fold forming, but the long 'cold' fire of the smithy fire I had a few months back turned the roll of copper brittle. Is there any cure for this? I tried annealing it, but it was still unusable. Any use other than scrap buyer for this? Thanks, Doug

Badges!??!! We don't need no stinking badges!

It is not clear to me if the collar becomes forge welded with the bundle or not. I imagine it can go both ways. For a 3x3 grid, how many heats to weld this? I can imagine that you get some slightly stuck on the first heat, that you confirm these on the second heat, getting some incidental sticking in the other direction. The third and fourth heat is rotated 90 and similar process. From there, you have the mechanical hold and forge out as one piece. It seems to me that getting two widths of collar and three pieces to stick (four simultaneous welds) is difficult at best. How close am I on this guess of how this is done?

Not a good way to start a conversation on-line... That being said, is that galvanized metal at the rim of your firepot? If so DO NOT fire it up. http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f35/zinc-cadmium-hydrogen-fluoride-other-toxic-compounds-8515/ I don't know much about making a hood.

I think most 'ridicule' that is found on this or any other forum is because many users have never learned proper etiquette on this or any other public forum. Common errors people make are: * Not searching first * Showing reckless ignorance while convinced they are right * Not using good titles for posts * Not spell checking, grammar checking These things do not change who you are, but alter the perception of you greatly. The perception dictates what kind of reception you will get. I went to my first hammer-in, still in my "civilian clothes". I did not look the part and no one seemed interested in talking with me. I got changed into dirty overalls, safety gear and found people much friendlier and more engaging. Dress the part on-line just as you would in real life. -Doug

Is it just me, or does the video look like it is speeded up a little. Look at the way his coat moves and things drop.

Why do you need someone else? Get some equipment, rent some time at a forge, or find a friend on the boards here. Why does it need to be work? Make yourself some s-hooks, drive stakes, etc...

I see a lot of guys talking about lathes here. I know what a lathe does, at least for wood. What are some of the typical uses? I never use my wood lathe, so I am curious why the metal lathes keep getting good marks.

My internet connection. The new smithy will be wired from the house and then have a wireless connection within. A DVD player and a browser to great instructions and resources here will be very useful in the shop.

Charlotte, Same story as who? Doug

I am not sure why there is a difference in the story I remember from speaking to the people at Blacksmith Supply (Blacksmith Supply) and Jan. I may have horribly misunderstood, or there is some kind of buisness disagreement that I do not want to be involved with. I am sure you can contact the above parties to sort it out. -Doug

I once had a nice cast, but once our run on Broadway was done, we lost touch.