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Sam Thompson

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Everything posted by Sam Thompson

  1. Sam Thompson

    Smokin

    Sam Thompson replied to Wayne's topic in Everything Else

    A couple of years ago some stoners were killed when the truck tyre that they were stabbing 'for fun' exploded. Ho Hum
  2. Sam Thompson
    Yeah... I needed the spell check for that one!
  3. Sam Thompson
    Am I risking even more opprobrium by suggesting that there's unlikely to be much that hasn't been thought of in the last three thousand odd years?
  4. Sam Thompson
    Apparently someone with hands like a wet fish didn't like that!
  5. Sam Thompson
    I tried a cutting plate for a while and hated the clattering sound that it made. The only time that I don't chisel on the face is if the tool is likeley to slip off the work. I'd never want an anvil without a table; the step is very useful to brace the pieceand even after years, the surface (although soft)is still presentable. I've never heard of a soft faced 'cutting hammer' for use over a hardie.
  6. Sam Thompson
    I couldn't agree more; the phrase "reinventing the wheel" springs to mind.
  7. Sam Thompson
    I wouldn't deliberately feel for callouses but I find men with soft hands a bit creepy, especially when combined with a limp handshake.
  8. Sam Thompson
    It's nice but are you sure that's not a kiln?
  9. Sam Thompson
    Just scale up an ordinary gin (and put a spring at both ends). Just be careful not to catch any very large moles.
  10. Sam Thompson
    Whatever you do, use something with jaws that close parallel to the steel you want to hold. A point or line of contact will not give sufficient control. Never use Mole grips or any kind of locking device for normal forging; loosening the grip and changing position should be second nature.
  11. Sam Thompson
    I've never seen water used, some people gauge temps by charring a bit of stick on the work.
  12. Sam Thompson
    I've never seen a vice with the jaws extended like that, as far as I'm concerned that's odd. You're right about the price, it's ludicrous. Complete leg vices in fair condition are worth about £15-£20 ($23.78-$31.73).
  13. Sam Thompson

    Making tongs

    Sam Thompson replied to Geoff's topic in Tongs

    I agree entirely about Lillico, the specific nature of the work is unimportant... He uses examples to show an entire way of thinking.
  14. Sam Thompson
    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Large-Antique-Blacksmith-Leg-Anvil-Vice-GWO-Rare-/140436260686?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Collectable_ToolsHasdware_RL&hash=item20b2a7474e
  15. Sam Thompson
    This is the best 'no-nonsense' how-to book I've come across. It doesn't go in for all the romantic, mythologising bull of many of the publications aimed at amateurs. http://www.hct.ac.uk/Downloads/cp_blacksmith.html
  16. Sam Thompson

    Making tongs

    Sam Thompson replied to Geoff's topic in Tongs

    I don't know why I'm getting all this stick! I only mentioned what I was told as a lad (mind you I'm pretty gullible; for years I believed my mother when she told me that 'ladies can't f**t') If any one else posts a H&S concern everyone nods sagely. :P
  17. Sam Thompson

    Making tongs

    Sam Thompson replied to Geoff's topic in Tongs

    It's so we all know how to make reversing levers and knock-offs,; the industrial equivalents of coracles and morris-dancing.
  18. Sam Thompson

    Making tongs

    Sam Thompson replied to Geoff's topic in Tongs

    He does mention that the method should only be used if none was available.
  19. Sam Thompson

    Making tongs

    Sam Thompson replied to Geoff's topic in Tongs

    Well, if no steam hammer was available to make them then then perhaps we can assume that there still won't be one when it comes to using them! I've had electrically welded tongs break up under a PH, but never a forge weld (at least not catastrophically).
  20. Sam Thompson
    That's nothing; they've pinched our entire language!
  21. Sam Thompson
    For hot cutting, you need a much more acute angled edge or you will deform the bar while trying to force a cold hardy through.
  22. Sam Thompson
    Very nice, It looks better for the edges than a springy one. Here in the Old World we find plates work best when horizontal.
  23. Sam Thompson
    I just haven't had time to fix my camera yet. I've been extending my range of skills by painting a neighbour's house.
  24. Sam Thompson
    I was going to try them on the dog but he ran away and hid when he saw that "Let's try this" look on my face.
  25. Sam Thompson
    I suppose, in America you could grip a vice with them but in the UK, I bet they'd make a mess of a mole.
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