keykeeper

Hope you had your PPE on. When these types of bits DO(and they WILL) break, at the high rpms generated by a "dremel" tool, the pieces become projectiles, tiny speeding bullets, if you will. Ask me how I know.:o

Dave: No disrespect meant, I thought Frosty was a funnin' with all of us. Just for the record, I have the utmost respect for Frosty. I was raised to respect my elders. I still open doors for my elders, women, children, etc. I address everyone I encounter with Yes Sir, No Sir, Yes Maam, No Maam, etc. I've even been known to help little old ladies cross the street, or carry their packages up stairs. In the future, I shall limit any further posts here to the topic at hand. Just not worth the trouble to have someone telling me I am disrespectful. I'll leave it at that. Been good posting with ya. See ya all around. -aaron

Okay, got me, Frosty. National affiliate tends to make me think the last word is America. So, is it: Great Codgers of America?

Goat Cowboys of America?

Looks like you are rolling right along. I have a question about your setup. What purpose do the little enclosure and exhaust pipe have? As you are working outside, do you really need a hood? Otherwise, nice job on the firepot and tuyere.

Mike: My idea is Just a suggestion for a stand, build what you think will work. I think the wheels would have to be spaced as far to the outside as possible for stability when in movement. I'm no engineer, by far. Just a crazy idea that was bouncing around my head. Good luck with whatever you come up with. -aaron c.

Glenn: That's why I came up with what I did. The wheels bear no weight until needed for movement of the stand. That and no chance of movement when working, if the stand is built heavy and structurally sound. I got the idea from a typewriter stand I saw today, the four legs held the weight until the stand needs to be moved. Then the wheels aided the movement. Pretty cool idea, I thought. Still room to slide a foot in close, if need be, also.

Mike, I have been thinking about your anvil stand dilemma, needing wheels and all. I think I have a solution, although someone may have already came up with something like this. Actually, I saw something similar to this in an office today, and I know jacks were suggested earlier. You need wheels to move it when needed, right? How about a 4 legged stand, with a floating "shelf" on the bottom? The 4 legs would bear the weight of the anvil shelf ( I'm thinking heavy plate). On the bottom of the floating shelf, 4 caster wheels (Harbor freight, they're cheap there) maybe 2 fixed, 2 that swivel to steer with. the corners of the floating shelf would merely be square tubing that the 4 legs of the stand itself would slide in, rather tightly fit, i think. In the middle of the shelf, mount a bottle jack. Engage jack up, anvil and stand goes up, allowing wheels to carry the load. push and steer to where you want it. Lower jack, anvil and stand are firmly planted on ground, held firmly by the anvil weight itself, the stand weight, tools, etc. Of course, the legs would have to be tied in well to the anvil shelf, as you couldn't angle the legs for stability. I'm not good at sketching, but could probably come up with something, if need be. I think something like this would also lend itself to plenty of area to add on hammer and tong holders, punch holders, etc. Just an idea, may or may not work, just trying to help. edit: Ok, I made a little drawing using paint. Wish I could get the hang of sketchup! Of course, anything anyone could build even similar to this would look better than this piddly little drawing, but I hope you can get the idea I'm trying to convey. Similar to rthibeau's forklift tine stand, except squared up a little more.

I guess I'm strange, I just want a shop big enough to work in, heated in winter, wired for all my electric needs, and secure. A nice forging station for my daughter to work in as she gets older (at 3 she's already hitting cold steel on her anvil, trying to be like her old man!). And an intercom to the house so my wife quits sneaking up on me and scaring the gray hairs outta my scalp into my normally brown hair. (On a lighter note, I can't believe this thread is still going and hasn't been shut down. The thread a while back about a certain celebrity martial artist got shut down before it made 2 pages! But this one keeps going like the energizer bunny.)

BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion)

I agree with everyone else, beautiful work, Adrian. I'll have to disagree with Jr. though, morons are Everywhere, not just in your neck of the woods.:D

Why are we even debating this? Use the search function at the top of the page, and hit the archive (bottom of page, right) for a few days. This topic has been discussed in great detail before. Then come back with a fresh look, and pose your questions. You are not gonna get a lot of answers from the folks here that have already answered these questions before. Pack a lunch, the archives will consume some time.

So far, I have found my most used hammers are a 2 pound Nordic Forge rounding hammer, and a 1 3/4 pound german style cross pein. I use these two hammers probably 90% of the time. Like it has been said earlier, it's all a matter of personal preference.

Very nice execution on those, John. Don't see how the customer could be anything but happy. -aaron

Well, here's the abbreviated version of why I wanted to learn blacksmithing. A few years ago, I was collecting old tools and putting together a set of farrier's tools, as I had an interest in that type of thing, at the time. I bought a box of old tools, and found these carpenter's nipper's in the box. They were obviously handmade. The more I looked at the craftsmanship of the tool, the more I appreciated the maker. I figured if these were made by hand, I could make things by hand. Thus began my journey into the the how, what, when, where, why, etc. of blacksmithing. I'm not up to this type of quality yet, but someday it will happen. Pardon the dirt and rust on the tool, I've been using them in my shop. It's been downhill ever since....LOL.:D

You fella's might want to check out this old thread from the forum. Be prepared though, you might wanna pack a lunch and be prepared to stay a while. There is literally days of reading here if you are interested. http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f7/free-blacksmithing-books-web-2032/ Enjoy.:D

I think someone, maybe it was Hofi, posted a wheeled stand once on here. The wheels were mounted just above the ground on two legs, the other leg had a "receiver" for a piece of pipe mounted on it. In essence, it was a dolly stand. Solid when sitting still. Insert pipe, lift up using the lever you just inserted, and roll wherever you want it. Remove handle (the lever) and forge away. I'll see if I can find it and post a link. Here it is, it is a vise stand, but same principle can be used. http://www.iforgeiron.com/blueprints/blueprints-1000/bp1009-.php

Oops, meant to type "western side of the state" in that last part of my post. Sorry.

BP0133 55 Forge

Being that you are located in the northeastern quadrant of ohio, I would check with some of the members of the Western Reserve Artist Blacksmith Association. Here's a link to their website: Western Reserve Artist Blacksmith Association They should be able to help you out on a location. Also, I would check the yellow pages online for coal around the Pittsburg area, would be a relatively short drive all told. Might also check with these guys, I'm sure some of the members are on the eastern side of the state Pennsylvania Artist Blacksmith Association and could help find good coal within a reasonable distance from your location.

Cursed landlord, how dare he!:mad: Good looking hammers, Sam. So, what does the future hold for our hero? Will he find another shop? Stay tuned viewers, if I know Sam, something will happen soon. Really though, do you have another place in mind? What a shame. Hope you find a place to work, would be a travesty to the blacksmithing community if Sam can't play. Again, hope you can find a place without too long of a delay. -aaron

Good article and advice to post on this forum, Glenn, as many smiths are using these tanks for their gassers. The anhydrous ammonia is used in one of the processes used to illegally make methamphetamines, actually the process is the most dangerous of these processes. The use of the tanks are very prevalent in the midwest where there are large bulk tanks from which the "cookers" steal it from farmers. What's more, they usually transport it in the trunks of cars, or bed of a truck, unsecured. They use the tanks as a means to avoid detection by the authorities. Disaster waiting to happen. Use in this way is a matter of WHEN will the valve fail, Not IF. At least this is what I have heard at a few seminars I've attended. -aaron c.

When it comes to blacksmithing tools and equipment, my mantra is this- "Buy it, fix it, and use it!" Good equipment is getting harder and harder to find on the cheap. Blame eBay, collectors, and antique dealers. When the chance presents itself to buy something that needs a little "Sweat equity" to get back into service, jump on it if the price seems reasonable. You'll be glad you did, in the long run. -aaron c.

KYBOY, That mark was used by Woodings Verona Tools, I believe. Should be well made. They made a lot of wood splitting tools, also. Mauls, wedges, and the like.

3rd degree burn.............