keykeeper

Welcome, Dave! This is a great place to browse around, get ideas, share tips and techniques, and ask questions. Lots of knowledge passing through here at any given time. On Tuesday night, and 10 PM eastern, there is a live Blueprint session. You can find the link to that page on the opening page of IFI. Always plenty of chairs if you would like to join us. Don't forget to post pictures of your work in the gallery, which is a great resource in it's own right. Again, welcome to IFI, enjoy your stay!!

There is a section on that site that profiles silmilar setups based on the design. Many different configurations there. I found the site helpful in my quest of knowledge, also.

PTF: Here's a link to Helmut Hillenkamp's site. gasforge | iron | iron-to-live-with There is a simple plan for stacked brick forges there. Surf around the site, some good info. there. Also, try Zoeller forge. Just google that site, easy to find, some more good info. there, also.

Hoary: Take the time this weekend and go talk live with some of those folks down at Amelia, Va if you can. There will more than likely be LOADS of good info there from veteran smiths about how to build a forge. I'm sure Peyton (primtechsmith) and the gang would be more than happy to have you there asking questions. You will find that the veterans will always give you good advice on things at hammer-ins like this. If I lived as close as you (3 hours), I would definitely be there this weekend.

Doc: here's the thread that had several ideas on adjustable anvil stands I was referring to http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f24/contest-design-anvil-stand-1728/ Quite entertaining, I thought. By the way, if you don't mind, I am going to build a stand using your design, with a locking mechanism for my dinky little 70 pound anvil. Without locking it down, I get some movement when using the horn on bends.

Very nice job on the stand. A few months back, there was a BUILD AN ANVIL STAND Challenge in the monthly projects section. Don't remember if anyone had a stand like yours in there. Yours would have made a nice addition to the contest. You might check the archives for more inspiration/ideas on getting the most out of an anvil stand. I like the creative use of the space directly around the base of the anvil. Makes the most-used tools readily available for you. In my case, my setup would benefit from this type stand, as everything I have gets moved outside when I forge. Keep up the good work. Aaron aka keykeeper

Hoary: Speaking from my own experience, I was hung up on the same kind of issues. There are SO many ways to build a forge. Let's see: 1-Brake drum forge, plans available various places on the net. 2-Side blast forge, again, plans available various places on the net. 3-55 forge, see blueprint BP0133 4-custom built shop forge-plans all over the net, ebay, etc. 5-brick hearth forge etc....etc.... or buy one already built, if budget allows. All these designs have merit. All have different costs to build. Now ask yourself what is the ultimate goal of building a forge. To make one that lasts forever, or is easy to build? What is the intended use? Knifemaking? Small items? Large items? Think outside the box, so to speak. There are just a few things to acquire to build this forge-a source of air, a means of directing the air, and something to hold the fire. Period. The question is: Do you want to heat and beat metal? Or spend precious forging time debating this versus that? When I was hung up on the same thing, it cost me a few months of precious forging time. Use your imagination, get busy building whatever you can afford or acquire, and most importantly, be safe and HAVE FUN! Personally, I use a slightly modified version of the 55 Forge, it uses a brake rotor as a firepot (easily acquired) and it will POSITIVELY burn metal up, if I want it to. There is ample coal reserve with this design. And most importantly, it's cheap to build. There is a blueprint of my forge setup, hopefully it will re-post soon. Edit: BP0133 is posted. Keykeeper forge is BP0390 Good luck on your first build. Keep us posted on the progress.

Flower pot holder? Slack tub stand? Patio side table?

Ok, handle is in. It works! I banged on a stump with it hard to see if it would come loose. The Goop has a little give to it, and seems to absorb some shock. I'll try to get some pics up soon. Pault17: You won't be disappointed, for the money. aaron

Been there, done that Hillbilly. After High School, I started college, which led to the field I now work in. Unfortunately, I never finished my degree, as the scheduling in my job and college classes didn't jive together. However, life has not been too bad after 12 years at the same employment. My advice is pursue some type of skill or education first. If it takes the military to do that, then so be it. But nonetheless, obtain your education/training while you are young enough to handle the stresses of training/working/etc. Then, if later on down the road of life you feel the need to change employment, do so with happiness, knowing you have an education or skill to fall back on if it doesn't work out. Whatever you do, make sure you enjoy your work. If you enjoy what you do, the stress levels you encounter will be much lower. Right now, I have no degree or skill to change over to, should the want or need arise, so I am behind if I have to change. Many times I've wished I would have joined an apprenticeship in a good trade. Just my .02 worth, but the truth of the matter in my experience.

Welcome to IFI, Welder19. There is always someone willing to help here. If you get stumped, post a question on the appropriate forum, an answer is sure to follow. Be sure to take advantage of the Tuesday night Blueprint sessions. Always something to learn there. Again, welcome to IFI. PS: Be sure and share your experiences with us, as some of us are new to the field.

Sam, In the past, I have bought some kits and such from Jantz Supply. Link is Jantz Supply - Your source for knifemaking! They are pretty good to deal with, not bad prices. They have a lot of different items tailored to knifemaking. They also sell on eBay through a store there, which is where I purchased most of my kits. You might also try MSC direct at MSC Industrial Supply Co. Home Page Aaron

Ok, thought I would update everyone on this topic. Yesterday evening, I reset the handle using the GOOP method. It was generously applied, then the handle was drove into place. I also applied enough goop to the top of the eye/handle area to fill it in smoothly. It is curing as I type this. By the directions on the package, 72 hours will produce a good cure. By this weekend, the hammer should be in use. I will let you guys know if this method works for this hammer. Thanks.

Quenchcrack: No offense taken. I meant to include how I got it in my post. I was at an auction with LOTS of tools. A lot came up that had several pieces in it. There was a bench arbor, with grease fittings, that will make a nice grinder setup someday. There was another arbor type thing, with double pulleys on it. Don't have any idea what it is for either. And several other pieces of equipment I can make into useful things in the shop. Why did I buy this stuff? It was cheap, I had some extra cash, and no one else bid on it. Same auction, I picked up a Champion Post drill. Paid (a little) more for it than the metal junk lot. Go figure. I guess I'm a sucker for a bargain!!

Welcome to Iforgeiron, Bob! There's still plenty of reading to do, if you hit the forum archives, all the Blueprints listed, and new posts daily. Enjoy your stay, and stop by on Tuesday night for the live Blueprint session at 10pm. Always a good time to be had there!

Welcome to IFI, Randy! I think you will find this a great place to ask questions or in your case, share your years of experience! Join us on Tuesday night at 10pm for the live blueprint sessions. Always something for everyone there. Just follow the link on the opening page, plenty of seats for everyone interested. Again, Welcome and we really like to see pictures posted on the gallery!!!

Welcome to IFi! Very creative use of second hand type items for the equipment. I am envious of your talents. Enjoy your stay, don't forget the tuesday night blueprint sessions, always a lot of good folks there waiting to help, or learn from ya!

I turned one into a spoon, just to see if it could be done. Turned out alright, but next time I'll draw the shaft out more, for a longer handle.

Sam, HHmmmmm, let's see......... 1-Get out the angle grinder, a cup brush, and a dust mask. 2-Unleash the primal urge to kill rust with a power tool. (Blow nose repeatedly when finished, as the mask doesn't catch it all.) Works for me anyway!! aaron, rust destroyer at-large

Looks like a fine anvil to me, as is. Congratulations on the find. Other than maybe giving it a good brush-off with a wire wheel, I wouldn't change a thing!

What happens is the shaft will pull right out of the gear. It seems like the shaft may have been pressed into the gear, then assembled. I will try to get some pics posted of what I'm talking about.

Well, might as well put in my $.02 worth. Get a piece of rail, it will work. Find a nice heavy block of steel of sufficient size, it will work. Need a hardy hole on one of the above? Find an old 1 inch drive impact socket, flip it 1 inch hole up, and weld it to the side securely. Voila! Instant hardy hole. (the Late Harold Brewer passed that trick on to me at the last ABA Conference, so credit goes to him.) As far as anvils go, and many on here will tell you this, it doesn't have to be shaped like an anvil, to be an anvil. Good luck in your search.

Tyler, Very nice hawk! Did you grind the points of the rasp off before working it? I plan on making one of these or similiar to it. I have an old rasp, just need to know whether to grind or not. Anyway, awesome job!!

Stan, I may take you up on that offer. I bet you could turn a new shaft in short order for it, if need be and devise a way to attach it securely to the gear so the gear doesn't move on the shaft when cranked. I'll wait and see if anyone else has had this particular problem, if not, I'll be getting in touch with you.

For some reason, that link wouldn't work for me. I have seen these earthbox's and they are costly. I like the idea, though.