belargehair

Drill out, oversize and tap the old sloppy hole, insert/epoxy threaded rod, drill out new hole through threaded rod and tap? Basically making your own insert. $70? yikes.

Could you tap it for the next screw size up? I know it would be different than the other set screws, but just a thought. You can get threaded inserts, but I don't know how hard it would be to find one small enough. Or, maybe epoxy a new piece under the plate and drill/tap a new hole in it? (guitarist/drummer for the past 17 years.)

Ease, fast.. I like it! I might try a few methods and compare the results/effort ratio. Again, thanks!

Well, I was shying away from forge welding... but I guess there's no time like the present! I'll try forge welding some mild steel together first and then try the hatchet. I'm trying to make a VERY small hatchet, the head will be about the size of a business card. Thanks for the help everyone!

Nice! I like the angled cuts on the stem joints.

Perfect! Thanks for the help. I'll pick up some rods tonight and give it a try.

Anyone have any advice on welding tool steel to mild? I was going to try to make a mini hatchet by using mild steel for the main part of the head and welding on some higher carbon steel for the cutting edge. I suspect it comes down to rod selection and pre/post heating techniques. Forge welding is out of my league for the time being. Thanks!

What is the nub for on the side? Upsetting large stock?

We use altoids tins, on top of a one burner camp stove. Works great. Then we pack the little squares in little zip-lock baggies

I believe it is split down the middle for 1/3 of the length (horizontal cross pieces), then turned 90 degrees and split down the middle for the other 2/3 of length. It looks like the splits over run each other in order to get the opening. Am I close?

Lately, what I have been doing is when I have a fire out in the back yard, I throw some chunked up wood in a cookie tin and place it in the fire pit. when I'm ready to go in or run out of beer, I throw a few scoops of snow on it and in the morning I have a good amount of charcoal. Some from the tin and some from the remaining fire.

Welcome my fellow Canadian. I'm just outside Halifax. I'm very new to the art myself, and this site has inspired me to build my own small forge and I love it. The blueprints section is great for plans, and how-to's. Don't forget to search the threads. It's kept me busy AND informed for hours on end.

Making charcoal in the winter is easier at my place since the neighbors don't hang their laundry out as often! Rigging up my new blower contraption tonight, might have to get the bbq going for a bit of heat. Wiring in the cold is slow.

Actually, I just finished reading all kinds of good info in the Finishes & Polishes section.

A mini hook/shovel to manipulate my charcoal fire. 1/4" round bar, flattened end, and a twist. I'm not sure who was more impressed. Me or my wife!

This remedy wasn't exactly for a burn situation but.. I had cut through the back of my thumb, between the first and second knuckles. Right through the tendon too.. ouch. Anyway, the "Z" shaped scar left from my knife and the doctors knife meant quite a bit of scar tissue. One of the nurses told me to go and buy some vitamin E in gel capsules. Just Break one open and apply to the scarred area and it really helps keep the scar tissue formation minimal. Should work for burns too. I may not be an experienced blacksmith, but injuries?... I'm an expert!

.. and until you fix that part the cart won't shift out of PARK.

This game is just too HARD.

It would appear to be more of an extrusion style of fabrication then a twisting type. Maybe that way, they can keep the section of pipe that is receiving the stress of deformation to a fairly short length and avoid collapsing the tube? Quite an amazing machine!

This may not solve the problem of colour (Canadian sp. ) difference but I know for furniture and exposed wood beams you can beat them with chains to get a good aged look.

The steel shop I used to work in always kept the aluminum and steel separate. We had an aluminum room in a whole different area. I think the forman used to tell me that it was due to the possibility of fire.