highlander

this is my result. it came out a little big because i was rushing to beat the storm clouds rolling in, as my forge sits outdoors while it is hot. try #1 melted in my coal forge when i wasn't paying attention. this one was made in my propane forge.

this poker is 1/2 inch square steel. it is about 3 feet long

thanks everyone! i still dont have all the tools i need to make things work the way i want them to. i dont have any hot chisels, ive been using cold chisels for hot work and it doesnt turn out well.. :-p

try running it on BBQ charcoal to see if that will light. if so then its a coal problem.

Desmond Stephan Mfg. Co. used to make all sorts of shop tools. Now all they do is grinding wheel dressers. Desmond - Grinding Wheel Dressers - Home

also, the screw end is stamped with an M. any idea on who M is?

and also also, after i took these pics i realized that i forgot to put a few washers back on before taking them, so if you noticed that, you are good! they will go back on tomorrow

survey says: ?

i think the stock i used was too thin, as the hook and point came out way too small. oh well.

the post vise is done..... ALMOST

all i need to do is forge a handle for it, and that will be a little bit till i find the perfect piece of stock. paint is rustoleum flat black. i left the inside of the jaws unpainted, they will get rubbed with oil.

Darryl,
Thank you for posting this. Safety is number one, and advice from personal experience is a great thing to give. All my grinding discs are norton or dewalt. I had one harbor freight one break apart on me(i got out unscathed, as it broke apart as i turned the grinder on so it was fairly low rpm) and won't buy anything but quality now.

Paid $25 for these 5 pairs of tongs. Anyone have any idea what the odd pair could be used for?

how about forge welding? :-D

i wear a welding glove on my left hand(tong hand) because i prefer to work with short tongs and they tend to heat up faster than the longer ones. ive had large pieces of scale go in the top of the glove many many many times. just ask moya034... he can hear me holler from across the yard every time.

after forging, i usually spend 5 minutes or so picking out the scale that has burned into the skin on my hands and forearms

started restoring my free post vise today. put about two hours in it so far. the threads are good on the screw, all thats needed is derusting and a new handle!
post vise restoration - Blacksmith Photo Gallery

I uploaded some pictures to the gallery. My "shop" spans three locations at the moment, seeing as I havent had the time to get a real setup going. My power tools (drill press, bench grinder, angle grinder, ect) are in one garage, my forge is currently at moya034's house along with a mousehole anvil, and a lot of my hand tools (files punches chisels) are in another garage. I think this weekend will be dedicated to restoring my post vise. After that, I will finish organizing my shop. PLEASE comment/criticize me. I need it.
Random Blacksmithing - Blacksmith Photo Gallery

in wilmington de, its about $20 for a fill on a 17 pound(bbq size) and 25 for exchange

Forged ________
Forged Dreams?
Forged Inventions?
Forged ?????

Thanks for the welcome everyone. I have a very busy work schedule but I will try to get on here as much as possible. I have pictures of all my work that I will upload when I get the time.

i am i live in claymont

what? where is delaware? is that some foreign country?

Hello all, my name is John and I am a hobby metalworker. I am an electrician by trade but i can do just about anything... I have been sort-of teaching myself how to blacksmith via books and online tutorials. I am in no way a professional at this, but its a great hobby. I have a solid fuel forge setup already, and am designing one fueled by propane. Anyone else from the northern Delaware area? :D