windancer

Thanks, Geoff. Had forgotten them after the huge shipping charge when I bought from them last time :) Dan, fireplace brick won't hold up even to low temp forges. Dave

Looks like a very usable tool, now. Let's see some blades done with the new hammer! Dave

I have a KMG and love it! I also have three Grizzly 2x72s that are good machines and I believe under $400 WITH the full 1 HP motor. You might want to give them a look-see before you get too far along :) Will watch for your build thred... Dave

Anyone know of a reasonably priced place to buy 3000 degree soft firebrick? I am looking for 10 of them. Thanks, Dave

Yup- Ken's Iron is hard to beat. Still gonna make a few more pair just so I can :) Trying to make them the same is still a challenge for me and shows that I need the practice. Dave

Ya musta had your Wheaties that morning! Huge amount of work but it should serve you well for many many years. Good job :) Dave

I love it! Great job. What size piece did you start with? Dave

Good job! I like the flower and leaves, and the forge weld even more :) Dave

Lots of really good stuff here. I found a couple places that sell 'Draft Inducers' that fit on the top of the pipe for under $200. I will do some more searching on Google but will probably go with one of those. They make several other kinds that require cutting into the pipe [double wall stainless] but because the pipe is located in such a cramped area I have to lie on my belly to get to it I think the one on the top of the pipe, outside the building with lots of room to work will suit me best. This piece replaces the chimney cap and can be wired to a simple switch to operate. It is rated at 1,000 degrees so should work and last and comes with a lifetime guarantee. Another type, with NO moving parts is installed in the pipe and generates heat in the pipe to induce draw. I have WAY too many ideas and pictures in my head to work on it any more right now. When I get the challenge solved I will post some pics of the actual setup, working properly and the total cost and time involved. Thanks again for all the input, experience and ideas :) Dave

As I said, I have been buying the tong blanks from Ken's Iron online. Dave

Geoff that is a far piece from where we live and my truck gets 6 MPG. Don't get up your way that I ever remember but I appreciate the offer. BillyO I was there this year and last, learned a lot and forgot much more:) I have that same setup on my forges as well. Steve the pipe is 8 inch inside. Still pondering in Tenino Dave

I went and watched Gary's video- at least I know I am not the only one who remembers [or NOT remembers] hearing about it. He mentions that they were attached at the blade. Anyone? Dave

It was quite a while back, maybe 6 or 7 years, when I ran across the info. Was hoping it was in the blueprint section, but no joy. Just finished a Dempsey pair that works well, but want to try several methods to see which fits my temperament best :) I have been using the tong blanks from Ken's Iron and those are very simple and easy to make and plenty heavy for the work I do. Seems as if everything I do improves my work even for unrelated items so I want to try a bunch of methods. Dave

I usually run my forge at about 2100. The forge is about 18 inches below the lip of hood. The mouth of the forge sits directly under the pipe so anything mounted right there would have to withstand the dragon's breath. I have an air dam just outside the forge door that blows most of the dragon's breath almost straight up.I think any kind of general use fan would bite the bullet pretty quickly. It doesn't get 'cold' here, much, Frosty. I was fetched up in Juneau so I know the difference :) If the forge is lit I have the shop standing open for air, year-round. My shop is about 20 x 30 but carbon monoxide is a concern. I was toying with the idea of a fan blowing into a tube that crossed the stove pipe near the top hoping that would draw better. Been thinking on this problem for more than a year. After the forge is up to temp, if I light a loosely wadded full sheet of newspaper and hold it right under the pipe it will draw like crazy until the paper is burned up, then back to poor draw again. Geoff, i would take you up n your offer, maybe, would not be so worried about ruining a free fan, but you have not put your location in your post info. Still pondering in Tenino, Dave

I appreciate everyone's suggestions. Thanks to all. What I am looking for is the instructions for forging both pieces of a pair of tongs at once. There is no way to NOT have them match with that method :) Thanks again, Dave

I seem to remember reading about how to forge both pieces for a set of tongs at the same time. Anyone know where I might find this again? Thanks Dave

Because I have a low ceiling over my gas forge I built a 3' x 4' sheet metal hood with a 3" lower lip. I then added a double wall chimney pipe. It contains the heat and I no longer worry about the ceiling catching fire. It doesn't want to draw properly. Googling around seemed to indicate an in-pipe fan for a zillion bucks. Anyone cure a similar problem in your shop? Thanks- Dave

Another fine example of your work, Aaron! Loving the 5 pound rounding hammer you made me:) Dave

I would like the same done with my ashes. Terrific idea! Dave

Looks good to me! How much for that pair :) Dave

Fine job! I like this knife very much! Dave

Great work and very nice patterning. The other folks working on this knife will like where you left them. Just a single knife or are there more in this coop effort? Dave

That is an amazing bit of work you have going. I like the looks of the finished head and look forward to seeing more pics. You probably don't feel much like photos at the end of your day but they are much appreciaed! Dave

Tough to change a price once it is given- I would eat the loss and chalk it up as valuable learning. Dave

Love it all! Nuge, what am I looking at in the RR Track pic? Clicked to try and enlarge it but ni dice. Dave