IanR

I'm following this fly press on an Australian auction site http://www.graysonline.com/lot/0009-57517/engineering-and-toolmaking/fly-press-single-post-approx-75mm-square-with-150mm-stroke-on-mobile-stand . It looks ok but appears to not have a checknut, is there a way around this?

Welcome to the site Denise, I personally dont know any smiths around the Canberra area, but I know there is some, it shouldn't take too long to find some. I'm a hobby smith up in Bowral in the Southern highlands, two hours from Canberra so its probably a bit far to come, but if your up this way one weekend your more than welcome to call in and say hello. Otherwise I may see you at 'Get Hammered' Ian

Thanks Dave, sorry to take the topic away from your work and head it down the religious path, I was just curious. Cheers Ian

Thanks for the answer Dave, but I'm still a bit perplexed as to why someone would need such nails. From a Biblical perspective it seems a bit morbid and your client doesn't seem to be ordering enough for construction purposes.

Firstly nice looking nails, but I hate to appear ignorant. Apart from the obvious name, what are crucifixion nails used for or is it just a name for large flat head nails? :huh:

G'Day Dale, by "maybe" do you mean it may not be on? Will PM you, but count me in. Is that two slabs of Crownies or Hahn light? Cheers Ian

Thanks for the update Strine, I've been checking the tree site regularly and its good to hear some news. This has been a massive undertaking and I appreciate how difficult it must be for those involved to juggle work and project commitments. Hows the finance side of things, do you still need sponsors for the big branches etc. Cheers Ian

Thanks for the info fellas, I really appreciate it . I have some money I got for Christmas and some money tucked away, so now I have to make a decision between three things.My desire says fly press, I want a band saw, but common sense says oxy set :wacko:

Cheers southshoresmith I thought that may have been the case. :)

Is this http://cgi.ebay.com.au/LPG-Gas-Burner-Heat-Torch-with-Gas-hose-2-Nozzle-T2_W0QQitemZ350440543247QQcategoryZ11774QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D7190197059132276343 suitable for heating rivets/tenons, collars, altering scrolls etc or do I need to look at a oxy/lpg setup? I dont want the added expense of extra bottle hire and cost of acetylene. Cheers Ian

Hi Corin, welcome to the site. I,m not around the corner but I am down the road at Bowral. Great looking knives and great photos, I have never made a knife but it always amazes me how knife makers make the handles and blend them with the blade. Cheers Ian

Can i make two observations without offending anyone? I have read and heard that the Hofi hammer is balanced because all the weight is the middle, how can this be when most of the middle is taken up by the large rectangular hole for the handle? Secondly, I have seen a video where someone is using a Hofi sledge hammer, how does the hammer/technique principal work here as the method of using a one handed forging hammer and a two handed sledge hammer are going to be completely different?

This sounds serious, better put my name down now Dale. Cheers Ian

I stand corrected Phil, just going on what I heard. FBH either way. :D

Here's a couple of pics to get started. It's not all serious, here's some fun we had with a 100lb sledge.

Just got back myself, awesome three days,gets better every year. I'd like to reflect Rob's comment in thanking everyone concerned and it was great to put a face to a name in meeting Jeremy K, he's a real nice bloke and loaded with heaps of helpful information. Also thanks to Longstrider from England who impressed us with his knife cutting skills and scary sharp knives. Will post pics ASAP as will others I'm sure. Cheers Ian

Struth Adam, I'll have to bring my blue gloves now, we cant have matching gloves can we. :rolleyes:

Thanks for the post Strine, and a big thank you to all the people involved with the construction of the tree, my small contribution of 6 leaves pales into insignificance compared with the amount of work being carried out to complete the tree. All the best and I look forward to making the trip to Vic for the opening. Cheers Ian Ross

Oh,that organic, I was expecting apples and bananas Nice work, its sometimes harder coming up with ideas like that than it is to come up with standard forms

Nicely produced video, clear audio and in focus, so unusual for a youtube video .Thanks for the demo, I must try that method. I guess the sharper your hot cut the less deformed the quadrants would be

Thanks Adam and Dale, I thought no one got it ;)

Ten sleeps to go...........your turn

Thanks fellas, winning and hearing positive comments here sure is a great confidence booster Cheers Ian