keykeeper

Isn't that book a great inspiration and resource? I keep reading it over and over, when I have nothing better to do. Weygers was quite the thinker when it came to recycling.

Good stuff here, folks. I for one understand the "beat downs" some newbies get with their "Gonna make a sword" posts. I was a newbie once, pretty much still am compared to a lot of the talent here. But I keep coming back and reading all I can here for one reason....You can never stop learning, and with the caliber of some of the smiths that post here on IFI, I'll keep coming back. Seems the talent just keeps building, and the instruction just gets better. Keep it up, folks!

That one that Goatman posted on looks pretty nice. If it were closer to me, I'd be all over it!

Here's what looks to be a nice one in Wrentham, MA.120 LB. AMERICAN DUNN & MURCOTT 23 1/4 INCH LONG !! - eBay (item 290280284383 end time Jul-31-09 15:22:46 PDT) Don't know where you are located, but this guy has several anvils you could make an offer on, or contact him directly. He may be willing to deal on his anvils outside of eBay, as you are relatively "local" to him.

Thanks John, was curious about keeping the metal from forming a "shunt" or "shut" (i've heard it called both.

That is a fine looking piece of work, John. Explain the tickle on the power hammer a little more...as in how did you go from round slice to a bar. Just curious about about how fast to move the metal, bending problems, etc.

Didn't I already read this in another thread? Why the duplicate post of the same information/question?

Grant, I think you are correct, it's welded to the stand. They did a nice job of painting it, makes the welds harder to pick up on. Also an interesting stand design, IMO.

Well, Uh, Thank Ya, Thank ya very much (In my best Elvis impersonation!) I see a lot of these at flea markets and on eBay. A lot of the sellers assume they are a blacksmith tools, because "hey, it's a hammer, so a blacksmith must have used it for something". (Actual seller quote)

That is what is known as a spalling hammer, used to cut and shape stone or concrete. You can see one here Masons Hammers Could be used as a hot cut, I suppose.

If I had the disposable cash, or hit the lottery, I'd go buy them. Then I'd give them away to aspiring blacksmiths, with the caveat that if they didn't stick with it, they would have to return them. I would also bring a few friends with me, in case it was a scam (or to help load them, whichever the case).:D

I figured the spring was in the 1/2 to 5/8 inch range, just wanted to get it in there as I'm sure some readers would need to know the cross section. I wouldn't want to make tools with too small of shank, as they would bend for sure when I used them. Thomas, your point is well-advised also. Go with what you have on hand until you find something else is kind of my motto. I have a whole bunch of used star drills in varying sizes just begging to be made into punches, slitting chisels, etc. Now to find the time and perfect my heat treating skills!

Don't know if anyone asked or not, didn't see it, so I'll ask.... What is the size of the spring material? One-half inch? 5/8 inch? So I (and everyone else trying to make these) will know. Thanks.

The hardy is made by Atha Tool Co. They made hammers, tongs, swages, fullers, hardys, etc. for blacksmithing as well as tools for many other crafts and trades. Don't know anything about the anvil, as I don't have a copy of Anvils in America yet. Someone with a copy will chime in soon, I'm sure. Nice tools, by the way. Get busy using them!

See there, less than seven hours later, and you have an offer of parts or a fix up for your blower. Isn't the internet and IFI a wonderful thing? Oh yeah, almost forgot, WELCOME TO IFORGEIRON!

Is the piece that holds each blade and goes on the shaft there? If so, you should be able to make your own blades. If it is the whole fan assembly, best bet is to find one in "parts" condition, or one without a motor. It will be worth the effort to get it running, those blowers are very strong. I got one with a firepot some time ago, wired it up, and it still works like a charm. Very strong blowers, in my opinion. Good luck.

How about some pictures? Or are you just fishing for a value? If so, many books on antiques such as "Kovels" or "Schraders" has info. sometimes in the "Tools" section. Either way, I'd love to see a picture of it!

Once again Jose, you have created a beautiful piece. Your talents are awesome.

As one who had quite an extensive collection of Heller Bros. Co. farrier tools at one time, I have to agree that it is a Heller Bros. logo. One of the more easily recognized logos, even if you only have a partial one left Keep it, use it, adore it. I never had one of that type in the collection. I have a Champion that is very similar. It is a joy to use.

Looks like it is after 1909, after perusing my 1909 catalog reprint. The Lancaster geared blower in it have a different gearbox arrangement. I'll check my Sear's and Roebuck catalog reprints later when I get time. Nice piece, by the way. Should serve you well.

Stan, Clara (and you, also) are in my prayers. I hope and pray for a speedy recovery without problems. -aaron

Simply magnificent piece. I'm sure your cousin was very happy. After seeing the hoof knife and utility knife, and now this piece,all I can say is.... Jose Knows Damascus!

Are those actual photos of the anvils at the link shown, or computer renderings? They look too good to me.

That looked like the mold "popped", as mentioned in the comments on the video page. Water would have been much more violent. Steam expansion is much more exciting. One of the funnest things I encountered in my time on the fire dept. was steam expansion when attacking a fire and the resulting burns if your PPE was not donned properly. I know several local folks that work or worked in the local aluminum plant, my father included (38 years). His biggest burn incident was when the control tower computer was sending too much water down the hole on his casting furnace. He warned them several times something wasn't right with it. Computer said it was. Result was the ingot blew out of the hole, along with somewhere around 5,000 pounds of molten metal (the ingots they poured there weighed anywhere from 30K-34K pounds). Dad jumped one way, got burnt on about 10% of his body. If he had jumped the other way out of the situation, we would have went to his funeral. One witness told Dad later the metal blew up in a wave where he had been standing and the way he could have went, but he shagged tail the other way. I guess years of experience paid off for him in that situation, along with OSHA required PPE. (Yes, the metal burned through the special clothes, and some even went down his boot and one glove. But the PPE kept the bulk of it off while he was moving away.) (As a side note, it took the company 3 days before a company rep would talk to him directly. I think they were embarrassed that a hourly employee was right, and the pour/explosion could have been avoided.) Even if you know what you are doing, things can and will go wrong!

That is slick. Good post Sweany!