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Thanks a bunch, guys! I want to make an Appalachian/mountain dulcimer in the traditional style with wooden tuning pegs. I COULD buy a reamer...but I really want to make my own. Why? Just to see if I can. thanks again...bart ps...will post pictures if/when it works out.

How would you go about making a tapered reamer to ream the holes for tuning pegs for violins, dulcimers, etc? Thanks in advance...bart

He really delves into the "why's" as well as the "how's". He generally writes on woodworking, but commonly touches on things that may be of interest to blacksmiths...nails, forged hold-downs, etc. He has a blog over on the "Woodworking" magazine site. I have never met the man, but he has promptly answered a couple of email questions from me. bart

Popular Woodworking - Build Furniture With a Hammer Pretty good article on history and use of nails. Recommends pilot hole for "square cut" nails. bart

Make a new shaft for that little bench-mount hand crank drill press I have! bart

Well done! I love friction folders in all their various forms. Keep up the good work...bart

...but see my post "My first friction folder" below in this same section. Also check out Gene Chapman's books "Antler and Iron" and "Little Uglies" (I am working from memory here...title may be somewhat different). bart

What I see in Sloane's book is basically a small stump anvil...no lever to pop out the nail. Or am I looking on the wrong page? bart

Thanks Goatman...yours are beautiful! And Charlotte, I too am an old fart that actually uses (and prefers) old tools and technologies. Woodworking skills would probably be rated as medium-advanced, Unicornforge. By the way the new China-made ones have the twisted self-handle. The old ones have a wooden handle as you describe. I also have a couple that have a square-tapered shank for use in a bit-brace. Thanks again, guys...I knew you would point me in the right direction! bart

I have a set of cheap, chinese-made gimlets I picked up at the local flea market. I also have a couple of originals. Even after studying these examples, I just can't figure out how these were made. Have any of you guys made gimlets (no mixed drink jokes, please:p)? How did you do it, materials, etc. Thanks for allowing me to pick your collective brains...bart

I do LOVE those blacksmith knives...bart

I gave it to the son of a friend, so don't have it to measure, but overall length was about 4 inches. The nail is a 16d nail, which is the biggest I have found locally. Masonry nails are meant to be driven into concrete block, so are pretty hard/tough. I've been told they are made from 1095, though I have not been able to confirm this. I do know they have enough carbon to harden/temper. I have made several of these knives and a couple flint strikers. Someone has talked me out of every one of them! I've been meaning to make me another one...just the right size for pocket carry. Here's another view. Glad you likeed it...bart

But how about a masonry NAIL knife?

Was going to mow the grass, which as my Dad used to say, was "Knee high to a tall Indian." Pouring down the rain, so went to the local steel supplier instead. Bought a stick of 1/4 inch round to make some wall hooks. Since it was a 20ft length, I asked to have it cut. Had a great conversation with the guy doing the cutting...woodworking, gardening, blacksmithing... Did you say blacksmithing? When he found out I was into the "black arts" he loaded me up with four times as much scrap as the piece I paid for. Then, on the way home, I noticed a leaf spring just lying next to the road...did a u-turn and threw it in the back of the truck. A little further down the road and I spotted an automobile coil spring sitting in front of a local repair shop..."Yep, its yours if you want it..." I WILL be taking some "forge-gifts" to the gracious donors... bart

Here's a link on finishing wood as it relates to food-safe finishes. Basically says all are safe once cured. Of course this article relates to varnishes, etc. However, says all modern dryers are safe. Popular Woodworking - Flexner on Finishing I've also used walnut oil...found it with the cooking oils at the local Kroger. Supposedly it will not go rancid. bart

usp = united states pharmcopeia

I've made them from hay rake tines and tire tools...both work great. Recently acquired a coil spring of appropriate diameter...not sure what it came from. I plan to try it my next forge session. After you make one, take a walk along a railroad track. Try the striker with any likely looking stone...my experience is that you will find a "flint" in short order. bart

I can't speak for all tire irons, but I have used a couple to make knives that are definitely medium to high carbon. They harden/temper well and hold a good edge. Of course these things were made by many manufacturers over a lot of years, so??? bart

Forged for my wife a while ago. 5/16 inch round bar if I remember right:p bart

WEYGERS, ALEXANDER G. "The Complete Blacksmith" Great book...has a section on tempering a railroad rail anvil. Should apply to "real" anvil too? bart

Prayers said...

Reminds me of the one I built last fall. Of course, I did not extend the brick work all the way up. Rather, I made a "cap" of sheet metal and then extended the chimney through the roof with 9 inch pipe (largest I could find locally). The table is framed in with 3 inch angle iron I had left from a previous project. The area nearest the flue is pieced together from 14 guage diamond plate, also left over from a previous project, topped with brick. The far end of the table is 3/4 inch plywood topped with brick. The firepot is a cast iron pot from Centaur and the blower is a Champion 400. While I was doing my research before building, it seems everyone said it would not draw without a smoke shelf. So I built a brick ledge inside to hang a sheet metal smoke shelf from. In reality it draws better without it. As stated by one of the other posters, once the brick is warmed up it will suck the buttons off my shirt (OK, I'm exagerating, but it does draw really well). All in all, I am really happy with it. Your's looks really great so farr...please keep us updated. bart http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/13978/ppuser/5367 http://www.iforgeiron.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/13980/ppuser/5367

Indeed, the ones I saw seemed new(ish)...bart

Looks real similar to my first tongs (come to think of it, the only tongs I have MADE). Looks good...bart

Thanks for the kind words and comradarie. Sometimes we have to laugh at ourselves to maintain our sanity. And, yes, I do believe the child will be fine. I have to give God credit for that...for from him comes all good things including, ultimately, the medicines I dispense. Thanks again...bart