arkie

The coal mine lead was in case you might have a chance to buy directly from a mine. Otherwise, try to locate a blacksmith group near you, as they often sell coal to members (and sometimes non-members). Sometimes our club members drive as far as 150-200 miles to get coal at a meeting.

In the Google search bar, type these exact words without quotes (or cut n paste): "coal in Washington State"

Google "coal in washington state". Might have some locations you could visit.

Charcoal will blow out a lot of "fleas", sparks if you will, if the air is too high. The larger flue pipe is for smoke removal. With coal, you won't have the "flea" problem.

Jack, you're off to a good start. Your forge will draw smoke away better if you can come up with a 10" or 12" (better) flue pipe. I used to have an 8" one and it didn't draw worth a darn. Went to a 12" pipe and it draws like a wonder now. I couldn't find any scrap flue pipe that large and ended up going to an HVAC shop and got some there.

Those are exactly what I use. Don't have a bandsaw, froe works fine.

X2 on the bathroom fan. I use the one from HD for about $16. I very seldom run the air gate wide open. Brake drum forge, coal.

For general work, just use mild steel, sometimes referred to as A-36. Anything else might be overkill and more expensive. For your beginner projects, you could use 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", and/or 3/4" round or square. One inch stock will be harder to work as a beginner, but you could give it a go.

With the rivet forge, about the only thing you can easily do is to work the piece back and forth. You'll have to keep the fire hot and work it. You'll see how long you need to keep it in one place while moving it to keep as much hot as you can.

Aus, you can remove the galvanize simply with vinegar. For your long lengths, just use a length of PVC pipe, say 1 1/2 or 2 inch, cap one end and fill with vinegar. In a few hours or overnight, your threaded rod will be nice and clean of galv. By using the PVC, you can select the length and size you need and save a lot on the cost of vinegar, which is pretty cheap anyway.

Here is a "dinner bell" shaped like a bell, of course. Made this one for a blacksmith meeting trade item. Each side is about 12" long. Surprisingly, it actually rang like the traditional triangle.

I suggest you drift over to weldingweb.com and post your question/problem there. Lots of experienced welders there.

I ran all that through my translation software and it didn't work.......

Battery chargers work fine. Just make sure it's the manual type. The automatic chargers try to sense a battery-to-be-charged and don't play well with electrolysis.

I would be terrified to drop and drag a magnet on the bottom of my slack tub!!!!!!!! Ain't no tellin' what monsters it would drag up!!!! EEEEK!!

Very nice article...thanks for posting the link!

I sometimes use the terry cloth wrist bands like tennis players use. I helps keep the sweat from running down my arm to my hands.

Those all look like trips to the ER just waiting to happen........

You can find Marvel Mystery Oil just about any place that sells auto parts.

Me, too...and me, too.

Since my punching is not the best, I drill all my rivet holes. Just need to practice punching a lot more.

You might try heating it. Sometimes the combination of expansion and contraction along with dehydration of the rust may work. Some folks use a combination of ATF (automatic transmission fluid) plus acetone, but that is mostly for light cases of rust binding. A LONG soaking in a penetrating fluid may be in order.

BOA Meetings schedule for August: NW Chapter: Aug. 13th, Eureka Springs, AR at ESSA NE Chapter: Aug. 6th at Lafe, AR River Valley Chapter: Aug. 6th at Van Buren, AR Central Chapter: Aug. 20th at Glenwood, AR PM me for details if interested in attending a chapter meeting. Visitors always welcome.

Mutz, I've been using the $15 fart fan from HD for over three years now. No complaints. Air blows through 2" black pipe, controlled by a sliding air gate (blast gate, some call it). I usually run it about 25% open for most stuff. One inch or over stock, I open it to 50-100 %. You can get larger CFM output with those type fans and the main attraction for me is that they are CHEAP compared to some other fans. With larger pipe you are probably going to need a larger output fan. Like Frosty said, you need volume, not velocity.

Me too! When working with WI, I still have the fear of burning it up, but hot is what it likes.