MoleDoc

:confused: I just scored a gently used 1 hp drill press with a 5/8 inch chuck (a craftsman to be exact). I had my last shop class in Jr High. and I'm pushing 50 now. What kind of drills bits do i buy for drilling the mild steel we use for smithing? There are ones coated in cobalt or carbide or titanium. And what about the angle of the point 118 vs 134 degrees? I currently have a nice set of bullet point dewalt drills bits but they are specifically for wood. Any advice for what kind of set to purchase would be helpful. and any comments on the best cutting oil to use would be great too Thanks!

I repair old sewing machines for my wife all the time. That is a great idea as I'm sure my wife has a few extra foot switches. Thank you and I love this website.:D

I was using coal, Elkhorn brand to be specific. I started the piece on the student forges which are hand cranked blowers and was doing fine but I had to breakdown my fire so the next class can come in to cold forges and make their own fires. I moved to the demonstration forge in the frot of the barn and it has an electric blower and thats when I made my sparkling puddle of goo. I didn't know the electric blowers would burn your piece up so fast. Thanks to all who responded. I appreciate the help

:mad: I've been forging every staurday since spring and i can't seem to finish a pair of tongs without burning the the steel. I was making a pair of bolt tongs this morning for 1" bar stock that id like to make into candle sticks. I had the reins formed and even pulled off making balls at the ends that looked as good a my store bought pair. I made the twist on the jaw and put back in the fire to take some tool marks out of the boss area and the whole mess went up in a shower of sparks and i ended up with an molten blob of crud on the end of the reins where the twist in jaw was supposed to be. several hours of what I thought was good work down the drain, and I'd be fibbing if I said it was the first project that ended that way. Does anyone have advice on how to not burn the steel after youv'e worked it down? Thanks!

Thank you Glen. excellent references.

Could someone explain to this new student why exactly there are folks who will only use "pocahontas" or "elkhorn" coal. I thought the purest form of coal was anthricite. I know soft or heating coal is out because of the high percentage of sulfur and clinker. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks:confused:

Thats my profession (or what I do during the week when I cant forge) Ted Scott Dermatology Nurse Practitioner