DKForge

Right Matt train rails. During the American Civil War the north would bend rail road rails around trees to disrupt the confederate rail system. The south was able to straighten them out so the north came up with these large horseshoe looking tools to twist the rails like a cork screw along the length of the rail making it impossible to return to service. They also did it cold which is even more fascinating. Thanks I will try bending it over 1/4 stock. The problem is I am finding the wrought iron to be pretty tough to work with from the standpoint of its stability when making sharp tight bends like I need on the ends. I have had it shear off a number of times and contrary to what I have read it seems to work better when it is cooler as when it is hotter it is like butter and seems to just slide right apart. Maybe I need to refine it before trying to make the ends.

Hey Cindy anvils are running between $1 and $4 a pound depending on where you are and the shape they are in. Please update your profile to show where you are located as it can help those close to you help you if they might know where one is or there may even be someone with an extra one you can borrow until you find your own. Now as for the size I will tell you that for a portable setup I still prefer at least about a 140# anvil. The smaller sized anvils you mentioned are really limiting in their usefulness. My current setup for demos is a 180# and while it may take a little more effort to haul around I prefer it so much more than the 100# anvil I used to use. Just my advice but do what works for you.

The Civil War Fort where I demo asked me to make some reproduction items. I need your help in how to make a certain part of the project. I am using 3/4" square wrought iron. Attached is what I need help with. How do I make the right angles you see in this drawing? While it doesn't look like it would be hard, with the stock I need to use and the tight right angles at the end of the bar it has turned into a bit of a challenge. I also need to make sure I don't get any shunts in the tight 1/4" area. I made one just by bending the end over and not forming the right angles but I am afraid that may not be strong enough and the originals had the right angles. These are the ends of a horseshoe shaped tool used to twist rails during the civil war so it needs to be strong enough for that. Thanks to all in advance for your input.

My 100# Fisher has bolt holes. Here is a 450# Fisher I picked up a couple of months ago. No bolt holes. I was told large ones with bolt holes were meant to be used on ships and those without were meant to stay on land.

Tetnum I have found no rhyme nor reason to what people will buy. One weekend everyone wanted meat turners and I couldn't make them fast enough. That weekend I couldn't sell a tripod for anything. Went and bought extra 1/4" for all of the meat turners I was going to sell the following weekend and everyone wanted tripods. I am fortunate to have a source for steel within a 45 min drive so I just plan on making a trip mid week for the upcoming weekend. I know roughly how many items I can make on site and have enough stock with me to not run out. Any orders I take for future delivery I just go buy what I need the following week.

Way to go Keykeeper! It is very strange how this karma stuff works. There have been a number of times in my search for bsmith items where I have passed or missed out on something only to have something better pop up. Congrats and let's see some photos!

Great Find! Your math adds up on the weight too so it is 207. Lets see some photos! Since it is marked England it is post 1915 or so as that is when they were forced to start marking them with England. I have a 180# and I love mine. Congrats!

Jayco that looks good I'm gonna make myself a set like that. Thanks for sharing.

Nice finds Bob! Poker for inspiration, hammer for building your own and a way to keep the coal dust off your sugar for your tea as you sit and admire your creation!

Yesterday I had the incredible opportunity to watch Elmer Roush demo at the Ocmulgee Blacksmith Guild monthly meeting. The title of this thread pretty much says it all. My face hurt from smiling so much as I watched him demonstrate. It is so amazing to watch someone who has a command of his craft the way Elmer does. I learned so much just watching his hammer technique and the efficiency in every blow. His hand forged locks and tools are an inspiration for me. It was also my first time to a guild meeting. The meeting was at Eddie Raineys shop and his hospitality and that of all of the members of OBG to this first timer were awesome! To anyone starting out and a newbie like me I would highly encourage you try and find a local guild to join. The experience and camaraderie exceeded my expectations and I truly can not wait until next months meeting (though I do need the time to practice my skills.) And if you ever have the chance to see Elmer Roush in person you should really make the effort. It is a day I will always remember.

Great looking shop is that a 10" flue pipe you are running? How is your draft?

Nicely done Bart!

Thanks for all the great responses. D-

Cool thanks guys that helps me.

To add to what piglet said it is used to raise money for the guild. Members donate items and the guild sells tickets to the members to try and win something someone else brought. Since I have never done this before I was looking for advice from others on what to take as a donation.

Attending first guild meeting this weekend. Not sure what to take for Iron in the hat since I have never done this before. What have you taken for Iron in the hat?

Very Cool Otto! I like it!

Nothing like the feeling of someone paying you for something you made by hand. Would love to see photos of the cleavers from the side. Nice work!

Nice work Bob and a great start. I would second FieryFurnaces suggestion of smaller stock. I have only been doing this for about 6 months and right off the bat I wanted to start doing all of these different things with all different size stock. One day I took a step back and using 1/4" round made about 60 s hooks one after the other. I think I learned more that day about color temp., using the face, using the horn, far side bending, using a hot cut, selective quenching then if I had continued down my path. I think you have some real natural ability that shows in your work and by practicing the fundamentals it really helps when you then come up with that next idea for what you want to make.

What an awesome gift! Well done!

+1 what Frosty said about hammers. I can find ball peins of various sizes for $1 a piece at the local flea markets every weekend. Cross peins can be found for $5-10 depending on size and condition. Used hammers are a great way to start. Personally when I started I purchased three tools new and everything else has been used. I bought a rounding hammer from Blacksmith Depot and some Offcenter brand tongs for 1/4 inch and 3/8. The tongs hold square and round and because they are built for specific size stock they hold it very secure. As a new smith being able to hold your hot metal and move it the way you want to without fighting with a set of tongs that don't fit can not only be frustrating but dangerous. Vise grips are not a bad idea if the right tongs are not available. As has been said hammers will start to accumulate and I have a real hard time walking past a used hammer at a flea market that is calling out to me to take it home.

We want Photos! We want Photos!

Fisher anvils are very sweet in their quietness but I will say that having used a Fisher and an old English wrought anvil I would say that they do feel very different. While I know many love the Fisher anvil I will admit that I am having a hard time getting used to the feel of the Fisher. I am in no way bashing it. It is nice that it is quiet and the rebound is incredible but it feels different because of the cast base and while it may only be my perception I don't feel like I get the same transfer of energy with the Fisher as I do with the other non-cast base anvils I use. They are very desirable and I would buy one without hesitation if I found one for sale for a reasonable price because there are a lot of folks who love them. I am just not sure that I have Fisheritis yet like others do.

Awesome deal there andgott! They are both sweet but I am totally into the old english anvils and that mousehole is very cool. Great find!

Civilwarblacksmith, PM sent to you. Thanks