texascherokee

The bolt isn’t too tight as that was the first thing I checked. I might just re-arc the spring and it would be easier than cutting out a new one. I did oil the cheeks but I didn’t take it apart. If I pull the jaws apart they separate pretty easily.

The whole vise is in quite amazing condition. The screw box and screw are in excellent condition. The only problem it has in the spring doesn’t really push the vise open but I have a leaf spring to replace it with. 

Well I picked up my first post vise today. I found it at an antique store in Comfort, TX. It’s a 4” Peter Wright post vise. I think for $160 I got a pretty sweet deal. It’s in amazing condition. Now just to  browse for a decent way to mount this sucker. 

It wasn't my first attempt at tongs. Just the only ones that worked. It started as 3/16" x 1" fullered and twisted. Reins were very badly welded on. I hate Flux core welding wire. 

Finally forged my first pair. They're ugly but they work.

All of these ideas sound so great. I understand the hazards of plated metals as I do a lot of hobby welding and offroad fabrication. Sometimes to make something work you gotta use zinc coated material.

Not too far for me but too far for my wife. She thinks the idea of buying scrap metal is stupid.

This needs to be stickied for everybody.

It already is, what more do you want ?

Would they be worth the effort to grind down into a punch or drift though? I have no idea where to get tool steel without having to drive to a steel supply and the closest scrap seller is on the other side of town plus I wouldn't know what to look for.

Has anybody repurposed a socket/ratchet extension for different uses.
I made a bottom fuller out of one and now I'm contemplation grinding a couple down to make a punch and drift.
Any advice or is it a bad idea?

Happy hammering
Robert

Texas is actually quite humid. We usually have around 75% to 85% humidity.

This is my first ever forged project. Vise grip tongs and a cresent wrench to make the twist. Railroad spike bottle opener. I just hope it works.

The most straight forward approach. Perfect. I guess it helps that I did both commercial and residential electrical at one point. I'm going to use this to as a guide line when I build mine once the wife and I move out of this over zealous HOA binded neighborhood.

Howdy from East TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI
 
Check out the Balcones Forge group;  www.balconesforge.org    They are a bunch of men and women, yes WOMEN, that get together and share their knowledge of blacksmithing. check thier web site to find the next meeting date and GO!!! you will not regret it. You might even contact one of the members for some private lessons, sure shortens the learning curve.  I had a young man for north S.A. to come up to my shop/studio for a 1-on-1 class back in Jan, he now is hooked up with the Balcones bunch.  Have fun and again, WELCOME!!!

This has been discussed in length before somewhere in these threads, but I always tell people who ask if I'm a Blacksmith, that "I blacksmith as a hobby".
This allows me to retain the title (Which  I do enjoy and am proud of!), while letting them know I that I do other things besides smithing for a living.
 

I completely agree with this statement. Maybe 5 or 10 years down the line I might consider myself a blacksmith, but for now I'll stick with this.

I got a couple more pictures of my anvil and forge.

Still check to be sure they are not hollow.
If they are use them as pipe.

These ones are solid. They came off of 4x4 Jeeps.

You'll need fire tools to make your tongs, they'll require a little more fire management especially for the riveting. Now build a fire and let the addiction have it's head. <grin>

 

Frosty The Lucky.

looks like a great start.............welcome to the addiction !!! 

I have gotten addicted because of my buddy. He's a bladesmith he taught me how to make a RR Spike knife and I was hooked. I like the knife making thing but I want to do more then make knives. I enjoy the peacefulness of hammering on metal. I also enjoy the flowing lines you get when material is scrolled and twisted. I enjoy the smell of the forge. It makes me happy being around it.

What kinda of steel would they be considered?

I have 2 of them and they are probably 3/4" thick. I want to use them but I don't wanna waste them if they would be good for something like a drift or slot punch or even chisels.

I completely forgot about the fire tools. Yeha I gotta make a coal rake, little shovel and a watering can. I can make temporary ones until I get the forged ones made.

I wanna start with my own tools first. Some tongs and maybe a twisting tool. Nothing to big yet. Still learning.

I finally bought an anvil and built a forge.

That little jewelers anvil is awesome. I wouldn't mind having one for my desk.

I pretty much have the dangerous ferrous metals down and I got all the gear I use for welding, cutting, and grinding. Safety is a big part of my life being a diesel mechanic and a soldier.