arkie

Stunning!!! 

I'm using one of those take-offs from high efficiency furnaces...Dayton blowers are great.

On 2/24/2023 at 7:01 PM, M.J.Lampert said:

a problem I had last night was that the brass screws are snapping before they get tight I pre-drilled to the specs on the package for hardwood (3/32nds) and it is drilled deeper than the length of the screw i had the clutch on the drill at 4 so it should have been low torque.

M. J., a tip for you when working with brass screws...even though you have predrilled the holes...I always use only a properly fitted screwdriver and scrape a tiny bit of wax (candle, beeswax, floor wax, etc.) on the screw threads.  Brass screws are notorious for breaking and the use of a screwdriver lets you feel the torque on the screw so that you can stop before breaking it.

Beautiful Cajon!  Nice work.  Looking forward to the video (with sound, of course!)

14 hours ago, alexandr said:

Guys, thanks! Realized. In Russian it is volute.

Great!  Glad we got "scroll" figured out...volute.

Chimaera, thanks for posting the scroll picture to help Alexandr with the translation.  I just read his not understanding scroll through the translation...getting to the party a bit late tonight.

ILove,  This may give you an idea as to what weathered wrought iron might look like.  Notice the fibrous grain/texture on the split end in one picture.  Fine grained WI might not have the striations and weathering patterns.

14 hours ago, alexandr said:

HI ! Thanks!

Google translate could not translate this phrase.

Scrolls seem to be your trademark or specialty   And you didn't have a scroll on the chairs, LOL

Stunning!!  Simple but elegant.  And not a scroll in the lot!  How DID you manage that?

The curved pieces... more chairs?

Scott, I think you nailed that one.  Often you'll find the "dinosaur eggs" to be concretions; objects that have formed in a spherical or elliptical shape due to cementation or precipitation in a sandstone or limestone formation...not an egg, LOL  The "eggs" are kinda like the "cannon balls" that are actually, usually steel balls from ball mills that flea markets try to pawn off on folks.

As to what is better, blower on the right or left, I don't really think it makes a bit of difference.  Whatever is comfortable and workable for the smith is what is "right".  As for the changing of hands with tongs, hammers, etc., that takes only a couple of seconds and I think the steel will stay pretty much at nearly the same temperature in doing so.  If you're going to be forge welding, then just plan ahead for what you are going to be doing with your hands and tools and proceed.

Good move! 

WW, welcome to IFI.  Our blacksmith organization had a member, since moved, who worked at a steel mill over in Ft. Smith, AR.  He was able to come up with some drops off large "rod" extrusions.  Said they were 4014.  About 7"-8" in diameter, +/- 12" high.  An 8" diam. round bar weighs approx. 171#, a 6" about 96#.  Several of our members bought them for, I think, less than a $1/lb. ( I've slept since then  ) They made great anvils for new smiths who couldn't afford or find "conventional" anvils.  They would grind about a 1/4" radius around part of the top to get rid of the sharp corners.  I don't know if anyone tried heat treating the top, but seeing as how hot steel moves fine on a hard surface, they worked great for them.  If you can get one from your friend, great!

Nice find.  If you'd like more info on Mousehole anvils and the forge, I highly recommend the book Mousehole Forge by Richard Postman.  It goes into the history and manufacture of Mousehole anvils...great reading.  Every Mousehole anvil owner should have a copy.

Wishing you a speedy recovery, Frosty.  Ya can't keep a good man down!

Before I put up a metal carport over my forging area, I had covered the open forge with a piece of plywood.  There was a slot opening on one side (shown in one of the pics) and the Carolina Wrens decided to make a nest in one corner.  Thank goodness they hadn't laid any eggs yet.  I removed the nest, and lo and behold they built another nest!  This time I ran a long piece of bar stock to block off the opening.  Second nest didn't have any eggs yet either...that nest removed as well.  Close call.  That pair of birds could have shut me down for weeks!!

19 hours ago, jlpservicesinc said:

Arkie, I'd love to call it all off and just go teach someplace else.. If I did not put the school up I could retire this year and lived well.   

But, I have pushed and pushed and fully understand the dynamics at hand "NOW"..  

I am extremely grateful everytime I go out in the building and look around at all the hardwork and treasures and know that someday it will be finished and "Spectacular"..  I just need to hang in there a little longer.  
 

Jen, you are doing what you love to do.  Never regret all the joy that the project has brought you, and will bring you in the future.  You WILL succeed...it's in your DNA.

Jen, maybe you should quit playing dominoes?????

That's quite a haul of tongs your friend gave you!  At today's prices, for new tongs ranging from $40 to $60 each, you have from about $560 to $840 worth of tongs!

Jen, don't know how you do it all!!!!  First, the accidents...we're gonna have to wrap you in bubble wrap!  Second, with all the equipment purchases, repairs, cleaning, installations and electrical stuff...when do you have time to sleep??  I guess any forging is out of the question with the arm injury(ies).  That might have given you a little relaxation time.  Hope you heal quickly and get all the construction wrapped up soon (pain free).

Don, here is another version of a tool support clamped in a vise.  John Switzer on Black Bear forge uses one like this:

In this video, go to 8:23 where he is working on a long horn steer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7-r8p1saIk

Also, pictures of one I made like his.

I don't make knives, but do make my smithing tools.  For sucker rods (variable as they may be) I have been using peanut oil.  I have not tried water yet, not needing anything really hard,  but will try it as soon as the weather warms so I can get back out to the forge!  Anyone tried a comparison of say, peanut oil and water?

Randy, those Dayton blowers are great for a coal forge.  I have one in service on the forge and a spare on the shelf.  Got them from Hardy T.  I use an air gate/blast gate to control the fire.

On 1/20/2023 at 4:36 PM, TWISTEDWILLOW said:

Haul from the scrap yard today,....oxygen bottle.

Billy, make a bell from that O2 bottle.  I made one to hang out by my forge and really enjoy listening to it when the wind blows.  I used an old pizza pan for the wind vane and a wooden disk inside for the clapper.

Hunt...try to refill your propane tanks at a propane distributor.  Much cheaper.  I get my 20# tanks filled at the local MFA Oil/Propane dealer who also fills my residential 320 gal. tank.  MFA is a Missouri company with distribution even down here in AR.  Don't know if they service your area or not.  My last refill a couple of weeks ago was $2.40/gal.

Good idea, Frosty.  Saves the axe handle for sure.