RudolfH

Thanks for the response, I get the general picture. I gather the "clinkers" are the result of the bitchumous content and volatiles that form when it is burned. Have not worked with coal but I have read about it a bit. Thanks VaughnT, I appreciate the feedback and will definitely keep it in mind for the future. I really like your idea on "rescuing" the piece by reversing the handle/paddle/hook. It the kind of feedback that I can take something away from and make part of my next piece of work.

Thanks for the compliments, I am burning to get into the forge been raining here notbstop the last week. A paddle version one is next up! That is a very good idea! Thanks! Is this when firing blooms? Thank you, I have a long way to go still. I enjoy taking my time an trying to grasp concepts fully before moving along. This site helps allot though!!

Thanks for the positive comments, from some of the work I have seen on here this really does seem like the contribution of a newby, but I will keep on trying.

Thanks for the information, yes I agree that is my failing on the not having a plan part :-) Will definitely make more hopefully with some improvements.

Hi Guys, Have a look and give me some feedback as to what you think I can do better, this is my second attempt ever to forge something so don't expect Picasso's more crude water paints. This was playing around with a piece of 10mm diameter roundbar, that I decided to make my first fire poker with, it was a bit impromptu as I was trying out my newly re-clayed charcoal forge so did not have a real outcome in mind more trying out some of the things I had been studying up on, like drawing to a pont, curving, shaping round to square and chamfering. Here is what I picked up myself that I would like to improve on : 1. Hammer striking, to minimize hammer marks, also to take off all sharp edges on my blunt force tools. 2. Try and keep the area evenly heated where you want to do twisties, so as to get event twists. 3. Dress down the hammer marks where you struck like a toddler. 4. Have a plan. Do your worst. PS. I see it is in the wrong section, could a mod please move it to the right section or delete it if this is totally off topic/purpose/intent.

Hi Frank, Thanks allot for the assistance, at least it is more than I had a few days ago.

Hey, I was wondering if you guys can help me identify a post vice I am reconditioning. Luckily not too much work as it has all its parts and the screw box is good as is the thread on the lever bolt. I cannot identify the make/origin of the vice, it has 8", the only marks of identification are the number 3 punched onto both legs of the vice and a little shell/flower punch impression right in the corner of the bell housing where the thread box protrudes. These all came to light after I took a wire wheel on a angle grinder to it. Also the legs are also fairly rectangular with a very small relative to size chamfer/bevel on the leg posts. This is how it used to look when I just bought it. (Sorry the embedded pictured where taken with a cellphone potato camera) 1. From the top of the jaw view 2. The side view which also show the mounting plate 3. The bell and mounting plate view. 4. Lastly another view Lastly the bolt keeping the 2 jaws together is tapered from thick to thin, and it has a very large nut on the other side keeping it together, the bolt is also slotted with the leg jaw to keep it from rotating. Sorry for the long post just trying to give as much info as possible to aid the identification, ie make and circa age maybe. Also I am from South Africa if Geography has anything to do with it. The images attached to the post is how it looks now before I repaint and re-assemble. PS. That is a 75kg anvil next to it in the crummy pictures, the vice is also EXTREMELY heavy.

Awesome, thanks guys! Hopefully someone has the originals for additional knowledge.

Agreed, hence my frustration at the limitation of access to the information and my request for help.

Hello, Does anyone have this set of 4 articles in electronic form as I would like to keep a record of the information as I am busy restoring one of these vise. Restoration of Leg Vises - By James R. Melchor and Peter M. Ross. It was a 4 part article published in Anvil mag July 2001 - October 2001. This is part 1. Please these articles are very informative, and will be of great aid. Thanks