Sam Salvati

Thank you Ted! I was kinda kidding about the shock absorber, but I do want to try it.

Thanks BB! I used 6011, Grizzly sells it as Rust Buster which sounds like the welding I do hehe.

Here is a stand I fabricated up tonight, wanted to put my new to me welder through it's paces, and get more stick practice in. Came out good, I like it and there's lots more room for tongs now, plus some lower storage. Stick looks like poo but sure is strong! Also shown is my vise shock absorber.

Here I am using the Grindomatic5000 and how I grind freehand anyway, plus a dagger made using the Grindomatic5000.

Here you go Frosty, the blade's spine rests on the bolts, and the tang is clamped to the angle. Here it is on the machine:

Mitch, I will photo it setup on the grinder, and maybe take a short video.

I have seen various incarnations of this jig but never one like this. I put it together today, some drillin and tappin and bam, Grindomatic5000. One of the best features of the KMG is the adjustable angle platen, never really though much of that til I worked up this jig. It is just a piece of HEAVY angle iron with some holes I spaced 6" apart, the bolts that go in there are adjustable stops, the blade rests on them while you grind. You center scribe your stock, the angle iron jig sits flat on the work rest, then after you figure out the proper angle for the width of stock you want to use you set the platen and just grind away to your scribe line. Works a charm! I want to do some pieces where it is ground from flat stock, then forge bent to add some curvature, it's quite a handy setup. I see using it also to rough something out then freehand it from there, nice to work off of a precise base.

Make sure the propane jet is centered over the bell end of the burner.

WELL!?

thanks guys! Dan if only!!! that'd be a blast :D The anyang did most of the forging on this one, it was only 5 or 6 heats to get it knocked down to an even 3/16"; thickness from 1", then a quick profile grind then one or two more passes under the hammer to give it some taper. I fillowed the traditional techniques of the japanese guys, you pretty much forge a paddle, then cut or grind the profile then refine it a touch again under the dies.

Looks good so far Jeddly, way better then my second knife!

Very cool John!!! I look forward very much to seeing the video!

Forged this blade in the traditional japanese method, hot dog in a bun weld mild steel jacket with a 1095 core. Spine is 1/16", good and thin. Maple handle, DOM tubing ferrule.

Drop tong was always a bit of a dog and pony thing for me, If I had to do that weld I would reach in with wolf jaw or pickup tongs and pinch weld in the fire, then bring it out and finish the weld on the anvil no dropping of things needed. Pictures yes please! I experienced the same thing you did with your butcher with this shoulder tool, going in too far. I had initially made one up with stops/kiss blocks on it, which is handier if you are forging from say 3/4 square or round.

OHH RANDY! no you are talking some cool stuff! Stamp it in the grind down flat?

thanks guys! Tim hey!!! I been good! Left PV in October, got back to my own shop. Worked a bit with Robert Eggerling, will be getting back there soon once my truck is fixed. It's great cause Alysia my girlfriend lives 10 minutes away from him, and they are both 10 minutes away from the best scrapyard EVER! What class you thinkin about? How have you been?

thanks man. Got a few sets out there now people are diggin em.

I'd give it a try. most likely heating and rehardening and tempering would surely show any flaws, if not then I'd be sure to safety up for the first couple of hours running it. I wonder too about making a totally new spring, can't be all that hard.

I use a small fuller mark into the corner of the stock.

Thanks guys! Michael, just playin ;)

1/4"x1" and 1/4"x1.5" are the most common sizes, occasionally 3/8"x1" or 3/8"x1.5". If forging from round bar 5/8" or 3/4" is common.

I do it this way.

This is a sadly more common theme it seems. but not always, I have become more careful about taking time to share things. I NEVER contribute to those threads that sound like "I am interested in this, can you post all you know or a basic rundown while I go get a soda?".

Oh to say the least! Those dies *swoon* :D

GORGEOUS!!!!!!!